madcougar

I used to be a whore for that kind of crap. But once you've accumulated 20 years of this stuff you begin to get a better sense of what will truly have value for you. These bells and whistles that will inevitably sit on a self or worse in a closet have no value. It's only the music that will bring me continued enjoyment.

slop101

They had all these laid out nicely on a table at Best Buy, explaining what each version contained and how much.

People were picking up the CD at a good clip, but absolutely no one was buying any of the bullshit editions. The film download should only be a few dollars extra, and not double the price of the album.

shaggy

I saw several boxsets, vinyl, and digipaks being sold at Best Buy this morning, but it was right when it opened so it was the diehards.

I think U2 had the right idea, put out great products, and got the pricing way wrong. The box set is awesome but if wasn't U2 I would never pay it.

whotony

"they" did?
on the "radio"?

RayChuang

I just downloaded it from Amazon MP3 store for only US$3.99. Not a bad album, and heck of a loss leader for Amazon, too.

(Listening to album on my 3G iPod nano as I type this)

shaggy

Genius move by Amazon, I've been reading about it like crazy on Twitter. A lot of people are saying they are using Amazon Mp3 for the first time because of the U2 $3.99 combination.

Achtung

Yeah it's going to sell a ton on Amazon. I assume those sales must count for the Billboard rankings, right?

Picked up the digipack from Best Buy for $22.99... only because it was U2. Anyone else and I would almost certainly just download it.

Setzer

Here's a link to it....

U2 - BREATHE "LIVE" - 2009 No Line On The Horizon, Letterman Show

dolphinboy

U2 takes an e-mail question on Letterman.

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Mikael79

I bought it on Amazon as well.

You price something so cheap, it's so hard not to buy it.

Mikael79

Great stuff! I love the absolutely wooden "That's right, The Edge" part causing Bono to crack up.

RD1973

I bought the Digipak and I've listenend to the album once. I've also watched the movie online once. So far, I'm only impressed by Magnificent. As for the movie, its more like a series of screen savers. I'm glad I didn't get the DVD. I can't imagine that I would watch it often. But the Magnificent part is very surreal. I guess that song makes the CD and the movie worth it. I hope more of it grows on me though.

Setzer

For those that missed Letterman tonight....

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BDB

So Breathe on Monday, and Magnificent last night

Excellent on both counts.

madcougar

Right on StickMan! Seriously they sounded fantastic. The guys are pros.

maxfisher

I'd been doing my best to avoid any buzz on this and just form my own opinion after listening to it. After picking it up yesterday and making it through the album twice, this is definitely my favorite album of theirs in the last decade. The last two felt like a group of guys writing the types of songs they thought 'the biggest band in the world' should be playing. This one feels like they were writing the songs they wanted to write. It just sounds like a much more natural progression of the U2 of the 90's.

dvduser6

After checking out the features of the Depeche Mode's "Sounds of the Universe" deluxe set at their site last night (which is near the same price point as the U2 deluxe set), THAT is what U2 should have gone for. The DM set gives you three CDs (album, remixes, demos), 2 DVDs (documentaries and videos) and TWO hardback books for $79.99. While I think the U2 set has a great visual look to it, I don't think they included enough material to justify such a high price. Just IMHO, of course. Regardless, I think the new U2 works very well. A lot of these tracks will work very well in a live setting. Can't wait for the tour announcement!

shaggy

I bought the U2 boxset and I love it but I agree with you. There is not enough content to entice people to pay $65. I can't see an average fan willing to pay $55 extra for a DVD, book, and some nice packaging. If it wasn't U2, I wouldn't have either.

Now after saying that, I have to say I really enjoyed the "experience" of the boxset. I listened to the entire album while going through the digipak. I still love the experience of listening to an album with a copy in your hand and reading along with the lyrics and looking at the pictures in the booklet. This album has some great lyrics that I think you appreciate more when you read them. It's not quite at the Achtung Baby level but its up there.

I also listened to the album again while looking at and reading the book, it has great interviews with everyone in the band with lots of insight into the making of the record. The pictures are beautiful, big and great quality which is nice for a change. That is the only thing I miss in today's market, the packaging of music and movies is so cheap and minimalist: and its only going to get worse as we move to all downloadable media.

I also watched the DVD, and really enjoyed it. If you are expecting a film with a narrative you'll be disappointed. According to the liner notes it was meant as another way to experience the album, instead of just looking at a still image on your iPod, you get moving images. On that level it really works, it also contains a track not on the record and a sequence closer to the one they were going to release in November of 2008. It's too bad they didn't release the DVD with the complete original soundtrack from November 2008, that would be a compelling reason for fans to buy it. Overall, the different sequence, the inclusion of the song Winter, and the incredible Magnificent portion make it worthwhile.

Setzer

Besides watching U2 perform on Letterman last night, did anyone catch the Top 10? I gotta good laugh out of #5 & 9....

The Edge: "I suck at Guitar Hero!"



Here's the video for those who missed it...
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shaggy

Here is a great clip, an amazing live version of the best song on the album and some great comedy at the end.

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Setzer

That was awesome!

rexinnih

Great Top Ten list. Good to see the guys poking fun at themselves.

dolphinboy

And Sting!

[email protected]

U2 is the talk of the town in Boston this week, after they announced they will play a private club show on March 11th. Lots of rumors of where it might be (Paradise, HoB, Showcase Live). My "sources" have mentioned The Burren in Somerville, but I don't know anything official yet.

Drexl

I'm not hearing "Magnificent"

BTW, is anyone else not liking how YouTube now puts the title on embedded videos? It ruins the surprise if you want to post something without giving away what it is.