It's not the "best" U2 album for sure but it is my favourite. Probably because the Zooropa tour was the first stadium gig I went to. ZOOROPA was the first U2 album I got into for myself, rather than hearing second-hand through my older sisters.
At the time of its release many felt it was a bit of a stopgap. It came hot on the heels of 'Achtung Baby!' (well 2 years!) but didn't have the all conquering radio-friendly singles. Neither does it have the brash synthetic confidence of the ultimately disposable 'Pop' that followed it (surely the most irritating of all their albums).
ZOOROPA seems like the experimental U2 album that's been largely forgotten, much like their Passengers collaboration album. It's a shame because for me, it's their bravest and most interesting record. Not usually words you associate with U2. It's also one their least pompous.
Compared to Achtung Baby! it was a flop. The promotion probably didn't help. 'Numb' was a bad choice for the lead single. It features lead vocals from guitarist The Hedge and backing vocals from Bongo. It's a cold, soulless track, closer to Kraftwerk than the Joshua Tree. Lyrically its not dissimilar to Radiohead's robotic 'Fitter Happier'. U2 eschewed the usual CD / vinyl / cassette release they put it out as a three track VHS. Commercial suicide.
The album does still sound U2 but its also on trend for 1993. The chiming guitars are mostly drowned out with synths, samples and percussive loops. It's definitely an album to keep the rhythm section happy. Maybe that's why the The Hedge got his own song. It's very Jesus Jones, Neds, NIN - that early nineties mix of guitars and electronica, particularly on the likes of 'Lemon', 'Some Days are Better Than Others' and 'Daddy's, Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car'.
Favourite tracks include 'Babyface'. A twinkling electro tinged love song which suddenly seems less sweet when you realise Bongo is singing to pornography like some dirty old perv: "watching your bright blue eyes in the freeze frame / I've seen them so many times / I feel like I must your best friend".
The standout track on the whole album though is the majestic 'Stay (Faraway So Close)' a sweeping stadium ballad of the type only U2 can write. It's the only song off the album that regularly gets a live outing (though I've heard 'Lemon' a few time too).
The album closes with Johnny Cash singing on 'The Wanderer' as he mooches through a post apocalyptic world "under an atomic sky" much like that if Cormac McCarthey's The Road. It's a a great end to the album.
THE WANDERER
NUMB
STAY (FARAWAY, SO CLOSE)
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