Customer Reviews

18 Singles (Bonus Dvd) (Pal)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

All tremendous recordings - "Window In The Skies" is great! All their biggest hits and unlike Best of 1980-90/1990-00 there are no questionable qualifiers. Even diehard U2 fans will enjoy.

Having said all that - U2 is a famous band - not because of these singles but because of the other tunes on each of their albums. They are one of the few - possibly the only band - able to put interesting/enjoyable music on 10-12 tracks almost every time.

So...U2's greatest hits are really the albums "War" "Unforgettable Fire" "Joshua Tree" "Achtung Baby" "All That You Can't Leave behind" and "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Like the great 1960's/1970's rock bands - they are an ALBUM band. Even more than that - they are a band where their music comes to life in concert.

The albums and the concerts are where its at for the legions of U2 fans around the globe. Greatest hits albums are a distant second option.

Forget about the 18 songs on the CD. With the exception of "Windows" and "Saints" we heard it all before. Not that I'm ripping on U2. I've been a fan since 1983 and seen them in concert 7 times. With that said, the DVD from Milan is priceless...better than the Chicago DVD. You will get goose bumps when you hear Bono's unbelievable vocal range on Miss Sarejevo. Who knew?! Compare it to the Passengers rendition and you will be amazed.
This is no ordinary cd/dvd combo. The concert footage is extraordinary. If all you do is play the dvd and watch/listen to Miss Sarejevo you will get your money's worth (ten times over).

I'm sure others have noted the Bonus LIVE DVD from Milan, an hour of concert footage from the outdoor show. While the U218 CD alone smells of a money-grab by the band's label, the Milan DVD is the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. Spectacular footage of Vertigo 06, highlighting the portions of show that were different than the indoor show (documented on the Chicago DVD).

When this came out back in 2006, I caved and bought this for the two new tracks. I reviewed this record a few years ago and gave it a pretty glowing review. I now regret that -- this is my re-review. I am as big a U2 fan as you can get -- I have all of their albums, both best-ofs, and nearly every CD single on the market of theirs. It is safe to say that I am a fanatical U2 fan, not to mention I have seen them six times. So the two stars are NOT because I don't like U2.

No, the two stars are because of the greed of the record companies. I have always thought that U2 has needed a boxed set. Kind of like Bob Dylan's 'Biograph' and Jimi Hendrix's more recent 'West Coast Seattle Boy.' U2, like Dylan, has plenty of great b-sides and other assorted rarities that never seem to make the cut on their albums. So instead of rehashing a useless, pointless singles collection, why not gather up all of the CD singles on several discs and issue their b-sides (including the remixes) all on a 4 or 5 disc collection? It makes sense. U2 needs a 'Complete Singles' boxed set.

Instead, we are treated to 16 songs U2 fans have time and time again and two new (for 2006, anyway) songs. The first, a cover of the old punk tune 'The Saints Are Coming' features Berkeley punk rockers Green Day. Yes, this track rocks. You get flashes of Green Day and U2 mixed together on this. It's an odd fusion, but it works. I'm not much of a Green Day fan these days (personally, I really didn't like '21st Century Breakdown' -- loved 'American Idiot' and I still do, but '21st Century Breakdown' was such a disappointment to me -- but that's another review), but they absolutely smoke here. This is an odd mix of bands, yes, but amazingly, it works.

'Window in the Skies' would not sound the least bit out of place on 2004's 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,' if it had been recorded back then. This is a catchy tune, starting off with The Edge's trademark guitar chimes, and it escalates into a good pop rock anthem. This track is a great tune from U2, I just wish they would have included it on an album instead of this compilation -- it really is deserving of appearing on an album.

Now, the title is what frustrates me. Again, I go back to the box set theory. Wouldn't it make more sense to gather up ALL of U2's singles from 1980 to 2006 (when this compilation was released) instead of just 16 (18, counting the two new tracks which were singles)? Think about it. 'I Will Follow' is missing, 'Stay (Faraway, So Close!)' is missing, 'Staring at the Sun' is missing, 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' is missing, 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me' (from the 'Batman Forever' soundtrack) is missing, and 'Even Better Than the Real Thing' is missing. I haven't even *begun* to touch on their other singles. It's ridiculous. Why they released this fresh on the heals of 2002's 'The Best of 1990-2000' is beyond me. It seems pointless.

Are you listening, Interscope Records? U2 is in dire need of a box set ASAP. This band has simply released too much great material AND b-sides to not have a box set. 'U218 Singles' is only recommended for the ***very*** casual fan and the devoted fan, just for the two new tracks. In fact, if it weren't for 'Window in the Skies,' this is easily a one-star disc. This is record company greed at its finest.

So, while I doubt any record executive will read my review, I hope the record companies and U2 get their act together and release a box set. Yeah, yeah the deluxe editions and reissues are nice, but a box set would be, to quote one of their songs, "even better than the real thing."

(By the way, the bonus DVD from Milan really is great -- I just wish there was more. It seems more like a sampling than anything. Maybe Interscope will release the complete DVD at a later date, but right now, this is the best we're going to get. Sigh.)

Recommended ONLY for the ****REALLY**** casual fans who have heard 'Beautiful Day' on the radio and want it for the car or the office and for the fanatical fans like myself for the two new songs, which are admittedly incredible.

What can you say about U2? This band has been at the front of the music scene for years. If you have new to U2, this will be a great buy. If you have been "in", may want to check the playlist, as you probably have most of these tunes.

If you are looking for another band that is changing the field, as U2 did sooo many years ago, check out The Everybodyfields. They have some driving harmonies and song writing that is top notch. Listen - buy!

This CD/DVD combo is a must buy for any U2 fan of which I am a big one.

It is presented as a book. You open it up and to the left are the words to the songs on the CD and various pictures of the group throughout their long career. To the right are the disks. I think the way it is presented is brilliant.

These guys just get better with every release they do. Long live U2!

If you already have everything U2 has ever done, the only reason to get this would be for the DVD. At only 10 songs, that may be a bit steep. It was worth it to me though. Great DVD by Hamish, in the quality of the Boston and Chicago shows.

"The Saints" was awesome on the album. Other than that, not necessarily a good deal unless you're new to U2. Pretty good selection, but missing some big ones like "Bad", probably because of time constraints on the CD. We'll just have to wait a few years for the Blu-Ray or HD-DVD audio greatest hits in 7.1 surround with 30 songs!