Each song could fit in to environments as diverse as your New Year's Eve party and your dentist's office. Of course, you will recognize some of the old school U2 trademarks. It starts with a sweet intro that features Bono's chopped up soliloquy and then turns right into an edgy riff that would fit perfectly on The Joshua Tree album. From there, Bono explores the world of freedom and the album title itself. His conclusion is left unsaid and is hardly brought up again.
Ballads rule the new album.
Each brings the listener a step closer to what Bono is trying to communicate. This pop gem takes a few listens, but its hit potential is clear. I would hesitate to call Leave Behind a concept album. Instead, it is a reaction to the commercial failure of their last album Pop, which truly was the best album of 1997. The electronica release was a sales failure, and the band's supporting tour faltered disgracefully.