Review of U2: 2005 Vertigo Live From Chicago (Deluxe)

Introduction

(NB. Under review is the standard edition, not the 2-disc deluxe edition)

"My name is Paul, but I like to call myself Bono" said U2`s frontman at the end of the performance of "Into The Heart", talking to a child he had just introduced to the stage. The admission wasn`t startling, but the feeling was; amidst the excesses of rock`n roll, there just isn`t another band quite like U2.

Comprising of Bono (Paul Hewson), The Edge (David Evans), Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., U2 have sold over 120 million albums in their illustrious 19-year career. Which then makes it all the more surprising that they are still in touch with their fans, as the previous quote attests. No (aside from when Bono is leading his "Make Poverty History" campaign), the band from Dublin allow their music to do the talking.

"U2 Vertigo: Live in Boston 2005" is a DVD set derived from recordings on two nights, 9th and 10th May 2005, the latter of which was Bono`s 45th birthday. In opposition to previous tours, the band toned down their stage apparatus somewhat, but don`t let the absence of the Popmart tour`s 40-foot lemon disturb you. With set-list tracks such as "Pride (In The Name of Love)", "Beautiful Day" and "Where The Streets Have No Name", U2 still know how to rock your socks off.

Video

Video is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic PAL and is very good for a DVD of this genre. Video is sharp and clear at all times, which is particularly pleasing considering the almost Pink Floyd-esque using of coloured lighting during many of the tracks, which start in darkness but explode into waves of red, blue, yellow and green. The 16:9 enhancement too, adds professionalism to the production.

An interesting facet to the video is the direction of Blackpool`s own Hamish Hamilton. In keeping with previous work that he has done with U2, the cutting on the faster-paced tracks is sharp, and there are also a lot of quick-zooming camera effects, so much so that the camera rarely seems still. This may disappoint some viewers, however I felt that the pacing of the editing was in line with the pace of the music itself, and worked well on the whole.

Audio

There are three audio choices on this disc: PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1.

The PCM track is very good, and is certainly of CD quality, although I imagine that if this concert were to be released on CD that the mix would have just a little more of Bono`s vocals to it. The Edge`s guitar in particular sounds wonderful, with the bass and drums providing a solid foundation for him.

As good as the PCM track is however, it is absolutely bowled over by what is an outstanding Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which seems to want to burst out of your speakers and drag you in! Bono`s vocals are a little further forward in the mix here, and The Edge`s tone - of particular note, the harmonics at the start of "Beautiful Day" - is superbly captured, whilst Larry Mullen Jr. provides a strong drumbeat. But this 5.1 experience is the Adam Clayton show, whose bass is rendered through the subwoofer with shocking aggression considering the relative calm with which he plays.

Perhaps the most delightful thing about this audio mix is that the ear is afforded the opportunity to focus on any of the instruments individually, such is the quality of the mix. Therefore, if you are a drum freak, closing your eyes and just appreciating Mullen`s play is not difficult. Like any great band, of course, when the individual "voices" come together, the coalition is pure dynamite.

The quality of the DTS track is somewhat negated by the sheer excellence of the Dolby Digital track. Granted, the DTS track is also very good, but is quite similar to the DD 5.1, although I`m sure that DTS fans will make it their preference.

Features

There are no extras whatsoever. These have been saved for the 2-disc Deluxe Edition which is also available.

Conclusion

Overall, this is an excellent release from a band who have treated their fans to some excellent DVD sets in the past. Although I read that some die-hard U2 are upset that the band failed to play several tracks from the "Popmart" album on this tour, for a casual fan such as myself, I found that the setlist was very good indeed. Add to that the fact that the band performs well here - aside from Bono at one point, who eventually has to admit "I have a frog in my throat!" - and that this is a very well produced DVD, and you have an excellent present for a fan, just in time for Christmas.

Highly recommended.