How many albums of U2 are there?

U2 is one of the most popular music icons since 1980s. Main group consists on Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen, Jr. and Adam Clayton. They are formed in 1976 and firstly tried post-punk genre but then changed their style to popular music. U2 mostly write lyrics on social problems and spirituality. Fans parts group’s history to two parts as before 1987 The Joshua Tree album and after album. Group started to include dance and alternative rock sounds into its albums after 90s. After they took mixed reviews with their new sound, they released “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” in 2000 and returned back to their original style. How many albums of U2 are there?


U2 released 12 studio albums. Their first album “Boy” is released in 1980. It was only four years after group members met in school and started to make music. Reviewers found the sound of album a firestarter of a new music age. “I Will Follow” song became a hit single and group made a Europe and USA tour for the album’s promotion. Album was including “Shadows and Tall Trees” song. It was not an all-time hit but was a nod to “Lord of the Flies” novel and it noticed listeners about group members’ intellectual level. Also group recorded videos and magazines found Bono as a “passionate” and “charismatic” leader.
Then group released albums like “October”, “War” and “The Unforgettable Fire” since 1987. Group was searching its style with changing musical background and lyrics style. While “War” was a fully political massage, “The Unforgettable Fire” was a result of group’s musical research.

Group released “The Joshua Tree” in 1987 and it raised them to a superstar position in music world. There were lots of influences from various genres from Pop to Irish riot music in album. Also lyrics were very political and strong. It was possible to see that group influenced from group’s USA tour and Bono’s Central America tours. It was also the first time group managed recording professionally. Producer also spent more money than standard and gave a cinematic sound to album. “With or Without You” became an all-time hit. Album sold over 25 million copies and became one of the world’s best-selling albums. Album took 5 stars from magazines like Allmusic, Rolling Stone and Orlando Sentinel. Also Rolling Stones added album to “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list. All songs except “Trip Through Your Wires” released as single. Also “Mothers of the Disappeared” had chosen as one of the best politic songs ever.

“Achtung Baby” is released in 1991 and it was the period that group started to change its style to industrial and electronic dance music from pure rock. Lyrics are deeper and dark then former albums. Fans believe that group members were some stressful while recording album and it’s possible to see it in later documentaries but album took high reviews and gained high commercial success with selling 18 million copies all over the world.
“Zooropa” album is released in 1993 and it was the top point of group’s electronic dance music and alternative rock influences. Lyrics were influences from group’s Zoo TV Tour. Album’s total sound was favorable but none of singles became successful.
It was still possible to see techno and pop influences in “Pop” album but there were also some notes giving the fans “the old feel”. Album gained critical success but it was also a truth that group was losing its old fan structure. It was possible to see a new fan structure in concerts also.
Then group released albums like “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”, “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” and “No Line on the Horizon” and returned to its original sound.