Best of 1990-2000 - U2 > Reviews (1)

U2 The best of 1990 – 2000

U2 is an Irish band formed in 1976 and consists of four members, including Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Adam (bass guitar) and Larry (drums). U2 has been known for more than thirty years, and already started in 1976. The band members met at school and decided to start a band. They have since then grown in terms of music and had influences of rock, alternative rock, punk, dance and pop. Especially in recent years was increasingly criticized for being too much inclined to Pop music and less focused on rock. Eventually, they released 12 albums and more than 150 million albums sold worldwide. The best part is that the band still consists of all original members.

The album Best of 1990 -2000 was released in 2002. There are several versions of this album available including the version with the B-sides and a DVD of video performances. The album was a great success and in many countries the album reached number 1 in the charts. The album gives a good picture of the band U2 over a period of 10 years. The collection of songs is of different albums released during this period and there is one new song on the album. Below is a discussion of some songs:

Even Better Than the Real Thing

The Best of album has a good start with the song Even Better Than The Real Thing. This song is from the album Achtung Baby. It begins with an instrumental intro including the use of the guitar and the drum. I think both Bono and The Egde sing on this song with Bono's voice a bit more on the foreground. It is a good mid tempo song, which in terms of tempo and volume increases here and there. A good up beat song.

Mysterious Ways

The second song is also from the album Achtung Baby and is also one of the better songs of U2. This song begins with electric guitar and use of the drum, after about 20 seconds Bono starts singing. It is a mid tempo song which is particularly strong because of the good correlation of the drum, the voice of Bono and the occasional use of the electric guitar. The latter gives the song just that little extra which makes it original and interesting.

Discothèque

The synthetic pop influence on this song is clear from the beginning. It is a remix of the original and with a strange electronic beat start starts the song, but after that it quickly goes back towards the drum and bass. Both Bono and The Edge sing the song, but the voices are more in the background and sounds somewhat distorted. It is clearly edited with the computer. It is a up tempo song with electronic pop influences.

Staring at the Sun

Staring at the Sun is a lovely song were the band does what they are good at. Rock influences with a clear use of the drums and the guitar and especially the beautiful warm voice of Bono in the foreground. The number is well built and stays fairly mid tempo. Certainly one of the stronger songs.

Gone

This song begins with clear use of an electric guitar or electric type of influence. It begins slow with the voice of Bono reasonably calm.

Only halfway through the song it becomes a bit stronger and the volume goes a bit higher. I particularly like the guitar work on this song significantly, but otherwise it’s a reasonable song.

My opinion

This Best Of album is a nice collection of 10 years U2. The songs are from the albums: Achtung Baby, Pop, Zooropa, and All That you can leave behind. There is only only one new song on the album. Normally on this kind of albums are at least two new songs. I normally have my doubts about this kind of compilation albums, but I must say that I certainly appreciate this album. The set of songs gives a good picture of the band U2 and is especially suitable for people who are fan of the band. Five stars.