bjaiken

^ This

I would like to buy the box sets, too, but that stuff gets expensive. Plus, I am an obsessive collector. I would never be able to buy just one album; I would have to buy them all in the exact same format.

I always just buy the albums (not the collector sets) and get excited to hear a new, better sound. Maybe it's a sharper guitar, a clearer/crisper drum, or a deeper/fuller bass. I just don't hear that in the U2 remasters, which bums me because I want them to be good.

Whenever you see lists like this, you have to look for what you feel "they" got right instead of wrong. The top 5 albums are pretty consistent with many lists I have seen over the years. Also, most (not all) of the albums I would expect to be on this list are at some point. Granted, I disagree with a lot of the order, which is often the case.

If they're going to do it, most likely Achtung Baby. I am not sure this album needs remastering, though. With U2 remasters, I have a hard time telling the difference from the original. I guess I notice the difference most on Joshua Tree and certain parts of War. I have been very underwhelmed by the U2 remasters, especially when you compare them to the remasters of one of their contemporaries, The Police.

I don't really see In Rainbows being so accessible as to be described as a pop album. To me, it's simply more accessible than other Radiohead albums. Categorizing music is always vague, anyhow. I guess it just depends on perspective.

The funny thing about "Stay" is it's such a simple sounding song, yet I listen to it over and over. I think it's the sound of The Edge's guitar during the verse and Bono's voice during the chorus. It has such an "artsy" feel to it.

Good choice. I love the Zooropa/Pop era of U2. Easily, one of the most creative time periods of their career. It's a shame it was so under-rated at the time of release.

Good, so long as we're clear.

How cool is it that the DVD is coming out right before the next leg of the tour? It will be an awesome chance to re-live the experience before going to see it again. And for those of us who had crummy seats (that's me), it will probably be better than the actual show.

This is one band I would like to see live. I passed when they were playing small venues. I'm kicking myself for that move.

Agreed!

I will go to the show at the Honda Center (and maybe Staples). It's good to see a SoCal show that is not Coachella or a radio festival.

One of my guilty pleasures. Man, I hate copping to this one.

Yes, I'm saying he's normally worse (or at least has been lately). I'm saying I don't like a lot of his live performances. I'm saying that this happened to be a damn good one. I'm saying he's one of the best musicians of the 90s, but he doesn't always come across well live. Clear enough?

Go watch the Live Earth performance of the same song and then tell me if you still think this wasn't a good performance. Actually, find me one of his performances in the last 5-10 years better than this one.

No, Billy Boy kind of lost me after Adore. For some reason, I don't feel compelled to listen to his newer stuff. It's weird to feel that way about someone I liked so much in the 90s.

I love Buddy Holly. One of the most influential and pioneering rock n rollers of all time.

I think at this point, Billy will play with anyone who is willing. More importantly, he seems to be playing well. I saw the Pumpkins 3 or 4 years ago, and they played all kinds of obscure crap. I am a pretty big pumpkins fan, and I had no clue what they were playing half the time. Also, a lot of Billy's live performances suck. He sometimes mails in the vocals. In this session, he seems to be into it. He can really sing good when he wants to (not in the classical sense, of course). My favorite part of the Today performance is when he raises his hand encouraging the fans to join in. He just looks like he's having fun, which is something I like to see for a guy who has lived a rather cynical, depressed life.

^ that's cool. I've seen this version of gnr, as well. However, to me, guns will always be the original 5: Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff, and Steven. This version is just Axl and a bunch of hired musicians. Not to kncok it; it's as good as you'll get these days. It sounds really good, but it's missing key elements. The original version of gnr was dangerous and kick ass, and their songs reflected their lifesyle at the time. The entire Appetite album sticks to this theme, and it visually plays out in the Welcome to the Jungle video. In the beginning, Axl gets off the bus as a country boy from Indiana. By the end, his hair is teased, he's wearing leather pants, and genuinely looks crazy.

Yeah, that may be a Lennon song, but it belongs to the rhythm section. It's a big, fat groovy baseline. McCartney's bass work always serves the song, which I always prefer over instrumental gymnastics.

The Use Your Illusions are more spotty, but Appetite is money. When I work out, I always fee like I can lift more than I can while listening to this album. So raw and raunchy; it gets me pumped every time.

I think that "Rain" might be some of the best bass and drum work in the entire Beatles catalogue.

Going through an Appetite for Destruction phase right now. From Welcome to the Jungle to Rocket Queen, this album is flawless. It is some of the best guitar rock ever.

^ Good stuff :)