U2 – The Unforgettable Fire

I can’t say whether this is U2s best album or not. But it certainly resonates with me more than any of their other releases. Maybe it was Live Aid that drove this into my Psyche a little deeper. I’m certainly not complaining.

A break in rock with U2 moving onto more atmospheric textures. However my copy falls short of expectations and sounds more like it was recorded in someone’s garage. Was hoping for more warmth

Shnikeys! What a brilliant pressing. Spacious, full of atmosphere, and punishing drums and bass. Bono songs his ads off and his vocals are crystalline, The Edge shreds in that distinctive U2 tone.
If anyone doubts the greatness of U2, I dare you to play this album for them 😎🇨🇦

Yep agreed the best sound I’ve heard from this album, ditched my US and UK pressings after hearing this although now I’m even more intrigued to hear the MOFI cut because I’m told THAT is the cleanest the album has ever sounded. Pretty sure this album doesn’t have the greatest sound quality in general.

I know all of the tracks, but I hate this trend of removing the tracklisings on the labels

Great album (second only to The Joshua Tree IMO). The sound of this remaster is only average though (too bright).

I’d hate to hear the original if this release is what reviewers are saying is the best pressing. U2 albums rarely rate from an audiophile perspective and this is no exception. Is it quiet and clean - absolutely, does it sound good - absolutely not, and yes I’m a Chris Bellman fan. Clearly the original masters are poorly produced & mixed. Definition is missing in action / sibilance hasn’t been rolled off on the vocals & bass is muddy. The whole U2 catalogue needs a complete remix and remaster.

CD1 is weirdly quieter than CD2, but it's worth getting for CD2 alone. Comes with the full 'Wide Awake In America' EP, 2 amazing mixes of 'Wire', a version of 'A Sort Of Homecoming' featuring Peter Gabriel AND the full length original version of '11 0'Clock Tick Tock'. What more can you ask for?!

I think this was release in 1985 and not in 1984 (the lacquer cut date)

I have Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, variant 3): U 25 B-6U-1-
and it's as flat as a pancake! It must have been the last off the press before the stamper was binned.

I find this pressing to be extremely bright in the upper mids to highs.

Is that what tinnitus feels like?

It helps to attenuate the tweets.

Soundstage improved with the highs reduced.