Achtung Baby

Achtung Baby
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Name	Achtung Baby
Artist	U2
Released	November 18, 1991
Recorded	October 1990 – September 1991
Genre	Rock music, Alternative rock
Length	55:27
Label	Island Records
Producer	Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno

Achtung Baby is the seventh studio album by the Irish rock band U2, released on November 18, 1991, by Island Records. The album was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and recorded at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany, and Dublin, Ireland, with additional recording at Elsinore in Dalkey, Ireland. The album marked a significant departure from the band's previous work, with The Edge's guitar work and Adam Clayton's bass lines taking on a more experimental and industrial sound, influenced by Kraftwerk, Neu!, and Can (band).

Background and production

The production of Achtung Baby began in October 1990, with U2 gathering at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany, to start working on new material. The band was joined by producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, who had previously worked with U2 on The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree. The band's lead vocalist, Bono, has stated that the album was influenced by the Berlin Wall and the Reunification of Germany, as well as the band's own personal struggles and relationships, including Ali Hewson and Morleigh Steinberg. The album's sound was also influenced by the band's interest in Industrial music and Electronic music, with The Edge citing Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode as key influences.

Music and composition

The music on Achtung Baby is characterized by its dark and introspective tone, with lyrics that explore themes of love, relationships, and social commentary, inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jean Baudrillard. The album's sound is marked by The Edge's use of distorted guitar and Adam Clayton's prominent bass lines, as well as Larry Mullen Jr.'s driving drum beats, influenced by John Bonham and Charlie Watts. The album features a range of musical styles, from the Industrial rock of Zoo Station to the Blues rock of Love Is Blindness, with nods to The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. The album's lyrics were also influenced by William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac, with Bono citing The Beats as a key inspiration.

Release and reception

Achtung Baby was released on November 18, 1991, to widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising the band's new direction and sound, including Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and being certified 8x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales influenced by MTV and Radiohead. The album spawned several successful singles, including The Fly, Mysterious Ways, and One, which reached number one on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, with airplay on KROQ-FM and WXRK. The album has since been included on several "greatest albums of all time" lists, including those of Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian, with praise from Bruce Springsteen, Michael Stipe, and Thom Yorke.

Legacy and impact

Achtung Baby has had a significant impact on the music world, influencing a range of artists, including Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Muse (band), with Thom Yorke citing the album as a key influence. The album's experimental sound and dark tone have also been cited as an influence by Industrial rock and Electronic music artists, such as Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode, with Trent Reznor praising the album's sound. The album's themes of love, relationships, and social commentary have also been praised for their depth and complexity, with Bono's lyrics being compared to those of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, with praise from Patti Smith and Joan Baez. The album has been certified 8x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold over 18 million copies worldwide, with sales influenced by Amazon.com and iTunes.

Track listing

The track listing for Achtung Baby is as follows: 1. Zoo Station 2. Even Better Than the Real Thing 3. One 4. Until the End of the World 5. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses 6. So Cruel 7. The Fly 8. Mysterious Ways 9. Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World 10. Ultra Violet (Light My Way) 11. Acrobat 12. Love Is Blindness

Personnel

The personnel involved in the production of Achtung Baby include: * Bono: lead vocals, guitar * The Edge: guitar, keyboards, vocals * Adam Clayton: bass guitar * Larry Mullen Jr.: drums, percussion * Daniel Lanois: production * Brian Eno: production * Mark "Flood" Ellis: engineering * Steve Lillywhite: mixing * Howie B: engineering * Stuart Wheldon: engineering * Ian Bryan: engineering * Shannon Strong: engineering * Robbie Adams: engineering * Mary McShane: engineering * Tracy Chapman: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Rebecca Evans: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Diane Eve: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Nancy Evans: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Andrew Robinson: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * The Memphis Horns: horns on Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses * Dixie Chicks: backing vocals on Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses * Patti Smith: backing vocals on Until the End of the World * Michael Brook: guitar on One * Benmont Tench: keyboards on One * Lenny Castro: percussion on One * Larry Knechtel: bass guitar on One * James Jamerson Jr.: bass guitar on One * Alex Acuña: percussion on One * Daniel Lanois: guitar on The Fly * Brian Eno: keyboards on The Fly * Mark "Flood" Ellis: engineering on The Fly * Steve Lillywhite: mixing on The Fly * Howie B: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Stuart Wheldon: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Ian Bryan: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Shannon Strong: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Robbie Adams: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Mary McShane: engineering on Mysterious Ways * Tracy Chapman: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Rebecca Evans: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Diane Eve: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Nancy Evans: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Andrew Robinson: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * The Memphis Horns: horns on Mysterious Ways * Dixie Chicks: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Patti Smith: backing vocals on Mysterious Ways * Michael Brook: guitar on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * Benmont Tench: keyboards on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * Lenny Castro: percussion on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * Larry Knechtel: bass guitar on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * James Jamerson Jr.: bass guitar on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * Alex Acuña: percussion on Ultra Violet (Light My Way) * Daniel Lanois: guitar on Acrobat * Brian Eno: keyboards on Acrobat * Mark "Flood" Ellis: engineering on Acrobat * Steve Lillywhite: mixing on Acrobat * Howie B: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Stuart Wheldon: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Ian Bryan: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Shannon Strong: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Robbie Adams: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Mary McShane: engineering on Love Is Blindness * Tracy Chapman: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Rebecca Evans: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Diane Eve: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Nancy Evans: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Andrew Robinson: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * The Memphis Horns: horns on Love Is Blindness * Dixie Chicks: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness * Patti Smith: backing vocals on Love Is Blindness Category:U2 albums