U2 : The B - Sides

U2 : The B - Sides

By Michael Epstein
Little, Yellow, Lemon
ATLANTA
November 13, 1998

	By Colm Henry / ISLAND RECORDS
	U2 seen here in a "Red Hill Mining Town" backdrop release. The B - Sides harks back to the days when U2 was young and inexperienced.

Artist : U2
Album : The Best of 1980-1990: The B-Sides
Studio : Island Records
Tracks : 15
Running Time : An hour short
Genre : Rock
Rating : 5.0 / 5.0

This story completes the two part series on U2's latest release.

In addition to their best from 1980-1990, U2 threw in a special treat for anyone who purchases the first pressing of The Best of 1980-1990. A disc of B-Sides from 1980-1990 comes packaged with the other disc. This disc of B-Sides shows U2's best side; it is full of experimentation.

There are 2 instrumentals on the disc: "Bass Trap" and "Endless Deep." "Bass Trap" is very ambient and uncharacteristic of U2. It almost sounds like Enya in a way. On the other hand, "Endless Deep" sounds like a normal U2 song without words.

There are also covers of legendary songs from days gone by.

The disco hit "Everlasting Love" and the Righteous Brothers classic "Unchained Melody". "Everlasting Love" is fair, not nearly as good as the original, but it is yards better than the Gloria Estefan version. "Unchained Melody" is good in a weird way. It just doesn't have the sound or feel of the Righteous Brothers classic version, and jars the ears.

Also on B-Sides, is the original version the recently remixed single "The Sweetest Thing". This version sounds rather similar to the remix on the Best of 1980-1990 disc. The song has a less finished edge and gives off an image of a much younger, inexperienced U2.

The rest of the album is a lot like most other albums out today. The best songs are at the front, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the album isn't good. Some of the notable songs to be listened to are "The Three Sunrises", "Love Comes Tumbling", "Dancing Barefoot", and "Walk to the Water."

All in, all, The B-Sides is an excellent disc that deviates from the norm. In fact, that's what makes it a good album worthy of the U2 name.

Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board

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