From the outset, U2 went for the big message - every song on their debut album Boy sounds huge, with oceans of processed guitars cascading around Bono's impassioned wail. It was an inspired combination of large, stadium-rock beats and post-punk textures. Without the Edge's echoed, ringing guitar, U2 would have sounded like a traditional hard rock band, since the rhythm section and Bono treat each song as an anthem. Of course, that's the charm of Boy: all of its emotions are on the surface, delivered with optimistic, youthful self-belief, yet the unusual, distinctive guitar textures give it an unexpected tension that makes it an exhilarating debut. The songs may occasionally show some weakness - the driving "I Will Follow," the dark "An Cat Dubh," and the shimmering "The Ocean" stand out among the sonic textures - yet the band's musical and lyrical vision keep Boy compelling until the finish.



Tracklist CD1:

01.I Will Follow (3:37)
02.Twilight (4:22)
03.An Cat Dubh (4:46)
04.Into The Heart (3:28)
05.Out Of Control (4:14)
06.Stories For Boys (3:02)
07.The Ocean (1:35)
08.A Day Without Me (3:13)
09.Another Time, Another Place (4:33)
10.The Electric Co. (4:47)
11.Shadows And Tall Trees (4:40)
12.Fire (Short Instrumental Hidden Track) (0:34)

Tracklist CD2:

01.I Will Follow (Previously Unreleased Mix) (3:38)
02.11 O'Clock Tick Tock (3:47)
03.Touch (3:26)
04.Speed Of Life (Previously Unreleased Track) (3:19)
05.Saturday Night (Previously Unreleased Track) (5:13)
06.Things To Make And Do (2:17)
07.Out Of Control (3:53)
08.Boy-Girl (3:23)
09.Stories For Boys (2:42)
10.Another Day (3:28)
11.Twilight (4:35)
12.Boy-Girl (Live At The Marquee, London) (3:26)
13.11 O' Clock Tick Tock (Live At The Marquee, London, Previously Unreleased Version) (4:59)
14.Cartoon World (Live At The National Stadium, Dublin, Previously Unreleased Track) (4:22)