U2 - The Joshua Tree [Remastered] (CD 2008)

We all have albums we have bought more than once - I have three versions of London Calling, three times I have bought King Of America (those songs, Costello at his peak) and now I have two copies of the Joshua Tree.

Well, U2 started for me on hearing those haunting melodies from the Unforgettable Fire, an album whose charm lies within the immediacy of experimentation with Eno and Lanois (who, to quote the band had more music in his little finger than the combined resources on the band) that galvanised the band to start believing they could be more than a rock band.

The sombre mood of the Joshua Tree album was driven by the death of a much loved roadie, Greg, before recording took place, amd was reinforced by the 'live' nature of capturing the songs. Overlayed on this canvas was 'The Infinite guitar' genius of The Edge, fully formed lyrics this time from Bono ('Running To Stand Still' is Bad part two, revisting unfinished work from the earlier album) and the rhythm section of Adam and Larry adding the backbone of sketches of what America was, and the Monster it could become in dictating world policy. Kirsty Macoll (RIP) arranged the running order of the track, and it is curious to think that one of the great opening tracks of this great album was the last track to be conceived. Or not (it seems to tie up and energise the direction of the album). For me, the opening three songs of the album rival any other album; from the rush of the opening track to my favourite U2 anthem ('Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For') to the dark,sexual/religious text of 'With or Without You' this was a band opening up and finding lost poetry in corners of our souls. The album never flags, and you sense the commitment of the songs as a coherent album expressing love and identity at a singular, human level against the conflicting themes of widescreen beauty and oppression running through America (the vision stands, a mark of a great album 20 years on).

So, why buy it again? Well, I did have issues with the swampy, ambient mastering that seemed to rob my ears of a discernable top end when it was first released. So, the remastered version - well, it had to be worth a few quid off Ebay - the Ebay I love, commit a little and sometimes you get a lot back. Anyway I got it, and just put it to one side at first, not daring to listen to it initially, I just wanted it around my place, fitting in for a while. And then....imagine you go back in time to one of your favourite moments, when your babies are miraculously thrust out in the world under your helplessly humble gawping at the most wonderful thing ever, and you find the bloody things this time round say 'Hi Dad' at you, or at your wedding when the beautiful terror of your commitment hits home and God puts a hand on your shoulder (okay, Bruce is there playing acoustic behind you, I went too far there) and whispers 'She's The One' then you may realise you have a significant upgrade in communication happening. And so it is with this version. I have my precious 5% back, and it sounds like 200% of the first time around. The album leaps through the speakers and twists into your brain like the friend you sort of made in a bar somewhere but could have been your best buddy for life if you could have communicated better then.

Buy it! I'm giving my copy to my best buddy, so you may be bidding with me next time. Good luck - 0h, and when you bid, you have to run to stand stiil sometimes.