Elevation 2001: U2 Live from Boston

After spending the 90's producing some of the most bizarre albums ever, U2 are back to what they do best. This DVD will convert you into a fan: I dare anybody not to have the hairs on their necks standing endwise when Edge plays the spine tingling chords of Where The Streets Have No Name and when Bono runs up the stage, like a man possessed.

My only complaint is that the crowd look dead at times (Elevation, Desire, Until The End Of The World). I say to them: wake up. The greatest rock and roll band alive are in front of you.

First of all let me say that U2 is my favorite band and will probably always be my favorite band (although I dislike Zooropa and Pop, personally).

I saw them twice on their Elevation Tour, and both times were some of the greatest experiences of my life. The DVD of their show in Boston helps me remember a lot of the enjoyment I got from the concert, but it also has a shortcoming that I cannot forgive..

Both of the times I saw U2 in concert, they played One and New Year's Day. In the Boston show, however, they neglected to play either of them. In my opinion, if they wanted to drop two songs they could have made a better choice. Sure it's all opinion, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to see those two songs absent from the DVD.

Anyway.. the DVD could not possibly recreate the live experience, but it does an admirable job of trying. Any U2 fan should be pleased.

8/10

Bono and gang have done it once again. The blend of the newest songs from the latest album, "All of the Things You Can't Leave Behind", to the old chart toppers from their earliest of albums, "Boy", will leave any fan singing along. The appeal of this tour is the proximity of the fans. With the heart shaped cat-walk, the fans are only a few feet away. Despite the constant ankle pulling, Bono sings the tune of yet another must-own for the millions of rock fans across the globe.

The first time I saw this I couldn't believe it. This film is absolutely stunning. Anybody, without a doubt, can feel the energy like you were right in the room. You want to get up and jump around with everybody in the screen when U2 plays "Elevation" and you are brought to tears during songs like "Stay" and "Kite". The heart-shaped stage really did help the performers and audience connect, everybody's closer together, not only physically, but emotionally, too, I think. It was a bit if-y as to whether or not U2 was still the best band in the world, but this film proved it. Perfect 10.

U2 has proven time and time again, that they can still put on a great rock show. It's truly amazing to me to see how beautifully they can still perform, and how they performed at Boston. From the energetic opening of the show with "Elevation", to the emotional performance of "With or Without You", to the extended version of "Walk On" to close things up - U2 designed a concert so pure and perfect, and it was U2 at their finest, and most brilliant of times. Not for one second will anyone get bored of watching this show. Bono is constantly keeping everyone in the crowd awake and alive, and the rest of the band performs without any mistakes (as usual). It's truly a moving experience to watch this concert, for almost every classic is played, and played well. The "old" U2 is back, and they play the classics like they just wrote them yesterday.

Some notable performances on this tape would include : "Where the Streets Have No Name" (incredible to see live), "With or Without You" (a beautiful, passionate version, on where Bono sings the entire song personally to a woman from the crowd), "New Year's Day", and "Walk On". Overall, though, the entire concert is appropriately done. The production and camera shots could not have been any better, and at the end you feel like you were actually there.

I would like to congratulate U2 on successfully winning over their fans again. Not only has their tour been a huge success this year, but they have shown great support to Americans everywhere after the Sept. 11 events. I recommend, and endorse this concert taping full heartedly. U2 is back with an a familiar energy, and they are still packing arenas and touching the hearts of many.