But the looming deadlock was quickly and rather dramatically avoided by another landmark, the bizarrely‑named Achtung Baby (1991), a dark, disturbing and gloomy piece of work, all distorted guitars and gothic‑sounding keyboards. Rattle & Hum (1989), part live album, part covers, part original material, was an exploration and re‑evaluation of their American influences and musical heroes, such as Elvis and BB King. Then the band threatened to stagnate creatively. Their most successful and classic album to date, The Joshua Tree (1987), continued the new trend, with added influences of American roots music.

Out went the bucketfuls of reverb and monochrome colours of Boy, October (1981) and War (1983), to be replaced by a more intimate and atmospheric sound. The first great change of direction was with The Unforgettable Fire (1984). Ever since they burst on the international music scene in 1980 with the fresh New Wave‑inspired guitar‑rock of Boy, they've changed tack every time they threatened to become repetitive. The band have never been satisfied to simply rest on their laurels and turn out the obligatory 5‑yearly disc with more of the same, only less inspired, music - unlike many other 'stars'. Whatever the ins and outs of the partisan and prejudiced nature of much of the British music press, which often appears to focus on peripherals like age and trendiness rather than music, the fact that U2 haven't been reviled in accordance with their status must have something to do with their stomach for musical adventures. Most artists that have achieved mass popularity are dropped by large sections of the British music press like a hot potato and subsequently need elephant skins to deal with the abuse heaped on their work. U2 have the rare distinction of being a major band that have consistently reaped both commercial success and critical acclaim. Here he gives Paul Tingen a fascinating insight into the exciting and unorthodox recording methods they used. Young Irish engineer Robbie Adams played an important part in the recording of U2's popular and critically‑acclaimed albums Achtung Baby and Zooropa.

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