Other reviews were more critical. Neil Strauss of "The New York Times" wrote that "From the band's first album, "Boy", in 1980, through "The Joshua Tree" in 1987, U2 sounded inspired. Now it sounds expensive." He further commented that "U2 and techno don't mix any better than U2 and irony do." Parry Gettelman of the "Orlando Sentinel" rated the album two stars and found the band's attempt to merge rock music with dance rhythms underwhelming, saying, "U2 lacks the zest for experimentation that has helped make electronic music so appealing to music fans weary of formulaic rock". John Sakamoto of "Jam! Showbiz" said, "Far from an exercise in daring self-indulgence, "Pop" is too often guilty of a much more serious offence: not going far enough." He added, "as with so many elements of the ephemeral culture it both disparages and celebrates, it ends up being something considerably less than has been advertised." "Village Voice" critic Robert Christgau rated it a dud, indicating a bad album unworthy of a review.