

On their first album of the '90s, U2 succeeds at a game few bands pull off—adding new elements to their sound without sacrificing the strength of their original musical vision. Producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno's electronic beats and impressionistic synths spin a new kind of sonic gold. The hypnotically groovy "Mysterious Ways" and the surging ballad "One" maintain the band's commercial credibility, while stranger, more experimental efforts, like "The Fly," offer a peek into their complex and intriguing dark side.