- Audio CD (4 Nov 2002)
- Number of Discs: 3
- Format: Limited Edition
- Label: Island Records
- ASIN: B00006OYLF
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 12,545 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Even Better Than The Real Thing | |||
| 2. Mysterious Ways | |||
| 3. Beautiful Day | |||
| 4. Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix - NEW TRACK) | |||
| 5. One | |||
| 6. Miss Sarajevo (Single Radio Edit) | |||
See all 17 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Lady With The Spinning Head (Extended Dance Mix) | |||
| 2. Dirty Day (Junk Day Mix) | |||
| 3. Electrical Storm | |||
| 4. Summer Rain | |||
| 5. North and South Of The River | |||
| 6. Your Blue Room | |||
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See all 14 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. History Mix (Video) | |||
| 2. Best Of DVD Promo | |||
| 3. Video - 'Please' (Mural Cut) (Bonus Video) | |||
| 4. Video - 'Beautiful Day' (Eze Version) (Bonus Video) | |||
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Best of 1990-2000 can be seen as an introduction to the reinvented U2 (Part One), the group who ruined irony for everyone. Gone were the mullets, canyon-scraping guitars and "locust winds", and out came the fly shades, leather and TV remote. Bono hid behind a mask, started enjoying himself, and the band begun making the best, most interesting, diverse and rewarding music of their career. When grouped together, however, the material on The Best of 1990-2000 feels mix-matched. But that is hardly surprising considering the between-album sonic leaps (bordering on artistic self-indulgence and poncy-Enofications with Passengers) and the half finished Pop.
Despite Pop's patchiness, the songs' zeitgeist experimentation and fundamental nonchalant attitude to their own position in the U2 scheme of things are both invigorating and satisfying. Notably though, they've been reworked (i.e., finished) here, "Staring at the Sun" apparently having suffered from "mid-temp syndrome". The new versions are better, and the new songs "Electrical Storm" and "The Hands That Built America" are stronger still. However, nothing comes close to the dark, bruised masterpieces from Achtung Baby, particularly "The Fly". The track order is odd, with some telling omissions ("Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses") and strange inclusions ("The First Time"), which just goes to show how hard the band have considered the songs as they see them today. Let's hope that when their current back-to-basics attitude subsides they'll go all weird again. --Ben Johncock
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Best Of
They've done it again. U2's first best of (1980-90) seemed to contain their best ('Pride', 'With or Without You', etc), and to many it was only 1991's Achtung Baby that offered much more before U2 somewhat lost the plot in the mid-90s. Well, 'The Best of 1990-2000' combines a rather eclectic mix of material to reveal that, despite Bono going somewhat off-track (which he always was) U2 continued to put out a steady stream of high quality material.
The big hits from Achtung Baby are mostly present ('Even Better...', 'Mysterious Ways', 'One') though 'Who's Going to Ride Your Wild Horses' is strangely absent. Their recent 'return to form' is borne out by the presence of 'Stuck in a Moment...' and 'Beautiful Day'; the greatest classic U2 songs since Achtung. At first the new single 'Electrical Storm' sounds slightly out of place, but it's another that really grows on you, and augurs well for the future. Personally I'd have quite liked to see 'Elevation' included too, but it wasn't.
We do, however, get 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me' from the Batman movie soundtrack, and another new song 'The Hands That Built America' (theme from Gangs of New York). Unfortunately neither of these are particularly exciting, and the same can be said for a couple of others - one can't help wondering if 'Miss Sarajevo' was included more for its political message, or Luciano Pavarotti's warblings, but either way I'd have left it out.
Most interestingly, much of the material from the mid-90s albums appears in 'new mixes' by Mike Hedges. Perhaps an admission the band weren't fully happy with Pop themselves, or maybe a response to the fans' reaction. Whatever the reason, the edginess of 'Discotheque' and 'Numb' is thankfully retained, but 'Staring at the Sun' doesn't fare so well. Still, at least these new versions add something more for fans that already have the respective albums.
B-Sides
The trouble with b-sides is, there's generally a reason why they weren't album tracks, so it would be unfair to expect too much of this second disc. Apart from the original version of 'Electrical Storm' (strangely the first disc has the William Orbit mix) this CD is a mix of sometimes second-rate songs and dance remixes by the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Rollo and Rob D. Of the b-side songs, only 'Summer Rain' and the Lennon and McCartney cover 'Happiness is a Warm Gun' particularly stand out. Others while not terrible, are pretty much filler material (which is why they were left to b-sides).
The dance remixes will, no doubt, be more divisive. Anyone who didn't like the experimentation of Pop and prefers the classic rock may be better off avoiding them altogether. That said, the Zooromancer remix of 'Salome' and Perfecto mix of 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' are not only interesting re-workings, but pretty good in their own right. One can see how the 'take me higher' chorus could have been a house/rave anthem. Admittedly, not all work so well; 'Numb' being the biggest disappointment.
DVD
Limited edition versions include a bonus DVD as well as the two discs. This contains the 'history mix', essentially a trailer for the new U2 DVD and videos for 'Please' (absent from the main compilation) and 'Beautiful Day'. A nice bonus, but nothing to get excited by.
I'd give the whole package 4.5 stars. Whether it's worth buying this or just the 'best of' depends on how likely you are to enjoy the dance remixes.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a fine collection of tracks by any standard and is a good showcase of the bands undoubted greatness. It is just a shame that the band suffered a dip in the quality of their output as they went all postmodernistic and tried to re-invent irony. This minor gripe aside this is a must have of an album for anyone who appreciates what good music is all about. The strongest tracks on the album are those taken from Achtung Baby and Everything You Can't Leave Behind, which any U2 fan is of course familiar with. The more interesting part of the album is the B-sides, particular Lady with the Spinning Head, which has been given a remix which keeps the fundamental elements of the song; Edge's guitar and Larry's drumming. Unfortunately the Solar Plexus Club Mix of Mysterious Ways had made it into the list, which tears apart the original track, and leaves nothing but a bland collection of noise around the driving guitar riff.
One bad track however does not make a bad album, and as the band did not remix this track... it can be easily forgiven.
In essence this is a great album and one which must be in everyone's collection.
One bad track however does not make a bad album, and as the band did not remix this track... it can be easily forgiven.
In essence this is a great album and one which must be in everyone's collection.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
And so a new decade began and so a new U2 began. With their final act of the 80's having been slated for its overindulgence U2 decided to rip their sound down and start again. The Joshua Tree cut down with chainsaws as Bono was quoted.
Out went big hair, the vests and the waving of flags, in came slick leather gear, irony and of course the fly shades.
This is a great album for the U2 beginner but equally for the U2 fan. 17 tracks on the a side, 14 on the b side and a 4 track dvd extra represents value for money.
The mighty Actung Baby (surely U2's finest work) is represented at its peak with The Fly and One. Zooropa, Pop (all of whoms songs have been reworked), All That You Cant Leave Behind are all represented as is the Passangers song Miss Sajarevo, and the mighty Batman tune Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me.
New songs Electrical Storm and the beautiful The Hands That Built America point out the direction U2 are now heading.
A fine collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magnificent
It took a while to come but I got it, and the waiting was worth it!
The songs on the 1st disk and mixes on both Disks are awesome. Read more
The songs on the 1st disk and mixes on both Disks are awesome. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by Louis Perera
Look no further for quality music
Ok, so I make no secret of the fact that I am a dedicated U2 fan of longstanding. Even so, I feel I am unbiased in saying that this album, along with the first Best of, is a must... Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2004 by Stracs
Best of U2
If you like U2 in the slightest, you need to buy this compilation CD. All the tracks are superbly written and executed. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2003 by A. McCarthy
2nd Wind of a superb group.
To paraphrase someone who was writing about U2 at the time Achtung Baby was recorded there are two types of U2 fan. Those who remember the early days and those that don't. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2003
Glorious
Another ten more years pulled together of sheer genuis and heart warming songs that capture the very essence of U2's towering catalogue of soundscapes from the moving "One",the... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2002 by Corinne
Good in parts
I only got into U2 with their last album, All That You Can't Leave Behind.
Beautiful Day is simply wonderful; one of my top 10 songs of all time, and stands out on this... Read more
Beautiful Day is simply wonderful; one of my top 10 songs of all time, and stands out on this... Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2002
Amazing
I was recently bought this album by a friend who thought I would like it. To put it simply, this is by far the greatest series of songs I have ever listened to. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2002
Too many remixes
With the inclusion of the second disc of B-sides this compilation demonstrates why I have given up buying any of U2's singles. Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2002 by S. Bosman
Brilliant Music But Missing A Few Vital Tracks
As With The Best Of 1980-1990,This Compilation Is Nowhere Near Complete But Contained Therein Are Tracks Of Outstanding Quality And Depth. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2002
Stuck in a CD and I can't get out of it!
Oooh! Ahhhh! Woooh! What a fantastic album.
From track one, Even Better Than The Real Thing, it becomes apparent that this album is as good as music gets. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2002 by David Morgan
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