I find it interesting to compare U2's Album "October" which was produced by Steve Lilywhite and "The Joshua Tree", which was produced by Lanois and Brian Eno. You can begin to hear Lanois influence with the group and by comparison, the "October" recording sounds flat.

Lanois stuff sounds as if it was recorded in a cathedral and the sound soars on The Joshua Tree album, while he still maintains very personal and live vocals.

Maybe the Catholic church had a profound influence on the lad, auditorilly as well, because it sounds to me, that he has managed, on some of his albums, to reproduce the ambience of some very acoustically fine churches, with his recordings.

I have heard that sound on a few occasions live, one of which is operatic solos, sung unmiked in churches, with incredible acoustics. The music cascades from the ceiling, without the hard confusing cacophony of echos that some venues produce.

I think he brings a profoundly moving epiphenal experience to his work.