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First, let me say that nearly everything I talk about in this review would apply to the "Uber" edition as well. The Uber just adds to the experience somewhat by the inclusion of some additional items - but the music/video content (the true heart of this release) remain the same between the versions.
Both this set and the Uber version are for fans of the album. This is likely obvious on the surface, but it really does go much deeper than that. Fans of this album likely became fans when it was first released - back when U2 re-invented themselves. Fans of this album first heard "The Fly" or "Mysterious Ways" come from U2 and listened to them with a mixture of genuine shock and delight. During this first unveiling of the new U2 sound, look, attitude, etc. - U2 fans strapped themselves in for a ride that truly comes once in a generation. We saw a band we love go away, and then come back stronger and more amazing than any of us could have imagined.
There have been many times I wish I could have gone back and experienced an album, movie, book, etc. for the first time again. Achtung Baby is one of those albums for me, and this set...
...this set is the U2 fan's opportunity to go back and experience that first listen all over again. This is the opportunity to see other sides of the story around the album, to "time-travel", and to get as close to the moment you had back in 1991 when you first placed the Achtung Baby CD in your stereo (or, in my case, first put the cassette in your car-stereo) and had your mind blown.
This experience kicks off with an amazing book. No, I haven't had the time to read it completely, but I have leafed through it a number of times and what struck me most was in the images chosen for it. You've seen similar images from this era before with this band, but not THESE images. You've seen the shot of Edge in the "star pants" on the cover, or Bono with the unnamed woman behind him, but you haven't seen the additional shots taken. This theme goes throughout the book - and puts you in a strange mindset of viewing these images from the standpoint of nostalgia as well as through the eyes of someone who has truly never seen them before. It's an interesting way to take iconic images that they know U2 fans have seen 1,000's of times, and give them a twist of something new.
This continues into the documentary "From the Sky Down". Most of the interviews are new, but they've mixed in older interviews as well. You've seen some cuts from some of the older interviews from other appearances by U2, but you haven't seen THESE cuts. These are the parts of those interviews that weren't aired, but were from the same interview. You recognize the camera angles, the dress, the attitude, and you can almost re-play those other interviews in your head while you're watching this - but they are newer parts (at least to you) of the interview. This aspect of the documentary, I am convinced, was solely aimed at giving hardcore U2 fans that opportunity to see something both old and new at the same time.
Probably the most impressive thing about the documentary is where they show how the song "One" came to be - and do it in near real-time with the original tapes from the sessions. For me, this was fascinating and gave an experience that is as close to being in the room with them while they create what would become not only one of their most amazing songs but - from the standpoint of the documentary - was the point at which their new direction actually started to become a reality and the band began to heal.
On the audio side, I recommend that hardcore fans listen to the "Kindergarten" disc first. It's an alternative version of Achtung Baby taken from the original sessions, and showcases each song in their more raw (and sometimes completely different, both lyrically and musically) forms. Listening to this disc gave me the same feelings I had when I first heard Achtung Baby back in 1991. It's the album you love, but done differently enough to feel like a completely new listen.
The other CD's you probably already have. I had most of the tracks - there were some surprises in there - but for the most part, the remaining re-mixes and b-sides have been available before. Personally, I was victim to having a large number of CD's stolen from me years ago - and these additional tracks were the welcome return of music I had not heard in a long time.
Many of the shows on the other DVD's are things that were on MTV at the time, or released in different forms on VHS. I had some of them on VHS - and it is nice to now have them on DVD. Some have lamented the fact that these are not of Blu-Ray - but, honestly, these were on TV back when HD had no meaning. Even on DVD, you can tell the source material would have gotten no benefit from being on Blu-Ray.
You likely already have the Sydney ZOO TV show as well. I have seen some complaints about the inclusion of this disc, but I think it's necessary. This set seems designed to give the complete Achtung Baby experience, specifically to U2 and Achtung Baby fans. It is also somewhat linear in how it introduces you to it all (if you go from disc 1 to disc 2, etc.), and the album, tour, etc. are all set-up well. It would seem odd after watching the closing credits of "From the Sky Down" to NOT have what is arguably the best recording of what many believe is their most mind-blowing tour. Yes, people who buy this set probably already have it - but there's got to be at least someone who doesn't - and it would be crime to send that person down this path through the set and then, at the end, simply say "If you'd like to see how it all ended - buy this other disc!!" I think it needed to be included.
I have 2 complaints:
1. The Sydney disc in my set will only play on my PC, not my DVD player. This isn't too bad for me, since I already own it - but for people like those I mentioned above who may not have it, this is not good. I've read here that it is because the DVD is in PAL format even though it is stamped NTSC. Whatever the reason, this is blemish on this set.
2. The MTV Rockumentary cut out the videos from the original VHS. I had this video on VHS, and it was basically the same movie - however, instead of commercials, it had U2 videos. I haven't watched the whole thing to see if maybe they end up at the end of it - but I would have rather seen them in their original spots. The most glaring issue with this is that in the original video, right after the "Boy to Achtung Baby" section, the video for Even Better That the Real Thing starts. Now, it just slaps the "MTV ROCKUMETARY" logo up on the screen, skips the video, and goes on with the interviews. I liked the original better. Also, the original had a rare studio video for "Until the End of the World" that I don't see anywhere else in this set. I would have liked to have that on DVD as well.
Anyway - this set is a definate must-have for fans of this album. Casual listeners, etc. would likely be better off getting one of the other versions, as many of the additional items in the Super Deluxe and Uber sets reference things that casual listeners either don't know about or don't care about.
If you are a fan, however, and you want to relive the original release of Achtung Baby and all that was involved with it, you are in for quite a ride with this box.
Enjoy!
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Reviews with images
One of U2s Best
U2’s Acthung Baby was a great record to own. I’ve been a huge U2 fan for many years and this one has what I think some of my favorite songs from them, including One, one my all time favorite songs. I’ve been waiting to buy this for a while since an original pressing is quite expensive or more than I’d like to pay. It’s a great rerelease and had to get it. Quality and beautiful packaging.
Top reviews from other countries
Benjamin Gómez
Excelente calidad y en perfectas condiciones.
Reviewed in Mexico on January 9, 2024
