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  1. Just striking up a discussion for some of our more senior members who have seen our band progress from the start. There is no doubt whatsoever that U2 are probably thee most commercial of all the bands out there and they are wildly focused on the £$£$£$£$$
    ell.

    What were.are the feelings of you on here that fell in love with the old U2 compared to the drivel we have saw this decade so far?
  2. I kinda get where you're coming from and know you're severely disenchanted at present. I do have a few disagreements and to answer the post feel a few points of view should be made.

    (I should add that I like the new KOL stuff, although maybe not as much as Because Of The Times)

    This decade has been very commercial so far. That I agree with. The songs have been (whatever your opinion about them, which is not relevant to this topic) commercially minded and 'safe'. The campaigns have been very commercial (iPod ads, mainstream TV appearances, inclusion in 'Now' albums etc). Interestingly they have remained 'relevant'.

    I'm not sure, though, that I perceive a huge difference from the albums I witnessed coming out (from R&H onwards). R&H was made almost deliberately to consolidate their American audience, and the fans gave a backlash (although it was still commercially very popular and did yield Desire, AIWIY and Angel of Harlem).
    The campaign for Achtung Baby was huge. Ditto Pop. (I will accept that Zooropa was an unusual beast and is their only album since War not to go to No. 1 in the UK). I don't feel a difference in the marketing or approach of the band between then and the last 2 campaigns. (Other than adaptation to modern-day technology and climate).

    My opinion is that the last 2 U2 albums mirror the type of music seen on the most recent KOL record. And that is just not your bag at this stage. Obviously you are seeking a rawer, more emotional bent. I hope we get back to that with the new record, and the signs are good.

    But in answer to the topic; Yes, I saw it happen. In 1987-88.
  3. My U2 phase is slowly coming back and I am in no way criticising U2 and their methods to have gotten where they are. Just seeing if others do. It's just kinda sad to see a band develop and only be able to break through by making safe music (KOL). I juts don't see why U2 feel the need to sit back and rake it in when they have the talent to do their own thing, and to do it well.

    Pre-commercial U2 to me is anything before JT. The 90's was a mixed bag but this current decade is killing me. I wished I could just ignore it but it is a whole tird of the bands career. I remember only a year or 2 back watching the U2:3D Cannes performance and getting gooosebumps and saying how amazing they were even though it was just terrible. Last week during the Obama thing I was embarassed. They just seemed so out of place and dare I say it 'too cool' to be in the middle of a cheese fet like that but there they were. I'd love to see them fuck up the mainstream again. Even if they look like complete knobs, just grow a set and have a go. Asking a lot but who knows
  4. Originally posted by germcevoy:Just striking up a discussion for some of our more senior members who have seen our band progress from the start. There is no doubt whatsoever that U2 are probably thee most commercial of all the bands out there and they are wildly focused on the £$£$£$£$$

    I've been into the Kings Of Leon for some time now and have been charting their career. 2 stonking early albums that were raw, un-radio friendly, the band were crazy looking, long facial hair and just making music they seemingly loved. This then developed their own fan base and even with support slots for U2 in 05 they never hit the big timme. Then their 3rd album game, production was tighter and they gained a few hits and more air play. Now with the 4th album the band have hit the big time, huge radio hits, slick new image, sold out arenas etc but the music isn't really that great. Shoddy lyrics, over produced sound and generally weak all around and a million miles away from their first 2 albums.

    Ironically they are now at their most popular when their music is the weakest and they are EVERYWHERE which is annoying as hell. They have became the record companies bitch. They seem to becoming the new U2 (although U2 are their own bitch)


    What were.are the feelings of you on here that fell in love with the old U2 compared to the drivel we have saw this decade so far?

    I don't want this to be a KOL topic. Just using them as a modern day example of how U2 kinda went. ie happy to put out under par material to suit the masses and sitting back and reaping the rewards.


    I think U2 is still about the music, who cares if they make a shit load of money and are the biggest band in the world? that's partly why i like them. In regards to KOL, i also have been into them for a few years now, since Aha came out, saw them in a small theatre, and I couldn't be more excited with their new album, it's their best in some ways. Shows growth, progress, and it's a different sound in a way. Closer, Use Somebody, Manhattan, Reverie, Cold Desert are all brilliant songs; Cold Desert is probably their most powerful song. I think it's kind of silly to accuse a band of becoming "too polished" or too big when if you were in their shoes you probably wouldn't be complaining. Bands shouldn't stay in the garage forever nor should they make the same music forever.

    Going back to U2, U2 has always been a band with broad horizons, they always wanted to be huge, but only if they were the best, said Edge in RS in 2004. I'm all about underground and "indie" music, but when it comes to U2 and maybe even KOL now, different rules apply? and I think it is stupid to say that U2 is happy to put out sub par material to "suit the masses and sitting back and reaping the benefits", that's seriously how you think they are? Call me blinded by my own fandom, but i think that's bullshit. They are still as genuine as ever and still in love with music and daring to find new colors and sounds, and I think their work has gotten consistently been on the up and up, as well as their playing. Without question I think we saw them the strongest yet on the Vertigo tour, with Edge really really rocking out and Bono singing like he never has, and I think this Horizon era will top that, since they always seem to top themselves. but point being, i think it's dumb and pointless whining to bitch about bands that make money and become successful and make different sounding records. peace


  5. this decade so far yep.

    I'll get rid of the KOL argument to avoid 2 seperate discussions/arguments


  6. hmmm...sorry if i came across a bit harsh, i just get kinda irritated with the pessimism. I just don't agree.


  8. not a worry.

    It's just a pain to fall in love with something to see it morph into something that you just cannot live with
  9. Edit - this is in reply to Gerard's 3rd post. None of this other stuff was here when I started typing!

    I realise there's no criticism and agree that there is too much 'safe' music around. Coldplay seem to be the only big band trying to push things (the collaboration with Jay-Z) even if they sometimes backfire or mis-start. All the rest is very safe. Even The Killers reverted back to type with their third album, and it was significantly poorer than their debut in my opinion.

    This decade does not stand up to the previous 2 in terms of experimentation or improvisation. Bono's use of prompt etc turns me cold as many will know (yes, I would rather he fucked the lyrics up). Muscially however, I disagree with you and find much to like in their recent output. (Also much to dislike and perhaps more than I used to, in fairness).

    I am optimistic about the new material. The haircuts have gone back to Pop-esque lengths. Bono's lost a lot of weight and looks trim (or 'very fit for a bloke his age' as my nurses describe it). The video we've seen is edgy in a way that nothing from the 2000's so far has been. It's more like the Discotheque video (and I mean that in a good way). The advance vibe mentions AB, Pop, DGPFYCC, dance, big riffs. This all strikes me as a blend of commercial and edgy that we haven't seen for 12 years. I'm hoping we do see more of the 'look at me, I'm a big fuck-off rock star' Bono, especially on tour. It will never be as blatant as MacPhisto again though; it can't be with his humanitarian work.

    I did see it happen and thought it was ok. With hindsight, some of it has led to poorer results. I was swept along with the 'U2-can't-fail' type feelings of a blind fan. I don't feel that now. However, I am still, mainly, proud to see them live and doing what they do. I enjoyed the Obama thing for what it was. These things are always, by their nature, cheesy. They're American. It usually comes with fries too. (Advance apologies to all American users, I'm just extending my metaphor....).

    I'm still excited as bollocks about the new album. That hasn't changed in 20 years.
  11. my comments are regarding the decade 'to date'. Boots, although sounding like something from Bomb to my hears is good and I am darn excited by the new album. I hope to hell, but not confident that they will deliver
  12. Originally posted by germcevoy:my comments are regarding the decade 'to date'. Boots, although sounding like something from Bomb to my hears is good and I am darn excited by the new album. I hope to hell, but not confident that they will deliver


    Taken as read.

    Here's hoping he rips up a chair and starts snogging a random bird at the Brits.
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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.