U2

BEST OF U2-1980-90

i hate rating 'hits' records.. but..

Review Score:

(8/10)
if you want the easy route for U2 stuff, I think this is the CD to have (however, I prefer to have albums.. "The Joshua Tree" and "War" are my favorite U2 releases). Despite how you may feel about Bono, he has a voice worth hearing, with good range and a pleasant feel to it. "The edge's" guitar work is cool- he's talented but tends to lean toward the simpler solos, which can be a sort of "palate cleanser" if you listen to a lot of the more complicated classic rock (as I do). Clayton's bass playing is also that simple-yet-effective style. Mullen's drumming is precise (especially noticeable on tracks like "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"), and fits so well with whatever tone is set with the rest of the band. My favorites on this CD are "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "With or Without You," "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" and "Where the Streets Have No Name." "Where the Streets Have No Name" has an intro that just sounds like signature U2 guitar playing (I love it!), then the drums and bass come in at a pretty moderate tempo, taking the song just where it should go (along with those can't-miss vocals). "With or Without You" is one of my favorite U2 songs as well, with a great slower beginning before it climaxes(the "whoa," if you will) right before the end, when it quiets again to a pretty melody/outro. I'm sure you all know these songs. This really seems like quintessential U2 to me. They're a timeless band. Never too depressing or whiney, nor revoltingly loving, they've always been able to convey emotion without being over-the-top.

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