U2 “The Unforgettable Fire” released on this date, October 1, 1984. U2′s fourth studio album, back when they were still considered post-punk/alternative. All swirling vast Irish moors, jangling Edge guitar, soaring, lofty Bono lyrics – I suppose the U2 of today has reached guilty pleasure status but this record really is quite amazing, especially when placed in the context of its release. “Pride (In the name of love)” is pretty much song perfection – a great hook, anthemic beat, quiet-loud-quiet lyrical tension; I remember after the unexpected death of someone I knew in high school listening to this song on my Walkman and sobbing as it mixes the perfect amount of the joy and sorrow of life and loss. This is just one of those albums that I have a hard time listening to truly critically, with open ears and mind, it is so wrapped up in memories and emotions from that time: as I wrote about this past July on the anniversary of Live Aid, U2′s performance of “Bad” still brings the shiver of teenage girl emotion.