The Joshua Tree

This is the year. It is 30 years ago since the best rock album ever made was released.

It was the fifth studio album by Irish rock band U2, produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and released on 9 March on Island Records. 

The album is influenced by American and Irish roots music, and through sociopolitically conscious lyrics embellished with spiritual imagery, it contrasts the group’s antipathy for the “real America” with their fascination with the “mythical America”.

So U2 dexoded to go on tour to celebrate this landmark album in the history of modern music. This year the travel the world to play the songs. 

Inspired by American tour experiences, literature, and politics, U2 chose America as a theme for the record. Recording began in January 1986 in Ireland, and to foster a relaxed, creative atmosphere, the group primarily recorded in two houses. Several events during the sessions helped shape the conscious tone of the album, including the band’s participation in the Conspiracy of Hope benefit concerts for Amnesty International, the death of roadie Greg Carroll, and lead vocalist Bono’s travels to Central America. Recording was completed in November 1986; additional production continued into January 1987. Throughout the sessions, U2 sought a “cinematic” quality for the record, one that would evoke a sense of location, in particular, the open spaces of the United States. They represented this in the sleeve photography depicting them in American desert landscapes.

The album has 11 tracks;

1. “Where the Streets Have No Name” 5:38

2. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

3. With or Without You

4. Bullet the Blue Sky

5. Running to Stand Still

6. Red Hill Mining Town

7. In God’s Country

8. Trip Through Your Wires

9. One Tree Hill

10. Exit

11. Mothers of the Disappeared

All these songs are amazing, but my personal favourite is In God’s Country.