jick
Refugee
Should U2 release a "for serious fans only" collection through mainstream channels?
U2 have released compilations for the fans - but only though their fan club - namely Melon and Hasta La Vista. U2 also released "7" but only through Target stores.
If you look at other bands such as Bon Jovi (One Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong, One Wild Night), Nirvana (their most recent boxed set), Depeche Mode (remixes), New Order (The Rest Of New Order), Van Halen (in the early 90's with Right Here Right Now Live), Rush (different stages) - they are releasing through mainstream channels either b-side/unreleased work or live compilations which are mainly for "serious fan" consumption only (as opposed to a Best Of collection).
These releases surely will not do any damage to the charts whatsoever. They are for the fans but released to make it more accessible to all (and not just fan club members). U2 somewhat did it through the b-side compilations in their two best ofs but these were limited releases nevertheless - so it doesn't really quality.
Now my question: is it high time for U2 to release a boxed set of rare demo/unreleased tracks and/or live tracks spanning their career?
I think there are pros and cons to this.
PROS: Fans benefit immensely, U2 rebuilds semi-broken relationship with fans
CONS: Poor sales figures (bad for the band image), perception that U2 are retireable, public will see U2's "substandard" work that didn't make the grade (again bad for the image)
It seems the cons are mostly image related while the pros are just fan-focused. U2 will have to balance their image and public perception (which they have managed so well up to this day) with their thoughtfulness towards their fans.
Personally, I think they should go for a boxed set and call it - U2: The Rest Of 1980-2000. Sounds good to me.
What do you guys think?
Cheers,
J
U2 have released compilations for the fans - but only though their fan club - namely Melon and Hasta La Vista. U2 also released "7" but only through Target stores.
If you look at other bands such as Bon Jovi (One Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong, One Wild Night), Nirvana (their most recent boxed set), Depeche Mode (remixes), New Order (The Rest Of New Order), Van Halen (in the early 90's with Right Here Right Now Live), Rush (different stages) - they are releasing through mainstream channels either b-side/unreleased work or live compilations which are mainly for "serious fan" consumption only (as opposed to a Best Of collection).
These releases surely will not do any damage to the charts whatsoever. They are for the fans but released to make it more accessible to all (and not just fan club members). U2 somewhat did it through the b-side compilations in their two best ofs but these were limited releases nevertheless - so it doesn't really quality.
Now my question: is it high time for U2 to release a boxed set of rare demo/unreleased tracks and/or live tracks spanning their career?
I think there are pros and cons to this.
PROS: Fans benefit immensely, U2 rebuilds semi-broken relationship with fans
CONS: Poor sales figures (bad for the band image), perception that U2 are retireable, public will see U2's "substandard" work that didn't make the grade (again bad for the image)
It seems the cons are mostly image related while the pros are just fan-focused. U2 will have to balance their image and public perception (which they have managed so well up to this day) with their thoughtfulness towards their fans.
Personally, I think they should go for a boxed set and call it - U2: The Rest Of 1980-2000. Sounds good to me.
What do you guys think?
Cheers,
J