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U2...what's wrong with them?

TripleBTripleB Posts: 65
in Other Music
I don't understand this universal dislike towards this band, who have been making music for 35 + years. All I see are blogs and posts complaining about Apple putting U2's new album on everyone's iTunes account. Maybe too many fans are stuck in the 80s and only want U2 to compose and release hits like the ones from Boy through Joshua Tree. (Kinda like some who are still stuck on Pearl Jam Ten through Vitalogy). I personally like their new album. U2 isn't for EVERYBODY, as Pearl Jam isn't for EVERYBODY. But still, U2 needs to be shown a little more respect in my opinion. I'm sure I'll get some flack for this post, but I don't care.
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Comments

  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,500
    Why even waste your breath it should only matter to you how you feel about the band i personally love U2 from way back ....and this album is kicking my ass
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    edited September 2014
    IMO, what's wrong with them is that they used to make awesome music and now they don't. :( I wish they still made music that good. But I don't dislike them. On the contrary. They're one of my favorite bands of all time just for the work they did 1980 - 1991. As for whatever other complaints I hear, like they are too commercial or Bono is a jackass or whatever... I don't give a fuck either way. I just love the music from the earlier half of their existence. What they do outside of the music is meaningless to me unless you're talking all the amazing charity work they do, which I admire.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • JWPearlJWPearl Posts: 19,893
    another time another place is a good old song...was just thinking of it
  • BrainofBGABrainofBGA Posts: 4,310
    Personally whenever I here a new U2 song it sounds just like the previous one I heard. Just my opinion. I do like some of their stuff but sometimes u feel like you're hearing the same song over and over. I put them in the 'don't mind them' category as opposed to 'like them' or 'love them'.
    Melbourne #1 '98
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  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    Outside of RUSH, U2 is it for me. Yes they are not for EVERYBODY, years from now they will be looked upon as one of the top 20 great bands of all time. Btw they put on one hell of a show consistently like RUSH.

    Off to Iron Madien tonight it's been almost 30 years since the last time I saw them. Pumped.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • weddingparadeweddingparade Posts: 1,179
    JWPearl said:

    another time another place is a good old song...was just thinking of it

    "nice" bump......
  • buck502000buck502000 Posts: 8,951
    I liked their early stuff
  • lexicondevillexicondevil Posts: 2,061
    I was a Boy to Joshua Tree fan. When I was a sophmore in high school we played "I Will Follow" for the talent show. What made me really start to dislike them wasn't their later lackluster music as much as I just started to hate Bono. He falls into that same pompous category that is completely occupied by Sting. Maybe both those guys are genuinely nice people in person, but they both come off as a bit on the douchey side.
    1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th
    1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
    Nothing since then. I suck.
    2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
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  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,937
    One of the great bands and great front man of all time. Easily a top 5 band in my opinion but not out of the top ten. I would find it hard to find nine other bands that have had as much of an impact for as long as they have. You got: Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, and then I would put U2 up there in the four spot. Springsteen/EStreet Band number 5.
  • Drowned OutDrowned Out Posts: 6,056
    PJ_Soul said:

    IMO, what's wrong with them is that they used to make awesome music and now they don't. :( I wish they still made music that good. But I don't dislike them. On the contrary. They're one of my favorite bands of all time just for the work they did 1980 - 1991. As for whatever other complaints I hear, like they are too commercial or Bono is a jackass or whatever... I don't give a fuck either way. I just love the music from the earlier half of their existence. What they do outside of the music is meaningless to me unless you're talking all the amazing charity work they do, which I admire.

    same here, word for word.
    Bad is one of the best songs ever written imo...but nothing past Achtung has grabbed me.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,012
    I loved their early stuff. I knew a guy who saw them in a run down hotel in San Jose, California the first time they came to the states and he raved about the show. He said everyone there danced the Pogo so hard the floor of the place almost collapsed (would have made that band a brief footnote in rock history if it had- it was a second story floor).

    I saw them at the S.F. Civic Auditorium, June 1, 1983. It was an amazing show. I still have the "U2 War" sleeveless t-shirt from that show.

    Sadly, I lost interest years ago. Getting really big the way they did didn't do it for me. I'm so not a fan now and yet was very much so back in the day. Kind of sad really.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • bluegracebluegrace Posts: 2,357
    I've been a fan since 11 yrs old and hearing 11 o'clock tick tock on TV. Still a fan after all these years, but I stopped listening to the new stuff after Achtung Baby. Saw them on the recent tour and they were great, absolutely fab.
    Kool Kat Club 1992, Moderna museet 1992, Globen 2012, Friends arena 2014
  • Of The AggieOf The Aggie Posts: 1,531
    Was a fan up through Actung Baby then I liked a song here and there but Songs of Innocence is really good and I listened to it all the time. And you know if it hadn't been for Apple giving it to everyone for free, I probably would've never listened to it. I did go buy the vinyl and the bonus tracks so I did show them my appreciation for the record.
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Their later albums don't come close to their earlier works, but they did churn out 'Beautiful Day' which is one of their best songs ever.

    PJs last couple albums aren't on par with their earlier albums either if we are being honest with ourselves. This happens to great bands- sustaining awesomeness is pretty damn difficult.

    U2 is awesome. I love seeing them even though I have no interest at all in their newer offerings.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Croos1226Croos1226 Posts: 338
    It seems I'm not in the minority when I say I lost some interest after the Achtung Baby album. I remember being in high school and talking to an upperclassman who told me he saw them live and it was like a religious experience. From that point on I knew I had to see them live. My first U2 concert was for the Joshua Tree tour in '87 at JFK Stadium. Just me and about 85,000 other people. Still the best concert experience of my life. Absolute insanity!
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,937
    edited February 2016
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

    Their later albums don't come close to their earlier works, but they did churn out 'Beautiful Day' which is one of their best songs ever.

    PJs last couple albums aren't on par with their earlier albums either if we are being honest with ourselves. This happens to great bands- sustaining awesomeness is pretty damn difficult.

    U2 is awesome. I love seeing them even though I have no interest at all in their newer offerings.

    If we say that the Rolling stones are one of the top bands, then I think U2 shouldn't be penalized for their later music not being as great as the early stuff (not that you are saying that). U2's new music is much more loved by their fans than the Rolling Stones and their latter albums.
  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,946
    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever". it's because, on top of the band being fresh and hungry and possible more emotional, their earlier work most likely has the nostalgia factor tacked on. it's hard to beat that.

    if pearl jam released every single album from Ten to Lightning Bolt at the same time, I wonder what would everyone's favourite be? I don't think it would be a slam dunk at all.

    I think a big part of it, too, is that people don't like Bono cause he appears to have a god complex. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I think the guy honestly believes that he has a responsibility to do what he's doing; he has the ears, he has the potential to influence decisions at the highest level. is that a god complex? or is it just someone who wants to make the world a better place?

    either way, I was never a huge fan. Saw them on Popmart in 1997 and when they came back in 2011 was it? I don't know. can't even remember what album they were touring behind.

    it's so hilarious to me that so many people were up in arms that they "forced" people to have their new album on their ipods. all you had to do was "uncheck" it and you didn't have to have it there. they gave their fucking album away for free and it made people mad. unbelievable.
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • JTHJTH Posts: 3,238
    HughFreakingDillon said:


    it's so hilarious to me that so many people were up in arms that they "forced" people to have their new album on their ipods. all you had to do was "uncheck" it and you didn't have to have it there. they gave their fucking album away for free and it made people mad. unbelievable.

    These people probably go to parties/weddings with open bars and complain about the free alcohol they don't want to drink.
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever". it's because, on top of the band being fresh and hungry and possible more emotional, their earlier work most likely has the nostalgia factor tacked on. it's hard to beat that.

    if pearl jam released every single album from Ten to Lightning Bolt at the same time, I wonder what would everyone's favourite be? I don't think it would be a slam dunk at all.

    I think a big part of it, too, is that people don't like Bono cause he appears to have a god complex. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I think the guy honestly believes that he has a responsibility to do what he's doing; he has the ears, he has the potential to influence decisions at the highest level. is that a god complex? or is it just someone who wants to make the world a better place?

    either way, I was never a huge fan. Saw them on Popmart in 1997 and when they came back in 2011 was it? I don't know. can't even remember what album they were touring behind.

    it's so hilarious to me that so many people were up in arms that they "forced" people to have their new album on their ipods. all you had to do was "uncheck" it and you didn't have to have it there. they gave their fucking album away for free and it made people mad. unbelievable.

    I don't think Johnny Guitar would be the preferred song over Alive or In Hiding among many others. I'd say Lightning Bolt has the chance to offer a hit over Backspacer (maybe Getaway).

    Is Avocado 'newer'? A pretty damn good 'newer issue' in my mind.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    bootlegger10 said:

    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

    Their later albums don't come close to their earlier works, but they did churn out 'Beautiful Day' which is one of their best songs ever.

    PJs last couple albums aren't on par with their earlier albums either if we are being honest with ourselves. This happens to great bands- sustaining awesomeness is pretty damn difficult.

    U2 is awesome. I love seeing them even though I have no interest at all in their newer offerings.

    If we say that the Rolling stones are one of the top bands, then I think U2 shouldn't be penalized for their later music not being as great as the early stuff (not that you are saying that). U2's new music is much more loved by their fans than the Rolling Stones and their latter albums.
    A friend of mine and I always say that U2 is the Rolling Stones of our generation. I agree with you: I don't judge a band by their twilight era releases.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever".

    Queens of the Stone Age managed it. Many fans have said that their most recent album is their best yet (and I completely agree). :)
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,435
    I'll say it. Outside of The Joshua Tree, Pop is my favorite U2 album. It's absolutely fucking phenomenal!
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 (xx) / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever". it's because, on top of the band being fresh and hungry and possible more emotional, their earlier work most likely has the nostalgia factor tacked on. it's hard to beat that.

    if pearl jam released every single album from Ten to Lightning Bolt at the same time, I wonder what would everyone's favourite be? I don't think it would be a slam dunk at all.

    I think a big part of it, too, is that people don't like Bono cause he appears to have a god complex. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I think the guy honestly believes that he has a responsibility to do what he's doing; he has the ears, he has the potential to influence decisions at the highest level. is that a god complex? or is it just someone who wants to make the world a better place?

    either way, I was never a huge fan. Saw them on Popmart in 1997 and when they came back in 2011 was it? I don't know. can't even remember what album they were touring behind.

    it's so hilarious to me that so many people were up in arms that they "forced" people to have their new album on their ipods. all you had to do was "uncheck" it and you didn't have to have it there. they gave their fucking album away for free and it made people mad. unbelievable.

    I tend to agree with your first paragraph.....the same could be said for my favorite band for example RUSH who in mind the first three albums were meh. Each did however had a song or two that were outstanding such as Lakeside Park, Bastille Day etc. I believe they started hit their stride with 2112 through the Power Windows. Their last effort Clockwork Angels was a gem IF that's their LASTalbum the best since Vapor Trails. So it can be done its just that it rarely happens with rock bands these days.

    As for U2 in the beginning loved them was as crazy about them as I was with RUSH. Saw them first on the War Tour through the Pop Mart Tour then for whatever reason sort of lost the enthusiasm for them. I wanted more harder, grungy rock from them like the War album but never got it. Hey one can't always get what one wants.

    That said love the new album best of the 2000s. Their live shows like Rush are simply amazing, never thought they could top 360 but someone in their crew has the ability to come up with some serious touring shit. Then Bono brings it all together on tour......some don't like the band because they've gotten so big and are full of themselves, (I felt that way after Joshua Tree) well I'll say so what. They STILL put out music that many fans around the world can appreciate and adore at this stage in their career.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    Croos1226 said:

    It seems I'm not in the minority when I say I lost some interest after the Achtung Baby album. I remember being in high school and talking to an upperclassman who told me he saw them live and it was like a religious experience. From that point on I knew I had to see them live. My first U2 concert was for the Joshua Tree tour in '87 at JFK Stadium. Just me and about 85,000 other people. Still the best concert experience of my life. Absolute insanity!

    I've heard of and attended shows at RFK Stadium but where is a JFK Stadium? The RFK show for The Joshua Tree Tour was only 5 songs since Bono slipped on a rainy wet stage and dislocated his shoulder. The rest of the show was cancelled and I so dissappointed they never came back for that tour till The Pop Tour.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,937
    PJ_Soul said:

    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever".

    Queens of the Stone Age managed it. Many fans have said that their most recent album is their best yet (and I completely agree). :)
    Like Clockworks is what got me into QOTSA and is in my top 10 favorite albums.
  • Thirty Bills UnpaidThirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    Thinking about this discussion: it is not impossible for a band to sustain itself on fresh material. As mentioned- and I agree with it- the QOTSA pumped out arguably their best album. Foo Fighters last albums have been awesome in my mind (speaking more to Wasting Light and Sonic Highways). NIN last album was pretty good. I'll stop there.

    But I do feel Hugh is correct in a general kind of way.

    Hopefully Tool will spit something out that was worth waiting for.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,946
    PJ_Soul said:

    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever".

    Queens of the Stone Age managed it. Many fans have said that their most recent album is their best yet (and I completely agree). :)
    They havent been around half as long as U2. I should have clarified and said any band around as long as them. If Queens are still around in another 15, we shall see if they can keep the output on par.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,946
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

    HughFreakingDillon said:

    I can't think of any band in existence where someone says "their newest stuff is the best ever". it's because, on top of the band being fresh and hungry and possible more emotional, their earlier work most likely has the nostalgia factor tacked on. it's hard to beat that.

    if pearl jam released every single album from Ten to Lightning Bolt at the same time, I wonder what would everyone's favourite be? I don't think it would be a slam dunk at all.

    I think a big part of it, too, is that people don't like Bono cause he appears to have a god complex. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I think the guy honestly believes that he has a responsibility to do what he's doing; he has the ears, he has the potential to influence decisions at the highest level. is that a god complex? or is it just someone who wants to make the world a better place?

    either way, I was never a huge fan. Saw them on Popmart in 1997 and when they came back in 2011 was it? I don't know. can't even remember what album they were touring behind.

    it's so hilarious to me that so many people were up in arms that they "forced" people to have their new album on their ipods. all you had to do was "uncheck" it and you didn't have to have it there. they gave their fucking album away for free and it made people mad. unbelievable.

    I don't think Johnny Guitar would be the preferred song over Alive or In Hiding among many others. I'd say Lightning Bolt has the chance to offer a hit over Backspacer (maybe Getaway).

    Is Avocado 'newer'? A pretty damn good 'newer issue' in my mind.
    No, it probably wouldn't. My point was that you cant avoid most people's favourites being dictated by the order in which they were released; a lot of it is due to nostalgia and/or the raw emotion experienced from the first time you fell in love with a band.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Croos1226Croos1226 Posts: 338
    g under p said:

    Croos1226 said:

    It seems I'm not in the minority when I say I lost some interest after the Achtung Baby album. I remember being in high school and talking to an upperclassman who told me he saw them live and it was like a religious experience. From that point on I knew I had to see them live. My first U2 concert was for the Joshua Tree tour in '87 at JFK Stadium. Just me and about 85,000 other people. Still the best concert experience of my life. Absolute insanity!

    I've heard of and attended shows at RFK Stadium but where is a JFK Stadium? The RFK show for The Joshua Tree Tour was only 5 songs since Bono slipped on a rainy wet stage and dislocated his shoulder. The rest of the show was cancelled and I so dissappointed they never came back for that tour till The Pop Tour.

    Peace
    Yo G, JFK Stadium was in Philadelphia. Live Aid took place there in '85 along with London's Wembley Stadium. JFK was torn down sometime in the early '90's to make way for the Corestates Center which has now become the Wells Fargo Center. It's funny you mention Bono's injury because at JFK he was in a sling and unable to play any guitar. At one point in the show he asked if anyone wanted to play his guitar? Then added..."does Bruce Springsteen wanna play my guitar?" The crowd went nuts and The Boss came out and played Stand By Me with the band. I believe there is a video on YouTube of the song w/Bruce. Incredible show.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance Posts: 23,288
    One of the best bands going. Every record is solid.
    www.cluthelee.com
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