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  1. Hey guys. I have a friend who is a strong critic of U2 and their work. He likes to hate on them as much as he can. A few weeks ago, he sent me an email explaining his dislike for the band.

    Here's what he had to say:

    Musically speaking, there is nothing impressive or compelling about U2 to catch my attention. I'm not a person that listens to music for thoughtful lyrics. So that aspect is lost on me. From an instrumental perspective, there isn't any noteworthy or groundbreaking musicianship going on in their music. They could be any other rock band that you hear on the radio, as far as I'm concerned. The reason why I make such a big issue about it is that I simply don't feel that their music is necessarily worthy of all the praise they get. Sometimes I think people give their music a bit of a pass because of Bono's humanitarian projects. I believe that people love Bono too much not to overrate U2. So it really bothers me when a band achieves more success than they deserve like that.


    After speaking with a few U2 fans that I know, I then confronted him and defended U2 by making the following points:

    1) U2's musicianship consists of simple pieces of musical composition woven into a well-crafted "lattice" for the right feel.

    2) U2 boasts a diverse catalogue of material spanning several decades, in which they made very unique music that went against the norms of a given time period.

    3) He should get an mp3 collection of U2 songs from 1980 through 2009, in order to get a breadth of U2's evolution.

    Yesterday, my friend emailed me with this rebuttal:

    1) U2's musicianship consists of simple pieces of musical composition woven into a well-crafted lattice for the right feel.

    Their take on U2's musical approach is a sheer matter of opinion, just like the opinion I stated when I said that there was nothing in their musicianship that impressed me. If combining simplistic musical structures from all the different instruments is what U2 fans like, that is fine. It isn't what I like.


    2) U2 boasts a diverse catalogue of material spanning several decades, in which they made very unique music that went against the norms of a given time period.

    Appeal to numbers, argument to antiquity. The number of people who still like U2 does not make them a good band, in my opinion. U2 made different music than other groups in the late '80s and early 90s? Good for them...so did a lot of other bands. What impact should the history of a band have on one's appraisal of their work?


    3) He should get an mp3 collection U2 songs from 1980 through 2009 to get a breadth of U2's evolution.

    I am not about to download a bunch of songs from a band that I don't like. I have heard older songs from U2 because it's hard to avoid, just like I have heard their newer songs. I stand by my evaluation that U2 is overrated and is not a band that I personally find compelling.


    I think it's interesting that your fellow U2 fans feel that there needs to be some sort of logical, historical process that one must utilize to determine if they like a band or not. Appreciation of music is subjective, so most of their arguments are wasted. History, building a "lattice" of simple songwriting, standing out in the 80s (in a sea of terrible music, I might add). All of these things are not part of my personal criteria for good music.


    This is why people shouldn't debate about what good music is, because there is no standard set of criteria that everyone can agree to.


    So how would you guys respond to my friend's criticism of U2?

    By the way- My friend is a self-professed metalhead and worships the Swedish death metal band In Flames.
  2. Originally posted by HBK79
    By the way- My friend is a self-professed metalhead and worships the Swedish death metal band In Flames.


    There is just no way that you will get to him, simple as that. Metalheads just naturally hate U2. It's a cruel, cruel world. I've learned this from experience, unfortunately.
  3. The fact that his favourite music Swedish death metal, means he's a lost case anyway.

    There's no point in trying and converting him, I can tell you that. I know plenty of metalheads who absolutely despise U2.

    Ignore him and take comfort in knowing that we U2 fans are smarter than the rest.

    http://www.atu2blog.com/2009/03/05/u2-fans-are-smart/
  4. well metal is almost always just playing music really fast. I'll check this in flames out...probably exaclty the same thing all metal bands sound like. If you want to talk about talentless musicians, alot of them are the metal heads. They just acts Hardcore. Not all people are like this, im sure we have some cool metal heads around here at U2start.

    Musically, he is correct. Larry and Adam are notoriously repetitive. I wont argue that. Its only recently that Adam has started playing some other cool stuff. In fact, if you listen to the end of walk on, the solo part of UTEOTW, Elevation, its the same exact beat from larry, so I wont argue much for them. Though I believe that to be their greatest strength (too many drummers waste time by being too flashy in songs and it really distracts from the music...seriously).

    But as for The Edge, I tell him to screw off lol Edge kicks the crap out of EVERY metal guitarist I can think of. He is a fool if he thinks that any of them can hold a candle to his playing. Hahahaha. Makes me laugh just thinking about metal guitar and Edge guitar.

    But other than that. He's a friend. Let him have his opinion lol

    EDIT: i play guitar, bass, drums, and piano. I think I have an idea lol
  5. There's actually quite a few metalheads I know, who are right into U2.

    If it's metal from nowadays, chances are it's crap anyway.
  6. Originally posted by HBK79:Hey guys. I have a friend who is a strong critic of U2 and their work. He likes to hate on them as much as he can. A few weeks ago, he sent me an email explaining his dislike for the band.

    Here's what he had to say:

    [..]

    After speaking with a few U2 fans that I know, I then confronted him and defended U2 by making the following points:

    1) U2's musicianship consists of simple pieces of musical composition woven into a well-crafted "lattice" for the right feel.

    2) U2 boasts a diverse catalogue of material spanning several decades, in which they made very unique music that went against the norms of a given time period.

    3) He should get an mp3 collection of U2 songs from 1980 through 2009, in order to get a breadth of U2's evolution.

    Yesterday, my friend emailed me with this rebuttal:

    1) U2's musicianship consists of simple pieces of musical composition woven into a well-crafted lattice for the right feel.

    [..]

    2) U2 boasts a diverse catalogue of material spanning several decades, in which they made very unique music that went against the norms of a given time period.

    [..]

    3) He should get an mp3 collection U2 songs from 1980 through 2009 to get a breadth of U2's evolution.

    [..]

    [..]

    [..]

    So how would you guys respond to my friend's criticism of U2?

    By the way- My friend is a self-professed metalhead and worships the Swedish death metal band In Flames.







    I think it is fairly simple..... for some people U2 aren't their slice of bread.... simple as that. No need to try and convince them or argue a case, respect your friends opinions and move on.

    now saying that, HE'S NUTS and completely out of his mind. As you have stated U2 music is dynamic and evolutionary, and the band continually challenges themselves and us they're fans with not only change, but DYNAMIC change... just think everything from 'Out of control' to 'October (the song) to 'Pride', 'Daddy going to pay for your crashed car' to 'Numb' and Cedars of Lebanon or White as Snow, and everything in between.

    U2's music is to be enjoy and celebrated, and thousands or in the case of this tour.......MILLIONS of people from around the world will be able to forgot about their daily lives for 150 min and enjoy the sounds of the best band in the world.

    Hope you have tickets!
    sH
  7. I am well past trying to defend U2 to other people (unless im drunk hehehe)

    There are a lot of people out there who just do not get them, and will not consider the facts or give them a go, so i dont even bother any more.

    The "Bono's a wanker" comments (that i hear constantly from lots of people around the place) are the thing that i find offensive. People see him in the media (often whilst doing charity work), and he may say something slightly witty, and then people go "omg he's got such a big ego, how dare he say something like that, i hate him" instead of "omg he's doing such great things for humanity and at the same time has a sense of humor!"

    Some people are just taken in by "heavy", shithouse music to understand real music Those types of people will never get U2 and i am long past trying to force them to get it. They either get it, or they dont.

    I know that U2 are the greatest band ever, and thats enough for me
  8. First off, U2 was formed and based on Punk Rock. VERY SIMILAR STYLE of music as Heavy Metal. So if he were to even take a stab at listening to ANY of U2's material I would start by offering him their early stuff marka 1980-1983. If you have music prior to the release of Boy that would work too . As for me...how could you say that they are not one of the greatest bands in the history of Rock 'N Roll. They have more Top 40 songs in our generation than any other band within this generation. When you think of greatest songs ever how many metal songs are included in that discussion?!?! How many U2 songs are included?!?! How can you just turn your back on classics like, NYD, Pride, WTSHNN,ISHFWILF,WOWY,One, and the list goes on and on. As far as recently, U2's music seems a bit more "bland" in the last decade. Perfect examples are their 3 biggest singles with their last 3 albums, Elevation, Vertigo, and now GOYB (I know the latter isn't "BIG" yet, and there's more singles on the way from this new album, but you can get my drift when I say all 3 sound very similar...throw away music as I like to call it). Musically though, this band has challenged all their fans with every new album that comes out and that takes some real balls because there are not too many bands that challenge what is supposed to be "their sound". The band members individually I will say this: Adam's playing has really taken off in the last decade starting with Pop. Musically I think that is Adam's strongest album to date. His bass playing has evolved and has become more challenging than 2 or 3 notes which seperates the good and the bad bassists I think. Larry's bests material can be found on Boy, October, War and Pop. Besides that he is your no nonsense, straight forward drummer as he is in real life. He doesn't really possess the "flashy" style of drum playing that I also get into. But I will say this on his behalf: he is a perfect complement to every member of the band, he gets the job done, and to me he's better than Ringo Starr hands down!!! EDGE: I actually got into a discussion about Edge recently in here. He is without a doubt one of the most inovative guitarest of our time let alone in the history of Rock 'N Roll. I would put him in the category of Hendrix in those regards. VERY VERY DYNAMIC. He can wow you with songs like Bad with 2 main chords or blow you away with songs like UTEOTW, or COBL. If the argument of "best guitarests ever"...unfortunately I would not put him in, what Charles Barkley says "My 5". There are other guitarests out there that explore all realms of music and are very delicately detailed to their playing. Not to say that Edge doesn't by any means! But there are others that do it better. I would put him in my Top 20 guitarests of all time though for the fact that what he brings is sheer musicianship, wizardry, and developmental discovery of his instrument. He truly is "the scientist" of his instrument and in music. With all this said would I want Edge in my band....HELL YEAH!!!!!!!! Bono.....I've had the pleasure as many of you out there to discuss the different opinions about him and explore the different realms on opinions about him. First and foremost there is not one other Musician and Political Figures in some matters that has done more for his fellow man and to bring awareness to the spectrum of society than him. Geldof is up there too though, but he's not in the limelight like Bono is and has been for the past 20 to 25 years. Here's the thing though, you have your Bono circa Live Aid, Amnesty International, Joshua Tree days when he REALLY championed with great causes and he said what he felt with a biast, nonpolitical view. Jump to recently when he still parades these charoties and causes but he's more careful of what hes says and does, and with a non-biast, political view and it almost feels like he's selling you short. Where's the Bono of Rattle & Hum during Sunday Bloody Sunday? He doesn't seem as passionate like he was back then. I know I will get scowled for saying this and I look forward to debating this with anyone at a later time but I have to move on. Musically, Bono has never had a great voice. I think his best days has past him. His strongest vocal performances were from The Joshua Tree-Zooropa/ZooTV. But what he brings to the plate is passion, and heart which I admire very much. He is definitely one of the Top Frontmen in the business without question. As a whole, every member brings something to the table that makes them unique and great.
    With all this said, your friends music taste and musical opinion ceases to exist at the fact he listens to Metal. I wouldn't look to defend your passion for one of the best bands ever, as his opinion is tainted and obselete.
  9. Originally posted by sholbech22:
    I think it is fairly simple..... for some people U2 aren't their slice of bread.... simple as that. No need to try and convince them or argue a case, respect your friends opinions and move on.


    Amen. Topic can be closed.
  10. Originally posted by MirrorballMan1991:First off, U2 was formed and based on Punk Rock. VERY SIMILAR STYLE of music as Heavy Metal. So if he were to even take a stab at listening to ANY of U2's material I would start by offering him their early stuff marka 1980-1983. If you have music prior to the release of Boy that would work too . As for me...how could you say that they are not one of the greatest bands in the history of Rock 'N Roll. They have more Top 40 songs in our generation than any other band within this generation. When you think of greatest songs ever how many metal songs are included in that discussion?!?! How many U2 songs are included?!?! How can you just turn your back on classics like, NYD, Pride, WTSHNN,ISHFWILF,WOWY,One, and the list goes on and on. As far as recently, U2's music seems a bit more "bland" in the last decade. Perfect examples are their 3 biggest singles with their last 3 albums, Elevation, Vertigo, and now GOYB (I know the latter isn't "BIG" yet, and there's more singles on the way from this new album, but you can get my drift when I say all 3 sound very similar...throw away music as I like to call it). Musically though, this band has challenged all their fans with every new album that comes out and that takes some real balls because there are not too many bands that challenge what is supposed to be "their sound". The band members individually I will say this: Adam's playing has really taken off in the last decade starting with Pop. Musically I think that is Adam's strongest album to date. His bass playing has evolved and has become more challenging than 2 or 3 notes which seperates the good and the bad bassists I think. Larry's bests material can be found on Boy, October, War and Pop. Besides that he is your no nonsense, straight forward drummer as he is in real life. He doesn't really possess the "flashy" style of drum playing that I also get into. But I will say this on his behalf: he is a perfect complement to every member of the band, he gets the job done, and to me he's better than Ringo Starr hands down!!! EDGE: I actually got into a discussion about Edge recently in here. He is without a doubt one of the most inovative guitarest of our time let alone in the history of Rock 'N Roll. I would put him in the category of Hendrix in those regards. VERY VERY DYNAMIC. He can wow you with songs like Bad with 2 main chords or blow you away with songs like UTEOTW, or COBL. If the argument of "best guitarests ever"...unfortunately I would not put him in, what Charles Barkley says "My 5". There are other guitarests out there that explore all realms of music and are very delicately detailed to their playing. Not to say that Edge doesn't by any means! But there are others that do it better. I would put him in my Top 20 guitarests of all time though for the fact that what he brings is sheer musicianship, wizardry, and developmental discovery of his instrument. He truly is "the scientist" of his instrument and in music. With all this said would I want Edge in my band....HELL YEAH!!!!!!!! Bono.....I've had the pleasure as many of you out there to discuss the different opinions about him and explore the different realms on opinions about him. First and foremost there is not one other Musician and Political Figures in some matters that has done more for his fellow man and to bring awareness to the spectrum of society than him. Geldof is up there too though, but he's not in the limelight like Bono is and has been for the past 20 to 25 years. Here's the thing though, you have your Bono circa Live Aid, Amnesty International, Joshua Tree days when he REALLY championed with great causes and he said what he felt with a biast, nonpolitical view. Jump to recently when he still parades these charoties and causes but he's more careful of what hes says and does, and with a non-biast, political view and it almost feels like he's selling you short. Where's the Bono of Rattle & Hum during Sunday Bloody Sunday? He doesn't seem as passionate like he was back then. I know I will get scowled for saying this and I look forward to debating this with anyone at a later time but I have to move on. Musically, Bono has never had a great voice. I think his best days has past him. His strongest vocal performances were from The Joshua Tree-Zooropa/ZooTV. But what he brings to the plate is passion, and heart which I admire very much. He is definitely one of the Top Frontmen in the business without question. As a whole, every member brings something to the table that makes them unique and great.
    With all this said, your friends music taste and musical opinion ceases to exist at the fact he listens to Metal. I wouldn't look to defend your passion for one of the best bands ever, as his opinion is tainted and obselete.


    Now that's what I call a wall of text.
  11. I have the same with a friend off mine who allways tells my that the edge is a retard who carnt play guitar and that u2 have never done anything worth shouting about and sometimes i really have to bite my lip and walk away goz hitting him just wont work for me and im not fighting over music .He tells me oasis are the only band worth anything these days so i just smile at the idiot.
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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.