Exploring U2 ─ Is This Rock 'n' Roll?: Essays on the Music, Work, and Influence of U2

Exploring U2: Is This Rock 'n' Roll? features new writing in the growing field of U2 studies. In keeping with U2's own efforts to remove barriers that have long prevented dialogue for understanding and improving the human experience, this collection of essays covers such disciplines as literature, music, philosophy, and theology. The essays study U2's evolving use of source material in live performances, the layering of vocal effects in signature songs, the crafting of a spiritual community at live concerts, U2's success as a business brand, Bono's rhetorical presentation of Africa to the Western consumer, and readings of U2's work for irony, personhood, hope, conservatism, and cosmic-time. Official band biographer Neil McCormick considers U2 as a Dublin-shaped band, and Danielle Rheaume tells how discovering and returning Bono's lost briefcase of lyrics for the album October propelled her along her own artistic journey. This thoughtful and timely collection of essays examines U2 from perspectives ranging from the personal to the academic, and is accessible to curious music fans, students, teachers, and scholars alike.

Scott Calhoun is professor of English at Cedarville University in Ohio. He is editor of Exploring U2: Is This Rock ‘n’ Roll? and the director of The U2 Conference.