Lancemc
Blue Crack Addict
(edit: whoops, please move this to the right forum...thanks)
Ok, let me just get this out there, as it's something I've felt for a long time. I think this has to be my all-time favorite U2 single release. Now, I don't think it's the best. For b-sides, the best is probably Even Better Than the Real Thing, and for live tracks it's definitely Please (Popheart EP, whichever title you prefer).
But this set of 4 songs is nearly perfect:
Stay (Faraway, So Close) single edit
Slow Dancing (Bono and Edge solo)
Bullet the Blue Sky (live 1993)
Love is Blindness (live 1993)
Now, here's why. First of all, Stay is one of the best songs in their catalogue, I think we can mostly all agree with that. But this rendition of Slow Dancing is mindblowingly gorgeous, and MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the full band version released with If God Will Send His Angels featuring Willie Nelson. I can't get enough of this song. One of my favorite b-sides.
But, the best part of this entire single is merciless kick in the balls you receive listening to this thing with good headphones on. I jack up the volume for Slow Dancing, because it's so beautifully recorded, and it's just a joy to listen to. But as soon as it ends, you're assaulted with what has to be THE most intense and amazing version of Bullet The Blue Sky I've ever heard. It's sort of like The First Time/Bullet segue used during the tour, only the transition is much more dramatic, and it's fucking unreal.
And this is my favorite version of Bullet. The band is perfectly in sync with each other, and Edge's solo is out of this world. And finally we have Love is Blindness, and well, we all know how amazing that is.
Overall, this is an amazing single, with a perfect blend of B-side and live material that people actually WANT to listen to. I'm afraid U2's been drifting away from this lately, though the WITS single releases are a good sign.
Ok, let me just get this out there, as it's something I've felt for a long time. I think this has to be my all-time favorite U2 single release. Now, I don't think it's the best. For b-sides, the best is probably Even Better Than the Real Thing, and for live tracks it's definitely Please (Popheart EP, whichever title you prefer).
But this set of 4 songs is nearly perfect:
Stay (Faraway, So Close) single edit
Slow Dancing (Bono and Edge solo)
Bullet the Blue Sky (live 1993)
Love is Blindness (live 1993)
Now, here's why. First of all, Stay is one of the best songs in their catalogue, I think we can mostly all agree with that. But this rendition of Slow Dancing is mindblowingly gorgeous, and MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the full band version released with If God Will Send His Angels featuring Willie Nelson. I can't get enough of this song. One of my favorite b-sides.
But, the best part of this entire single is merciless kick in the balls you receive listening to this thing with good headphones on. I jack up the volume for Slow Dancing, because it's so beautifully recorded, and it's just a joy to listen to. But as soon as it ends, you're assaulted with what has to be THE most intense and amazing version of Bullet The Blue Sky I've ever heard. It's sort of like The First Time/Bullet segue used during the tour, only the transition is much more dramatic, and it's fucking unreal.
And this is my favorite version of Bullet. The band is perfectly in sync with each other, and Edge's solo is out of this world. And finally we have Love is Blindness, and well, we all know how amazing that is.
Overall, this is an amazing single, with a perfect blend of B-side and live material that people actually WANT to listen to. I'm afraid U2's been drifting away from this lately, though the WITS single releases are a good sign.
