U2

BEST OF U2-1980-90

All that you could ever want in a U2 CD!

Review Score:

(10/10)
U2 was the second band of the `80's, after the Police exploded. Oddly enough they both have similar roots in punk, but Sting has since abandoned his edgy rage, while U2 has managed to keep the energy going.

This CD is a long time in coming. U2 is one of those bands that doesn't have the hits, but everyone follows and respects what they do. And their causes are the icing on the cake. This CD captures the essence of the band, from its early punk hits like "I Will Follow," and "New Year's Day," to the more reflective tracks from the Joshua Tree, "Where The Streets have NO Name," and "With or Without You."

Everything you would want in an overview is here, with tracks from every album. SPOILER: "October" is a hidden track! Sure, I would have like to have had more representation from "October," and the live version of "Bad" is the perfect, definitive version, but for the long commute, or background music, this CD works!

It is the perfect survey of the band's early career, and it makes the logical break off point between Rattle and Hum and Actung, Baby! The Joshua Tree Era was the culmination of an idea and the realization of what they had been doing musically. It was a long road form Boy to Rattle and Hum, and I think the group had found its center buy the time the movie was made. So this is not so much a survey of a band as the process of a musical idea.

The only question I have is, "When will `the Best of 1990-2000' come out?" "Can't Leave Behind" is doing well, and I imagine there was a spike after the 2002 Superbowl, but I love these Best of CDs. And make sure it has a B-side disc, too!

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