I am one of the legion who has been a fan of U2 since the days of War and Boy - a love for their music that grew stronger and evolved as they did with only one exception (their Pop album, let's face it.....not their best effort, but they've since redeemed themselves). To be quite honest, I haven't got much time for the nay-sayers, those who profess to hate the band and their music for whatever reason, that's their choice and a matter of taste; this band's work was the soundtrack of a long strange trip that has been the better part of my life from early teen years to today - everyone should have a song that speaks to them and lifts them up when the need hits; "Mysterious Ways" is that song for me from their Achtung Baby album.
This particular album of Singles picked through some of those songs that to me seem like those that would have resonated deepest with their fan base. There are two new songs on the album, "The Saints Are Coming" with Green Day which has a decidedly Punk feel to it and actually sounds more to me like their early work. "Window in the Skies" is the other new song, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the song has a beat that draws you in (Larry Mullen's great gift) and lyrics that shines on the band's passions of battling world poverty and genocide (subtle, but that's what I am perhaps reading into them), it's a song of change and transformation and the power of what Love can do - there's a dash of self-flagellation in there as well but redemption above all of it. To me, love is among the most powerful magicks out there, and this song touches on that.
The other songs on this album are well known and deeply loved from "New Years Day" and the rousing anthem of Amnesty International and those who wonder when the violence will end "Sunday Bloody Sunday" from their War album to my much beloved "Mysterious Ways" and "One" from Achtung Baby. Other favorites such as "Desire", "With or Without You" and "Where the Streets Have no Name" and "Beautiful Day". The music is brilliant on many levels and such a collection is very nearly too much of a good thing. The singles span their mind-blowing career and how the group has evolved. It's the perfect CD to listen to on such a beautiful day.......
I give it 4 1/2 Cauldrons out of 5