Two singles were released before the album hit the stores in november, '81 (they must have been aiming at an "October" release .. or what?). First of, "Fire" was released in July, and then "Gloria" in October.
October is U2's second best album in my opinion (after The Unforgettable Fire). Here we find the band at their most post-punk experimental, but of course, the band can't escape from the anthemic melodies and hooks who would send them into glory two year later (that is, with War)
The question, however, is: I think that "Fire" is a very badly chosen first single. They should at least have turned it around. A fine song, but somehow, it's not quite there. On the other hand, "Gloria" is a magnificent song, one of their all time best. In a made up world, I would have released "Gloria" first and then ... hmmm. "Rejoice"? A very similiar song to "Gloria", and that was perhaps the reason it was not released as a single.
"Fire" was the to show the "introspective" side, I guees, while "Gloria" was to show that U2 was still U2...or something
What would you have done?
― Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen (arnart1802), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 14:35 (nineteen years ago)
the double 7" inch. Yes, very nice packaging. the b-side, "J. Swallow" is probably the most experimental thing U2 have ever done. A great track.
― Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen (arnart1802), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 14:39 (nineteen years ago)
but what about the strategy? "Gloria" first surely..."Fire" was a total misfire (a pun intended)
― Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen (arnart1802), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)
J. Swallo is indeed great, but I can't share your love of the album as a whole. Title track is classic, though.
― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 15:40 (nineteen years ago)
Yeah, me too. Quite liked "A Celebration" tho.
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 07:23 (nineteen years ago)