Customer Reviews

Even Better Than the Real Thing

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Anyone who loves U2's album Achtung Baby (1991) should hear this single, which was released in 1992. The song "Even Better Than The Real Thing" is the first track on the single, and is the second song on Achtung Baby. This song is one of the few on Achtung Baby where Bono's vocals deliver grit, grace, and elegance all at once. His vocal texturing of the lyrics is superb. However, the b-sides are what makes this single truly great.

The sense of experimentation on the three b-side songs rings out loud and clear. The feeling of an almost unlimited sonic landscape to paint on is striking--Achtung Baby itself was much more contoured sonically. The musicmaking on the b-sides verges on barely controlled sonic anarchy with so many textures real and implied--especially on the "Lady With The Spinning Head"--and is all the better for it. "Salome," using the same base line that graces "Zoo Station," has a wonderfully loose feel to it. "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" is, in my opinion, the best song on Achtung Baby, and "Lady," an extended variant of it, just reinforces my opinion. The keyboard part near the last third is the most sonically and musically integrated use of keyboards/synthesizers that I have ever heard. Finally, "Where Did It All Go Wrong" is the closest to a joyful party song that U2 has ever come, with the possible exception of Boy's (1980) "Out of Control." It is, I would venture to say, unique in U2's songbook.

All of the songs on this single sound timeless. Despite the refreshing mix of honesty and craftsmanship on 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind, I strongly believe that U2's flame of inspiration and ambition will probably never burn more brightly than it did for Achtung Baby in 1990-1991. This single is required listening for those who tend to doubt such a view.

As danceable as U2's ACHTUNG BABY was, there were still portions of it where the rhythms slowed, and the songs were more introspective than ironic. If you ever wondered what that album would have felt like had it been more dance-oriented, then you might want to pick up the "Even Better Then The Real Thing" single, as its B-sides all fit that bill. Here are some short comments on each of the four tracks:

"Even Better Than The Real Thing" - An all-around fun song, being one of the most danceable tracks off of ACHTUNG BABY. There are great driving beats courtesy of Clayton and Mullen. Edge's guitar work is superb and smooth. If you listen carefully, Bono is singing a duet with himself for most of the track, creating an odd vocal effect, but one that works to the song's advantage.

"Salomé" - This song shares the name of the infamous bootlegs from the ACHTUNG BABY sessions (a three CD set of material that was stolen out of the recording studio). This track features a simple bass line, with a steady drumbeat keeping the music going. It's not particularly fast, but it's not awfully slow either. Some great guitar work here, as well as some subtly atmospheric keyboards.

"Where Did It All Go Wrong?" - The liner notes claim that this is actually a demo, and it definitely contains a raw and dirty feel to it. It's the only guitar driven track on the single. Simple lyrics, the rhythm section is solid rather than flashy, and powered by a great guitar riff.

"Lady With The Spinning Head (Extended Dance Mix)" - The original of this song (featured on the "One" single) is one of my favorite U2 B-sides of all time. If anything, the version here is even better. There's more of everything that makes this such a great song: more guitar, the bass line gets a longer intro, the synthesizers and keyboards are just going mad, and, of course, it's longer. This is the best U2 song that you've never heard.

This is one of the most fun singles that U2 have put out. The songs on here aren't terribly serious; they're just great rock and roll numbers. U2 have a habit of releasing great B-sides, and this single features three of their best. This is the sound of U2 forgetting their troubles, and remembering how to dance and have fun.

I basically bought this single to hear one song.Even Better than the Real thing isn't one of my majour favourites but still a good tune.I bought it for "Lady with The Spinning Head (extended dance mix)"It can get you going at any time and still keep that dark,moody,edgy muzik in the heart.It is one of my favourite U2 tracks of all time.If you liked the Normal Version of "Lady With the Spinning Head(UVI)"You'll love this version.It is worth buying a whole cd for one song..............

This song and single is totaly sick, the begining intro of even better than the real thing has that smooth falanger like sound, and the edges crisp and clean sounding guitar solo is better than any van halen or led zeppelin guitar solo COMBINED, its all about the sound and Adams base that make even better than the real thing my favorite u2 song.

Lady with the spinning head is a very good one also, parts of the song sound just like Ultraviolet(light my way)

Just to clarify, this particular Even Better Than The Real Thing single is the one with only remixes. I love U2's flirtation with electronica, so this is a great collection of takes on their great song. This is the kind of U2 you have to be in the right mood to listen to, so don't get this if you are only a casual U2 fan. However, if you're a U2 single collector like me, you can appreciate how they let other artists experiment with their songs and take them in new directions.

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The Even Better than the Real thing single rules. It has the 3 best original b-sides from the album sessions. Just make sure about the tracklisting because it might be 5 really out-dated remixes as the real audio sample suggests, but that was only available on import and this isn't one, and the other reviews are for the US version....just make sure you get what I'm reviewing here.

Salome essentially has the same bass line as Zoo Station, but is completely different in all other respects. The lyrics and Bono's funky vocal performance are great. Also notable is the Edge's restraint until shining with loud guitar and leading vocals on the chorus "shake it shake it shake it Salome!"

Where Did It All Go Wrong remained pretty much unchanged and I'm pretty sure this is an edit of two demo versions (found on that famous bootleg of the album outtakes). The song is fast paced and would have been an absolute party if played live.

Lady With the Spinning Head is generally considered the best b-side of the Achtung Baby period, particularly this version. I don't really know what the dance mix part means. The song is certainly extended for the better. This remix is more of an edit and improves dramatically over the original (which was already great) and as my peer reviewer said, makes this worth getting.

Word to the wise: It's almost 10 years after this and other singles were released off of Achtung Baby and they will certainly not be around forever. If you want more music from this period in U2's history, this is one of the releases that is worth getting.