Disc 5 is B-Sides and Bonus Tracks. Most fans will be curious about the previously unreleased material from the Achtung Baby sessions, but it's very hard to believe in a set like this there's only six tracks available, especially considering how good they are. "Blow Your House Down" is an enjoyable song that fits thematically with Achtung Baby though the arrangement sounds more present-day U2, which applies to all these songs but one. "Heaven and Hell" sounds like a different band with its blues vibe and organ fills. The Black Crowes should cover this and have a big hit with it. Bono speaks the verses on "Oh Berlin," an ode to the city where they worked on the album. "Near The Island" (Instrumental) is a wonderful solo piano piece that may have you longing for an entire album of similar works. Elements from "Numb" can be heard throughout "Down All The Days," but they don't mesh with the rest of the song at all, bringing to mind "The Wanderer." The last new song is a straightforward cover of William Bell and Booker T. Jones's "Everybody Loves A Winner" with Maria McKee on backing vocals.
Disc 6 is Kindergarten – The Alternative Achtung Baby, featuring earlier versions of the songs with "Baby" preceding each album title. Lyrics and arrangements are different to varying degrees, demonstrating they were right to keep working on the songs, but it's like watching early cuts of movies. I am not sure of the appeal of this disc either. After the first listen out of curiosity, there's no reason to revisit.
The four accompanying DVDs present the new documentary about the album's creation, From The Sky Down; the Zoo TV concert special and associated videos; and all the music for Achtung Baby and Zooropa. There is a hardback book filled with liner notes by people involved with the projects: producer Daniel Lanois, photographer Anton Corbijn, and Brain Eno from 1992. Writers Bill Flanagan, Andrew Mueller, and Martin Scholz also talk about the band, the album and its impact.
Though I have only the music to go off of, and find Achtung Baby still retains its brilliance, I am not sure whom the Super Deluxe Edition is intended for. The casual fan that doesn’t have the album or needs to replace it will likely choose the two-disc set. The major fan probably has a large portion of the music as well as the Zoo TV special. So the price tag for this set is ultimately for the movie, the book, and a few new songs. I wouldn’t be surprised if fans rebelled, finding other ways to get the material they want off the Internet. In fact, while researching the review, I saw most of the new music on YouTube already. There might be fans that find this set worth it, but reasons why are mysterious to me.
Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
Leave it to U2 to go completely overboard. I imagine there are a few die-hards willing to spring for this, but I think I will be content with the 2-disc version.
It was a great record though, and exactly what they needed to do after the Rattle & Hum fiasco.
2 - El Bicho
There's one that's even more expensive that is this set plus some Fly sunglasses.
3 - Wheresthebeef
There's absolutely nothing in this review about the remastering of the album. Does it sound better (or worse)?