U2 worth listening to?

[blackwasp]

Not trying to pick a fight here, just curious as to why people go crazy for U2 (especially at christianforums) I actually don't know anyone who listens to U2. In my view, they came around after rock hit one of its peaks and wrote a lot of pop-music over the years. Are they talented? Perhaps. (Edge has some interesting guitar approaches) But does that amount to anything? Yngwie might be the best guitarist alive, but he's a bore to listen to cause he can't write a good song. Inspirational? Perhaps. Then again, so is Jump5 to some. Did they make a large impact on rock music that followed them. Hardly. I can't think of a good band that has U2 as a main influence. In addition, Quiet Riot was probably more impressionable than U2 (lol). Maybe U2's popularity is more international and that is why they are put on a pedastal? I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. I could probably name 100 bands off the top of my head who are more creative, talented, and better songwriters than U2. Why buy a U2 cd?

 

[brettnolan]

Not trying to pick a fight?

I'm just glad axver doesn't live on this continent.

I fairly new here, but I know better than posting something like that.

 

[onikirimaru777]

*waits patiently for axver's response*

 

[brettnolan]

*waits patiently for axver's response*

I get the feeling you use that quite a bit

 

[onikirimaru777]

nah, i know axver is the resident U2 freak (i mean that with all do respect) so...it'll be interesting to hear his opinions on this

 

[nadroj1985]

Not trying to pick a fight here, just curious as to why people go crazy for U2 (especially at christianforums) I actually don't know anyone who listens to U2. In my view, they came around after rock hit one of its peaks and wrote a lot of pop-music over the years. Are they talented? Perhaps. (Edge has some interesting guitar approaches) But does that amount to anything? Yngwie might be the best guitarist alive, but he's a bore to listen to cause he can't write a good song. Inspirational? Perhaps. Then again, so is Jump5 to some. Did they make a large impact on rock music that followed them. Hardly. I can't think of a good band that has U2 as a main influence. In addition, Quiet Riot was probably more impressionable than U2 (lol). Maybe U2's popularity is more international and that is why they are put on a pedastal? I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. I could probably name 100 bands off the top of my head who are more creative, talented, and better songwriters than U2. Why buy a U2 cd?

The answer to your last question is "because I enjoy listening to them." Not saying that I do personally, but that is enough reason to like them. On the rest of your post, overall I agree with you. They are a fairly good band, but I don't see anything particularly special about them.

 

[Loki]

I enjoy listening to U2. I like their social/political/religious themes; it takes guts to do that in pop culture. And I agree with most their social/political/religious ideas. It's just good listening.

 

[blackwasp]

I enjoy listening to U2. I like their social/political/religious themes; it takes guts to do that in pop culture. And I agree with most their social/political/religious ideas. It's just good listening.

I just don't see U2 saying anything with their social/political/religious themes that would ruffle any feathers. It seems like all that they promote/represent is pretty popular on the global market. I attribute this to their success moreso than their music.

 

[indigo tree]

You ask me what special about U2. I ask you, do you have an hour to spare?
I will leave Andre (Axver) to answer that question, which I'm sure he will do beautifully.

Hardly anyone I know istens to them either. In fact, from what I have observed, most young people from ages 13-18 don't listen to them. Lets face it, we get the same repettive music over, and over again, and we accept it, and listen too it. Most of my peers at school listen to rehashes of punk, rap and pop. Its not there fault that they listen to the same thing over and over again, because thats whats on MTV and thats whats on the radio. However, thye are very closeminded when it comes to music, and uncomfortablewith listening to far different stuff. For example, in my art class, people are allowed to bring music from how and play it. If I had brought October (U2's third album released)a far cry from the usual punk that they play, looks of disgust would come upon their faces and they would then proceed to hit the "stop" button. So, that partly answers why many of your friends do not listen to them, and why many of my friends do not listen to them. So, lots of people enjoy them , just not many of the very younger people.

I'm sure lots of bands have been influnced by U2. Just because you do not hear bands that sound like them, it doesnt mean they werent inspirational or influential in that bands music. I believe Coldplay is a band that was heavily influnced by them, as well as Scott Stapp from Creed etc.

 

[Loki]

Because NI politics have never been controversial....

 

[blackwasp]

Lets face it, we get the same repettive music over, and over again, and we accept it, and listen too it. Most of my peers at school listen to rehashes of punk, rap and pop. Its not there fault that they listen to the same thing over and over again, because thats whats on MTV and thats whats on the radio. However, thye are very closeminded when it comes to music, and uncomfortablewith listening to far different stuff. For example, in my art class, people are allowed to bring music from how and play it. If I had brought October (U2's third album released)a far cry from the usual punk that they play, looks of disgust would come upon their faces and they would then proceed to hit the "stop" button. So, that partly answers why many of your friends do not listen to them, and why many of my friends do not listen to them. So, lots of people enjoy them , just not many of the very younger people.

I'm sure lots of bands have been influnced by U2. Just because you do not hear bands that sound like them, it doesnt mean they werent inspirational or influential in that bands music. I believe Coldplay is a band that was heavily influnced by them, as well as Scott Stapp from Creed etc.

I feel your pain. Punk is a half-step beneath U2. My friends, however, have very discriminate tastes (which is a compliment). A handful of mediocre bands is hardly credit to their name. Listening to Stapp's voice, it seems that Mr. Vedder may have had a bigger influence on him than Bono.

 

[nadroj1985]

Hardly anyone I know istens to them either. In fact, from what I have observed, most young people from ages 13-18 don't listen to them. Lets face it, we get the same repettive music over, and over again, and we accept it, and listen too it. Most of my peers at school listen to rehashes of punk, rap and pop. Its not there fault that they listen to the same thing over and over again, because thats whats on MTV and thats whats on the radio. However, thye are very closeminded when it comes to music, and uncomfortablewith listening to far different stuff. For example, in my art class, people are allowed to bring music from how and play it. If I had brought October (U2's third album released)a far cry from the usual punk that they play, looks of disgust would come upon their faces and they would then proceed to hit the "stop" button.
QUOTE]

I will grant you that I haven't listened to October, but I have heard Joshua Tree and I've heard a lot of U2 fans call that their favorite, and JT is certainly not that far removed from pop/rock music. U2 is and has been an extremely popular band because (and this is not necessarily an insult) they haven't really pushed the envelope all that much musically. The Edge's guitar playing is very interesting, and that's fine, but the overall music is rooted pretty strongly in the conventional rock song format. If you like U2, that's perfectly fine, but don't make them out to be this radical, utterly different band that they really are not.

 

[indigo tree]

"JT is certainly not that far removed from pop/rock music"

No JT is not. But it has enough myusical gems in it to warrant itself as original. Also, JT was very different from what muscians were putting out at the time it was released. Yes U2 is a rock band. Not radically different no, as thier roots will always be rock. But original? Yes.

 

[Axver]

I actually don't know anyone who listens to U2.

Curious, seeing they're the third-best selling artist of all time, behind The Beatles and Elvis. Basically everyone I know has The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby or both, even if they're not U2 fans. For the record, when it was released, JT pushed things, and Achtung Baby was so different and revolutionary it's not funny. Some of Edge's guitarwork and his ability with effects and minimalism has made massive impacts and changes to guitar music, and U2 has defined the live show. They've set the standard for live performances: in 1979, Bono was described as "vocals/arms/energy" and he's still that today. U2 has experimented with just about every style out there - dance (Discotheque), something akin to rap, just good (Numb), The Electric Co. was defined as metal in its day, and they've shown the world what intelligent, Christian, thoughtful, political rock is.

By the way, for the record, most U2 fans have Achtung Baby as their favourite, not The Joshua Tree. My personal favourite is Under A Blood Red Sky, or if I must pick a studio album, Boy or The Unforgettable Fire.

Inspirational? Perhaps.

Perhaps? PERHAPS? The answer's 'TOO BLOODY RIGHT!' U2's live shows have been described as "emotional, moving, a spiritual event, a life-changing two hours", and the amount of people I know who have been moved towards change by U2 is not funny. There are many charities out there and many African children alive today because of the earnest deeds of U2 fans inspired by their band and particularly their frontman. I'm yet to see another band with a fan base as dedicated as U2's, and I'm proud to say I'm one of the U2 fans out there.

Did they make a large impact on rock music that followed them. Hardly. I can't think of a good band that has U2 as a main influence.

Yeah, and Coldplay and Radiohead are nobodies, huh? It's no secret the frontman of Radiohead - I've just forgotten his name - is a massive U2 fan. At one concert, some reporters were trying to interview him during One and they just couldn't, he was too into the song, and when they asked if he liked it, he said he felt it was one of the best or something like that. Speaking of One, it's often been voted the best song ever made, so I think that means U2 would've made an impact.

Maybe U2's popularity is more international and that is why they are put on a pedastal?

Most successful international act, no less. Their popularity is truly worldwide - there are gigantic fan bases in countries as far afield as The Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, and Chile. Enough fans for a massive stadium concert to sell out in minutes. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina actually REQUESTED U2 to play their city, a promise U2 fulfilled on 23 September 1997 when they played to a completely sold-out stadium. Also, the Popmart tour of 1997-98 was the fourth highest grossing tour in world history, behind the three most recent Rolling Stones tours.

I could probably name 100 bands off the top of my head who are more creative, talented, and better songwriters than U2.

Firstly, The Edge is the best minimalist to ever pick up a guitar, hands down. Secondly, Bono is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and Edge is pretty good too. Proof? I recommend such genius as One Tree Hill, So Cruel (which some think is Edge's work), Acrobat, The Wanderer, and Wake Up Dead Man. And while Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Junior (bass and drums respectively) aren't the best at their instruments individually, they combine for an extremely solid rhythm section to support Bono and Edge.

Also, some information about each member;

Bono: self-taught vocalist.
The Edge: can play electric, acoustic, bass, and slide guitar, keyboard, and flute, sing lead and backing vocals, and write quality lyrics all at a world-class standard, and all by the age of 22. If that's not a brilliant musician, I don't know what is.
Adam Clayton: self-taught bassist.
Larry Mullen Junior: described as the best drummer to come from Ireland.

Why buy a U2 cd?

Better question: why buy a U2 CD when you can get a U2 live show? U2's studio stuff is nothing compared to what they can do live. I know U2 fans who only listen to live stuff - I'm one of them. A studio restricts them - they need an audience and the space of a stage to really reach out and hit their full potential. Bono's such an energetic, exuberant frontman, and the atmosphere of a studio is just too calm and restrictive for him.

I just don't see U2 saying anything with their social/political/religious themes that would ruffle any feathers. It seems like all that they promote/represent is pretty popular on the global market.

Talk about misinformed. Wouldn't ruffle any feathers? Alright, so how can you explain the many death threats U2 - particularly Bono - have received over the years? How can you explain one concert where, during Pride, Bono was so afraid that a threat by white-supremacists to shoot him was going to be carried out that he kneeled down and Adam Clayton stood above him to protect him? How can you explain the fact that Sunday Bloody Sunday was so controversial that live, Bono would introduce it with the line "This is not a rebel song, this song is Sunday Bloody Sunday" to avoid ANY association with the rebel cause? I could go on for hours. Their messages of morality and values, of faith and enduring through tough times, of peace and an end to hate, and of denunciation of warfare and discord have ruffled many a-feather and inspired many.

They don't promote or represent much that's popular on the global market. They're Christian and Bono doesn't hide it in his lyrics - yeah, that's such a good way to get popular. Bono's dedicated to bringing attention to the AIDS crisis in Africa and has probably done more for awareness than anyone else out there. The ZooTV and Popmart tours and much of the Zooropa album were biting criticisms of commercialism, globalisation, and materialism - indeed, someone once described Popmart as "insulting the concertgoer for buying a ticket in the first place." They've used irony and sarcasm to send up television. They promote an honest, real, Christian morality many artists shy away from.

U2's awesome. To quote a signature of one poster on a U2 MB: "One band - U2 - no argument." I could go on for hours and hours ... but I have homework to do. With U2's music in the background, of course.

 

[blackwasp]

Axver, I respect your dedication to the band, but most of what you had to say was strongly opinionated. I don't have time to address everything, but I will try to hit a few points.

So U2 has influenced Radiohead? The only good song of theirs is Creep and that doesn't sound like U2 at all.

The Edge is the best minimalist to ever pick up a guitar??? Is that a compliment? In addition, there is nothing special about Bono. Decent voice, but nothing spectacular and nothing new.

They may be the third best selling band of all time, but does that mean they are that great? I have a hard time believing that record sells equal a band's songwriting abilities, or else Alice in Chains would be in the top three instead of U2.

Inspiration all depends on the audience. Is Clay Aiken not inspirational to all of his "Claymates"?

Experimenting with established styles doesn't equate to creativity. As a matter of fact, changing your style (including rap, dance. etc., with rock) seems like either the ultimate sell-out move or indecision over your bands direction. When did U2 form? 1976? Rock had moved on by then, U2 had nothing new to add. A greatly successful band that took conventional rock and made it as marketable as can be.

 

[brettnolan]

Most of you aren't old enough to remember the early U2 unless you are a fan. But U2 was considered alternative in the early days. Only the weirdo's with green hair and art students listened to U2.

Joshua Tree may be more mainstream pop. A few years later came Rattle & Hum, a totally different direction with the signature U2 sound. U2 has tried different things with their music over their nearly 30 year career, they ARE, whether you like them or not, a rock & roll icon, and their music IS distinctive. You KNOW a U2 song when you hear it(with or without vocals), something that you CAN't say about (most) bands that hang around on the scene for 5-10 years or less.

 

[brettnolan]

Yes, record sales and a near 30 year run does mean that an artist is GREAT. Maybe YOU don't like them, but you have to respect their status as one of the greatest bands of all time.

I personally can't stand all but a handful of Aerosmith songs, but they are still a legendary band. Most of you have probably never even heard an Elvis Presley tune (not remixed) and if you have you probably weren't that impressed, but he is still the King of Rock & Roll. By the way, Elvis changed the world by "experimenting with established styles." (R&B, country, bluegrass, etc.)

 

[blackwasp]

Nah, I prefer Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

 

[christianactor]

im sorry blackwasp not everyone listens to or has the same opion of music as you do.. to me your post is completly pointless.. if you dont like U2 then dont listen to them.. why U2 gets to you so much is bassically beyond me.. if you dont like them then dont listen to there music. as for me they are the greatist live band of our time.. they are the greatest musicians of our time and those kinds of bands dont come around very offten.. my point being in all this is just chill out! its like me being upset at someone because they like the color yellor for their car! i dontlike yellow but i dont have to make it a priority to let the whole world know

 

[twosteppin]

I never saw what the big deal is with U2, i dont really like them..at all actually..... Cant believe I'm admiting this..I feel like im going to get Hate PM's now

*slowly backs away*