Achtung Baby by U2 (CD, Nov-1991, Island Records USA)

This is the best CD that U2 ever made. It is definately the one that you want if you are only wanting one U2 cd. To start off with, it has one of the most famous songs of all time, "one" which is a beautiful 'ballad' with the most sweetest melody and the tone is soooo melodic that it usually kind of leaves people entranced. As always, the lyrics on Bono's songs are soo powerful that they make you stop and think, unlike most lolly pop songs that are all beat and melody with no real effort in their lyrics.

The album's musical tone is very abstract, and set U2 again on fire when it was released, (as if they hadn't already been), but it reinforced their status as the major alternative selling band at the time. But what really sets U2 apart from others is their lack of care towards their critics, and their ability to produce melodic hard hitting songs with a story and feelings that make you shudder and feel melancholic, yet at the same time usually uplifting.

The 2nd song, 'the real thing' is another similiar type of song, with beautiful lyrics and melody. It starts out with a very edgy strong intro then drifts off into a wonderful complex mixture.

'Who's gonna ride your wild horses' is a beautiful song that is a tribute to strong independant women, and really looks deep into the lives of women who know what they want and don't settle for 2nd best. Its also a powerful flipside in that it details the struggle a man has for his love of a woman that he can't 'tame'. A common cliche in life that it really hit home for so many people.

'Mysterious ways' is another masterpiece of U2, with strong guitars and is a dedication to women that are different from the normal. It idolizes them, respects them and loves them. The song itself is one of my favourites, and the solo's and drums really make this a delight to listen to, topping off with the most well written lyrics that Bono and the guys could come up with.
The bass guitar is fantastic in this and the whole musical feel is almost like your at an amusement park on drugs.

1. Zoo Station
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. One
4. Until The End Of The World
5. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
6. So Cruel
7. The Fly
8. Mysterious Ways
9. Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World
10. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
11. Acrobat
12. Love Is Blindness