Music: One For The Cult
U2: 18 Singles (Universal Music)
FOR the U2 cult, this latest compilation is a lovely collectible.
It offers the quartet’s greatest hits from its beginning in the late 70s.
18 Singles has the best and most interesting versions of the various hits, with new versions of New Year’s Day and Where The Streets Have No Name.
Whether or not diehards cotton on to Where The Streets Have No Name, however, is debatable because it sounds like it’s been redone for the Generation X. I wonder why, especially since U2 has such a trove of originality you’d think no one would even bother with mixes and remixes.
U2 was formed in Dublin in mid-1976 when 14-year-old Larry Mullen Jr., trying to form a new band, posted a note on the bulletin board at his high school. From the group of hopefuls that showed up at his home that day, a five-piece known originally as Feedback formed with Mullen on drums, Adam Clayton on bass, Paul Hewson (later nicknamed Bono Vox and eventually just Bono on vocal and Dave Evans (later nicknamed The Edge) on guitar.
Dave’s brother, Dick, was also in the unit for a while but soon left for another band.
Feedback quickly changed its name to The Hype and began rehearsing on weekends and after school, forming genuine friendships and developing an undeniable chemistry in the process. This is still reflected in the band’s music after a heady and awesome 31 years. The band is still together.
After 18 months, the band’s big break came at a talent show in Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1978. With CBS Records’ Jackie Hayden judging, the band, now called U2, won the contest and was given studio time to record a demo.
Two very successful Ireland-only singles secured a deal with Island Records in 1980, with the band recording Boy that year and October, the year after. Other albums quickly followed.
By the time U2 recorded The Joshua Tree, its fifth and most critical outing in 1987, it was at its peak, breaking ground in the US (finally) with With Or Without You and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.
TIME magazine called the band “rock’s hottest ticket” and The Joshua Tree Tour cracked stadium sales around the globe. Thanks to its longevity on international charts, U2 is still signed to Island Records.
18 Singles features album (read “original”) versions of Beautiful Day, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Pride (In The Name Of Love, written for Martin Luther King), With Or Without You, Vertigo, Mysterious Ways (the Achtung Baby album version), Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of, Sunday Bloody Sunday, One, Elevation and Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.
The bonuses are two new tracks - The Saints Are Coming (featuring Green Day) which was recorded last year and Window In The Skies, U2’s latest composition.
Apparently targeted at beating the pirates at their own game, this Malaysian offering at RM29.90 has no booklet but just a card insert listing little more than production credits and contact details for U2’s favourite activists like Amnesty International.
U2 CONTEST Answer this question: What is Bono’s real name?
Complete this sentence in 15 words or less: U2 still rocks for me because ………
E-mail your entry to: umusic1@gmail.com
Subject field should read: U2-Sunday People Contest Please include your details. You are allowed two entries only.
Terms & conditions: 1. Contest is open to all Malaysians except employees of NST and the organisers. 2. Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained. 4. Late entries will not be entertained. 5. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. 6. Closing date: May 25, 2007, noon.
You can win: Grand Prize One U2 Imported Limited Edition Sweater worth RM450 One U2 Imported Limited Edition T-shirt worth RM120
Second Prize x 2 One U2 Imported Limited Edition T-shirt One U2 Imported Limited Notebook worth RM80
Third Prize x 2 One U2 Imported Limited Edition T-shirt One U2 Imported Limited Edition Mug worth RM50
New Straits Times