Re: Greatest Hits Album?!

Robbie Robinson ([email protected])
Fri, 04 Sep 1998 23:16:13 -0700

Jeremy Boyd wrote:
>
> Is anyone else upset about the boys doing greatest hits albums?
>
> On one hand its a good business venture for them and money is nice, but at
> the same time I've always liked the fact that U2 has been on the cutting
> edge and that they were always doing something new. I feel like greatest
> hits albums are a bit of a sell out. They seem inconsistent with the
> overall direction and focus that U2 has held over the years; namely doing
> new and exciting (and sometimes unpopular at the time) stuff. Todd had a
> great quote from Bono saying "You glorify the past while the future dries
> up". To me this sums up the band's sentiment that they have had over the
> years. By putting out these albums they are changing one of their major
> philosophies
>
> I appreciate comments. If there's interest lets discuss it, but please
> don't flame or start and angry argument.
>
> Jeremy

What's the problem?
They're allowing Island/Polygram/Segrams to put out 3 U2 Greatest
Hits albums. They're not going to be worrying around with it I think.
They're in the studios now working on the next album of new songs as
far as we can tell from reports. I don't know if they're going to
even trouble themselves to give any input to the GH album.
Propaganda already did the little survey about what we'd like to
hear on a greatest hits album. They've probably decided what will
go on it and all the record company has to do is press it and promote.
How in the world did anyone come to the conclusion that as soon
as a GH album came out the band would stop being creative.
It's just not that big a deal. (well, except money wise and
that it keeps Island looking good to their new owners.)
I was also thinkin' that since the American media decided not
to support the last album/tour, this might be a good way to
pick up those fans they would have grabed if the press bashing
hadn't discouraged some of the undecided from seeing Popmart.
Humm, I see big back catalog sales approaching :)
As for the mentions that Bono said they wouldn't put out a Greatest
Hits album (I don't remember it, but I'll believe you), will
situations and outlooks change. How many times has Bono said one
thing and something else happen. It's seem to be pretty often to
me. The boy changes his mind sometimes.
I've never had a problem with Greatest Hits albums.
Some people out there seem to have some problems dealing with
the concept of "sell out". I really think what it means to a lot
of people that use it, is "they're making a lot of money". It has
nothing to do in their minds with whither the music is good or bad,
it's just a negative reaction they have to any band making a lot
of money. Some fans on this list still haven't been able to come
to terms with the commercial side of "art". Get over it, it's always
existed unless the artist only performed in his basement to a mirror.
Try concentrating on the music they're recording for the next new
album. That's all that really matters. The rest is just business.

Robbie

P.S. I like the idea that somebody posted. The one in Nov. is
suppose to be Greatest Hits 1980 to 1990.
That means they'll have a Greatest Hits 1990 to 2000 in 2000
and the third album will be for their greatest hits after 2000 :)

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