By
Chris Martin
Grade: A
Albums like U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind do not come along too often.
With rock 'n roll seemingly left in pop music's wake, U2, with this latest release, not so much redefines itself as mold 22 years of experience into a melting pot of rock and sweet melodies that fights to bring rock back into the spotlight.
Gone for the most part is their earlier experimentation with techno, loops and engineered sounds heard on Pop and Zooropa, giving way to a mixture of gospel, R&B and rock that only U2 can bring.
All That, U2's tenth studio album, is a strikingly soulful concoction of 11 tracks - a collision of Joshua Tree's lyrically driven melodies and Achtung Baby's industrial darkness.
The album does not so much have a singular flow - rather, it is more of a collection of singles reminiscent of late 60s Beatles albums.
Sultry tracks such as "In a Little While," "Grace" and "Walk On" are classic U2 songs that combine lead singer Bono's distinct vocals and The Edge's hypnotic guitar riffs to give the album a sensual feel.
There is also a sense of mystery on All That that reflects the band's never-ending quest for new sounds, new passions and new musical destinations.
The lyrics of the beautiful track "Kite" describe the album's mood almost perfectly, as Bono sings, "Who's to say where the wind will take you/ Who's to know what it is will break you/ I don't know which way the wind will blow/ Who's to know when the time has come around/ Don't wanna see you cry/ I know that this is not goodbye."
Amidst the speculation that All That would be U2's last studio album, there is just too much greatness on this album for the band to stop now.
