How big are U2?

[Arcadion]

They are quite obviously too concerned with ensuring that they are the biggest band on earth and ensuring that their music appeals to common radio listener, in between the traffic updates and tint-a-car ads, then to actually go out and make something which could be identified as a musical achievement, like their previous works.

and how do you know they aren't?

 

[anti.]

because we've all heard their later albums and they're really average.

 

[Arcadion]

Bland With songs such as Discotheque, Miss Sarajevo, Lemon, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, One, Mysterious Ways, Desire, Walk On, Streets, Mofo, Still Haven't Found, Sweetest Thing, Angel Of Harlem being so different from each other you can hardly call U2 bland.

 

[Arcadion]

because we've all heard their later albums and they're really average.

Not to me they aren't.

 

[Suspense]

and how do you know they aren't?

They could well be. Leigh Brown could well win the 2009 Brownlow medal next year. However, past form suggests that neither of these scenarios are likely to occur. Of course, as an unabashed U2 fanboy, I'm sure you'd consider Bono coughing up sputum as some sort a musical achievement, so it's really not worth me arguing the point...

 

[omit]

Bland With songs such as Discotheque, Miss Sarajevo, Lemon, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, One, Mysterious Ways, Desire, Walk On, Streets, Mofo, Still Haven't Found, Sweetest Thing, Angel Of Harlem being so different from each other you can hardly call U2 bland.

the songs might be different from each other but it doesn't mean they're anything other than bland

 

[DIG]

Not to me they aren't.

At the risk of degenerating this thread further - me neither.

But eh, each to their own.

I'd actually rate their albums something like this:

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

er, i'm off topic now. They're "VERY" Big! Why even ask?!

 

[Arcadion]

Who gives a ****? I could think of few more meaningless topics to discuss then how "big" a certain band is...


They could well be. Leigh Brown could well win the 2009 Brownlow medal next year. However, past form suggests that neither of these scenarios are likely to occur. Of course, as an unabashed U2 fanboy, I'm sure you'd consider Bono coughing up sputum as some sort a musical achievement, so it's really not worth me arguing the point...

It appears you don't think U2 are trying to better themselves and are just content to release something average this time round. I don't agree to me it looks like they're trying to make their best album ever but then I've been keeping up with their news. Whether that works or not I have no idea.

 

[Sir Vlado]

yep.. i'm right and my mate's call was a blow out

i was actually expecting there would be more anti-U2 on this thread. You're always gonna get some, no matter what band it is. Especially when it's a big one.

A few posters who's music taste and knowledge i have come to respect seem to have similar feelings to me about the issue. A couple of them even made me realise i may be underselling them a little bit.

But I still honestly dont believe their changes in sounds and/or imagie compare to the very best. They may even be the very next level.. but not top shelf.

This thread for some reason is more peaceful than I expected.

Bland With songs such as Discotheque, Miss Sarajevo, Lemon, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, One, Mysterious Ways, Desire, Walk On, Streets, Mofo, Still Haven't Found, Sweetest Thing, Angel Of Harlem being so different from each other you can hardly call U2 bland.

Discotheque Lemon Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me Walk On, Streets, Mofo .

These songs are otherwordly imo.

 

[Sir Vlado]

the songs might be different from each other but it doesn't mean they're anything other than bland

Not to be rude but have you even heard half the songs that Arcadion mentioned, or do you just say everything by U2 is bland by default?

But anyway, everyone has their own opinions and each opinions shall be respected.

 

[blackshadow]

The simple answer is U2 are nowhere near as big as they were.

They peaked about 10 years ago and have been on a downward slide ever since.

I doubt they'll ever be as big as they were.

 

[XFactor1979]

being a hipster and one of the alternative crowd i couldnt really give a toss about what bono and the boys are up to these days

the new stuff is just appalling, they are trying too hard, devoid of ideas, the new stuff just does not stand up

in many ways the band's first few albums are better (ie Boy) because it is more the true essence of what they really are. Listening to The Unforgettable Fire onwards, compare it to the music production of bands of today such as Animal Collective or Liars you really wonder why you liked music like that in the first place. even the joshua tree and achtung baby - their so-called 'great' records. now that i've gotten more eclectic with my musical taste, bands like Echo and the Bunnymen, TheThe - bands of that time make "better music" than U2 back then. with no pretensions! or even Depeche Mode.



U2 might sell a gazillion records like Mcdonalds sells hamburgers, but will anybody really say its any good?

 

[anti.]

haha that post made me laugh xfactor, you hipster.

i have to agree though.

animal collective rule.

 

[XFactor1979]

hey anti

think about it, it is "not cool" to wear a u2 t-shirt!

try going to a music festival where Queens of the stone age are playing. they'll LAUGH at your liking of U2

 

[JimDocker]

hey anti

think about it, it is "not cool" to wear a u2 t-shirt!

try going to a music festival where Queens of the stone age are playing. they'll LAUGH at your liking of U2

I would not give a toss about what a QOTSA fan thinks about my musical tastes, or my t-shirt.

 

[Suspense]

Seeing as this thread is pretty much swarming with blinkered fanboys and ****ing hipsters/scenesters, I'll exit and close with this:

[youtube]zHzLWLFTPPI&[/youtube]

Post-punk classic.

[youtube]YhWZ7bpfQag[/youtube]

Pap.

Based on their recent releases, I'm expecting the newest album to be pap as well, just like I'm expecting Leigh Brown to continue on at Collingwood as a complete hack, regardless of how many reports I hear of him training the house down in the pre-season.

 

[XFactor1979]

Seeing as this thread is pretty much swarming with blinkered fanboys and ****ing hipsters/scenesters, I'll exit and close with this:

Glad to be of service

I would not give a toss about what a QOTSA fan thinks about my musical tastes, or my t-shirt.

u2? isnt that music your dad likes?

although, admittedly its easy to be sucked in to liking them though - the music is uncomplicated and 'connects with the masses' getting everyone to sing along, even though bono's lyrics sometimes dont make much sense or are all that deep. but there is so much more better music than u2 right now. and even... back then

 

[blackshadow]

Based on their recent releases, I'm expecting the newest album to be pap as well, just like I'm expecting Leigh Brown to continue on at Collingwood as a complete hack, regardless of how many reports I hear of him training the house down in the pre-season.

But he does have beautiful blue eyes and does an excellent job on the BBQ.

 

[Suspense]

But he does have beautiful blue eyes and does an excellent job on the BBQ.

How's his driving skills? Perhaps he could be Heath and Didak's personal chauffeur...

 

[Sir Vlado]

Its not a crime that I or Arcadion or Poptart like U2.

 

[Sir Vlado]

Seeing as this thread is pretty much swarming with blinkered fanboys and ****ing hipsters/scenesters, I'll exit and close with this:

[youtube]zHzLWLFTPPI&[/youtube]

Post-punk classic.

[youtube]YhWZ7bpfQag[/youtube]

Pap.

New Years Day is a very good song, and imo I don't think Vertigo was a very serious song, maybe its just a bit of fun, I can stand it though.

imo U2s 90s stuff is gold, likewise with the 80s.

 

[SunKing]

u2? isnt that music your dad likes?

You could replace U2 with Echo & The Bunnymen

 

[JimDocker]

Glad to be of service



u2? isnt that music your dad likes?

although, admittedly its easy to be sucked in to liking them though - the music is uncomplicated and 'connects with the masses' getting everyone to sing along, even though bono's lyrics sometimes dont make much sense or are all that deep. but there is so much more better music than u2 right now. and even... back then

Pretty much the most invalid, childish argument for liking or not liking any band.

My Dad is 72 and I reckon that he listens to some great music. My daughter is 17 and I reckon she listens to some great music. There has been great music since the 20's so if I like older or newer music. I like it, regardless of an imaginary timeline that appears to control your ideas.

 

[XFactor1979]

Its not a crime that I or Arcadion or Poptart like U2.

no, its not

the most logical answer ive had with regards to anyone answering the question: What kind of music do you like?

IS

"It depends what mood im in."

please take note that the person answering this question is a leggy model, shes hot, oh yes

case and point number 1: the song "Skinny love" by Bon Iver - it was a grey cloudy and generally rather sad-looking day, i whipped it off on my ipod and it was perfect

Skinny Love is not exactly party anthem of the summer now isnt it?

Sometimes music is the soundtrack to your life.

speaking of soundtracks something to point out, u2's music doesnt feature on many commercials or have their songs used in key moments on a tv show or movies. ie Release Me by Oh Laura in the SAAB commercial (i was feeling sad one day and that song almost brought me to tears) even Radiohead got the nod on an episode of Six Feet Under with the song Lucky

 

[soupaman]

speaking of soundtracks something to point out, u2's music doesnt feature on many commercials or have their songs used in key moments on a tv show or movies. ie Release Me by Oh Laura in the SAAB commercial (i was feeling sad one day and that song almost brought me to tears) even Radiohead got the nod on an episode of Six Feet Under with the song Lucky

And this is relevant because?