The Best of 1980-1990 / The B-Sides [LIMITED EDITION] [IMPORT]

U2

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Import
• Label: Island Records
• ASIN: B00000DFVF
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (264 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,085 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One need hear only the first notes of this collection--the Edge's ringing guitar notes ushering in "Pride (In the Name of Love)"--to be taken back to 1984: Ronald Reagan and Maggie Thatcher rule the Western world, the L.A. Olympics is the top sports story, and Ms. Pac-Man reigns at arcades. In rock & roll, there's U2 growing in stature with each new tour and title. Even doubters of the Irish lads have to concede that together they formed the one '80s band with the skill and sense of scale to take over the airwaves and concert stages in a decade of diminished expectations. This 15-song '80s best-of assortment (stick around for the hidden track) spans the decade, reaching back to 1980's "I Will Follow," when Bono and company were peach-fuzzy and earnest as choirboys, and tracking their path through their most glaring misstep, 1988's overblown Rattle and Hum. The limited-edition second disc is the real treat for stalwart fans. It's laden with odds and ends, highlights of which include some spot-on covers (Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot," the old pop hits "Everlasting Love" and "Unchained Melody") and misplaced originals (the great '82 B-side "Trash, Trampoline, and the Party Girl"). The group's more jovial '90s recordings provide evidence that U2 shine brightly when they don't take themselves too seriously. These likable leftovers prove that was true in the '80s, too. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very special stuff, September 1, 2000

By	Sal Nudo (Champaign, Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Though some of these greatest hits have been played a zillion times on the radio, there's nothing wrong with hearing such grandoise monsters as "Pride," "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" on one disc. Surprisingly, it's the hits from one of the greatest albums in rock history, The Joshua Tree, that come off as the most boring on this CD. More interesting are less played, ethereal numbers like "Bad," "Unforgettable Fire" and the lively "I Will Follow." There's certainly a fire that was present in early U2, passion and meaning within the songs, coupled with an arena-ready feel that fans and journalists have come to love and respect.

U2 flaunts a surprisingly soulful side of itself on such greats as "When Love Comes to Town," "Desire" and "Angel of Harlem," heard toward the end of disc one where the band kind of lets its hair down. "All I Want is You" is a tender U2 beauty on which the band clicks on all levels; it's almost spiritual-sounding. Bono's sincere voice sounds like gold amid the Edge's sparkling, chiming guitar work. A gorgeous string section lovingly closes the song out. Let disc one continue to play after the last song to hear "October" (from October), an extremely beautiful piano instrumental. Quiet and peaceful, "October" is as good and memorable as the songs that proceeded it, despite its hidden, non-hit status.

The included 1980s b-sides are as great as U2 have ever sounded -- get this compilation because of them. All these closeted gems make a convincing case that U2 may have been at the top of its game back then, despite future classics in the 1990s. "The Three Sunrises" is a jangly and tuneful song that perfectly captures a different side to U2. "Spanish Eyes" has a rougher sound and a hugely ecstatic shout of "Love!" from Bono. The original mix of "Sweetest Thing" also benefits from a rougher-edged recording. Four very solid and inspired cover songs enhance disc two, one of which is a tremendously rocking version of Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot," which ends with searing guitar licks and Larry Mullen Jr.'s timely, thumping drums. "Love Comes Tumbling" and the instrumental "Bass Trap" have mesmerizing and mysterious qualities that are timelessly fresh. Some of the b-sides such as "Walk to the Water" and "Luminous Times" have a deep and mystical sense of serenity and longing. "Silver and Gold" reveals an amazing ability by Bono to create a tune all by himself. The guy could probably make a pretty amazing solo album if he so chose. Still, U2 are a definite entity whose sum is stronger than its parts, despite the massive talent that each member possesses. If the past is any indication, the next ten years with these guys should be just as awesome as it's always been. When U2 are great (which is nearly all the time), the band stands as one of the best ever. In terms of songs, longevity, great ideas and integrity, these guys simply reign supreme.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UNBELIEVABLE, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

Hands down one of the greatest compilations by one of the greatest bands in the history of music. If you do not purchase the B-Sides "limited" edition you are depriving yourself of fantastic music. It is a testament to the band's incredible talent that tracks such as "Sweetest Thing", "Spanish Eyes", "Party Girl", "Hallelujah Here She Comes", etc. were scrapped from their albums. In all, there are 30 songs on both CDs. 29 are fabulous. A MUST BUY

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible and indispensable., November 15, 1999

By A Customer

U2's first real "Best Of" CD (at least officially), the Limited Edition package can rightly claim to be one of the most important U2 albums ever. THE BEST OF 1980-1990 is a trip back through the politicking, hope, rage, despair, joy, and wonder inherent to any decade so full of world-changing events and timeless truths; it ranges from "Sunday Bloody Sunday", U2's best-known political commentary, to "The Sweetest Thing", a playful love song - to love.

But what makes the Limited Edition so incredibly valuable is the B-SIDES 1980-1990 CD. This is the side of any band rarely seen by the public. This is the side of U2 hidden away from the radio DJs and the overplayed hits - the works of love that make a band what it is. Songs like "Love Comes Tumbling" and "Trash, Trampoline, and the Party Girl" hint at the cynical, hard-hitting edge (no pun intended) of U2's future in ACHTUNG BABY or ZOOROPA, while "Walk to the Water" and "A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel" reveal more of the incredible depth of U2's artistry.

If any CD package is a must, it is this one; THE BEST OF 1980-1990 [Limited Edition] is music, life, the world, and humanity rolled into one incredibly well-sculpted package that leaves U2's place in the annals of music history solidly marked for all time.