U2: The Best of 1980 - 1990
Released in 1998 this 14 track CD charts some of the classic U2 tracks of the decade in the title. It is sometimes easy to forget that they have been together as a band since 1976.
However, this is just some background; the important thing for me is always ... Read review
One need hear only the first notes of this collection--the Edge's ringing guitar notes ... more
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 st...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
All I Want Is You Sweetest Thing Angel Of Harlem I Will Follow Sunday Bloody Sunday New ... more
Years Day Pride (In The Name Of Love) October (Hidden Track) Where The Streets Have No Name Bad With Or Without You Unforgettable Fire When Love Comes To Town I Sti...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Some absolute classics. Disadvantages: Maybe one or two good, but not great tracks.
U2: The Best of 1980 - 1990
Released in 1998 this 14 track CD charts some of the classic U2 tracks of the decade in the title. It is sometimes easy to forget that they have been together as a band since 1976.
However, this is just some background; the important thing for me is always the music itself.
~~The Tracks~~
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) (from The Unforgettable Fire)
What a great ... ...a classic, one of the best rock songs of all time. Although a rock song, the Gospel influences and almost blues backing is just awesome. Added to that, the chorus is absolutely iconic. 10/10. 'nuff said.
5. Sunday Bloody Sunday (from War)
The band get very political with this song and why not. The start has an almost militaristic drum beat which sets the tone.
The song tells the story of how the band heard on ... more
U2: The Best of 1980 - 1990
Released in 1998 this 14 track CD charts some of the classic U2 tracks of the decade in the title. It is sometimes easy to forget that they have been together as a band since 1976.
However, this is just some background; the important thing for me is always the music itself.
~~The Tracks~~ 1. Pride (In the Name of Love) (from The Unforgettable Fire) What a great opener, all fast guitar riffs and drums, you just know it is going to be good. It is. I love this song, Bono's vocals seem real and heartfelt. This song was a big single hit at the time.
The influences of the New Romantic genre can be heard in this song and it is not unlike some Early Spandau ballet, yet has that raw 'rock' feel that charachterises U2 so well. As a 'tribute' to Martin Luther King, you just have to hand it to U2, they sing 'big. 9/10.
2. New Year's Day (from War) I have always loved the intro to this song, post punk influenced by New Romantic again, lovely build to the vocal entry.
One of U2's more 'controlled' songs, at first, then gets a little more 'edgy' and almost screamed. I kinda think from the lyrics that it is an anti war song which is always good. There is something very 'haunting' about the use of the electric piano and whiny guitar in this track which I love. 9/10.
3. With or Without You (from The Joshua Tree) Great track, always has been, always will be. I love the almost lazy start to the vocals. To me, at the time, this showed the band had matured as it is a very musically, lyrically and vocally accomplished song. It has several key changes, as well as tempo changes and just builds, and builds in a slow but sure way. Brilliant. 9/10.
4. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (from The Joshua Tree) What an anthem. From the same album as the last song. Brilliant intro again. From the first line of the first verse it is a classic, one of the best rock songs of all time. Although a rock song, the Gospel influences and almost blues backing is just awesome. Added to that, the chorus is absolutely iconic. 10/10. 'nuff said.
5. Sunday Bloody Sunday (from War) The band get very political with this song and why not. The start has an almost militaristic drum beat which sets the tone.
The song tells the story of how the band heard on the news of Bloody Sunday. Lyrically it is brilliant; the imagery through the lyrics is incredibly powerful. Musically it is not their strongest song. Emotionally, politically and lyrically it is amongst their best. 9/10.
6. Bad (from The Unforgettable Fire) A long haunting, slow intro, great guitar work, very low vocals coming in. I find the lyrics a little confusing at first. I do love it when the drums come in. On it's own it is a good song, after the last five tracks it is just 'okay'. 6/10.
7. Where the Streets Have No Name (from The Joshua Tree) Unadulterated mid western (US) influenced rock. I think the build up/intro in this song is amongst their best.
The guitar and drums are frenetic, almost like a train in terms of beat and the expectation that is created by the intro is superb. Great song 9/10.
8. I Will Follow (from Boy) An early song, and here we hear the guitar and drum based 'signature' backing that is to become very essence of U2, though in terms of vocals and actual 'memorability' this song is not that strong.
It reminds me a little of the Buzzcocks strangely. 5/10.
9. The Unforgettable Fire (from The Unforgettable Fire) Lot's of folk rave over this song, I don't know why. It is good in a musical sense, vocals are fine, but it is just, well, a little boring, a bit too 'mature'. 5/10.
10. Sweetest Thing In contradiction to the last track, many U2 fans (well at least the ones I know) though this was a 'sell out', shallow song. I love it.
I love the fact that it was Bono wearing his heart on his sleeve, making a very public apology to his wife for forgetting her birthday. Whilst this is an album review, the video is worthy of mention for he really did pull out all the stops to say sorry on this.
The band backing him on this song show how close they all are. It is a great song, up and down in nature and very sweet. 9/10.
11. Desire (from Rattle and Hum) More American influenced rock, great stuff, all guitar and drums again and Bono being very bluesy with his voice. Good stuff 8/10.
12. When Love Comes to Town (from Rattle and Hum) I like this, and then sometimes I listen to it and think it's very naff. Real heavy blues influence, with BB King what would one expect. It is quite interesting to compare the vocal styles. 8/10.
13. Angel of Harlem (from Rattle and Hum) Love it. Good strong indie rock. Cannot getaway from the Americana in this, in fact it is all about America. Lots more instruments than we usually hear with U2, wind instruments and brass too, I like this, almost 'jazzy'. Good stuff. 9/10.
14. All I Want Is You (from Rattle and Hum) Is this Bono or Elvis? Lyrically it is actually a good song and the beginning is more vocals than backing, in fact, for the whole song the 'story' is the important part. That being said the music does get stronger and we even hear some strings. It is a bit 'arty' for U2 but that is okay, I like it. 8/10.
15. October (hidden track; from October) People who have read my reviews no that I am no fan of 'hidden tracks' especially when they are preceded by silence as this is.
The piano solo that introduces this track is beautiful I have to say. The vocals come in as a bit of a surprise as we are almost carried away with the piano. In fact the lyrics are almost incidental. Good stuff, and I'll make an exception and say that even as a 'hidden track', I like it. 8/10.
~~~Final Thoughts~~~ There are one or two tracks that I probably would not have included on a 'best of', and there are a couple of tracks that I would have put in, but I'm not going to get into that.
Overall it is a great album, really shows off the different styles and influences of/on the band. There are some absolute iconic songs on this album and that is always good. Well worth buying I reckon, especially as it can be bought pretty cheaply on the net, used.
Advantages: Stunning , Groundbreaking , Exhilarating Rock Music Disadvantages: Nothing if you get the B Sides
...The album's title is "The Best Of 1980-90". 1990 was eleven years ago and the band are bigger than ever, so this artefact covers less than half of their career, ten years. As a comparison the Beatles were recording for EMI/Apple for around six years.
So what's the score..
The cover is in gold (appropriately given what it contains) with a young boy , looking enigmatic wearing a military helmet. The booklet contains lots of pictures of the band in ... ...want.
~~ The Best Of
This is the main album , and it is an hour's worth of music so your not short changed, but you still feel that there are things missing such as "Gloria" or "11 O' Clock , Tick Tock" and you will probably have your own thoughts on that. The only previously "unavailable" song is the finished "Sweetest Thing", with it's wonderful six note piano motif and excellent video featuring Boyzone. This was originally a "B" side for the ...
mikeydred 29.03.2001 (01.04.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2
...against the trend of most Best Ofs and does very nearly exactly what it says on the tin. That is to say, that this very nearly features U2’s best songs from the period in question. With U2’s latest album being very good but ultimately a bit too safe for it to be a classic (this pretty much goes against my op of the album), it’s nice to hear them when they were at their most exciting, self righteous, and lets change the world-ish. ... ...Name of Love) Best to start off with a bang. There’s amazing energy in most U2 songs but this takes some beating. Bono really lets it out in a fashion that’s rarely matched (unless you’re Thom Yorke). He sings of Martin Luther King: “ They took your life, but they could not take your pride” It’s not the most sophisticated of songs but it gets something across. New Years Day A brilliant intro in the form of Edge’s ...
markhobbs 20.10.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2
Advantages: All songs are good for music fans Disadvantages: A bit too short
...track guide, to U2 the best of 1980-1990.
Track One, (The first track.)
Pride (In the name of Love)
This is a cracking opener, and by the second chorus bit, I guarantee you'll be singing along with it. The Lyrics are pretty simple, but effective so if you like to know what the lyrics are to have a right ole sing song and annoy the neighbours, you'll love this one. It also has a reference to the murder of Martin Luther King. Its a nice touch and ... ...is apparently a bonus track called 'october'. However its very short and don't know how it can be called a track in its own right. Nice though. 8/10.
Overall this is a cracking cd, and can't wait for Christmas as the best of 1990-2000 is on my list!!! Enjoy! ...
Orca88 11.11.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2
Advantages: See opinion Disadvantages: See opinion
...would want from a U2 best of.
Kicking off with Pride initially sounds like a great idea but after you listen to this album a thousand times, and you will, the song sounds dated and is incomparable to some of the masterpieces which fill up the remainder. Still it was better than any of the other pish around at the time. One of the albums highlights is New Years Day. It was one of the first great moments in a career that would provide so many. The ... ...that he is criminally underrated in a world of crap, attention seeking guitarists. The song has a very tight feel with strict rhythm coming from drummer Larry Mullen and some genial bass playing. Bonos delivery is both powerful and emotional, creating a stirring performance. The video is set in some snow covered abyss, the relevance of which I know very little.
The third track is With or Without You. I wont even say anything about this song in case ...
Gavin6 19.02.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2
Advantages: At their most inspired Disadvantages: Inclusion of 'the sweetest thing'
...track is one of the best here.
14. 'All i want is you'
Some people call this 'dirge'. I'll give it a chance, but is slow-burning slow-tempo love slush that only really a U2 fan could get into in any big way.
Sorry for the insults but that's what you call objectionable! As i say, i don't want to preach to the converted who worship the ground Bono walks on, just to warn others it's not all good. U2 have steadily got worse as the time has passed, ...
tonguelessghostofsin 10.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2"
Advantages: Sometimes refreshing sound, sometimes they are clumsy, this sounds funny, some lyrics. Disadvantages: Sound sometimes worse, being to much clumsy, 4 bad songs, some lyrics are incomprihensible, I miss one special song.
nominated for the Nobelprice, but never got it. Live U2 are like good sex, they are great showmen and a great live-band, what we hopefully can see once again very soon while waiting with desire to find an new album and a tour between 2004 and 2005.
After receiving their record-deal in 1979 and publishing "Boy" some more releases take them to what are today, here's the detailed list of their work:
October
War
Under A Blood Red Sky [Live-Album]
The Unforgettable Fire
Wide Awake In America
The Joshua Tree
Rattle & Hum
Achtung Baby
Zooropa
Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1 [project with Brian Eno, Howie B. & Luciano Pavarotti]
Pop
The Best Of 1980-1990
The Million Dollar Hotel [OST, soundtrack e.g. with Daniel Lanois & Milla Jovovitch]
All That You Can't Leave Behind
The Best Of 1990-2000
Everybody who wants to know more about ...
zoobremia 18.02.2004 (03.12.2005)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Boy - U2
Advantages: will make you think Disadvantages: can't listen at night as you will never sleep from being so buzzed
When i bought this album i had just become a u2 fan and apart from the best of 1980-1990 this was the only other album of theirs that i owned. From the title you would think that the album is hard rock with a very political message, and from sunday bloody sunday you would certainly think so, but a song such as drowning man, which is so incredibly emotional and heartfelt, that opinion is completely disspelled. Although this is an incredibly good album, a couple of the songs are a bit dodgy, I won't name them though i will leave you to make up your own mind to which ones they are, but don't let that put you off buying one of the greatest albums of the 80's ...
mskitschley 27.10.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of War - U2
Advantages: Some great tracks! Disadvantages: Some tracks you wonder how they got onto a best of
What can be said about U2 that hasn't already been said in thousands of column inches in the musical press? From humble beginnings in the pubs and clubs of their native Dublin the band were to become iconic stars who can sell out stadiums in minutes! Most people if you ask them could name at least one U2 track such is their fame.More than likely it would be one of the tracks on the 1998 Best of U21980-1990 CD
U2 weren't a band in the 80's I was particularly in to. I own a couple of their albums from this era namely War,The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. But what appealed to me about this CD was the fact it charted the bands development from the humble beginnings of Boy released in 1980 to their near super stardom which allowed them to release on the back of the success of the Joshua Tree the rather higgledy piggledy album that is ...
jo1l 22.11.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Boy - U2
Product Information for "Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2" »
Product details
Title
Best Of 1980-1990, The
Performer
U2
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
09/11/1998
Recomended Retail Price
14.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1998
Label / Distributor
Island / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
731452461322
Catalogue Number
CIDU 211
Additional notes
Album Notes
U2: The Edge (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Bono (vocals, guitar); Adam Clayton (bass); Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Una O'Kane, Nicola Cleary, Aengus O'Connor, Nicholas Milne (strings); The Memphis Horns (horns); Joey Miskulin (organ); Benmont Tench (keyboards); Ms. Bobbye Hall (percussion); Rebecca Evans Russell, Phillis Duncan, Helen Duncan (background vocals). Producers: Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite, Jimmy Lovine. Engineers include: Kevin Killen, Paul Thomas, Flood. Digitally remastered by Arnie Acosta. They burst onto the scene at the onset of the '80s with a majestic, uplifting, earnest approach and a unique textural sound that endeared them to fans and critics alike. U2 spent the rest of the decade growing up in public, solidifying their status as post-punk icons, marrying the good intentions of old school alternative rock with the epic sonic scale of classic '70s rockers, never sounding less than totally original and never pausing for a hits compilation--until now. BEST OF offers a good representation of the complex body of work that made the band a legend. Fittingly, the album begins with the debut's "I Will Follow" a statement of commitment to pursuing truth and spirituality despite continual and inevitable misgivings. "Desire" mates Bono's lyrical fervor with a modified Bo Diddley beat to fine effect. New world meets old on the bluesy B.B. King collaboration "When Love Comes to Town." Closing things out, "All I Want is You" shows the moody, reflective side of the band, giving Bono a chance to croon and the rest of the band to exhibit the understated side of their instrumental might.
Album Reviews
Entertainment Weekly (12/11/98, p.80) - "The martial snares and boyish histrionics that made them one of the world's biggest rock acts have held up pretty well..." - Rating: B
Titles on disc 1
1.
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
2.
New Year's Day
3.
With Or Without You
4.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
5.
Sunday Bloody Sunday
6.
Bad
7.
Where The Streets Have No Name
8.
I Will Follow
9.
Unforgettable Fire
10.
Sweetest Thing
11.
Desire
12.
When Love Comes To Town
13.
Angel Of Harlem
14.
All I Want Is You
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
15/07/2000
Compare Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2 to other similar Rock & Pop »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Best U2, Best Of U2, Best 19801990 U2, Best The U2, Best Of 19801990 U2, Best Of The U2, Best 19801990 The U2, Best Of 19801990 The U2, Best 1980 1990 U2, Best Of 1980 1990 U2, Best 1980 1990 The U2, Best Of 1980 1990 The U2, Best U 2, Best Of U 2, Best 19801990 U 2
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Best Of 1980-1990, The - U2? Click here
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
