Achtung Baby/Zooropa remasters CONFIRMED for Fall 2011 by Rolling Stone - Part II

[Nick66]

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to all the bonus stuff (although I'm holding off on ordering the super-deluxe until amazon figures out its pricing). I wouldn't have bought the single-disc version even if it was remastered and included a lock of Bono's hair.

Well, there's no way I'm buying the single disc edition, I've got one of those, thanks. But there's no way I'm buying the Super/Uber edition either. I'm not short of cash, I just don't think they're a good value.

I'll probably pick up the 2-disc edition, assuming they do something with the original. If not, this will likely be the first U2 issue that I skip.

 

[Nick66]

U2 Achtung Baby CD 2011 at Universal Music

Hehe... I noticed they played with the original cover by the photo posted there. Wonder if that will be the new package...

Is that different? I can't tell. You can be sure there will be some changes to the package and liner notes, even in the single disc edition.

 

[U2_Guy]

Is that different? I can't tell. You can be sure there will be some changes to the package and liner notes, even in the single disc edition.

At least on my Iphone it looks like a negative of the original pic... I dunno...

 

[morgan1098]

Well, there's no way I'm buying the single disc edition, I've got one of those, thanks. But there's no way I'm buying the Super/Uber edition either. I'm not short of cash, I just don't think they're a good value.

I'll probably pick up the 2-disc edition, assuming they do something with the original. If not, this will likely be the first U2 issue that I skip.

I'm hoping the super deluxe will be discounted to around $100 or so at amazon by the time release date rolls around. That's still pricey, and it especially hurts knowing that AB and Zooropa are likely not remastered. However, I never got ZOO TV live and I only have a handful of the CD singles from that era, so I'll probably take the plunge. I'm also counting on the fact that the unreleased tracks will be cleaned up/altered from the versions found on the Axtung Beibi bootleg. But if I've learned one thing from you, Nick66, it's that it's dangerous to make those assumptions.

 

[Nick66]

At least on my Iphone it looks like a negative of the original pic... I dunno...

Looks exactly the same to me.

I'm sure what they will do for the single and two disc editions is put them in the more modern style digipak containers, and take some of the material from the big book in the Uber edition and put it in the liner notes. Just kind of a "20 years of Achtung Baby" kind of thing. I wouldn't be surprised if the original AB liner notes are NOT included in this.

 

[U2_Guy]

Looks exactly the same to me.

I'm sure what they will do for the single and two disc editions is put them in the more modern style digipak containers, and take some of the material from the big book in the Uber edition and put it in the liner notes. Just kind of a "20 years of Achtung Baby" kind of thing. I wouldn't be surprised if the original AB liner notes are NOT included in this.

2 disc will be digipak. 1 disc, i'm not sure. But could be. Jewel cases are nasty mate... Hate 'em.

Weird that the single disc edition cover appears like a negative on my phone... The 2 disc looks normal to me...

 

[Nick66]

I'm hoping the super deluxe will be discounted to around $100 or so at amazon by the time release date rolls around. That's still pricey, and it especially hurts knowing that AB and Zooropa are likely not remastered. However, I never got ZOO TV live and I only have a handful of the CD singles from that era, so I'll probably take the plunge. I'm also counting on the fact that the unreleased tracks will be cleaned up/altered from the versions found on the Axtung Beibi bootleg. But if I've learned one thing from you, Nick66, it's that it's dangerous to make those assumptions.

What annoys me is that I think there needs to be another price point for this release...something for around 50.00 ala TUF and JT editions. Maybe 2 CD's and 2 DVD's. Or 3 CD's and a DVD, whatever. 4 discs total. And a commemorative book somewhere between the standard liner notes and the monstrous coffee table book in the obscene Uber edition. That I might buy. But as it stands you jump from around 15.00 for the one disc to 35.00 for ONE EXTRA DISC then to almost 200.00 the next step up. There needs to be something in between.

I understand why their doing it, I just don't care for it. This is clearly being marketed as a luxury product, and the Uber edition exists to make the Super Edition appear reasonable in price (which it's not, IMO).

 

[corianderstem]

I wouldn't have such a big problem with the uber-fantastico version except that when I took McG's statement about "pumped up value" or whatever, I was expecting something with actual value, not a bunch of freaking stickers, buttons and sunglasses.

Not to mention a DVD I already have. Sorry, I find no value in that version. Even for $300. I'm sure others find value in the vinyl, but again, not of value to me. The rest of the stuff I find valuable, and can get in the $150 version.

Either he thinks that's enough "value" to pump up the price so much, or my original reading of his statement was wrong, and he did actually mean "we're going to gouge our sucker fans."

I can live with that because that's the way it goes, I'm just disappointed that I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[nirniva]

Looks exactly the same to me.

I'm sure what they will do for the single and two disc editions is put them in the more modern style digipak containers, and take some of the material from the big book in the Uber edition and put it in the liner notes. Just kind of a "20 years of Achtung Baby" kind of thing. I wouldn't be surprised if the original AB liner notes are NOT included in this.

Yeah, same here (maybe with slightly brighter colors than the original, though.) Maybe your iPhone is displaying the image incorrectly?

 

[morgan1098]

What annoys me is that I think there needs to be another price point for this release...something for around 50.00 ala TUF and JT editions. Maybe 2 CD's and 2 DVD's. Or 3 CD's and a DVD, whatever. 4 discs total. And a commemorative book somewhere between the standard liner notes and the monstrous coffee table book in the obscene Uber edition. That I might buy. But as it stands you jump from around 15.00 for the one disc to 35.00 for ONE EXTRA DISC then to almost 200.00 the next step up. There needs to be something in between.

I understand why their doing it, I just don't care for it. This is clearly being marketed as a luxury product, and the Uber edition exists to make the Super Edition appear reasonable in price (which it's not, IMO).

I'm glad I bought them, but I think even the JT and UF box sets were too expensive for what they included. Other artists have released 2CD+1DVD sets for far less than the $50 price on the UF set. They upped the price by including "art prints," a hardback book and a big, sturdy box. However, if they had included the same 3 discs in a smaller package, similar to the 2CD version, and included the same liner notes in the booklet, they could have made that set a lot cheaper.

The AB sets just take that to a further extreme. I won't even mention the uber-deluxe set, which is simply pornographic, but let's look at the super-deluxe. 6CDs+4DVDs is never going to be "cheap," but they could have decreased the price dramatically by just packaging the discs with some solid, in-depth liner notes and skipping the art prints, the big box, etc. They're just including a lot of extra "fluff" to justify a higher price. Boo.

 

[U2_Guy]

Yeah, same here (maybe with slightly brighter colors than the original, though.) Maybe your iPhone is displaying the image incorrectly?

But the other editions are looking normal... It's weird, i'll check it later on my notebook...

 

[Popmartijn]

But as it stands you jump from around 15.00 for the one disc to 35.00 for ONE EXTRA DISC then to almost 200.00 the next step up.

Correction, the next step up is $115 (CDN), not 'almost 200.00' (or rather almost, US$170).

 

[Nick66]

I'm glad I bought them, but I think even the JT and UF box sets were too expensive for what they included. Other artists have released 2CD+1DVD sets for far less than the $50 price on the UF set. They upped the price by including "art prints," a hardback book and a big, sturdy box. However, if they had included the same 3 discs in a smaller package, similar to the 2CD version, and included the same liner notes in the booklet, they could have made that set a lot cheaper.

The AB sets just take that to a further extreme. I won't even mention the uber-deluxe set, which is simply pornographic, but let's look at the super-deluxe. 6CDs+4DVDs is never going to be "cheap," but they could have decreased the price dramatically by just packaging the discs with some solid, in-depth liner notes and skipping the art prints, the big box, etc. They're just including a lot of extra "fluff" to justify a higher price. Boo.

You make some going points. The problem is the competing interests between U2 and their fans. The fans wan't as much product as they can get (i.e. music and video) for as good a price as they can get. U2 wants to to basically makes as much of off it as they can, while holding back some of the best stuff for future releases (their kids gotta go to college, you know).

The problem is, U2 used to be band that cared about giving their fans good value of their dollar...they really did. But I just don't' see that anywhere in this set. There's some interesting, worthwhile stuff in there, to be sure, but the price is so inflated that it just become unreasonable, and it's almost like they're hoping we won't notice amidst the fancy packaging and fly shades.

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

Just to say something positive:

We're getting a new version of love is blindness and the fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, really?
(Are you talking about the 'baby' disc?)

 

[Nick66]

Correction, the next step up is $115 (CDN), not 'almost 200.00' (or rather almost, US$170).

Well thanks. Hence the word "almost". And as we now the price keeps fluctuating on Amazon, and varies between Amazon UK/CA/US. So I think the 170 is close enough to 200. You, of course, may feel differently.

 

[morgan1098]

More bad news from U2Wanderer:

Quote from: miryclay on August 17, 2011, 12:05:27 AM
Aaron, it presumably means that it hasn't been remastered within the most recent while. But has been remastered since 1991. I guess that repeated remastering will wear down the source, and until there is a great leap forward in technology, there is not point in going in and doing it again.

That is my guess.

I don't think so.

They continue to say this is the "Original Release" and you don't get any clearer than "This will not be a remastered album." which is what I received from Universal UK's Music Direct Support Team. I did ask my contact at Universal here in Canada about the single disc, and he did say that they expect this to be an anniversary release with an essay about the album in the liner notes, and this would be the supported release going forward.

I'm still hoping they are wrong. The note from Universal France that yseilys posted has me crossing my fingers still. But I'm losing faith, and have to go with my contacts who have never steered me wrong in the past...​

 

[mikal]

my Universal source also confirmed that the reissue will only play on CD players manufactured prior to 1992.

 

[the tourist]

my Universal source also confirmed that the reissue will only play on CD players manufactured prior to 1992.

Yes! Skipping cds are retro and coming back into style.

 

[Nick66]

More bad news from U2Wanderer:

Quote from: miryclay on August 17, 2011, 12:05:27 AM
Aaron, it presumably means that it hasn't been remastered within the most recent while. But has been remastered since 1991. I guess that repeated remastering will wear down the source, and until there is a great leap forward in technology, there is not point in going in and doing it again.

That is my guess.

I don't think so.

They continue to say this is the "Original Release" and you don't get any clearer than "This will not be a remastered album." which is what I received from Universal UK's Music Direct Support Team. I did ask my contact at Universal here in Canada about the single disc, and he did say that they expect this to be an anniversary release with an essay about the album in the liner notes, and this would be the supported release going forward.

I'm still hoping they are wrong. The note from Universal France that yseilys posted has me crossing my fingers still. But I'm losing faith, and have to go with my contacts who have never steered me wrong in the past...​

"No point in doing it again"...."remastering will wear down the source"?

Achtung Baby has been remastered since 91?

Who is this miryclay guy?

Oh, wait, never mind, I bet I know who it is.

Glad he got set straight over on that board as well.

 

[Nick66]

my Universal source also confirmed that the reissue will only play on CD players manufactured prior to 1992.

I'm holding out for the 8-track.

 

[Popmartijn]

Well thanks. Hence the word "almost". And as we now the price keeps fluctuating on Amazon, and varies between Amazon UK/CA/US. So I think the 170 is close enough to 200. You, of course, may feel differently.

The go to CDUniverse.com. The Super Deluxe is US$135 there (would that count as almost $100?).
Just because some retailer lists a US$170 price doesn't mean that it really is almost $200. And then be careful in using that one price point in every argument.

 

[Nick66]

The go to CDUniverse.com. The Super Deluxe is US$135 there (would that count as almost $100?).
Just because some retailer lists a US$170 price doesn't mean that it really is almost $200. And then be careful in using that one price point in every argument.

Hmmmm. Seems to me you were one of the people saying I was blurting out stupid talk, and wasting time, for saying this thing wasn't remastered. Hold let me check.

Oh, you were.

And I don't remember you coming on here actually admitting you were wrong, or apologizing for your classy behavior. And now here you are making two posts telling me how I'm wrong for saying something that costs 170.00 is close to 200. And I used that "price point"...what, once?

So given all that excuse me if I don't really care about your correcting me on price comparisons. Perhaps you should get a job at Wal-Mart?

No need to respond.

 

[doctorwho]

I'm holding out for the 8-track.

This actually would be fun. And I even have a working 8-track tape player.

I have a friend who loved collecting 8-track tapes (although he transitioned to a hoarder regarding "saving" broken stereo equipment). He showed me tha the had AB on 8-track. At the time, I laughed. Why bother with that obselete format? Now, though, I think it would be a fun novelty item - even if it's not worth a lot.

 

[Nick66]

This actually would be fun. And I even have a working 8-track tape player.

I have a friend who loved collecting 8-track tapes (although he transitioned to a hoarder regarding "saving" broken stereo equipment). He showed me tha the had AB on 8-track. At the time, I laughed. Why bother with that obselete format? Now, though, I think it would be a fun novelty item - even if it's not worth a lot.

Yeah. I remember my father's 8-tracks when I was kid. Especially fun was when a song faded out in the middle at the end of one track, then the second half faded back in on the next track. What a, um, unique listening experience.

As fun as I agree it would be, the problem with including an novelty 8-track or cassette would be finding someone who actually still made them...and at a reasonable price. Because they will cost a hell of a lot more to produce now than they did in the day.

 

[bicyclejoe]

I'm holding out for the 8-track.

Just heard it will be $120.

 

[bicyclejoe]

did I say I was buying the uber deluxe? no. I was just wishing you would return to the hole from whence you came

Ok Comic Book Guy.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

IF AB (and Zooropa) aren't remastered, then the package-options are fucking terrible. Really, really bad. Atrocious. Fucked up. That's taking your fanbase for a ride, pure and simple. If the albums aren't remastered - fuck them. I'm holding out for the inevitable separation of the Documentary DVD, and knocking everything else off. I don't need another copy of Achtung Baby, Zooropa, the Sydney DVD and all those remixes. Why on earth would I? I don't care for a coffee table book of Bono posing. So I'm not paying £90 for the documentary DVD, 'Baby' CD and a scattering of three or four other interesting loose tracks. Not worth it. And fuck them for assuming I would.

Of course, if they are remastered, I'm all over it like a two peckered goat.

 

[doctorwho]

Yeah. I remember my father's 8-tracks when I was kid. Especially fun was when a song faded out in the middle at the end of one track, then the second half faded back in on the next track. What a, um, unique listening experience.

As fun as I agree it would be, the problem with including an novelty 8-track or cassette would be finding someone who actually still made them...and at a reasonable price. Because they will cost a hell of a lot more to produce now than they did in the day.

to all of the above.

I had some 8-tracks. They were great when one wanted to fast forward to a song on another "track". However, some songs were split between the tracks - so it would fade out and fade in as the track changed. If this is a song you liked, too bad it was ruined.

But as you wrote, while an 8-track would be a fun novelty, finding producers of these items is challenging. Who makes them any more?

Plus, the item might be seen as going extremely retro. If this were a "remastering" or "repackaging" of some great 70's era album, perhaps having an 8-track would be fun. But AB was very progressive for U2. Going back in time is not suitable for this album. The only reason it's getting a vinyl release is that vinyl is making a comeback. Many love the analog sound and the fun of actually taking out a record, placing the stylus on it, etc.

Of course, if they are remastered, I'm all over it like a two peckered goat.

SLUT!



I hear what you are saying. I'm a collector and I'm having a lot of trouble with this item. The Super Deluxe JT remaster was indeed a remaster plus it had the Paris show. And there was a lot of unreleased or finished tracks. It was worthwhile.

This, so far, seems weak. Sure some cute "toys" (glasses and whatnot). But no remaster means the same album. O.K., fair enough - that has to be included. But then add in some TRUE extras. Remixes and b-sides many have is not the answer. Mostly the die-hards will pay for this but die-hards also have these items. So give something truly new. The documentary is a good start, but why not another show? Some new, unreleased or just finished tracks? Perhaps something to make it worthwhile - at least for that type of cash.

 

[beachball]

The Achtung Baby songs on the Best Of, were they just remastered for loudness?

Remember the strange edit of the lyrics in Mysterious Ways? I thought that could only happen, if they were even mixing it. They must have messed with the vocal track, and therefore the mastertapes?!

Then why would they not remaster it this time around?

 

[lemonfly]

IF AB (and Zooropa) aren't remastered, then the package-options are fucking terrible. Really, really bad. Atrocious. Fucked up. That's taking your fanbase for a ride, pure and simple. If the albums aren't remastered - fuck them. I'm holding out for the inevitable separation of the Documentary DVD, and knocking everything else off. I don't need another copy of Achtung Baby, Zooropa, the Sydney DVD and all those remixes. Why on earth would I? I don't care for a coffee table book of Bono posing. So I'm not paying £90 for the documentary DVD, 'Baby' CD and a scattering of three or four other interesting loose tracks. Not worth it. And fuck them for assuming I would.

Of course, if they are remastered, I'm all over it like a two peckered goat.

I agree with every word. The remasters were all that mattered. Without them, they are fucking over the fans to George Lucas Star Wars proportions.