This is a rather late review. I got a copy as a gift (thanks, bro!) and with my busy time it was only recently that I really listened to the album in its entirety. Actually, this morning even while at work.
U2 is known to produce special albums for their fans who are ever-hungry for anything the band will produce - from the requisite tour shirts to coffee mugs, to car stickers or even a voodoo doll replica of Bono (okay I am just kidding but you know what I mean). They also love to experiment on their own songs and thus turning to the services of well known producers of remix music such as Trent Reznor and William Orbit. I have a few of these special editions that come out as double album, with B-sides songs forming the other half. Having listened to them when I am in a U2 mood, I have noticed that there are some songs that are frequently featured on their B-sides. These are what I would call the permanent B-side hangers-on of which I think these are the top three
1) Staring at the Sun
2) Happiness is a Warm Gun (cover of a Beatles' song)
3) If God Will Send His Angels
Runner up: Elevation (being a more recent work only).
Having said all that, I think Artificial Horizon sounds more like B-side collection on a separate late release. Now that's again proof of another brilliant marketing of U2 and no wonder its fans has remained loyal to them. However, music-wise I'd give it a three. I usually give U2 albums 4 at the lowest. It's three for me because some of the remix are not as exciting as the previous ones they did for their albums and they are b-sides at that. Experimentation is a good thing but trying the same formula or being predictable can be a bit tiring. Predictable because for the past fifteen years or so, every album that they produce are usually followed by a B-side collection. I'd rather that they do an acoustic version of their recent hits or even some of their not so commercial songs, especially the ones from their Pop album which the band and the fans consider their first real experimental album. Just some sort of going back to the basics - the major instruments and the Bono vox.
Best cut on the cd by the way , for me is, City of Blinding Lights (Hot Chip 2006 remix).
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