ZOOTV Leg 4 (ZOOROPA): 1993, Europe

When U2 began introducing "Scarlet" back into their live set in late 2010, it became clear that remastering "October" did more than clearing the decks for the band. "Gloria" had made appearances back in 2005/2006 during the Vertigo tour, but this was different -- bringing back a deep album cut that carried spiritual significance, a song that prefigured "40" and, to a certain extent, every spiritual note that U2's later albums would end on ("MLK," "Grace", "Yahweh"). "Scarlet" really was that first step, and "Rejoice" the one word that seems to sum up the entire album, which shines even more gloriously on this remastered release. In addition to the sparkling remix of each and every track (Larry's rolling toms on "I Threw a Brick" echo more loudly now; Adam's bass solo in "Gloria" gets additional pop), the bonus tracks round out this (famously troubled) period for the band, giving a fuller picture of a band wrestling both with success and its own spiritual identity. The tracks culled from the band's live performances show the tracks already growing and evolving, as the band gets looser, more fluid, more comfortable and confident. It's been said that "War" is the band's first, unmitigated masterpiece, but one wonders if that album would have achieved its potency, its fire and power, without the whispers and questions of "October" -- questions and whispers which haunt the band still.

October was desperately in need of a remaster. But despite the excellent work done on the main album, it was the bonus disc on the deluxe edition that made this release unforgettable. The previously unreleased Hammersmith Palais recordings gave fans half of the album live and, coupled with other gems such as the then only known live recording of Scarlet, the Paradise Theatre rendition of I Will Follow (referenced on the Elevation Tour release from Boston), and the rare re-recording of Tomorrow by Bono and Adam in 1997, October was perhaps the best of the remasters. A stirling effort on a vastly underappreciated album.