Classic or Dud: U2

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dan and ned are not the same person anymore. my illusions are shattered. ilx will never be the same;(

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

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 22 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well, some of these are great. But Depeche Mode's "Exciter" ? Oh, come on ! They're so comparable to U2... "Exciter" sounds like a softer "Achtung Baby" : same low tunes and deep voice drowned in a rock/electronica kind of sensual background but with meaningless lyrics. I can't believe you like Depeche Mode and hate U2... Btw is it really U2 you hate or just Bono ?

And a last thing : "If you're a U2 fan in turn, you shouldn't be caring what I think. ;-)"

Well I do love U2 but I care what you think : I'm not upset that you can't stand them, I just like the way you shoot them down, simple and sarcastic but still... funny. I guess I'm a fan who appreciates interesting remarks, even if there are sometimes a bit harsh.

― Emeline Brunet, Thursday, 28 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I can't believe you like Depeche Mode and hate U2... Btw is it really U2 you hate or just Bono ?

The prospect of the whole band. As it happens, I rather think that Achtung Baby reflects U2 listening to Violator instead of the other way around! ;-)

Ah, that's quite all right, then! I'm crabbier than I seem, I think, and I like people who stick to their guns but allow for debate anyway. :-)

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

_Exciter_ is a great album, actually. _All That You Can't Leave Behind_ is a decent album, certainly better than the few that preceeded it.

― Dan Perry, Thursday, 28 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one year passes...

Best band ever.

― Scott Smith, Friday, 27 June 2003 15:59 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

I heard "New Year's Day" this morning and I have to say that I hate Bono's singing.

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:18 (twenty-one years ago)

man, whatta fucking dud that new song is. overall, id say, u2 is a dud, but classic in a few exceptional instances.

― peter smith (plsmith), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Reading this thread all the way through is hilarious. It's like the definition of "indie snob." People who hate U2 are just trying way too hard. What if somebody thinks I like U2 as much as My Bloody Valentine! Most of the complaints have to do with the band's IMAGE for fuck's sake with no mention of the music. They inspired Creed! Oh no! Fuck you!
"Bad"
"Like a Song"
"With or Without You"
"Until the End of the World"
"Surrender"
There's five classic songs without even trying hard to think of any. Go hate on bands that deserve it, not bands that work with Eno AND uplift millions.

― bono vox, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

whoa - bono himSELF.

― peter smith (plsmith), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Indie snob here.

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:39 (twenty-one years ago)

that new single, at least from what I heard of it on the iPod commercial: fucking massive painful dud.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:39 (twenty-one years ago)

most of achtung baby = classic

>>>>>> the rest

― AaronK (AaronK), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I like a few of their songs, but once they get to all that yodelling, they totally lose me.

― Jazz Police (NickB), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Boy, October, War = Classic

Unforgettable fire, joshua tree = less classic, but classic

rattle & hum = dud

acthung baby = classic

zooropa = less classic, but classic

since "pop" = so completely dud it is almost insane.

― Elvis is Dead, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I hate U2.

― Wooden (Wooden), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:56 (twenty-one years ago)

People who hate U2 are just trying way too hard

It's not that hard, trust me.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I was actually listening to "A Celebration" this morning ("SHAKE..SHAKE!"). I can't hate U2. I can feel embarassment and regret at times, but I'll never hate them.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned, take Elvis is Dead's rundown. Say a classic album's one where at least half the songs are good. There's 15 good songs. Say between Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree there's five good songs. We're at 20. Add three more for Achtung Baby! and you have the magic mandalic number 23. 23 good songs is hard to just dismiss. Sure Bono wears sunglasses, and yes he's over 40 and concerned about Third World debt and he socializes with other fabulously successful people. 23 good songs! Don't people who love music like good songs? Don't people who love music appreciate bands capable of recording double-digit good songs?

de gustibus est non disputandem bla bla bla

― bono vox, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't people who love music like good songs?

I like people who still think that 'good' is an objective term. You make me happy.

Now way up at the top of the thread you'll actually see that in the past I had quite a fondness for them, though never a full on 'must own everything' obsession. This fondness has been shot and has rotted away in the ground for almost fifteen years now.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Elvis is Dead OTM

― kephm (kephm), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I can see your point, Ned. I don't mean to be a pest. I just need to stand up for the guys who recorded "Bad." Sure they've gotten kind of shitty, but up through Achtung Baby their hit to miss is hard to brush off.

― bono vox, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Alex in NYC feels embarassment and regret for me.

The first few records are brilliant. And they always craft one terrific tune per CD.

But Bono is such an annoyance. I wanna break his glasses bad.
Plus, The Edge still calls himself The Edge. He's what, pushing 50?

Their current claim to quality is that they're not Sting.

― ian g, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 15:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the new one BIG TIME. What's it called again? And I like the football one too.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 17:49 (twenty-one years ago)

The iPod commercial makes me want to burn them at the stake.

― Leon Czolgosz (Nicole), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 17:54 (twenty-one years ago)

It's funny, I kinda like Bono despite U2. I never fell for their first few records. The last one is ok though. And what's up with all the Acthung Baby love? Despite a couple of songs, it's pretty bland.

― danh (danh), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOURTEEN!"

― n/a (Nick A.), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

occasional good songs whose qualities i hate to admit, they're a dud classic (bad bands i'm glad exist are classic duds).

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wish they'd grow old with a little more grace. I mean, have you seen Bono lately? The shades and straw cowboy hat combo HAS GOT TO GO!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

YES FOR ONCE I'M IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

― Leon Czolgosz (Nicole), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never seen so many "Dud" responses in a "Classic or Dud?" thread.

― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Alex, Leon, he doesn't mean to bug you. Hey, why are you looking at me like that?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 18:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the new U2 song despite the revelation that Bono can't count.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

i need to hear it. I like "discoteque" more than anything they've done since (except maybe the "discoteque"-rewrite "elevation") so if this is as bonkers as everybody says it is i might actually like it.

has u2 ever had any grace or dignity? their entire career seems riddled with fashion don'ts. they were cuter in their youth, but they were still guilty of numerous crimes against decency (ok starting with war, I really don't know the first two albums well at all).

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

has u2 ever had any grace or dignity?

Well, i suppose it's all relative. Circa The Unforgettable Fire it certainly seemed like they were both graceful and dignified, but I'm sure it struck some that they were overreaching and pious at the time. Seems to me, though, that they stumbled after Achtung, Baby and still haven't re-found their footing.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

"elvis ate america"

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:23 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry "elvis presley and america"

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i think i've said this before but to sumarize - indifferent early on, loved War, disliked Unforgettable Fire, hated Joshua Tree, loathed Rattle & Hum, Achtung Baby was a 'wow, there is good stuff her, loved Zooroopa (unlike many) and hated Pop. gave up again after that.

― H (Heruy), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

And what's up with all the Acthung Baby love? Despite a couple of songs, it's pretty bland.
-- danh (dan_haa...), October 20th, 2004.

Blasfemy!

― Elvis is Dead, Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I kinda dig the new one, reminds me of the strokes.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahah. (Sorry, I just find that funny for some reason...)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:39 (twenty-one years ago)

DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD

But without them, we wouldn't have the Negativland thing.

― Sasha (sgh), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:45 (twenty-one years ago)

classic of course

ranking 'em, personal choices:

Zooropa
Achtung Baby
Pop
The Joshua Tree
War
ATYCLB
Boy
The Unforgettable Fire
Rattle and Hum
October

Passengers would rank up high, but that ain't all U2. Never understood the dislike of their '90s work. Bono tones it down, better musically, better lyrics. Seems to be a good formula.

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 20 October 2004 23:56 (twenty-one years ago)

it was kinda meant to be funny! but it's true too!

― teeny (teeny), Thursday, 21 October 2004 00:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Although I think that Bono Vox can be a twit most of the time, I love the bands 80s output with a passion.
And I am not ashamed.
It is not heresy, and I will not recant.
U2 == Good
Bono == "Bad"

I think of Bono as an Irish David Lee Roth doing a bad impersonation of Springsteen. Sure, he says something quotably dumb and ridiculous every time he's interviewed...but thats why we* like like him.
* = The "we" in question is me and my buds. "Bad Bono Quotes" is our favorite impromptu bar game.

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Thursday, 21 October 2004 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Why does "The Edge" still wear a knit cap? Has that officially become "his thing"?

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 02:14 (twenty years ago)

U2 is classic.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 03:05 (twenty years ago)

Why does "The Edge" still wear a knit cap? Has that officially become "his thing"?
Covers his bald spot.

― Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 03:19 (twenty years ago)

Dud.

― Matt McEver (mattmc387), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 03:44 (twenty years ago)

Classic, although there is always at least one dud track per album, often a ham-fisted attempt at soul or gospel whose title ends in a preposition, e.g. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" or "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of."

Zooropa remains their best album, and a largely unappreciated precursor to the likes of Kid A (Wake me up when Thom Yorke writes a song as good as "Lemon"), but I quite like their last two retro-80s efforts as well.

― John Hunter, Tuesday, 15 November 2005 04:11 (twenty years ago)

that song on the new ipod commercial (original of the species?)is fucking GOD AWFUL.

that said, I put on "Pop" for the first time in a long, long while at work today and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I liked U2 a lot more in high school, ive kinda grown out of it, but both Auchtung Baby and Pop are classics in my mind, fuck all the haters.

― JD from CDepot, Tuesday, 15 November 2005 05:36 (twenty years ago)

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