The Unforgettable Fire is the perfect autumn album, upon listening to songs like Wire, A Sort of Homecoming and the title track, I picture myself in a firestorm of falling leaves piecing together fractured thoughts from a hard week and I can see my breath as I walk a crooked line to a pub at dusk: This would be that soundtrack. Recorded in a castle at the height of Bono's mulletude, it is the perfect mix of ample Eno ambient and the layered,atmospheric rock of a band who in 1984, was on the cusp of superstardom. This album prepared the world for the juggernaut to come, and gave Bono's ego that boost it surely needed. Here are the specs from the band's website.... go for the DELUXE RELEASE...it has great B-sides like Three Sunrises and Love Comes Tumbling and live versions of Bad and The Unforgettable Fire!
U2's fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire, has been remastered and will be released by Mercury Records on 26th October.
This special edition marks 25 years since the album's original release in October 1984. Recorded at Slane Castle, Ireland, The Unforgettable Fire was the first U2 album to be produced by Brian Eno and Danny Lanois, and spawned two top 10 UK singles - 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' and 'The Unforgettable Fire'.
Special formats of The Unforgettable Fire will also feature bonus audio material, including two previously unheard tracks from the Slane Castle sessions: 'Yoshino Blossom', and 'Disappearing Act' (a track which the band recently completed), and a DVD including music videos, a documentary and unreleased live footage from the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour in 1986.
The Unforgettable Fire has been remastered from the original audio tapes, with direction from The Edge and the album will be available in four formats:
* Limited Edition Box Set: containing 2 CDs (remastered album and bonus audio CD), a DVD with live footage, documentary and videos, a 56 page hardback book with liner notes by The Edge, Brian Eno, Danny Lanois, Bert Van de Kamp and Niall Stokes, and 5 photographic prints
* Deluxe Edition: containing 2 CDs, the remastered album, and the bonus audio CD which features B-sides and previously unreleased material, a 36 page booklet with liner notes by The Edge, Brian Eno, Danny Lanois and Bert Van de Kamp
* CD format: featuring the remastered album
* 12" vinyl format: 16 page booklet with liner notes by Brian Eno, Danny Lanois and Bert Van de Kamp
The Unforgettable Fire track listing is as follows: A Sort of Homecoming, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Wire, The Unforgettable Fire, Promenade, 4th Of July, Bad, Indian Summer Sky, Elvis Presley and America, MLK.
Pretty cool. I hadn't heard about this. Although I'm already going to spend a lot of money on music these next few weeks (i.e. new Wolfmother vinyl, new Weezer vinyl, Nirvana Bleach reissue vinyl, King Crimson ITCOTCK DVD-A, Them Crooked Vultures vinyl) Uhhh, I might have to take out a loan.
ReplyDeleteA buddy of mine thinks that "Bad" is one of the most perfect songs ever created. I still have a vinyl copy of this, though I haven't played it in ages. I didn't hear about this re- release until now, either.
ReplyDeleteSean - I LOVE "BAD" its my favorite U2 song (at least today).
ReplyDeleteSeano - I agree with all that you said about this album, Bono's mulletude, etc. It was what got there name known and is one of my favorites.
Bad is hands down my fave U2 song. I am going to get this today for my drive to Eugene to see John Cleese. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteI saw them tour this album in '83(?) at a thousand seater in Toronto. JUST before they became mega. People were jumping onstage, it was crazy and such a great show. The band seemed totally unprepared for the reaction. Waterboys opened the show, one of the best I've seen before or since. Didn't know about the remaster, I will have to get it - this is hands down my favourite U2 album. Eno + Lanois = Genius.
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