Best of July, 2008: "Boy Reissue" by U2

Why it’s significant: Not only is Boy the first album that launched U2's prolific career which spans decades, but this month's anticipated remastered re-release edition includes b-sides, live tracks and rarities as well as a 32 page booklet with previously unseen photos, full lyrics, and explanatory notes by The Edge. While many a critic and fan alike adore their mid-career anthems like Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby as well as other great releases in recent twilight years, only a cursory listen to Boy is needed to understand why U2's strident trajectory into rock stardom began here in both attitude and spirit for the Dublin lads.

Starting off both the original album and this month's special edition is one of U2's all-time greatest tracks, "I Will Follow," which repeats a ringing chord and slides into themes of adolescent angst and evolution echoed throughout the track as clearly as Edge's trademark delay on the six string. Other elements of his guitar style started to develop here and can be heard on tracks like "Twilight," "A Day Without Me," and "The Electric Co" where his signature sound pans left to right and ricochets beneath Bono's vox with an edgy mix of chorus, delay, and reverb.

There were few if any other albums in 1980 that carried the musical technique and lyrical bombast offered on Boy. With innocent perspective and callow creeds, U2 stepped into the limelight unaware of the accolades to come as well as the journey ahead.  The band now celebrate the beginning of it all on this special reissue with new media to add perspective to the roots of their legacy.

--Lucas Hilbert