andyuk said:
they are getting bad press about it here in the Uk as well! they are all saying 'U2 are releasing yet another greatest hits cd'
I've supported U2 on many things over the years. I "got" the need to alter their style of advertising. No longer were radio and MTV enough - U2 had to get out there and do talk shows and comedy shows and commercials, etc. That's the only way, sadly, that some music gets played these days.
I also "got" U2's other "Best Of" releases, even though years before U2 (possibly The Edge) stated that U2 would never do a "Best Of" (or Greatest Hits) release. I was proud of U2 for that, but as the years wore on, I accepted that a band of U2's longevity would almost need a "Best Of" release. Grouping by decade was a great move. While both releases had serious problems (chopping of songs on the a-side for the 80's release along with the lack of "Gloria", and a horrible b-side release for the 90's CD's), I enjoyed both releases. I accepted that plenty of fans would appreciate these releases. Based on how well the 80's "Best Of" has done in the catalog charts, it appears I was correct.
But this newest "Best Of the Best Of" (if you will) is nothing but corporate greed.
This is the type of release that U2 should do at their career's end. One nice compilation of their 16-18 best tracks with perhaps one new song thrown in to entire buyers. Releasing it now is ridiculous. It'll be out-of-date as soon as U2 release another album.
I get U2 wanting to release a song between albums. Bono has often said he likes that. Songs like "Celebration" and "Hold Me...Kill Me" were great for that reason. They gave fans a little something between albums and kept U2 in the "news".
If U2 wanted to do that here, I'd be thrilled. Release perhaps an EP with the Green Day song, a new song and maybe some live tracks from the "Vertigo" tour. Heck, release "Vertigo" live! Donate proceeds to Music Rising or other causes. This way, U2 comes across as putting their wallets where their mouths are (Elton John has donated the proceeds from ALL of his single releases to charities for years!) and it keeps them in the news. Fans get a little treat between albums and everyone is a winner.
But as it stands, another "Best Of" is not only superfluous, it'll be outdated soon and again, reeks of greed. If U2 released this type of album say in 2010 or so, after the release of their next studio work, then I'd be more accepting. It would have been a while since the release of the 90's "Best Of", and the "2010 Best Of" could have nicely showcased songs from the 00's more. Instead, we have this premature release. I'm not for it at all - and I think U2 deserves all the negative press they receive.
The only way I'd really support this is if U2 suddenly announced that the proceeds (or at least part of the proceeds) would go to charity (or charities). As it stands, U2, Paul McGuinness and U2's label look greedy. I'm very disappointed.
I'm honestly thinking of not buying this CD and just downloading the new song.