J ([email protected])
Wed, 4 Nov 1998 17:45:36 -0800 (PST)
1. 1980-1990 was released now, and since the "latest" material there
in R&H which is 1988, this would mark a full 10 years since those
tracks were released. Thus, this can keep the anticipation levels
high, and the re-released songs would be quite "fresh" to the ears
again. Would releasing the 90's GH next year have the same effect,
considering there was no long wait (unlike the 10 year wait of the
first GH)?
2. Among the assets of the 80's GH was the remastering of the old
tracks which make them sound infinitely better and the inclusion of
the rare 7 inch versions of some songs. In the 90's, the technology
has imporved and virtually all the album tracks sound perfect,
remastering might have only a minimal imporvemt. Also, there are
hardly any 7-inch rare version, however, there are single edits which
are readily available n most single releases.
3. The 80's GH spanned 6 albums (the EPs excluded) while in the 90's,
U2 have only produced 3 albums. Thus, there is less choice and
putting too many tracks from a single album will make the GH less
appealing to those who already ave the original albums. Unlike the
80's GH which the "complainers" flamed for not including 11 O Clock or
A Celebration or live tracks, we might see non-album tracks like
HMTMKMKM, Miss Sarajevo, and maybe even Mission Impossible for the
90's version. As for the argument that U2 will release a new album
middle next year, it would jus tbe absurd if they release a 4th 90's
new material album middle next year and include the same material in
90's GH that will be released late next year.
3. There are a lot less b-sides to choose from this time in case they
plan to make a b-side collection. Maybe a remix bonus disc will be the
addition this time. Or maybe they might include the Popheart and Stay
live tracks in the b-sides collection just to remind the fans as to
where U2 is coming from. But still in the b-side issue, just about
every b-side is readily available in CD, unlike the 80's bsides, many
of which were previously available only in vinyl thus increasing their
appeal.
4. Except for Achtung, the 90's albums received lukewarm recognition
from America and hardly any airplay. The singles (of Pop and Zooropa)
failed to have significant chart effect on Billboard (save for
Discotheque). Whether one likes it or not, when an album is to be
released the artists somehow always fall slave to what America wants
because the unreasonable and sometimes misinformed American media
empire are very capable of making or breaking one's career.
MY VERDICT:
1. December 1999 release date is too early. Let's give the 4th new
material 90's album some time to settle and gain recognition, before
releasing the 1990-2000 collection.
2. No way will the 1990-2000 album outsell the 1980-90 GH. If next
year's album will be a mega-hit, then everyone will buy that album and
not be interested in the 1990-200 album which would not include all
the tracks of the big-hit album, and instead include tracks that have
lukewarm poplarity.
3. Unless U2 becomes more "lax" in track selection rules (since
currently they do not include non-album tracks), the 90's collection
wouldbe pretty predictale - All the Achtung single, all the Zooropa
singles and all the Pop singles, and they still have room to spare!
Coments and reactions are very welcome.
Cheers,
J
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Wed Nov 04 1998 - 17:50:22 PST