U2: The Essential Album Guide

BOY (1980)
Key Tracks: "I Will Follow," "A Day Without Me"
Quick Take: The 10 tunes on U2's debut are sturdily constructed and winningly melodic, but by far the most arresting thing is its sound, every part in its stripped-down arrangements played for maximum impact. The ringing ostinatos and colorful chording provided by the Edge's echo-laden guitar, the secondary melodic lines of bassist Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen's drums providing musical cues in "Stories for Boys" that underscore the song's inner drama — the band manages an almost greater eloquence than Bono's amiably heroic vocals.

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