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The Passengers-Original Soundtracks 1 (Island)

Remember when U2 actually recorded songs?  I do, but it's becoming hazy.  Calling themselves the Passengers and giving producer Brian Eno full band member status, this album eases further down the bumpy musical road that led to Zooropa. 

Soundtracks is a group of techno songs that were supposedly used as background music in a bunch of imaginary movies you've never heard of.  Many of the songs are instrumental, others using the vocals of Eno, a man renowned for not singing in other projects he's worked on.  Few of the tracks even deserve the term song; they're really just sketches. 

Even on "Miss Sarjevo," the closest thing to U2 on the disc, Bono does another of his wacky duets.  In 1993 it was Sinatra and Cash; this year it's Pavorotti, of all people.  Note to Bono: eclecticism is great, buddy, but know your range. 

I will give U2 this -- at least they changed the band's name on this vanity production.  Original Soundtracks is only for U2 completists, and frankly most of them will be disappointed, too.  (12/95)

Jay S. Jacobs