U2 was on a real roll from 1983 (when they released their third album, War) right through all the tours that followed the tours for Achtung Baby and its surprise follow-up, Zooropa. So when 1997 came around, the world was expecting more awesomeness.
But the Pop album wasn’t what fans were hoping for. Reception was muted at best, and some of the reviews were pretty negative. Even the band realized that they’d finished it in a rush and that it could have—should have—been better.
If Bono could have a do-over, he says he’d do it with Pop. The band has periodically talked about going back and “fixing” Pop—whatever that would entail—because U2 believes the record has good bones, but failed in execution.
Maybe one day…
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