9/10. They are old. And much better than most over 50 acts. Although Bono has had his moments with his voice over the years, it sounds pretty good live right now. Try to listen to anything Frank Sinatra did after turning 50...he sounded like he had smoked up 34 cartons of smokes before getting in the studio.
Breathe not on the Rose Bowl DVD? So far, that is the only reason I don't own it yet. I think it is the only U2 Official Product I do not own...and yes, I will buy it someday, but will buy it used. I have given this band enough of my money, and they deserve to be punished for chopping off such an exciting opening of the show...would glady accept any USA fan's offer to get me a 360 tour show with the Space Oddity/Soon/Breath... opening intact...so I don't have to pay a bootlegger.
Career Moves? It is scary that they are talking about NLOTH needing a "Hit." I mean, look at the charts...how many are there on the charts at 50? How about even 40? Hell...there are not that many charting singles for artists over 30 anymore. Whoever Justin Beeber is, that is the age group of hit singles.
They simple should make a good album, and record their best songs.
Singles? They should dump the practice of hiding songs on CD Singles. I'm tired of having to buy the album, and then go on ebay or Amazon trying to hunt down countless singles for the odd b-side, live track, or UGGH Remix. How many other pop bands have SO MANY REMIXES? Did The Rolling Stones have tons of remixes? Nope. REM? Nope. Did their beloved Ramones have a remix album? Nope. Other than the 1991-1997 era, we don't need any more remixes.
Ok, and after all my shots taken at them...they are still my favorite band, and second favorite artist to Prince. Although I like Prince much better, U2 can't touch Prince when it comes to bad career moves, and alienating their fans. As poor as U2.com can be, Prince's last website cost $77 to join, and then it was taken down...no warning emails, no statement from the LIttle One...nothing....
Edited: Ok, changing my mind. 8.5/10... When I heard that either Lanios or Eno said that "Moment of Surrender," was the greatest moment ever in the studio, I thought that the druggie character in the song somehow put the drugs in Eno/Lanois head...The pre Hype to NLOTH was so overwhelmingly positive, and kept talking about breaking new ground, as if they had invented some new type of music. When I heard the pre-release streams, I liked it, but it really sounded like a Combo of ATYCLB and Bomb....with a slight taste of Unforgettable Fire thrown in. Nice, but not so groundbreaking.
Last pet peeve: They keep talking about all the music they have in the can...but they are taking too much time getting it out. Not that they are turning into Guns N Roses, but come on...just Release It. They could release one Major release, and then release an outtakes box set or something...just for the fans...but again...they are my favorite. They could release a carton of Milk, and I would probably buy it.
I'm happy that the music side of things, is alot closer to what they were making in the 80's which was what made the band as big as they are today, the 90's was a bit of a mish mash & experimentation, understand why they did it, just prefer the more under produced & raw emotions of U2.
I am still a massive fan of the latest album and has lastest as long for me as much as TUF, JT & AB.
As for the tour, still need to wait a few months to make jugdements there...
