U2 – War (LP) (VG+)

U2 – War
LP, Album | Island Records | Cat. No. 79-00671 | Canada | 1983

War (1983) was U2’s commercial breakthrough and their most overtly political album — opening with Sunday Bloody Sunday and closing with ‘40”, the psalm-derived closer that became a staple of their live set for decades. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, who shaped the band’s signature early sound across Boy, October, and War before U2 moved on to Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin — the studio the band used through their early career and a landmark address in Irish rock history. Mastered by Phil Brown at Warner Bros. Recording Studios, Los Angeles; lacquer cut by Joe Webster. Band photography by Anton Corbijn, whose black-and-white visual identity for U2 is as iconic as the music. Trumpet on Sunday Bloody Sunday and Red Light by Ken Fradley. Engineered by Paul Thomas; assistant engineer Kevin Killen (who would go on to work with Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, and Elvis Costello). Managed by Paul McGuinness. Canadian Quality Records Limited pressing (“Qua” designation), distributed by WEA Music Of Canada Ltd.; printed by Ever Reddy (ER logo encircled on spine, “Printed In Canada”). Pressing note: this issue’s B-side was recut by a different engineer from the related pressing, distinguishing it as a documented variant. Label vs. cover title discrepancies: New Year’s Day (cover) vs. New Years Day (label); ‘40” (cover) vs. 40 (label). VG+/VG+ — vinyl near NM; both record and cover present very cleanly.

Condition

• Media: Very Good Plus (VG+) — near NM; very clean
• Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+) — very clean; near NM

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Sunday Bloody Sunday (4:38)
A2. Seconds (3:24)
A3. New Year’s Day (5:38)
A4. Like A Song… (4:48)
A5. Drowning Man (4:12)

Side B
B1. The Refugee (3:40)
B2. Two Hearts Beat As One (5:00)
B3. Red Light (4:09)
B4. Surrender (6:01)
B5. ‘40” (2:08)

Credits
Vocals & Guitar: Bono
Guitar, Piano & Lap Steel Guitar: The Edge
Bass: Adam Clayton | Drums & Percussion: Larry Mullen
Trumpet: Ken Fradley
Produced By: Steve Lillywhite
Engineered By: Paul Thomas | Asst. Engineer: Kevin Killen
Mastered By: Phil Brown (Warner Bros. Recording Studios, LA)
Lacquer Cut By: Joe Webster
Band Photography: Anton Corbijn | Management: Paul McGuinness

Details

• Format: LP, Album
• Label: Island Records (79-00671)
• Country: Canada (Quality Records Ltd. pressing; WEA Music Of Canada)
• Released: 1983
• Weight: 230 g
• Recorded: Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin
• Printed by: Ever Reddy (ER logo on spine, Printed In Canada)
• Style: Post-Punk, Rock, New Wave, Alternative Rock

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As with all vintage records, minor signs of age and handling are to be expected and are reflected in the grading above.