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Album: U2 - The Joshua Tree

Label:  Island (c) 1987

Cover: Vg++
Vinyl: Ex

Songs:

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The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records. In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 release The Unforgettable Fire, the band aimed for a harder-hitting sound within the limitation of conventional song structures on The Joshua Tree. The album is influenced by American and Irish roots music, and depicts the band's love–hate relationship with the United States, with socially and politically conscious lyrics embellished with spiritual imagery.

Inspired by American tour experiences, literature, and politics, U2 chose America as a theme for the record. Recording began in January 1986 in Ireland, and to foster a relaxed, creative atmosphere, the group recorded in two houses, in addition to two professional studios. Several events during the sessions helped shape the conscious tone of the album, including the band's participation in A Conspiracy of Hope tour, the death of roadie Greg Carroll, and lead vocalist Bono's travels to Central America. Recording was completed in November 1986; additional production continued into January 1987. Throughout the sessions, U2 sought a "cinematic" quality for the record, one that would evoke a sense of location, in particular, the open spaces of America. They represented this in the sleeve photography depicting them in American desert landscapes.

The Joshua Tree received critical acclaim, topped the charts in over 20 countries, and sold in record-breaking numbers. According to Rolling Stone, the album increased the band's stature "from heroes to superstars". It produced the hit singles "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and "Where the Streets Have No Name". The album won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1988. The group supported the record with the Joshua Tree Tour throughout 1987. Frequently featured on critics' lists of rock's greatest records, The Joshua Tree is one of the world's best-selling albums, with over 25 million copies sold. U2 released a remastered edition of the record in 2007 to commemorate its 20th anniversary. In 2014, the album was selected for preservation in the US Library of Congress National Recording Registry. 

Grading
 
NEAR MINT-Usually the highest grade, plays like new.  No marks, scuffs or scratches on the record. The cover should be in like new condition with little or no wear.

EXCELLENT-Almost like new, maybe a mark or two on the record, but it should still sound like new. Vinyl looks shiny and clean. Dynamics, Clarity and Fidelity should all be excellent on the vinyl. The cover may have some wear, but certainly no ring wear or major marks or damage on the cover. Most collector examples.

VERY GOOD ++  A Beautiful Album, Some wear on the record. Some marks, scuffs or light surface scratches, certainly no skips or constant ticks when playing. Fidelity and Dynamics should be excellent. The cover can have some light wear, ring wear or bruised corners.

VERY GOOD +   Has some marks, scuffs and light scratches on the vinyl. Will play through without any skipping or major constant "ticks". Well cared for records, but evidence of playing them many times are there. Fidelity and Dynamics are still good, but maybe some light background noise between songs. Cover has ring wear and bruised corners, but overall front and back are in good shape. Some shine to the vinyl still.

VERY GOOD   Well worn record, has scratches, "ticks" and surface noise. Maybe a skip or two, nothing major, but would not be a collector example. Deeper scratches and noticable shine gone from the vinyl. Will play with fidelity, but background noise will be present.

GOOD    Lots of wear to the record, skips and scratches are certain. Deeper scuffs are present. A record that has seen better days! Record still plays, but gone is the fidelity and dynamics that make vinyl magical. Cover has ring wear, seam splits, and writing sometimes. Not a cover you would want to frame. Only to be bought to sustain a need until a better example is found.