Jeff Davis | Vent Section Manager

2/08/02

I rarely buy singles or EPs. They take up as much room as regular albums and hold a lot less content. More times than not, the “added bonuses” on these releases are poorly-done remixes. I guess I folded, however, when I learned U2 was releasing a 7-song set of remixes and B-sides to their 11th release, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.” When writers talk about stepping outside of themselves, experiences like this are what we mean. Entitled “7,” this little album is definitely worth the seven bucks.

Sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide, the disc contains seven tracks: two previously unreleased songs, a track found on the special 2-disc edition of “ATYCLB,” a single version of “Walk On,” remixes of “Beautiful Day,” and “Elevation,” and an acoustic version of “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.”

The album opens with “Summer Rain,” which was available on the special edition version of “ATYCLB” when released in October of 2000. The track is slow yet energetic but can’t even wave a “surrender” flag at the album’s closer “Stuck In A Moment.” Bono’s voice is reaching into Heaven for Michael Hutchence’s spirit accompanied by a spartan yet stark six-string. This is a rare treat as most U2 albums don’t offer much of the Edge’s acoustic work. The soprano chords Edge is known for are cast aside for this version.

The Influx remix of “Elevation” is spectacular. Portions of this were used on the band’s Elevation 2001 tour. It could be the slickest U2 remix I’ve ever heard with clever drum beats, modest woodwinds, and Collective Soul-ish digital boings, bounces, and squiggles. “Big Girls are Best” calls back “Zoo Station” from 1991’s “Achtung Baby,” or perhaps “Daddy’s Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car” from ‘93’s “Zooropa” with extremely industrial sounds. “Always” is “Beautiful Day’s” B-side and the resemblances between the two tracks are haunting.

The only disappointment here is the Quincey and Sonance remix of “Beautiful Day.” Pedantic club rhythms are more annoying than pop-up windows and throw their weight around for too long before the actual music. This is surprising simply because Steve Lillywhite mixed the tune. It’s not completely worthless but usually I skip the track altogether.

“7” also unites the usual U2 suspects: Brian Eno, Flood, Daniel Lanois, and Howie B, all of which have never failed to impress.

All in all, I’m very pleased with my little splurge. It’s not a cheap shot at immortality for “ATYCLB,” but rather a new take on songs that will probably be immortal anyway.