Though some of these greatest hits have been played a zillion times on the radio, there's nothing wrong with hearing such grandoise monsters as "Pride," "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" on one disc. Surprisingly, it's the hits from one of the greatest albums in rock history, The Joshua Tree, that come off as the most boring on this CD. More interesting are less played, ethereal numbers like "Bad," "Unforgettable Fire" and the lively "I Will Follow." There's certainly a fire that was present in early U2, passion and meaning within the songs, coupled with an arena-ready feel that fans and journalists have come to love and respect.

U2 flaunts a surprisingly soulful side of itself on such greats as "When Love Comes to Town," "Desire" and "Angel of Harlem," heard toward the end of disc one where the band kind of lets its hair down. "All I Want is You" is a tender U2 beauty on which the band clicks on all levels; it's almost spiritual-sounding. Bono's sincere voice sounds like gold amid the Edge's sparkling, chiming guitar work. A gorgeous string section lovingly closes the song out. Let disc one continue to play after the last song to hear "October" (from October), an extremely beautiful piano instrumental. Quiet and peaceful, "October" is as good and memorable as the songs that proceeded it, despite its hidden, non-hit status.

The included 1980s b-sides are as great as U2 have ever sounded -- get this compilation because of them. All these closeted gems make a convincing case that U2 may have been at the top of its game back then, despite future classics in the 1990s. "The Three Sunrises" is a jangly and tuneful song that perfectly captures a different side to U2. "Spanish Eyes" has a rougher sound and a hugely ecstatic shout of "Love!" from Bono. The original mix of "Sweetest Thing" also benefits from a rougher-edged recording. Four very solid and inspired cover songs enhance disc two, one of which is a tremendously rocking version of Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot," which ends with searing guitar licks and Larry Mullen Jr.'s timely, thumping drums. "Love Comes Tumbling" and the instrumental "Bass Trap" have mesmerizing and mysterious qualities that are timelessly fresh. Some of the b-sides such as "Walk to the Water" and "Luminous Times" have a deep and mystical sense of serenity and longing. "Silver and Gold" reveals an amazing ability by Bono to create a tune all by himself. The guy could probably make a pretty amazing solo album if he so chose. Still, U2 are a definite entity whose sum is stronger than its parts, despite the massive talent that each member possesses. If the past is any indication, the next ten years with these guys should be just as awesome as it's always been. When U2 are great (which is nearly all the time), the band stands as one of the best ever. In terms of songs, longevity, great ideas and integrity, these guys simply reign supreme.

Hands down one of the greatest compilations by one of the greatest bands in the history of music. If you do not purchase the B-Sides "limited" edition you are depriving yourself of fantastic music. It is a testament to the band's incredible talent that tracks such as "Sweetest Thing", "Spanish Eyes", "Party Girl", "Hallelujah Here She Comes", etc. were scrapped from their albums. In all, there are 30 songs on both CDs. 29 are fabulous. A MUST BUY

U2's first real "Best Of" CD (at least officially), the Limited Edition package can rightly claim to be one of the most important U2 albums ever. THE BEST OF 1980-1990 is a trip back through the politicking, hope, rage, despair, joy, and wonder inherent to any decade so full of world-changing events and timeless truths; it ranges from "Sunday Bloody Sunday", U2's best-known political commentary, to "The Sweetest Thing", a playful love song - to love.

But what makes the Limited Edition so incredibly valuable is the B-SIDES 1980-1990 CD. This is the side of any band rarely seen by the public. This is the side of U2 hidden away from the radio DJs and the overplayed hits - the works of love that make a band what it is. Songs like "Love Comes Tumbling" and "Trash, Trampoline, and the Party Girl" hint at the cynical, hard-hitting edge (no pun intended) of U2's future in ACHTUNG BABY or ZOOROPA, while "Walk to the Water" and "A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel" reveal more of the incredible depth of U2's artistry.

If any CD package is a must, it is this one; THE BEST OF 1980-1990 [Limited Edition] is music, life, the world, and humanity rolled into one incredibly well-sculpted package that leaves U2's place in the annals of music history solidly marked for all time.

This album is really two in one and is far better than the more recent best of 1990-2000. So, I want to take a short time to talk about the first disc (which I previously, more thoroughly reviewed for the 1 disc set).

Disc one is the greatest hits, and as a devout U2 fan I can't complain about the selection of songs provided. There are some songs left out, and this CD is more of a collection of singles rather than best of. However, covering U2's best in that 10 year span would require a 2 Disc set alone. People unfamiliar with U2's albums will recognize their popular hits from the Joshua Tree, "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found", their early years, "I Will Follow", "Sunday Bloody Sunday", and "New Years Day", and even greats like "Desire", "Bad" and "Pride". My biggest disappointment with the selection provided is the editing job done on "Where the Streets Have No Name". This is more because this is my favorite song of all time, but the intro is cut short because this is the single version. Believe it or not, the song is not quite the same as the album version.

Based on the collection provided, if you are a person who is only a fan of some of these songs, i.e. perhaps from a certain period, like the Joshua Tree Album or War, you would be better off buying those albums and enjoying them as they were meant. Especially, the Joshua Tree, which is U2's greatest album and seems like a collection of hits as it is.

Now, disc 2. This is a gift and magnet to U2 fans. I wouldn't even own the album based on the first disc alone. I already own all the U2 albums, so there is nothing really to gain. But disc 2 are U2's B-Sides from the singles of the 1980's, and there are some beauties there. Arguably, some are even better than the album cuts. Of specific greatness are the songs "Walk to the Water", "Silver and Gold", "Spanish Eyes", and the original "Sweetest Things". I also find the covers of "Dancing Barefoot" and "Unchained Melody" spectacular. I really wish U2 would go back to doing real B-Sides and not just remixes or demo quality songs.

For the casual listener, the single disk best of 1980-1990 will suffice to pop in the car for road trips and in the multi-disk changer of eighties hits.
After reading several reviews, I have to agree that this is a good but flawed collection. The glaring omission of "Gloria" from October and inclusion of 4 tracks from "Rattle and Hum" are the biggest issues. They could have included an additional track from Boy and October, perhaps "A Day Without Me" or "40?" Or, the live version of "40" or "11 O'clock Tick Tock" from "Under a Blood Red Sky." How about "Two Hearts Beat as One" from "War?"
Still, most of the big hits are here: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Pride (In the Name of Love), Bad, With Or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, (no Bullet the Blue Sky!), and Desire. I would have left off "When Love Comes to Town." "Sweetest Thing" is an unreleased single that appears on both the Best of disk and the B-sides disk. Redundant. I also agree with other reviewers that the song order lacks flow, and then the Rattle and Hum songs are all sequential. I would have liked chronological order better.

The B-sides disk pulls in two studio songs from the EP "Wide Awake in America." I like "The Three Sunrises" and "Spanish Eyes" but most of the rest are unremarkable except "Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl."
As a starter set, it's not bad, but you can't go wrong by purchasing Boy, October, War, Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree is an absolute essential.