**The Offical U2 Fan Thread**

[foo-oswald]

^ You're entitled your opinion, and everyone has their own tastes. But this is a U2 “fan thread” Going to any fan thread and saying all their songs are a bit overrated (whoever the band might be) doesn’t make sense, people are bound to get wound up, seriously. I didn't quote your post because my post wasn't directed entirely to you, but other posts in the past that bothered me allot more than yours. Your post just prompted me; I was not calling you ignorant. But the comment.

Calling a band like U2, Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd (for example) “overrated” is ignorant, I’ll tell you why. These bands are big for a reason. If their music was bland and there was nothing much special about their music in any way they wouldn’t be selling hundreds of millions of albums. They wouldn’t have such massive fan following and people wouldn’t be interested. U2 is a unique band because they have stayed relevant in the music scene for 25 years. They made it big without the sex, drugs rock “n”roll cliché, and their music is critically acclaimed by music experts worldwide. U2 made it big themselves by making music that has attracted hundreds of millions fans, and that doesn’t just go for U2, but any supergroup. I think U2 is one of those bands you either love or hate. You said you haven't heard many of their songs; I challenge to listen to more of their music more deeply.

And I do agree with you that there has got to be better bands out there unheard of. But not many people have heard of them yet, as their songs aren't played on mainstream radio. Bands like those should get their music out in the open.

Right-on, Neenie!! You get 'em!! He-he...

 

[The Bad Templar]

if you disagree, that's fine, but don't call me ignorant, because I KNOW my music and I know what I like.

I was listening to and playing music before you were even born...I've forgotten more than you know about music. I've spent the last decade working in radio professionally and as a volunteer.

I've been a U2 fan for 18 years...before you were a twinkle in your father's eye...I can guarantee you won't be listening to Ben Folds Five in 18 years!

Maybe when you've developed some credibilty come to the U2 thread and troll all you like.

 

[foo-oswald]

I was listening to and playing music before you were even born...I've forgotten more than you know about music. I've spent the last decade working in radio professionally and as a volunteer.

I've been a U2 fan for 18 years...before you were a twinkle in your father's eye...I can guarantee you won't be listening to Ben Folds Five in 18 years!

Maybe when you've developed some credibilty come to the U2 thread and troll all you like.

Wow! Another left-hook!

I must confess, TBT, that you took the words right out of my mouth! I've been a U2 fan ever since I saw the video for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" back in '83. I've been playing music about that long, too...

Have you noticed that the only posts espousing the "insignifance", "unoriginality", and "predictability" of U2's music are coming from those who are 25-and-under? Nobody our age would say that U2 is an unimportant, boring band because we were old enough back in the 80's to appreciate the music they made then, as well as the political climate of their homeland while they were making that music. And, in my opinion, the quality of their music hasn't tapered off at all since then...

Peace...

 

[iamunderstood]

^ You're entitled your opinion, and everyone has their own tastes. But this is a U2 “fan thread” Going to any fan thread and saying all their songs are a bit overrated (whoever the band might be) doesn’t make sense, people are bound to get wound up, seriously. I didn't quote your post because my post wasn't directed entirely to you, but other posts in the past that bothered me allot more than yours. Your post just prompted me; I was not calling you ignorant. But the comment.

Calling a band like U2, Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd (for example) “overrated” is ignorant, I’ll tell you why. These bands are big for a reason. If their music was bland and there was nothing much special about their music in any way they wouldn’t be selling hundreds of millions of albums. They wouldn’t have such massive fan following and people wouldn’t be interested. U2 is a unique band because they have stayed relevant in the music scene for 25 years. They made it big without the sex, drugs rock “n”roll cliché, and their music is critically acclaimed by music experts worldwide. U2 made it big themselves by making music that has attracted hundreds of millions fans, and that doesn’t just go for U2, but any supergroup. I think U2 is one of those bands you either love or hate. You said you haven't heard many of their songs; I challenge to listen to more of their music more deeply.

And I do agree with you that there has got to be better bands out there unheard of. But not many people have heard of them yet, as their songs aren't played on mainstream radio. Bands like those should get their music out in the open.

You're right. I shouldn't complain about U2 on a fan thread. I'll just have to start a U2 hater's thread so I can complain about them all I want. J/K. I like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and I don't necessarily "hate" U2 either. Again, I haven't heard much of U2, but from what I have heard, I couldn't pick out anything special. I CAN pick out special and/or unique qualities from bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd though. Mind you, I haven't really heard much from them either. I have the greatest hits album from Led Zeppelin, and the wall album from Pink Floyd. That and everything I have heard on the radio is all I know about their music.



A lot of bad bands and musicians have made it big, so you can't use how "big" U2 is to back up the quality of their music. I can say Good Charlotte is an awesome band. "Why?" you ask. "...... Because everyone else thinks so. They're huge and have a big fan base." I say. "But how does that make their music good?" You ask. ".....uh." Just doesn't work. You could be right though. Maybe I just haven't listened deeply enough to them. I'll download some of their songs, and listen to them more with an open mind. It took me a while to get into Radiohead, and now they're one of my favorite bands. If I change my mind about them, I’ll take back everything I said.

I was listening to and playing music before you were even born...I've forgotten more than you know about music. I've spent the last decade working in radio professionally and as a volunteer.

I've been a U2 fan for 18 years...before you were a twinkle in your father's eye...I can guarantee you won't be listening to Ben Folds Five in 18 years!

Maybe when you've developed some credibilty come to the U2 thread and troll all you like.

As for you... You don't even know me, bro. I have been involved in music sense the 3rd grade. I have taken piano lessons. I played in my high school jazz band. Sense 6th grade I have picked up guitar, drums, bass and keyboard. I sang in choir all throughout elementary, middle, and high school. I have been in numorus "garage bands." I have been writing songs sense the 8th grade and I have performed them with the bands I have been in, and I have been taking music, and music theory classes all throughout high school. Besides all of that, I listen to A LOT of music.



You're right though, I probably won't be listening to Ben Folds five in 18 years. I'll be listening to Ben Folds (the solo project apart from Ben Folds Five. Good stuff, I highly recommend it). I'll also be listening to bands like Hella and Yowie. Alternative rock (also referred to as "math rock") bands with some of the most complex drumming EVER. They make Neil Peart look like the drummer from the white stripes. I'll be listening to bands like Primus, and Bella Fleck and the Fleck tones for my bass pleasures. I'll put in a little dream theater for guitar. Radiohead, and Queen for the vocal effect of my music world. And of corse Ben Folds for his amazing lyrics.



Whether or not I have worked in a radio station doesn't make a difference on what I know about music. It's all about the passion and how the music makes you feel anyway. I just don't "feel" it with U2. I would think that a man who has been as involved in music as much as you have would know that. But anyway, you're entitled to your opinion. God bless!

 

[The Bad Templar]

'Nothing special', or 'not that unique' are not valid 'reasons' for criticising their music....

They're not even really that unique.

You don't call a band who has been performing with the same line-up, non-stop for the last 25 years 'not unique'?

They recite unnecessary spanish, and their lyrics could be better.

I mean, this is hardly worth responding to.

Nothing special about the guitar or bass. Didn't really pay any attention to the drums.

The Edge is a pioneer on the guitar and broke new ground in the post-punk era. He experimented with harmonics and digital delay in the early years producing the 'Joshua Tree' album... universally considered to be a work of brilliance. He stretched his reputation even further with the unique variety of guitar sounds he produced on the 'Achtung Baby' album.

That fact that you weren't impressed by the bass and drums is probably due to the success of the rhythm section. The fact is...the bass and drums in U2 must be 'no nonsense' and solid because it is necessary to support The Edge's style of guitaring...remember that they are a three piece.

The fact that U2 has specialised in minimalism by often producing sparse sound-scapes and not virtuoso music is a reason why they are unique in the music world and deserving of the accolades they have received.

Nothing special about the lead singer's voice.

No, Bono's voice is just considered to be one of the greatest voices in popular music over the last quarter century.

Nothing special about the lyrics.

Which ones? Examples please. Are they cliched? Are they derivative? What?

 

[The Bad Templar]

But anyway, you're entitled to your opinion. God bless!

I completed my previous rant before I read your conciliatory offering.

In the spirit of U2...Peace dude .

 

[iamunderstood]

It's quite amusing that you consider 'nothing special', or 'not that unique' as 'reasons' for criticising their music....

Why is it amusing? I like original music, with "something special" about it. What I heard from U2 sounded like everything else in the pop music world.

You don't call a band who has been performing with the same line-up, non-stop for the last 25 years 'not unique'?

Sorry, let me rephrase that. Their music isn't that unique.

I mean, this is so purile it's hardly worth responding to.

Then why did you quote it?

your ignorance of music is clearly exposed here.

I know a lot more about music than you think. Read the post above yours.

No, Bono's voice is just considered to be one of the greatest voices in popular music over the last quarter century..

"People" consider Brittany Spears to have a good voice too. In fact, she was voted as one of the top 50 singers of the world on VH1. And I think that you and I can both agree that she is awful. Just because people like to say that someone is a good singer, doesn't make them one. Listen to some of the high acclaimed local bands in the St. Louis scene who are considered to have a good singer by music magazines all over the area.

Which ones? Examples please. Are they cliched? Are they derivative? What?

Here is an example. "Vertigo"



"WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo!"



"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah,

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah."

 

[The Bad Templar]

Have you noticed that the only posts espousing the "insignifance", "unoriginality", and "predictability" of U2's music are coming from those who are 25-and-under?

I know what you mean.

I was talking to a 15-year-old kid yesterday who heard my cousin's punk band (Ramones, Misfits, Sex Pistols) play at his school...he was telling me he had no idea such great music existed.

He also told me he's been raiding his father's record collection and is starting to listen to AC/DC and Pink Floyd.

I know some kids listen to alternative music but so many of them think vomitous noise like hip hop, rap and the garbage that gets labelled as R&B and rock these days...is all there is.

 

[iamunderstood]

I completed my previous rant before I read your conciliatory offering.

In the spirit of U2...Peace dude .

Same here. Nothing against you personally, I just (shamelessly) love to argue with people about stupid stuff. It kinda made me mad that you said I was ignorant about music, and that's pretty much the only reason it kept going as long as it did. I understand that you got fired up though. I would feel the same way if someone said that Radiohead was "generic", or "overratted." Take care, bro.

 

[iamunderstood]

I know what you mean.

I was talking to a 15-year-old kid yesterday who heard my cousin's punk band (Ramones, Misfits, Sex Pistols) play at his school...he was telling me he had no idea such great music existed.

He also told me he's been raiding his father's record collection and is starting to listen to AC/DC and Pink Floyd.

I know some kids listen to alternative music but so many of them think vomitous noise like hip hop, rap and the garbage that gets labelled as R&B and rock these days...is all there is.

Sad but true. I can't stand some of the music that is out these days.

 

[The Bad Templar]

Why is it amusing? I like original music, with "something special" about it. What I heard from U2 sounded like everything else in the pop music world.

You don't provide reasons, just subjective, reactive and dismissive statements.

Sorry, let me rephrase that. Their music isn't that unique.

Examples...you're just coming out with subjective gut reactions. Read my statement about their music above.

Then why did you quote it?

Because I'd actually written something quite insulting...which I censored seeing you were conciliatory.

"People" consider Brittany Spears to have a good voice too. In fact, she was voted as one of the top 50 singers of the world on VH1. And I think that you and I can both agree that she is awful. Just because people like to say that someone is a good singer, doesn't make them one. Listen to some of the high acclaimed local bands in the St. Louis scene who are considered to have a good singer by music magazines all over the area.

This is a far too subjective arguement to have started in the first place...singing is a form of artistic expression...it's not a popularity contest.

Here is an example. "Vertigo"



"WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo! WoooAoo!"



"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah,

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah."

Again, you seem to think you can credibly critique the 25-year career of a band on their latest single.

This is where your school band credentials come to the fore.

The voice is also an instrument... therefore it can make sounds and use words without the need for literal meaning.

Bono can sing 'Woah Ho Ho Ho' at the end of 'Pride' as a vocal expression of the joy and respect he feels towards the life of the Reverend Martin Luther King.

Clare Torrie improvising in Pink Floyd's 'The Great Gig in the Sky' can express feelings of death and dying without uttering a single 'word'.

The Beatles can sing 'yeah, yeah, yeah' in 'She Love You' to express the joy of first love.

Mick Jagger can sing 'hey, hey, hey, hey' in 'Satisfaction' as an expression of sexual frustration.

 

[CopticGirl]

Easy chance for blessings for U2 fans!

http://www.christianforums.com/t1596577-want-300-blessings.html

 

[iamunderstood]

Good points, I give up. I still don't like them though.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

I'm going to see U2 tomorrow night.

Hells yes.

 

[The Bad Templar]

Good points, I give up. I still don't like them though.

It would be mind-numbingly boring if we all liked the same music.

My favourite Ben Folds' song is "One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces'...BTW.

 

[Katrien]

I'm going to see U2 tomorrow night.

Hells yes.

Lucky you, hehe. Have fun!

On a random note, Running To Stand Still = brilliance. Just recently rediscovered my love for it.

 

[iamunderstood]

It would be mind-numbingly boring if we all liked the same music.

My favourite Ben Folds' song is "One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces'...BTW.

I agree. To tell you the truth, I actually kinda like "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Don't tell anybody.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

Lucky you, hehe. Have fun!

On a random note, Running To Stand Still = brilliance. Just recently rediscovered my love for it.

The show was........amazing. They played for 2 1/2 hours, and played ALMOST everything I wanted to hear, even though I knew ahead of time much of what their setlist included. But it was an amazing show.

 

[foo-oswald]

I agree. To tell you the truth, I actually kinda like "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Don't tell anybody.

Well, I'll confess something, too. Privately, of course. I like Sunday Bloody Sunday, too, only now I like the cover by Pillar better than the original...

 

[Neenie]

I like Sunday Bloody Sunday, too, only now I like the cover by Pillar better than the original...

Blasphemy....

But I must confess I haven't heard the cover by Pillar yet