U2 “Boy” released 40 years ago today, October 20th, 1980. North American version with alternate album cover, Island Records. U2′s debut LP went to #52 in the UK and #63 in the US. Boy is generally darker and more post-punk sounding than their later stridently earnest anthemic pop work, Boy does hint at that direction with its signature U2 sound: Edge’s distinctive style of guitar (on Boy influenced by Siouxsie and the Banshees and Television) and Bono’s soaring vocals. They released two singles from the album: the new wave-tinged “A Day Without Me” and “I Will Follow” (two of my favorites). “I Will Follow” went to #20 in the US in ‘81 and its re-release in ‘83 hit #81. I also really like “Twilight,” the rockers “Out of Control” and “Stories for Boys,” the atmospheric “The Ocean” and the Banshee-esque “Shadows and Tall Trees.”