Classic or Dud: U2

Michael, I don't understand your argument. Is it of '50 000 000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong!' variety? The majority is always right, huh? Not that it even is a majority.

But I won't use the argument that U2 has millions of followers around the world, because so do NSYNC and Britney Spears, and we all know how talented (gag) they are. Instead, think about their 20+ year career history, and the number of hits they've produced. Whether someone likes U2's music or not should not be criteria in considering a group to be a classic. I'm not a Rolling Stones fan, but I have to admit, they are a classic, whether I like their music or not. U2 is in the same category- despite personal musical preference, they supercede personal taste because, in essence, THEY ARE A CLASSIC! You do not need to be a fan of U2's music to realize that they are a classic. Besides, how many are involved with Greenpeace, Amnesty International, etc etc and donate countless hours and money to causes, such as relieving 3rd world debt? Too many other rock groups are too high on coke and are too self-involved to partake.

Many of the previous arguments I've read are hardly convincing and seem petty, "U2 = dud, their music sucks and it's for old people and like, Bono's a twat and egomaniac...blah blah blah" So what if Bono's a drama queen? It's all part of the Rock act and makes it more interesting to the fans and followers (of which, you all know, they have millions). The group isn't just about Bono, come on, it's the entire package. U2 is without a doubt, a classic, and an undeniably great group.

Oh, that's a completely rubbish argument. Why is wrong for people to consider things on their own terms, and not accept pronouncements from Rolling Stone, Q et al at face value? I rather like the idea of people actually thinking for themselves instead of blindly accepting what they are told.

I can't hardly stand early U2 (whiny, monotonous, overblown), but everything from Joshua Tree on I find to be real groovy. Even Rattle & Hum. Achtung Baby is a great classic. The first side of Joshua Tree is flawless. Am I crazy?

Early U2 is quite clearly the bomb. The first three albums are glorious in their entirety. After that, they tend to be a mixed affair (the sole exception being _Achtung, Baby_ which is pretty much brilliant except for one song which is so dull that I can no longer recall its name or tune).

Are you sure you mean this? Though I entirely agree.

Look guys, U2 is a powerful band. They inspire extreme hatred in some people, but they inspire extreme love in far more. Regardless of how much Bono offends you (I'm still unclear as to how that can happen... he's quite harmless) the facts still stand: U2 is one of most artistically and commercially successful bands of all time.

Many of you mantain that they were good in the 80's but sold out in the 90's. I suggest looking up the word "irony" in the dictionary. During their ZooTV and PopMart stadium tours they flat out refused corporate sponsorship (unlike the Rolling $tones) and lost money as a result. Just as you wouldn't assume that a battered old book is of poor literary quality based on its cover, you shouldn't attribute shallowness to a band just because they have video screens and flashy lights.

And if U2 were a dud band, why would they go out of their way time after time after time to change their musical style, often against what is currently popular. 'War' was a big success, so why go do 'The Unforgettable'? If 'The Joshua Tree' made them the most popular thing to come out of Ireland since the potato, why do something like 'Rattle and Hum'? And if their earnest, save-the-whales style of the 80's worked so well, why in God's name would you go off with something like 'Achtung Baby' and ZooTV? And why then change into 'Pop'? Why?

Because they've got balls. U2 just keeps changing and growing, usually with success (UF, JT, Achtung) but sometimes getting burned (Rattle and Hum, Pop). Instead of choosing the quick and easy path by just repeating a familiar sound over and over, U2 never let the critics, the media, or any of you punks drag them down.

Because like the Beatles and the other established classic bands, U2's twenty-year career has been a continuous growth process. U2 just keeps evolving, so they ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING NEW AND INTERESTING TO SAY.

And THAT is the critical component in seperating the wheat from the chaff. THAT is what makes U2 a classic, and THAT is what makes the Rolling $tones a dud.

Amen.

classic in the sense that they came out with a few good pop songs and records

dud in the fact that they are absolute crap now, are absoulute hypocrites and sellouts (the abc documentry sponsored by McDonalds, ticket prices only the rich can afford, bono dissing the "violence" by anti-capitolist protestors in Genoa whilst he was on a luxury yacht with tony blair without one mention of that protestor who was shot twice in the head, etc), were influenced by punk and yet at the same time sneered at the genre, along with the fact that bono's ego is larger than the size of the american continent and believes that the world revolves around him

i also think they ripped off depeche mode-badly-when they came out with achtung baby, only a few good songs on that record, and pop was much, much worse

i no longer buy u2 albums anymore, not even used

Uh, no. They just *bore* me. Is that so hard to understand?

If so, dud.

If not so -- liked them well enough when I was a teenager. Thought Rattle and Hum (a/k/a Boring and Dumb) was the aural equivalent of a clump of pubic hair in the shower. Originally hated "The Fly," and thought Bono's Fly-schtick was stupid, but came to like Achtung Baby well enough. Stopped caring not soon thereafter. Like the fact that Bono speaks up for Jubilee and Amnesty International, but since when does being a do-gooder necessarily = being a good music-maker?

Verdict: classic, but barely.

A very good way of putting it.

Your name is not Lestat.

Well I guess you buy more than one album a year since "_Achtung Baby_ deserves death", U2 just bore you and "This _Rattle and Hum_ album is pretty shit, one or two tracks aside". Just curious, I wonder what kind of music has your favour and what albums you didn't drown in your acid remarks this year.

Emeline Brunet.

Last year? Lateralus, Exciter, Group Sounds, The Blueprint, Ended Up a Stranger, Amnesiac, How I Loved You (and the Michael Gira solo) for starters, I could go on if you wanted me to. Point is, I love *that* and find U2 objectionable -- and I really don't care what you think. If you're a U2 fan in turn, you shouldn't be caring what I think. ;-)

I also love that guy at the top who said they experimented with electronica on 3 of their albums. you can't buy comedy that good. Don't you love when bands don't actually "experiment with electronica" but they say that they did and then all their fans are like "HEY THIS E-L-E-CTRONICA STUFF IS VERY GOOD".

I was so not a fan of that song when it came out. It's been years since I've heard it, so maybe time has dulled the pain -- though I suspect not.

I will gladly weather any ridicule people want to toss my way for liking "Stuck In A Moment..." because it's a great song (even if the video is somewhat trance-inducing in a bad way).

MY POINT.

Vinnie: "Walk On" is a decent song; certainly it has a better chorus than "Elevation", but loses out in the end because, well, the tune is hella-weak. Maybe it's just the singer in me, but there was a very memorable moment last week when I was at a pizza place with some singing friends and when "Stuck In A Moment..." came on, we all joined in on the chorus simultaneously and without prompting. It was then that I realized how catchy that chorus is.

Remember, the difference in vowels in our name indicates that there will always be some minor points of conflict.

I like how the sphere looks from the outside.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7TXe66WkAADFRR?format=jpg&name=large

https://www.zeyusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Akira-WW3-Explosion-2.jpg

Wait, is no one going to invoke the Saudi Orb?

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNOcem4Vwtkkh0OsYF0-IahlFNvpHCzbBKEw&usqp=CAU

https://musicimage.xboxlive.com/catalog/video.movie.8D6KGWZL5VBW/image?locale=fr-be&mode=crop&purposes=BoxArt&q=90&h=300&w=200&format=jpg

Feel like this is my most listened to bootleg ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN-oQWqrDi4

It's not even the best PopMart boot - it sadly omits the Lemon Perfecto mix and obv a lot is missed out by not having the visuals - but it just sounds so great.

I heard what must be a new (to me) U2 song on the radio today, something called "Atomic City." It's fine, and sounds a bit like "Big Neon Glitter" by the Cult. I think it was maybe released to promote the Vegas thing. I'd paste the video but ... nah, it's basically a commercial, and the band seems bored.

That single was depressing. By far the most memorable thing about it was the hook they borrowed from Blondie's "Call Me." I get it's an homage, but with little of value to add, the record suggested they were out of ideas.

(For new records that is - they still put on a good spectacle.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXfwz0fMWdQ

Cool. They look so strange stuck on that little stage after so many vast sets. I bet Bono is relieved not to have to run around the whole time.

I saw the band pop up in the news again, was it just because the Vegas residency ended?

Apparently Larry was there but is still recovering from his surgery. And I guess Bono hasn't been seen playing guitar since his bike accident, too. Age or injury eventually gets everybody.

Well, Bono has never been particularly good at playing the guitar, so not much is lost. That may be harsh but it's the case. Even when he played, it was mixed low and made little difference.

i think the Vegas stuff has worked out really well for them, kind of the opposite of the iPhone shit. using this venue as a way to get back into the conversation after several albums which didn't do the trick was pretty sharp.

I was surprised to learn a few years ago that Bono's playing the only electric guitar on Roy Orbison's "She's a Mystery to Me" besides Orbison himself.

the footage looked rad as hell tbh