Customer Reviews

Vertigo Pt.2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

It does come as a surprise when it really comes to the commerciality of U2 and their music. They have truly been known as one of the most dynamic and influential band ever from Europe, and their music still packs a punch. Their latest single, Vertigo is a very hard and upbeat Rock song that really is U2 at their best. The song is their first new one since Electrical Storm from their Best of 1990-2000 collection. The feeling of this is purely fast and hard, which is mostly remarkable since U2 used the song with Apple and their itunes commercials. Nevertheless, the song is really very good, and if it is this good, I can't wait to hear what How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is like.

Overall: B

Sadly, U2 no longer releases singles in the US. And in the UK and Europe, they have this fantastic practice of releasing two different versions of a single because they can't fit it all on one disc. It's wonderful--you get to pay most of the cost of an album to get those two extra songs, a torture for completists.

This single isn't bad, and it's a bit cheaper than previous ones, depending on where you get it. Vertigo is a very good single, and brilliantly (and shamelessly) used to market the new U2 iPod, a real pinnacle of corporate brilliance. The song is a bit overproduced, but at least U2 is trying. The cover of Neon Lights is totally random, as they lend the Kraftwerk tune some nice ambience, but it's not essential.

This CD is of interest mainly because of the Kratwerk cover, Neon Lights. It's a nice atmoshperic song, consisting of a single verse repeated a few times. A good B-side, though, and it's not available on The Complete U2 box set. The first track, Vertigo, is the same as the album version. The Jacknife Lee 10" Version is a good track, but it's only a shortened version of the 12" version, which IS available on The Complete U2 box set from iTunes. Compare the running times. The 10" version runs over 4 minutes while the 12" version clocks in at 5:36. If you must have every song that U2 has ever done, then buy this. If you are searching for good U2 B-sides, buy this. Otherwise, it may not be worth all the money.

As usual, U2 brings out the passion in people, for better or worse. I think that, like "The Fly" and like "Beautiful Day," this is a great declaration of intent. It's not the best song off HTDAAB (wait 'til "Love and Peace or Else" and "Miracle Drug" for that), but it's loud and ferocious. Bono's in great voice here, and the whole sound is very dynamic and uncompromising. You can nitpick the little touches, but just remember that the Beatles had some odd little squiggles and touches on their songs, too.

I like the remix of "Vertigo," for the record. I'm sure I'll be hearing it in my local gym non-stop all winter.

Not moving away from their distinct originality that makes them one of the best rock bands around today, the legendary U2 give their fans a preview of their forthcoming album with 'Vertigo'. This fast-paced sweeping melody will have feet tapping & legs twitching all over the country & is definetly one of their best singles, up there with Elevation, Beautiful Day & Electrical Storm. They've still got it!

If you're like me, you buy these cd-single releases for the b-side. Are You Going to Wait Forever is a noisy song with a punk edge, a good b-side for Vertigo. Lyrically, it's quite impressive, espcially the plaintive "are you going to wait forever" line. Someone spoke about U2 re-virginizing themselves. They succeed with this song. Neon Lights, a cover of a Krafwerk song, is a decent experiment, and adequate as a b-side. Jacknife Lee's remix is impressive. This release of Vertigo is a better deal than the other, which only features Neon Lights and different remix of Vertigo.

as always, a different theme on a new album... i can't believe that these guys consistently come up with a varied theme for their albums... every single time. highly recommend it...

When the Jack Lee Knife mix of this song was charting Billboard's dance chart, I was so excited to obtain it, because a mix of New Order's "Waiting for the Siren's Call" brilliantly captured New Order's classic sound while bringing it up to modern electro house standards. Can't say the same for this mix of U2's best song in years. What you need to do is get the CD single for "Sometimes You Can't Make it On your Own," which has the Redanka remix of "vertigo" as a b-side, a powerhouse 7 minute anthem mix of the song.

When the Jack Lee Knife mix of this song was charting Billboard's dance chart, I was so excited to obtain it, because a mix of New Order's "Waiting for the Siren's Call" brilliantly captured New Order's classic sound while bringing it up to modern electro house standards. Can't say the same for this mix of U2's best song in years. What you need to do is get the CD single for "Sometimes You Can't Make it On your Own," which has the Redanka remix of "vertigo" as a b-side, a powerhouse 7 minute anthem mix of the song.

First of all, in actuality, Vertigo #2 (at least the one I received) does not have the b-side "Are You Gonna Wait Forever?" (which is, by the way, a pretty good song), so make sure that you are getting what . . . uh . . . you are looking for.

That said, if you have not heard "Vertigo", then you are living under a rock. (Can you say, "Elevation-Part Dos"?) The Jacknife Lee remix of "Vertigo" is OK, as far as remixes go, but is nothing earth-shattering. Finally, the cover version of the Kraftwerk tune, "Neon Lights", is atmospheric, but a bit droll.