Early U2

[danceofdays]

I'm a punk rocker at heart, and maybe it's only because my parents played the first three albums nonstop when I was a kid, but I've really got a soft spot for U2's earlier post-punk material. Anyone else think their early days were the best?

I dig a lot of their later material too (bits and pieces of Unforgettable Fire, most of Joshua Tree) but the early stuff, especially pre-War, kicks my ass every time I listen to it.

Here's a two-disc "Best-Of" that I put together from the recently released two-disc expanded editions of their discography. Their true power really shines through on some of the unpolished live and demo material.

1. Speed of Life (demo, Boy D2)
2. Boy-Girl (7" version, Boy D2)
3. Out of Control (7" version, Boy D2)
4. I Will Follow (remix, Boy D2)
5. A Celebration (7" version, October D2)
6. Things to Make and Do (7" version, Boy D2)
7. Stories For Boys (album version, Boy D1)
8. Rejoice (album version, October D1)
9. With A Shout (radio session, October D2)
10. A Day Without Me (album version, Boy D1)
11. The Ocean (album version, Boy D1)
12. Twilight (album version, Boy D1)
13. Like A Song.... (album version, War D1)
14. Fire (live, War D2)
15. Is That All? (album version, October D1)

1. The Cry / Electric Co. (live, October D2)
2. Gloria (album version, October D1)
3. Endless Deep (7" version, War D2)
4. An Cat Dubh (album version, Boy D1)
5. Into The Heart (album version, Boy D1)
6. I Threw A Brick... (radio session, October D2)
7. Sunday Bloody Sunday (album version, War D1)
8. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock (live, October D2)
9. Two Hearts Beat As One (album version, War D1)
10. New Year's Day (album version, War D1)
11. The Refugee (album version, War D1)
12. October (album version, October D1)
13. Another Day (7" version, Boy D2)
14. Touch (7" version, Boy D2)
15. Party Girl (live, Under A Blood Red Sky D1)

 

[alasdairm]

i agree. the first three albums - boy, october and war - are incredibly powerful. i love the raw emotion of i will follow, the electric co., eleven o'clock tick tock, etc.

if you want a thrill, check out 'i will follow' on 'the old grey whistle test' in 1981. 30 years ago!

alasdair

 

[theotherside]

Although I am not a fan of U2, I enjoy Boy on many levels. It has an edge to it that gets lost later on in the 80's. They are a great band but just not for my tastes.

 

[Asclepius]

All I Want Is You - U2
Sunday bloody Sunday RIP

 

[RareForm]

i agree. the first three albums - boy, october and war - are incredibly powerful. i love the raw emotion of i will follow, the electric co., eleven o'clock tick tock, etc.

if you want a thrill, check out 'i will follow' on 'the old grey whistle test' in 1981. 30 years ago!

alasdair

thanks for that.