U2 – 7

While I lost interest in late-period U2, this 2002 CD EP is surprisingly strong and solid = not a bad track in the bunch, including the Quincey & Sonance club mix of "Beautiful Day" which originally appeared on import CD single (some say it's blasphemy, but I dig it) and the single mix of Walk On (with additional production by Nigel Godrich, which IMHO is superior to the album mix),plus several non-album tracks (Summer Rain, Always, Big Girls Are Best), which I think are better than many of the song included on the "All That You Can't Leave Behind" album - a must-have for U2 fans.

The shining moment of this EP--which makes it worth owning in my opinion (future RSD release anyone?)--is the single mix of "Walk On" that's currently unavailable elsewhere (streaming, reissues; though one might be able to find it on some versions of the "Walk On" disc singles). Produced by Nigel Godrich, it definitely has a sparser sound when compared to the uber-engineered and finalized album version. However, it's worth noting that during the Elevation tour, U2 more or less blended the album and single versions (check out the definitive Slane Castle live video which features the shining solo from the LP mix while containing callbacks to the single version's intro along with its "halle-hallelujah" outro).

From a listener's standpoint, I feel the single version has a bit more to offer than the LP's: just listen to the intro's bell-like piano and how the rhythm kicks off, taking the song to a great new place before it's even hit the 10 second mark; and then following a classic Bono vocalization, the stellar "Walk On" main riff hits. The album version's "highest point" I feel is the solo+bridge--it's the moment that gives the song a greater sense of value for undertaking a listen. For me, however, with the single version, its high points are each moment The Edge plays the main riff featured at the beginning and during the choruses. In addition, I constantly find myself gradually increasing the volume during the song's fade-out, as the band can actually be heard closing the song in the same manner they resolve their live version. While the album version better suits the record itself with its mix and overall U2 grandiosity, the punchiness and driving feel of the less-is-more-single version is a worthy accompaniment and one of the most engaging and invigorated 2000s U2 recordings I can think of.

The promo release issued on gatefold digipack w/"Limited USA promo CD" printed on board. Same CD of the official release, but purple background against red.