U2 Vinyl Records – The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby & Essential Albums on Vinyl

U2 are the most successful Irish band in history. Formed in Dublin in 1976 around Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. — all then in their mid-teens — they evolved from post-punk earnestness on Boy and War through the atmospheric peaks of The Unforgettable Fire and on to one of the defining rock records of the 1980s, The Joshua Tree (1987). For roughly the next decade they were the biggest band in the world.

The reinvention with Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa and Pop took them through art-rock and electronic detours; the return to anthemic songwriting on All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) brought them back to mainstream dominance. Their catalogue on vinyl is a particular pleasure — Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno's productions reward analogue depth, and the recent Universal 180g remasters across the catalogue are consistently excellent. The Anton Corbijn cover photography is iconic.

Best U2 Albums on Vinyl

The Joshua Tree (1987)
Their masterpiece. Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You — produced by Eno and Lanois in Dublin, wrapped in Anton Corbijn's iconic Mojave Desert photography. Sold over 25 million copies. The 30th Anniversary 2xLP is the definitive vinyl edition.

Achtung Baby (1991)
The reinvention. One, Mysterious Ways, The Fly, Even Better Than the Real Thing — recorded in Berlin's Hansa Studios as the band burned down their 80s identity and rebuilt themselves around glam, industrial and electronic textures. Often cited as their most adventurous record.

The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
The first Eno/Lanois collaboration. Pride (In the Name of Love), Bad, the title track — a more ambient, textured record than War, and the one that pointed toward the sound of The Joshua Tree.

War (1983)
The breakthrough. Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Two Hearts Beat as One — politically engaged, urgent and the record that made U2 a serious international proposition.

All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
The return to anthems. Beautiful Day, Walk On, Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Elevation — produced again with Eno and Lanois, and a record that made U2 the biggest band in the world all over again at the turn of the millennium.

If You Like U2 vinyl records, check these out:

Alanis Morissette Vinyl Records Alanis Morissette Deftones Vinyl Records – White Pony, Around the Fur & Essential Albums on Vinyl Deftones Echo & The Bunnymen Vinyl Records Echo & The Bunnymen Editors Vinyl Records Editors Elbow Vinyl Records Elbow

Browse U2 by genre:

Alternative / IndieRock