By: Ann Powers
This nostalgic effort may be viewed as a cautionary move by a middle-aged band unsure of its next move, but it shines for showing one of this era’s greatest groups in its dazzled, daring youth. The hits still soar, and may sound grandiose to today’s humbled rock fans, but the joy comes in those B-sides. It’s a thrill to hear the Edge feeling out his signature guitar style, and Bono wrestle with his messianic urges. These tracks offer a look at U2 in all its yelping earnestness, and makes one long for the days when reaching for more was a rocker’s best hope.
© Powers / The New York Times, 1998. All rights reserved.