|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/1/2009 3:50:40 PM
|
|
|
humbleinspirit
Posts: 16638
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
|
U2 and Bono adapt to changing times From the news story:
Bono the rock star and the rest of U2 are struggling a bit themselves — as incongruous as that might seem for a band that will have performed to millions of people before its tour wraps overseas next year. (U2 ends its North American tour on Wednesday in Vancouver, British Columbia.)
Like other bands in the digital age, U2 is struggling to grab new listeners. Its members admit to frustration at the average album sales for its most recent release and wonder, as bassist Adam Clayton put it, whether the idea of an impassioned rock 'n' roll fan is becoming a thing of the past. (One experiment — U2 is broadcasting one of this weekend's concerts in Los Angeles on YouTube.com.)
"The commercial challenges have to be confronted," Clayton says during an interview backstage at "Saturday Night Live," as awaits the band's performance on the show's season kickoff. "But I think, in a sense, the more interesting challenge is, 'What is rock 'n' roll in this changing world?' Because, to some extent, the concept of the music fan — the concept of the person who buys music and listens to music for the pleasure of music itself — is an outdated idea."
The band's latest CD, "No Line on the Horizon," debuted at the top of the charts when it was released in March and has sold a respectable 1 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But the CD, which features more electronic music experimentation from U2, is the group's lowest selling CD in more than a decade. It represents a marked drop from 2004's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," which has sold 3.2 million copies to date, and 2000's 4.3 million seller, "All That You Can't Leave Behind."
"No Line" is also an album that hasn't had that one signature hit.
U2's last CD had "Vertigo," which wasn't a huge song on the pop charts, but became so ubiquitous thanks to Apple's iPod commercial that it might as well have been a No. 1 smash.
The first single from "No Line" — the driving, upbeat "Get on Your Boots" — didn't have a similar platform and didn't crack Billboard's top 30 singles pop chart. Meanwhile, "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" was featured in a Blackberry ad as part of the new partnership between the mobile device and U2 but was not released as a single.
Songs from the new album are clearly resonating with die-hard fans. "Get on Your Boots" drew one of the more frenetic responses from the crowd during a recent concert in Foxborough, Mass., outside of Boston, as did the anthemic show closer, "Moment of Surrender." Yet the album hasn't had the impact for which U2 had hoped.
While noting that signature U2 songs such as "Beautiful Day" and even "One" weren't massive or immediate hits, Bono does acknowledge disappointment that the band didn't quite "pull off the pop songs" with the new work.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/1/2009 4:03:31 PM
|
|
|
stellaluna
Posts: 4168
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: online
|
I remember when U2 was alternative. Haven't listened to them since Achtung Baby. I think after that they became more and more irrelevant to their core fanbase. I think any popularity since then has been continued momentum of what they used to be...not what they continued to evolve into as a band.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/1/2009 4:05:32 PM
|
|
|
humbleinspirit
Posts: 16638
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
|
Yes, I agree. With perhaps the exception of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, they have became pretty much too generic and too mainstream.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/1/2009 4:17:13 PM
|
|
|
BelleWeather
Posts: 715
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: New York City
Status: offline
|
The marketplace has been beaten over the head that U2 is important, popular, the next big thing machine, influential.......and the marketplace continues to yawn.
High time the media noticed "there's no there there."
_____________________________
We think we fathom the depths
when we are just skimming the surface with our finger.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/1/2009 4:19:12 PM
|
|
|
humbleinspirit
Posts: 16638
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
|
Yeah, there really has been U2 overkill!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 3:12:30 AM
|
|
|
TheElement
Posts: 51
Joined: 7/5/2009
From: Central Florida
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: BelleWeather
The marketplace has been beaten over the head that U2 is important, popular, the next big thing machine, influential.......and the marketplace continues to yawn.
The next big thing? I think that happened about 25 years ago. Influential? They've been a HUGE influence on many bands over the past few decades.
_____________________________
"You're spotting dimes, you're eating onions, I don't know what's going on!!"
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 7:57:51 AM
|
|
|
ManimalX
Posts: 2551
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline
|
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
If this article isn't just spun to sound a certain way, it saddens me that the boys are "disappointed" in 1 millions records sold.
With the exception of possibly Zooropa and Pop, all of their albums are phenomenal with nary a losing song. And influential? Umm... you would have a tough argument to claim any band has been more so.
"October" from 1981 is my favorite album, as it is basically a rocking Praise and Worship album, while my next favorite is "...Atomic Bomb". NLOTH probably isn't their best album ever, but it is still an excellent repeated listen and worth every penny to own. "Magnificent", "Moment of Surrender", and "White as Snow" "Cedars of Lebanon", are by far the best, but "Stand Up Comedy", "No Line on the Horizon", "I'll Go Crazy..." and "Get on Your Boots" are very good songs, and I have yet to skip over any of the rest.
Cheer up, boys! You still rock and you still have loyal fans!
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 2:30:28 PM
|
|
|
BelleWeather
Posts: 715
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: New York City
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
It's you.
_____________________________
We think we fathom the depths
when we are just skimming the surface with our finger.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 3:20:31 PM
|
|
|
mapachito13
Posts: 2593
Joined: 10/1/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
If this article isn't just spun to sound a certain way, it saddens me that the boys are "disappointed" in 1 millions records sold.
With the exception of possibly Zooropa and Pop, all of their albums are phenomenal with nary a losing song. And influential? Umm... you would have a tough argument to claim any band has been more so.
"October" from 1981 is my favorite album, as it is basically a rocking Praise and Worship album, while my next favorite is "...Atomic Bomb". NLOTH probably isn't their best album ever, but it is still an excellent repeated listen and worth every penny to own. "Magnificent", "Moment of Surrender", and "White as Snow" "Cedars of Lebanon", are by far the best, but "Stand Up Comedy", "No Line on the Horizon", "I'll Go Crazy..." and "Get on Your Boots" are very good songs, and I have yet to skip over any of the rest.
Cheer up, boys! You still rock and you still have loyal fans!
I too think the Edge is a very influential guitarist. Alex Lifeson of Rush changed his sound to emulate him which is high praise indeed. U2's influence is underrated nowadays because they have been around for almost 30 years and we are inundated by them on radio and TV and in the press. They are getting lost in the scenery.
But they still are producing songs I like although I don't consider every song great anymore like in the 1980s, early 1990s.
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"Freedom comes with an educated mind." - Jacqueline Rushing
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 4:04:39 PM
|
|
|
stellaluna
Posts: 4168
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: BelleWeather
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
It's you.
LOL
http://mcsweeneys.net/2006/10/20malla.html
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 5:36:16 PM
|
|
|
rawr.ben
Posts: 2719
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit
Yes, I agree. With perhaps the exception of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, they have became pretty much too generic and too mainstream.
Now, really, I thought "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" was maybe the 11 worst songs written in 2004.
_____________________________
rawr.ben
Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/2/2009 6:09:51 PM
|
|
|
Nakedprey
Posts: 108
Joined: 5/10/2008
Status: offline
|
Pass the torch to who?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/3/2009 3:08:41 AM
|
|
|
ManimalX
Posts: 2551
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: rawr.ben
quote:
ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit
Yes, I agree. With perhaps the exception of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, they have became pretty much too generic and too mainstream.
Now, really, I thought "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" was maybe the 11 worst songs written in 2004.
Are you kidding?!? Well, I respect your personal taste, but I disagree. HTDAAB has some superb songs on it. In fact, looking over the track list, there isn't one bad song in the bunch! IMO, it qualifies as one of those rare albums that works well as "an album"; IOW, it is enjoyable to listen to the entire album in the order it is presented.
"All Because of You" is a flat out worship song, and my 2nd favorite U2 song (behind "Tomorrow" from 1981's "October") (How many modern pop songs admit complete dependence on I AM?!?)
"Yahweh" is just as worshipful and one of U2's most beautiful anthems (how many modern pop songs actually confess faith in YAHWEH?!!?!)
"A Man and a Woman" is not only a musically brilliant, melodically superb classic, but one of the few modern pop songs that celebrates men NOT cheating on their wives and remaining faithful!
Man, every song on this album is enjoyable!
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/3/2009 12:14:04 PM
|
|
|
BelleWeather
Posts: 715
Joined: 7/29/2009
From: New York City
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
quote:
ORIGINAL: BelleWeather
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
It's you.
LOL
http://mcsweeneys.net/2006/10/20malla.html
To rif on McSweeney:
January 2007
Dear Mum,
In the spirit of the new year, and an interesting break with tradition, I might to learn to play the other four strings on my guitar. I heard an underling whisper that my layers of delay, perpetual reverb effects and infinite sustain were less than inspired. Lessons might be in order. I promised myself to look into it real soon.
Love,
The Edge
_____________________________
We think we fathom the depths
when we are just skimming the surface with our finger.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/3/2009 10:36:51 PM
|
|
|
humbleinspirit
Posts: 16638
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
quote:
ORIGINAL: rawr.ben
quote:
ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit
Yes, I agree. With perhaps the exception of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, they have became pretty much too generic and too mainstream.
Now, really, I thought "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" was maybe the 11 worst songs written in 2004.
Are you kidding?!? Well, I respect your personal taste, but I disagree. HTDAAB has some superb songs on it. In fact, looking over the track list, there isn't one bad song in the bunch! IMO, it qualifies as one of those rare albums that works well as "an album"; IOW, it is enjoyable to listen to the entire album in the order it is presented.
"All Because of You" is a flat out worship song, and my 2nd favorite U2 song (behind "Tomorrow" from 1981's "October") (How many modern pop songs admit complete dependence on I AM?!?)
"Yahweh" is just as worshipful and one of U2's most beautiful anthems (how many modern pop songs actually confess faith in YAHWEH?!!?!)
"A Man and a Woman" is not only a musically brilliant, melodically superb classic, but one of the few modern pop songs that celebrates men NOT cheating on their wives and remaining faithful!
Man, every song on this album is enjoyable!
Oh, which album had Beautiful Day, Stuck in A Moment and Walk On on it? That was the one that I meant instead.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 1:24:16 AM
|
|
|
ManimalX
Posts: 2551
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline
|
That would be All That You Can't Leave Behind.
I think it was an extremely solid album! I think I remember Rolling Stone calling it one of U2's essential masterpieces r something like that as well.
"Beautiful Day" and "Grace" are definitely two of my favorite U2 songs.
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 12:25:40 PM
|
|
|
mapachito13
Posts: 2593
Joined: 10/1/2007
Status: offline
|
U2 has also influenced heavily two other CCM bands: Future of Forestry and Turn Off The Stars. U2's last release I wouldn't rate as their best but I wouldn't name it irrelevant either.
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"Freedom comes with an educated mind." - Jacqueline Rushing
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 4:53:48 PM
|
|
|
rawr.ben
Posts: 2719
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Mr. Evans (aka Edge) was selected as the 24th best guitarist in the history of music. I would put him easily in the top 10, but that is just me.
If this article isn't just spun to sound a certain way, it saddens me that the boys are "disappointed" in 1 millions records sold.
With the exception of possibly Zooropa and Pop, all of their albums are phenomenal with nary a losing song. And influential? Umm... you would have a tough argument to claim any band has been more so.
"October" from 1981 is my favorite album, as it is basically a rocking Praise and Worship album, while my next favorite is "...Atomic Bomb". NLOTH probably isn't their best album ever, but it is still an excellent repeated listen and worth every penny to own. "Magnificent", "Moment of Surrender", and "White as Snow" "Cedars of Lebanon", are by far the best, but "Stand Up Comedy", "No Line on the Horizon", "I'll Go Crazy..." and "Get on Your Boots" are very good songs, and I have yet to skip over any of the rest.
Cheer up, boys! You still rock and you still have loyal fans!
Okay. Here goes.
1. Vertigo.
The only thing worse than U2 is a snobby U2 fan, and that's what was created as they got their own iPod commercial. Wow, you're on an iPod commercial? It was like every other iPod commercial, except Bono's face was lit up.
As sanctimonious as U2 tries to be, the reason their faces are lit during the commercial isn't because they're larger-than-life rock stars, but rather, because they're not. When was the last time U2 had a hit? Or a flop? Or anything for that matter? Their last major release was in 2000, an album which was so inconsequential that merely labeling it as such bumps it into a lesser category of sucktitude.
As for the "Vertigo" song itself, it's a mix of twangy guitars, unnecessary spanish, and Bono's stupid glasses.
I looked around on some U2 message boards to see what the fans were saying about this song and its turgid lyrics, here's what fan member "Bob" has to say:
"Vertigo actually has some seriously heavy lyric - but I bet most of mainstream radio listeners will never know what they mean - I love that! It makes me feel priviledged [sic] to know what the man has to say - there are so many invaluable messages in their albums, certainly this one will be another thought provoking and life influencing scripture."
Here's a sample of the "seriously heavy lyrics" in Vertigo:
"WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo!"
And who could forget this poignant verse:
"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah,
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah."
2. Miracle Drug
When this album first came out, people wouldn't shut up about the hype that "U2 has made a triumphant return to its rock and roll roots." Triumphant? What exactly has U2 "triumphed" over? The only thing triumphant about U2 is their uncanny ability to produce the same cookie cutter sound that's slowly crippling originality and innovation on airwaves around the world. Congratulations you hacks, you've made FM radio unlistenable.
Yet another fan on a message board had this to say about "Miracle Drug:"
"I think that Bono turns pop culture upside down with the line "I've had enough of romantic love." "
Wow, how profound. Look out pop-culture! Bono has had enough of "romantic love." Here comes Bono and his idiotic fans to make ambiguous jabs at you.
3. Sometimes you can't make it on your own
*yawn*
The triumphant return to their rock and roll roots contained a teary-eyed song about his dad's struggle with cancer? Give me a break.
4. Love and Peace or Else.
If there was a list of things a pacifist should never say, "or else" would probably top it. Everything about this song is stupid. Love and peace or else? Or else what, you sissies? What are you going to do about it? Sing another crybaby song for your crybaby fans?
Can't you hippies just back off and surrender somewhere quietly for once without singing a song about it?
5. City of Blinding Lights
New age mysticism.
6. All Because of You
This is the one song on the album that U2's arrogant fans can't come to a consensus about. Some believe it's a song about life, some death, and others God. One thing I think everyone can agree on is: nobody cares.
7. A Man and a Woman
Great song, if you ignore the ho-hum music and the fact that "romance" doesn't rhyme with "distance." This song exemplifies the reason I hate songs with lyrics. Listen you dolts: if a song has a "message," then it probably doesn't matter because more often than not, song writers compromise their message for the sake of making a song that sounds good, or they compromise the music for the sake of pushing their shallow agenda. Maybe U2 wouldn't suck so hard if they stopped preaching and started rocking instead.
8. Crumbs from your Table
This song is about how America and its wealthiest people don't do enough to help solve world hunger. The title suggests that crumbs from our table could help starving people in Africa. Bono indicts America for being hypocritical with these lines:
Would you deny for others
What you demand for yourself?
Bono could not be reached for comment as he was stepping off his private jet and into his limousine.
9. One Step Closer
This sounds like the soundtrack of a coma.
10. Original of the Species
This song was supposedly written about the daughter of guitarist "The Edge." Yeah, that's his nickname: The Edge. I used to think names like "The Edge" or "Spike" were cool, but then I turned 12.
The only way I could ever respect him is if he shouted some stupid catch phrase before every concert like "WATCH OUT! THE EDGE WILL CUT YOU!"
11. Yahweh
This quote epitomizes U2's pious, holier-than-thou attitude:
"I don't know why, but we always had this belief that there was something sacred about our music, that it was almost holy." - Bono
Special thanks to Maddox for help with this post.
_____________________________
rawr.ben
Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 5:32:48 PM
|
|
|
Nakedprey
Posts: 108
Joined: 5/10/2008
Status: offline
|
I was about to say....does Maddox post here?
sheesh
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 5:40:51 PM
|
|
|
rawr.ben
Posts: 2719
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
|
It was a lot of word-for-word, but I did edit out particular words . . . and shortened it.
But, I agree with him, and hate U2.
_____________________________
rawr.ben
Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 5:47:17 PM
|
|
|
Nakedprey
Posts: 108
Joined: 5/10/2008
Status: offline
|
They're far more interesting to me than most of what's discussed on these pages.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 10:53:39 PM
|
|
|
WillingSpirit
Posts: 105
Joined: 5/18/2009
Status: offline
|
I'm not a big fan of "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb".But much of what Maddox said about that album is pure baloney and hypocritical.He goes beyond hating U2's music to hating U2 on a personal level.That kind of hate can't think with reason.
There's only certain U2 albums and songs that I'm truly into.The Unforgettable Fire is my favorite album from the 80's.It's inspired music, even with all those layers of reverb! I like most of their early 80's material.After that it's kind of hit and miss for me (more miss).I do like at least one song from their newest album, Magnificent.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 10:57:20 PM
|
|
|
Reform_Dave
Posts: 312
Joined: 6/14/2009
From: Where the mountains touch the sky.
Status: offline
|
I used to really love U2 but due to over saturation on the radio i cannot stand to listen anymore. I swear the next time i hear that they "Still haven't found what they're looking for" i will take a hammer to the radio.
_____________________________
Soli Deo Gloria.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: U2, Is It Time To Pass The Torch? - 11/4/2009 11:06:09 PM
|
|
|
WillingSpirit
Posts: 105
Joined: 5/18/2009
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: mapachito13
U2 has also influenced heavily two other CCM bands: Future of Forestry and Turn Off The Stars.
Some other CCM that has shown a U2 influence (at one time or another):
The Prayer Chain
Elim Hall
Saviour Machine
Mutemath
Delirious
Sunday Blue
David Ruis (praise & worship)
< Message edited by WillingSpirit -- 11/4/2009 11:14:31 PM >
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
