Search - U2 :: U218 Singles [CD/DVD Combo]

Pride (& Vertigo) recycled One more time

gnagfloW | Rosa Barks | 11/21/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After having released the 1980-1990 & 1990-2000 Best Of Compilations, it seemed logical that the next U2 compilation would be a 2000-2010 compilation. With 2-3 leftovers from All...Behind, 4-5 contenders from How...Atomic Bomb, and the new single with Green Day (eh hem), not much would have been needed to fill that quota. Apparently, U2 no longer have such patience and have delivered this single disk career overview just in time for Christmas.



This is a pattern that has increasingly been developing by U2, i.e. releasing recycled material of sorts between each new release. We've had this decade alone 3 concert DVD's (plus Zoo TV re-released) and the 1990-2000 CD & DVD compilation.



On the plus side, at least for the very casual fan, all the biggies are included on this set. For those who have been Following U2 for ages, it is highly unlikely that such fans will have any Desire listening to Pride One more time (included on each concert DVD). Granted, there are 2 new tracks included but the average price for each new song for those who own U2's previous material, probably in many shapes, is steep.



The song selection is, as a set for casual listeners, as close to perfect as possible. U2 have e.g. skipped all the songs from the Pop flop; as are Zooropa and the first two albums (meaning that I Will Follow is not included, a hidden track still on the U.K. version). 2 UK #1's, The Fly and Discothéque are also nowhere to be found here, indicating that the songs are chosen by their world wide success. There are obvious misses, such as City of Blinding Lights, Numb and Angel of Harlem, but which songs to replace them with would be a difficult task.



This edition includes a "bonus" concert DVD including a staggering 10 songs. Many U2 fans already own, however, the Vertigo DVD filmed during that same tour (not same concert), making this more of a purchase to satisfy those who need to own everything officially released by U2, which is becoming proportionally ever more difficult in a similar degree as their declining rate of new material.



U2 fans (me included) probably will, with a slight grumble, purchase this set en masse. With the entire catalogue yet to be re-released, however, patience with their recycling efforts may begin wearing thin if this process continues.



I would give this set 5 stars for the songs themselves, they do stand the test of time (having heard many of them so often, I hardly will listen often to this set). There are, however, only a couple of stars given to the 18 release itself (in light of the baffling few songs on the DVD, that may be generous) , due to U2's abnormal recycling efforts, which should be concentrated more on earth's resources, not their back catalogue."

It's a Beautiful Day

Muabid69 | Santiago, Chile | 11/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a U2 diehard fan from Chile, and i love their music. The new 2 songs are excelent. This compilation incorpores a beautiful booklet with details of the chart position when each single was launch in USA and UK. U2 has an important place in my life - and i wonder what a lot of people in the world think and feel the same -, so we must celebrate, and wait until the new record is edited - and the begining of the new tour -. If you love U2, you must have this cd.

"

More like 3 1/2 stars...

H. Yu | 11/27/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I'm a huge U2 fan. I have every album the band has put out. And yes, I even have the two Best Of compilations (Limited Editions, mind you, each with a bonus disc of rare, unreleased material). With that said, the songs individually on U218 Singles are at least decent in of themselves (some better than others). However, like everyone else has wondered, it's the selection of songs that comprise the Singles collection. I'm wondering (like some other people have wondered) why "I Will Follow" wasn't included. Or how about "Gloria"? Or even the live version of "Bad"? "Angel Of Harlem"? "All I Want Is You"? "Even Better Than The Real Thing"? OK, I'll admit that those were some of my own personal selections and that everyone has their own personal selections. But anyway, on to the bonus DVD which was why I bought the CD/DVD combo of U218 Singles in the first place...



Their concert at Milan isn't all that bad. I must admit, however, that it's not one of their best performances (for me, in terms of their best concert, it's a tie between Zoo TV Live In Sydney and Live At Slane Castle). The band opens the concert with "Vertigo". Bono sounds visibly out of breath during a portion of the song. Despite that, the band follows up with an electrifying performance of "I Will Follow". The highlight of the concert, in my humble opinion, is "With Or Without You", the last song on the DVD. The part where Bono asks the audience to sing towards the end of the song is very inspirational and uplifting.



In any case, if you're a huge U2 fan like myself, my recommendation is to buy the CD/DVD combo at least for the Milan concert itself!"