The Unforgettable Fire
The Unforgettable Firefinds U2 caught between the taut angry rock ofWarand the kinetic, spiritual energy ofThe Joshua Tree. That's not a bad place to be, but like any crossroads it has its moments of indecision. "Pride (In the Name of Love)," "Wire", and the heroic "Bad" rank with their finest work. "4th of July" and "Elvis Presley and America" do not; hence this album's unstable foothold in their canon. Its strengths make it a must for fans, but its weaknesses makeWar,Joshua Tree, orAchtung Babya better place to start.--Michael Ruby