U2 - Greatest Hits on Vinyl?

[lewdd]

I just bought a copy of this one - https://www.discogs.com/release/1257482 ... -1990-2000

Would love to get this one but not for over $100 - https://www.discogs.com/release/1107770 ... -1980-1990

Ended up buying Red Rocks LP instead

Woke up this morning to a U2 song playing on the radio and it spurred the thought that I didn't have them on vinyl and I think some of their stuff probably would sound really good on vinyl.

Are there any other greatest hits by them on vinyl worth buying?

[patient_ot]

As you may remember, I'm really not a greatest hits fan. You can buy that earlier comp cheaper if you look around. If you are patient enough to wait another year or more, odds are it will come back in print at MSRP. U2 is a very popular band after all.

I haven't heard any of the vinyl remasters, but they should sound good provided you get a copy without pressing defects. Most of them were cut by Chris Bellman after another guy did the digital mastering first. They aren't AAA if you care.

I have the first five albums on old LP editions from the 80s. I suggest looking for clean copies of those. A few years ago you could probably pick them up for $10-15 each with a little effort. Can't say how much they go for now with inflated pandemic pricing.

My personal favorites are Boy and the Unforgettable Fire. For Boy on vinyl I have an early UK copy. For TUF I have an early US copy mastered at Sterling. Now, I have heard the UK Townhouse version of TUF and although purists will say it sounds way better I disagree. It is EQ'd a little differently and sounds different, but it doesn't embarass the Sterling cut at all.

For Joshua Tree, the original copies were pressed on 1 LP and the album is too damn long for optimal sound quality on one piece of wax. My early U.S. edition is a Masterdisk DMM cut on Quiex vinyl and even then, either of my CD versions beats it. I'm not saying it sounds terrible but it's not ideal given the length of the album.

U2 sounds very good on both the old CDs and the remastered ones. The remastered ones are a bit louder but not completely destroyed like so many remasters. The earlier CDs need to be cranked more for proper effect.

I guess what I'm saying here is that despite what people say U2 is no great revelation on vinyl. Most of the early albums sound good on both vinyl and CD, with Joshua Tree being the one where CD has a clear advantage.

[lewdd]

Outside of "Out of Control", I am not too big of a fan of any songs other than their hits which is why I was leaning toward finding a greatest hits collection. I have the 80-90 CD. Maybe I will give that I spin.

[patient_ot]

Outside of "Out of Control", I am not too big of a fan of any songs other than their hits which is why I was leaning toward finding a greatest hits collection. I have the 80-90 CD. Maybe I will give that I spin.

Give the early albums another shot when you have time. They are very consistent on those first 4-5 albums. Rarely a bad track. Once they hit Achtung Baby, it's a different story. I get off the U2 train after that album.

You could also look for 12'' singles if you just want hits. Not sure how findable those would be at record shops in your area.

[version sound]

Give the early albums another shot when you have time. They are very consistent on those first 4-5 albums. Rarely a bad track. Once they hit Achtung Baby, it's a different story. I get off the U2 train after that album.

Almost totally agree, except I think Rattle and Hum is pretty patchy. It’s got great songs, but it’s also got garbage like “When Love Comes To Town” and “Love Rescue Me” where they tried to sound American (and black). Boy and Unforgettable Fire are also my favorites and the only ones I have on vinyl (a Yugoslavian press of the former and American and Japanese pressings of the latter).

[FlexMyHead]

Are there any other greatest hits by them on vinyl worth buying?

[lewdd]

I sold that U2 album

[patient_ot]

Almost totally agree, except I think Rattle and Hum is pretty patchy. It’s got great songs, but it’s also got garbage like “When Love Comes To Town” and “Love Rescue Me” where they tried to sound American (and black). Boy and Unforgettable Fire are also my favorites and the only ones I have on vinyl (a Yugoslavian press of the former and American and Japanese pressings of the latter).

I don't even consider that a real album, since it's a hodgepodge of studio + live stuff. Agree that it doesn't match their other early stuff and shouldn't be a priority for most people. I don't even own a copy. I should probably pick up a cheap used CD of it at some point.

[gregpolard]

I have both of those U2 Hits (1980-1990 & 1990-2000)

I prefer the former, obviously.

I also have U218 which is a Greatest Hits that spans the whole 1980-2006 or so era.

[lewdd]

I have both of those U2 Hits (1980-1990 & 1990-2000)

I prefer the former, obviously.

I also have U218 which is a Greatest Hits that spans the whole 1980-2006 or so era.

All three on vinyl?

[gregpolard]

I have both of those U2 Hits (1980-1990 & 1990-2000)

I prefer the former, obviously.

I also have U218 which is a Greatest Hits that spans the whole 1980-2006 or so era.

All three on vinyl?

Indeed.

Funny enough, I was at Sit & Spin yesterday and saw 1980-1990 on cassette but it was $10. Had it been 5 or less, I'd have brought home w/ me LOL

[lewdd]

Just bought that 1980-1990 2LP on Discogs for $35 with shipping and taxes. Seller says NM-. I can't believe it was so inexpensive compared to most others for sale. I am almost scared to get it in the mail thinking surely something isn't right about this sell price.

[gregpolard]

Just bought that 1980-1990 2LP on Discogs for $35 with shipping and taxes. Seller says NM-. I can't believe it was so inexpensive compared to most others for sale. I am almost scared to get it in the mail thinking surely something isn't right about this sell price.

Vinyl pricing is so weird. Like I legit got that from Amazon with a gift card two years ago tops and it was normal priced.