Passengers

In 1995 the members of U2 teamed with Brian Eno to create the short-lived collective Passengers, which issued only one recording. Under the title Passengers: Original Soundtracks the ensemble crafted an experimental collection intended as an homage to the film scores they most admired. One track even brought the five musicians together with Luciano Pavarotti, underscoring the project’s departure from the band’s usual approach. Packed with playful asides, the album’s liner notes reinforced its unconventional character, and listeners accustomed to U2’s prior work largely rejected the results, leaving the release commercially unsuccessful. After a handful of live outings the participants disbanded, and the venture was permanently abandoned.