I just got a bunch of the iTunes Unreleased & Rare tracks (thanks, LM!) and I immediately wanted to hear the alternate verions of the HTDAAB songs. Overall, they're pretty darn good! Since the internet lets nuts like me post whatever the hell they please, here are my thoughts on the different versions. I'd love to hear your opinion:
Vertigo vs. Native Son:
While the lyrics might be a bit cooler on Native Son and the song sounds great when you first hear it, I have to agree with Bono on this one---Native Son is great the first few times, but loses its umph after a few listens; meanwhile, Vertigo rocks on strong each time you hear it. Winner--Vertigo.
All Because of You (album) vs. All Because of You (alternate):
The opening lyrics of the album version just flow so much better than the opening words on the alternate version. Also, "all because of you--I am" just clicks more than whatever Bono says instead of "I am" on the alternate version ("I'm down?" is that it?). I will say that the Bono falsetto on the alternate version is awesome---it's very 1979-80 U2. Winner---album version, though with props to alternate version.
SYCMIOYO (album) vs. SYCMIOYO (alternate):
The alternate's instrumentals sound very Zooropa-esque, almost like a hint of The Wanderer in there. I think I like the simplicity of the album version's intro, however. The additional verse ("when I was a young boy") in the alternate version is pretty cool, though I guess the song does just as well without it. The two things lacking in the alternate version are the falsetto "And it's you when I" portion and the few lines before "Siiiiiiing." You really notice the latter, and I think the alternate version lags without it. One neat thing is that there is a slightly different emotional tone between the two: in the alternate version, Bono sounds sad & drained, while there's more of an agony in the album version. Subtle difference, but it's what I got. Overall, winner--album version, though the alternate version is very enjoyable.
Yahweh (album) vs. Yahweh (alternate):
Big difference is that the album version has lower register vocals doubling up with the high register on most of the lyrics, while the alternate version has only the high register on top of louder instrumentals. I like the blend of the two vocals--adds a nice complexity that you don't get with just louder instrumentals. Album version's "His love is like a drop in the ocean" is definitely much better than the alternate's "is as loud as the ocean." A few other differences, too, but I'm too lazy to mention them all. All in all, I think the winner is the album version---it's just tighter and a little less sleepy than the alternate version.
Fast Cars vs. Xanax & Wine:
I've loved Fast Cars ever since I downloaded it a few months ago. It's such a joy to listen to--and the apparent Spanish/Arabic influence (right?) is pretty un-U2, which makes it great. However, I just listened to
Xanax & Wine and--whoa! So many great new things! Edge's "Streets"-esque threading after the intro riff kicks ass. Edge singing "Coz I worry all the time" is awesome. The only negative I could think of about X&W is that some of the added lyrical portions don't fit as tightly----such as the "Take me, save me from myself" etc. part that comes after Edge's 'Streets'-esque riff a few times. Still, while that part doesn't quite fit with the rest of the song (the lyrics do, but not the tune), it sounds awesome. I'd love to have seen it put somewhere on the album somehow. Winner---Xanax & Wine. I was gonna give 'em a tie, saying that Fast Cars is tighter, but I just love every bit of the added material in Xanax & Wine, making it my winner.
Whew! Sorry so long-winded! I'd love to hear what people think of my madness!
Vertigo vs. Native Son:
While the lyrics might be a bit cooler on Native Son and the song sounds great when you first hear it, I have to agree with Bono on this one---Native Son is great the first few times, but loses its umph after a few listens; meanwhile, Vertigo rocks on strong each time you hear it. Winner--Vertigo.
All Because of You (album) vs. All Because of You (alternate):
The opening lyrics of the album version just flow so much better than the opening words on the alternate version. Also, "all because of you--I am" just clicks more than whatever Bono says instead of "I am" on the alternate version ("I'm down?" is that it?). I will say that the Bono falsetto on the alternate version is awesome---it's very 1979-80 U2. Winner---album version, though with props to alternate version.
SYCMIOYO (album) vs. SYCMIOYO (alternate):
The alternate's instrumentals sound very Zooropa-esque, almost like a hint of The Wanderer in there. I think I like the simplicity of the album version's intro, however. The additional verse ("when I was a young boy") in the alternate version is pretty cool, though I guess the song does just as well without it. The two things lacking in the alternate version are the falsetto "And it's you when I" portion and the few lines before "Siiiiiiing." You really notice the latter, and I think the alternate version lags without it. One neat thing is that there is a slightly different emotional tone between the two: in the alternate version, Bono sounds sad & drained, while there's more of an agony in the album version. Subtle difference, but it's what I got. Overall, winner--album version, though the alternate version is very enjoyable.
Yahweh (album) vs. Yahweh (alternate):
Big difference is that the album version has lower register vocals doubling up with the high register on most of the lyrics, while the alternate version has only the high register on top of louder instrumentals. I like the blend of the two vocals--adds a nice complexity that you don't get with just louder instrumentals. Album version's "His love is like a drop in the ocean" is definitely much better than the alternate's "is as loud as the ocean." A few other differences, too, but I'm too lazy to mention them all. All in all, I think the winner is the album version---it's just tighter and a little less sleepy than the alternate version.
Fast Cars vs. Xanax & Wine:
I've loved Fast Cars ever since I downloaded it a few months ago. It's such a joy to listen to--and the apparent Spanish/Arabic influence (right?) is pretty un-U2, which makes it great. However, I just listened to
Xanax & Wine and--whoa! So many great new things! Edge's "Streets"-esque threading after the intro riff kicks ass. Edge singing "Coz I worry all the time" is awesome. The only negative I could think of about X&W is that some of the added lyrical portions don't fit as tightly----such as the "Take me, save me from myself" etc. part that comes after Edge's 'Streets'-esque riff a few times. Still, while that part doesn't quite fit with the rest of the song (the lyrics do, but not the tune), it sounds awesome. I'd love to have seen it put somewhere on the album somehow. Winner---Xanax & Wine. I was gonna give 'em a tie, saying that Fast Cars is tighter, but I just love every bit of the added material in Xanax & Wine, making it my winner.
Whew! Sorry so long-winded! I'd love to hear what people think of my madness!