My Life in U2 Recordings

U2 is one of those bands that release albums just infrequently enough that when a new one does drop, I’m at a different point in my life than before. As a result, I’m able to map out my life more or less from when I first got into them. Given that I’m about to go through several life changes in one fell swoop (our first home, learning how to drive, becoming a father) now seems like a good time to look back.

Rattle and Hum (1988)

My love affair with U2 began when I saw the doc that accompanied this album at the Senator theater in Baltimore. I was a sophomore in high school, but the full impact of the film wouldn’t hit until I was a senior, and attempted to make my own Rattle and Hum movie called Rock Song about all of the rock bands there (including my own). It was to culminate in a battle of the bands which was canceled mid-production. In spite of all my efforts to bring back the show (including handing over a signed petition to the headmaster who proceeded to tell me he hated rock music) it never happened, but I had enough material with rehearsals alone. And thus was born my first movie, a 2.5 hour documentary shot on VHS and edited on two vcrs.

By the way, this was one of the first albums I bought exclusively on tape. I had pretty much abandoned vinyl at that point. I caught up on pre-Rattle and Hum U2 during this time.

Achtung Baby (1991)

Freshman year of college. This brings back memories of wandering JHU at night as a freshman, listening to this album on my walkman. An album that I would grow to appreciate more and more as I grew older, until it became my favorite. Also, the first concert I ever went to – Zoo TV at RFK stadium. Still one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. Kind of a bleak album to be into, but I was pretty mopey in college, so it fits.

My second film, a short vhs doc called Zoo JHU, took its inspiration from an obvious place.

Also, one of the first CD’s I ever owned.

Zooropa (1993)

My Junior year of college and my first year living away from home (I commuted the first two years). A whole new world that I dubbed Junioropa on a mix I made to commemorate the year. The song “Zooropa” kind of fits this disorientation, being a satire of the promise of the then newly formed European Union.

The last time I’d buy a U2 album on tape.

Pop (1997)

This album came out on my 23rd birthday. Covers my early post-college career, which was basically spent working in a record store and trying to make movies. I shot my first one on 16mm that summer, a short entitled The Least Dangerous Game.

All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)

The second phase of my post-college years, which basically involved getting a real job (with, like, benefits and shit) and finishing my first feature film, All Night Thing.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

Oh, how the world changes. My first U2 album bought in Philadelphia. Why Philly? Because in those four short years I’d met the love of my life and moved to Philly to be with her.

And how the technology changes. I drank the U2 Koolaid and in my most expensive act of fandom bought the U2 iPod and loaded the Ultimate U2 Collection onto it, which included the digital version of HTDAAB. I still bought the CD, however (the super-fancy tricked out version with DVD included, of course).

In theory, their next album is due this November, which would be right on time for the new house, if not the new baby. Anyone who’s followed U2 knows, however, to add a few months to a year to any scheduled release date, so I think their new one will encompass all the changes my life holds in the near future.