Review Summary: Certainly not the best that U2 have come out with, but there is no denying this is a highly underrated and very much under-appreciated collection of enjoyable music.
The 90's marked a significant change in U2's musical style and direction. The album, POP is probably the most obvious examples of how the band experimented so much during that time. A lot of fans saw it as a lower point in their career. I, however saw it as a very interesting time for how the band played music. Although, POP is certainly not their best effort, it does pack in a few really good listens.
While many have missed the stadium rock anthems and albums of the 80's, the 90's brought so many new aspects to U2. With the industrial, electronic and alternative influences really shining through on the albums, Acthung Baby and Zooropa, POP took that extra small step into further experimentation of these musical styles and influences. For me, this was a very good thing. It gave U2 a sense of freedom in their music, like they didn't have to follow what everyone demanded of them. It was almost as if they were playing for themselves and no-one else, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
What is most noticeable about POP is the production. The album sounds very new to U2, like nothing they have done before. Throughout the album we hear sampling, loops, programmed drum machines and sequencing among other things. Its something we've rarely (if ever) frequently heard from U2, so with the album being so constant with these production techniques, some fans might find it difficult to digest upon first listening.
The albums musical style is also another very noticeable aspect to POP which makes it stand out from the rest of U2's catalogue. With POP, they seemed to go one step further with the experimentation and reinvention of themselves. The electronic and techno influences are highly evident on the album with songs like 'Discotheque', 'Do You Feel Loved' and especially, 'Mofo' being almost danceable tunes and opening up the album with an onslaught of this unusual but great U2 sound. The album does stray into more 'classic' U2 ground however, which will be more than pleasing for older U2 fans. Songs like, 'If God Will Send His Angels', 'Last Night on Earth' and 'Gone' show that their rock roots and stadium anthems have not been completely forgotten, although there are no standout classics to be found here which stops POP from being an superb album.
POP seems to have quite an overall glum and dark tone which is displayed in many of the songs. This is particularly evident towards the end of the album with the very slow moving track, 'If You Wear That Velvet Dress'. the following track, 'Please' also seems to have a morbid quality to it and the closing track ends the album on a serious mood killer with, 'Wake up Dead Man'.
On a negative side, the album does seem to become less enjoyable because of the tedious change in tone and pace near the end. I do see a pattern in the songs i listen to on here. The first 7 being really great and the last 4/5 (which is a significant chunk) slipping into the dull side which the album is unfortunately let down by.
It seems that because, POP is a highly experimental album for U2 standards that it must be seen as a low point in their career just because it hasn't produced hit stadium rock anthems that we heard on the older more 'classic' U2 albums. I myself found it a very interesting listen and its always good to hear something new and fresh sounding from a band that has been around long enough to do it. They've already made history with their huge commercial success's in the past, so it should be no harm that they will want to discover new styles and paths into music. POP clearly shows this.
Overall, an interesting album which stands out because of its uniqueness in production and musical direction. Certainly not the best that U2 have come out with, but there is no denying this is a highly underrated and very much under-appreciated collection of enjoyable music.
