U2...what's wrong with them?

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

One of my favorite U2 moments was when they played on SNL around the time "All That You Can't Leave Behind" came out and Bono jumped up on a table and almost fell and landed on his ass. He just jumped back up on stage and just kept on rockin'. That was cool!

g under p said:

Croos1226 said:

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.

Ok maybe that's why I've never heard of it. Did the Eagles play there?.....JFK just has never come to my mind. You may know RFK Stadium is in DC. So when you saw Bono in a sling in Philly that was probably a short time after our Sunday Muddy Sunday show in DC. I must say though it was a beautiful scene seeing 60,000 fans rocking for those 5 songs till the show came to a halt.

Peace

G , I think the Eagles only played there for a short time, and well before my time! I would think Wikipedia has plenty of info on the stadium(sporting events, concerts, etc...)if you wish to learn a little more. The stadium was a mess when I was there but I bet it was pretty awesome in it's heyday!

I get into it with people around my age (late 30s) about this band from time to time. It usually comes down to people thinking Bono is douchy. But I dunno... they've probably written about 50 songs I could listen to at any time.

I got into them with Achtung Baby in high school. (That album doesn't feel 25 years old). Then Zooropa was one of my first few CDs I bought---that is a cool, weird album. Numb...Lemon...Johnny Cash...rad! Then I went back...

Couldn't really get into Boy or October, but loved and still love War. It's probably my "go to" U2 album if i'm going to listen to one. The Unforgettable Fire...eh, other than Bad, I could do without it. Pride is Pride, but has gotten so much airplay. Joshua Tree... what a mellow, cool ride that album is. (Hmm...kind of like Yield? Cool, Mellow, 5th album...I'm going to think this through more.)

Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me has a weird special spot in my heart. It was the summer after high school graduation and a bunch of us spontaneously went to the midnight release of Batman Forever after getting off of work---so it's linked to a fun, old memory.

Pop was a let down, I thought. I remember hearing them talk about not being thrilled with Zooropa and making a more accessible album..but eh...other than Please, Gone, and sorry---Discoteque is catchy, that album is a miss for me.

Really the last album I listened to was All That You Can't Leave Behind. I like it a lot. Especially Walk On, where the title came from (though it plays on the same themes of other songs like Stuck in a Moment...). Since then, um..well, the singles have all been fine but for whatever reason, i haven't delved into the albums, despite still buying them almost on impulse.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5oD7ZW1uUJL2QMQ4cQyNJ0?si=wDgrY8IXSi6iwMfaDovuRQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A52GkmdDV5MIcPBgo5L4zFk