The Best Of 1990-2000 Album Review
1. "Even Better Than The Real Thing" (3:39) (lyrics) |
10. "Until The End Of The World" (4:38) (lyrics) |
 |
| 2. "Mysterious Ways" (4:02) (lyrics) |
11. "The Hands That Build America" (4:57) (lyrics) |
| 3. "Beautiful Day" (4:05) (lyrics) |
12. "Discotheque" (New Mix) (4:40) (lyrics) |
| 4. "Electrical Storm" (William Orbit Mix) (4:37) (lyrics) |
13. "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" (4:44) (lyrics) |
| 5. "One" (4:35) (lyrics) |
14. "Staring At The Sun" (New Mix) (4:48) (lyrics) |
| 6. "Miss Sarajevo" (Radio Edit) (4:30) (lyrics) |
15. "Numb" (New Mix) (4:21) (lyrics) |
| 7. "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" (4:58) (lyrics) |
16. "The First Time" (3:44) (lyrics) |
| 8. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" (4:31) (lyrics) |
17. "The Fly" (4:28) (Bonus Track, UK and Japan only) (lyrics) |
| 9. "Gone" (New Mix) (4:32) (lyrics) |
|
What really separates U2 with bands such as “Live” and even “AC/DC”, is their willingness to experiment and change with the times- successfully. This compilation, showcased the experimental Techno/Dance infusion U2 so playfully injected into their music during the 90’s. Songs from “Pop” (“Gone”, “Discotheque”, “Staring At The Sun” and “Numb”) are given new mixes as promised. Songs from 1991’s “Achtung Baby” to 2000’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” are complimented with U2’s collaboration with Pavarotti on “Passenger’s”, “Miss Sarajevo”, and the “Batman Forever” theme “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” and 2 original songs. “Electrical Storm” and “The Hands that built America” are two beautiful original songs, the latter on the soundtrack of “Gangs of New York”. They both offer something different, influenced more by the atmospheric rock of “Unforgettable Fire”, rather than anything that was experimented on in the 90’s.
While this is a good group of songs, some of the omissions are somewhat odd. For example,
“Zooropa’s”, signature track,
“Lemon” is not present, while
“The Fly” is only available as a bonus track in the UK and Japan, despite it being a No.1 hit. Overall it’s still a great compilation, with some great songs, (see
“One”,
“Beautiful Day”) which encapsulates U2’s desire to experiment with their music and not just stick with the same formula. Definitely something that should be applauded.
