1. I can't tell if this comment is sarcastic or not. If you look at U2's previous promotional efforts, it's incredibly obvious that the band knows how to promote themselves. The big difference between this scenario and those of previous tours was Bono's injury. Remember that before the injury, U2 had planned an entire week with Jimmy Fallon, which would have been a huge promotional gig for them. This is amplified by the fact that in previous years, Fallon was the host of Late Night but now he's the host of the Tonight Show, arguably one of the pinnacles of talk shows.

    We shouldn't be worried about U2's promotional efforts because U2 as an organization is an incredibly well-oiled machine. Sure, pre-sales have been a mess before and subscription gifts can be somewhat questionable, but the fact remains that if U2 weren't being powered by a kickass management team they would've died out decades ago.
  2. Originally posted by blink:The whole album is still very 'listenable' after 7-8 months.

    My top tracks are EBW, Sleep Like a Baby Tonight, The Troubles and The Crystal Ballroom


    Same opinion about the album here, although my favorite ones are California, EBW and Crystal Ballroom.
  3. With me too and my favourites are Cedarwood Road, Volcano, Raised By The Wolves, Troubles ans Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
  4. Agree with Alvin.

    But here on U2start, not much love for Iris.

    I do like this song, also because of the subject of the song.
  5. Iris is a beautifully-written song. The part where it breaks into the light piano and 'the stars are bright but do they know' gives it an incredible ending. Plus I love the intro.
  6. Originally posted by ahn1991:I can't tell if this comment is sarcastic or not. If you look at U2's previous promotional efforts, it's incredibly obvious that the band knows how to promote themselves. The big difference between this scenario and those of previous tours was Bono's injury. Remember that before the injury, U2 had planned an entire week with Jimmy Fallon, which would have been a huge promotional gig for them. This is amplified by the fact that in previous years, Fallon was the host of Late Night but now he's the host of the Tonight Show, arguably one of the pinnacles of talk shows.

    We shouldn't be worried about U2's promotional efforts because U2 as an organization is an incredibly well-oiled machine. Sure, pre-sales have been a mess before and subscription gifts can be somewhat questionable, but the fact remains that if U2 weren't being powered by a kickass management team they would've died out decades ago.
    Maybe it's less of a promotional thing I'm grouchy about and more of a "I'd love to see U2 not do something everyone expects U2 to do". On the one hand the iTunes release was something none of us expected them to do, on the other hand it was just more fuel for the fire of the haters. To me these videos that are elaborate and serious are the same thing.
  7. Originally posted by drewhiggins:Iris is a beautifully-written song. The part where it breaks into the light piano and 'the stars are bright but do they know' gives it an incredible ending. Plus I love the intro.
    Indeed, Iris hits me right in the face, my mum died a few years ago. Very curious to the live version.
  8. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]
    Maybe it's less of a promotional thing I'm grouchy about and more of a "I'd love to see U2 not do something everyone expects U2 to do". On the one hand the iTunes release was something none of us expected them to do, on the other hand it was just more fuel for the fire of the haters. To me these videos that are elaborate and serious are the same thing.
    I think the injury of Bono is very underestimated by most of the fans.
    The promotional silence is a forced silence because of the very serious health problems because of Bono's bike incident.
  9. Originally posted by ferrari:[..]
    I think the injury of Bono is very underestimated by most of the fans.
    The promotional silence is a forced silence because of the very serious health problems because of Bono's bike incident.
    That's exactly my thoughts.

    We only know the Fallon week, but we don't know what they had planned to do in the following (now past) few months. The promo tour in Europe was going pretty good, turning people's attention to the music instead of the release method... as far as we know, the release method + the (planned) promo tour could've been a huge success, but all went down the drain in Central Park.

    I just hope the circumstances don't make them discard this album.
  10. Originally posted by drewhiggins:Iris is a beautifully-written song. The part where it breaks into the light piano and 'the stars are bright but do they know' gives it an incredible ending. Plus I love the intro.
    I love the last third of the song.
    The lyrics in that third part always gets me, specially the "she says I can do it all" (I always think "if she would see him now...") and the "it was not me" lines.
    I'm a bit unconfortable about the chorus ("hold me close... ... ... ..."), although I've learned to enjoy it a bit.
    I like the music.
    However I think -sorry- that it's the most "generic" song in the album.
  11. Originally posted by ferrari:[..]
    I think the injury of Bono is very underestimated by most of the fans.
    The promotional silence is a forced silence because of the very serious health problems because of Bono's bike incident.
    THIS.

    the only thing I'd like to see - promotional-wise - is a proper band video for a single again. I know they say this is not the medium to promote singles anymore, but there are popular acts like maroon 5, lady gaga, nicki minaj etc who still put out very elaborate videos.
  12. Originally posted by flowerchild:[..]
    THIS.

    the only thing I'd like to see - promotional-wise - is a proper band video for a single again. I know they say this is not the medium to promote singles anymore, but there are popular acts like maroon 5, lady gaga, nicki minaj etc who still put out very elaborate videos.
    The irony is that Bono's injury prevented him from doing public appearances, but somehow a private video shoot of the band is okay? These things often take even more time and energy than a public appearance.