Gloria

A-Side: Gloria
B-Side: I Will Follow (live recording)

Record label: CBS Records CBSA 1718
Producer: Steve Lillywhite

Released: 10/81
Purchased: 07/11/81

U2’s decisive optimism cannot be denied but the music’ fundamental immobility dilutes the passions. A lot of musical movement / activity doesn’t necessarily indicate that the communication is spectacularly soulful or insightful. U2 seem to be wasting a lot of energy. (NME, 17/10/81)

In excelsis. It’s time U2 charged up our charts; this being very different from their previous attempts, might just do the trick. No less powerful, it’s nonetheless softer, a little blurrier and less hard-edged.

Earlier U2 productions have sold them short, methinks; too many people have dismissed them as a rather conventional-sounding rock band, while anyone who’s seen them live on a good night knows that they have a peculiar delicacy that balances and compliments their awesome drive.

“Gloria” is – at last – recorded evidence of that special quality. The way it builds at the end! A successor to “11 O’ Clock Tick Tock”, and that’s mighty praise. (Record Mirror, 10/10/81)