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From the Vault...
02/07/1999
#615 |
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info
U2
"The Best Of 1980-1990"
© Island Records
Year of Release: 1998
Rating:
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track listing
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Pride (In TheName Of Love)
New Year's Day
With Or Without You
I Still Haven't FoundWhat I'm Looking For
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bad
Where The Streets HaveNo Name
I Will Follow
The Unforgettable Fire
Sweetest Thing
Desire
When Love Comes To Town
Angel Of Harlem
All I Want Is You
The Three Sunrises
Spanish Eyes
Sweetest Thing
Love Comes Tumbling
Bass Trap
Dancing Barefoot
Everlasting Love
Umchained Melody
Walk To The Water
Luminous Times(Hold On To Love)
Hallelujah Here She Comes
Silver And Gold
Endless Deep
A Room At TheHeartbreak Hotel
Trash Trampoline AndThe Party Girl
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U2
"The Best Of 1980-1990"
U2 is considered THE band of the 1980s. And for those many fans
who collect all of their albums, a "Best Of" compilation would most likely
be ignored, because all of the songs were already owned by the die-hard fans.
However, in most cases, a "Best Of" features one or two songs that were never
released. In U2's case, the 1998 Best Of 1980-1990 features a two-CD set,
consisting of well-known songs (with one unreleased) on the first CD. The
second CD features all songs that have never been released on any major
studio album. These songs are B-Sides, as they were the flip sides (yes,
45 rpm vinyl was around in the 1980s) to U2's biggest hit songs.
What makes this "Best Of" a must for the U2 fan, is that the second CD was
a limited-edition bonus. When this CD was first released last year, the
second CD would only be available during the first week of release. After
that, like the old saying, "Once they're gone, they're gone."
Another great bonus as I listen to the first CD, all of the songs have a
much fresh, crisp sound (remastered). The instrumentation such as the bass
and especially the drums are much sharper, as I heard things much clearer
and differently from the original U2 albums. At the end of the first CD is
a "bonus track" not listed with the other songs; the beautiful instrumental
title track from the band's October album. The only minor complaint
concerning the first CD is that the songs weren't arranged in chronological
order, like most "Best Of" compilations are arranged.
Obviously, the well-known favorites are here, from their 1980 debut album
Boy, all the way to 1988's Rattle And Hum. To name a few
favorites: "Pride (In The Name Of Love)," "New Year's Day," "I Will Follow,"
"With Or Without You," and "When Love Comes To Town" (with B.B. King)
definitely makes the "Best Of" complete. Like many bands and artists, U2
released songs that weren't included on their major album releases (Bruce
Springsteen was famous for this). U2 also followed this pattern, where only
radio stations would have some of the unreleased gems, while other songs
were only available as B-Sides, making the die-hard fan to keep their tape
recorders ready to hear that special unreleased song, and/or run out and try and
locate that special song, when they already have the major release album
already in their collections.
So we focus now on the limited second CD, featuring 15 B-Sides.
"The Three Sunrises" has a definite early 1980s pop sound (not to be
confused with the sound from their album called Pop). When I saw the
song title "Spanish Eyes", I thought maybe the band had recorded
the remake of the Al Martino hit. But I was mistaken; it's a different
song altogether, as it is another pop-sounding song that was probably recorded
in the mid-1980s. There are two versions of "Sweetest Thing". And
quite frankly, I don't see any major differences in the two, other than the
first version is a single mix on the first CD.
"Love Comes Tumbling", like the first two songs heard on the second
CD, has the definite 1980s sound, comparing bands like Duran Duran and The
Cure. This one is a bit more moody, (like David Bowie's original version of
"Cat People"). But you can definitely tell this song is U2.
"Bass Trap" is a pleasant sounding instrumental, good for a movie
soundtrack.
"Dancing Barefoot" is another head-bouncer, 1980s pop style.
"Everlasting Love" is the 1970s remake done by Carl Carlton, where U2's
version is a bit more fast-paced, focusing the accoustic guitar. "Unchained
Melody" is obviously the remake, famous by The Righteous Brothers.
It's slow, but it's slightly different in sound than what we're normally used
to. It starts out slow, but then there's a nice medium rock beat throughout
the rest of the song, giving it a nice touch.
"Walk To The Water" is another medium-paced, yet moody tune,
most likely recorded during The Unforgettable Fire sessions.
"Luminous Times (Hold On To Love)" is another smooth-pacing song,
as it would have made a good track for the Rattle And Hum album.
"Hallelujah Here She Comes" has a somewhat "galloping horse" feeling,
where this song has a gospel harmony, as this song could possibly be
recorded by a country artist, yet it's not really country. (you figure
that one out...)
"Silver And Gold" starts out eerie and mysterious, yet when
it kicks in, it's a great U2 song. This song is a different version than
originally on the Rattle And Hum album. "Endless Deep" is
an instrumental moody rocker, in the style of a rocking song by Bryan Ferry
and/or Roxy Music.
Another great rocker is "A Room At The Heartbreak Hotel," where
it defines the driving rock U2 is famous for. This song is almost the same
in sound as "Bad", but it has a more harder driving rock edge.
And lastly, "Trash, Trampoline And The Party Girl" has a slight reggae
touch to it, where it's almost like the Police song "The Bed's Too Big
Without You." from their album Reggatta de Blanc.
The Best Of 1980-1990, having the limited second CD is a definite
must for the U2 fan. Even though the first CD definitely defines the best
material, the second CD makes this Best Of much more enjoyable,
where most people are disappointed in a "Best Of" because they already have
all of the songs listed. A whole CD dedicated to unreleased material
is definitely better than just having one or two new songs included.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
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Island Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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