Controversial U2 thread-Ho ho.

Captain Darling

I read a quote from Julian Cope last night. He said that he'd love to kill Bono but couldnt because it would only make him a martyr. I'm fairly sure theres a political agenda going on there, i'm not interested in that, but it got me thinking about U2's relevance to the irish music world.

Do we actually need them anymore? Did we ever need them? What do they stand for? Their back catalogue speaks for itself, but i'm kinda puzzled about where they are going to go now. Will people still go to see them?????????

I wonder what do other people think about this???????

I feel kind of guilty having these awful thoughts about St Bono and his backing band...................................

PS my tongue is firmly in cheek.

Creature

I'm not sure what you mean by needing a band. What are you implying we need them, or have needed in the past for? As long as U2 have fans and people want to buy their music then yes they'll still be around doing their thing.

I think that if they release another good album then I'll listen to it, if not then I wont. Either way I'm not losing any sleep over them. I'll probably never go see them live but I'm sure many people will.

Captain Darling

I 'need' bands/music. If i didnt have them i'd probably be insane, or have a life probably.............................

Xavi6

I certainly don't need them, or indeed don't want them either but yes he would be made a martyr if he died. Maybe just cut out his voicebox or something. Either way their music is wank.

KnifeWRENCH

Xavi6 wrote: »

I certainly don't need them, or indeed don't want them either but yes he would be made a martyr if he died. Maybe just cut out his voicebox or something. Either way their music is wank.

You think "With Or Without You", "Desire" and "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" are wank??:eek:
I know there are a lot of Bono-haters out there. He annoys me at times when he gets preachy, but as a band I definetly think U2 are still relevant.
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was quite a good album. And while I'm not a big U2 fan by any means, I like quite a lot of their stuff.

Xavi6

square_igloo wrote: »

You think "With Or Without You", "Desire" and "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" are wank??:eek:

Not only wank but overplayed wank too. Seriously, they are average songs at best yet are treated as a benchmark for all Irish musicians. 'Desire' has one of the most irritating choruses of all time.

The only U2 song I like is 'New Year's Day'.

square_igloo wrote: »

I know there are a lot of Bono-haters out there. He annoys me at times when he gets preachy, but as a band I definetly think U2 are still relevant.
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was quite a good album. And while I'm not a big U2 fan by any means, I like quite a lot of their stuff.

Their recent stuff is a joke. Must I point to the 'Mole digging in a hole etc' bollox? Or 'Stuck In A Moment' which just plods along into nothing? Prior to that we had 'The Sweetest Thing' and before that there was 'Pop' which seems to be deemed ok cause when people said how shit it was they came up with the token 'experimental' excuse.

They stopped becoming relevant around 1991.

KnifeWRENCH

Xavi6 wrote: »

The only U2 song I like is 'New Year's Day'.

Heh! That's one of my least favourite U2 songs!:p

Xavi6 wrote:

Their recent stuff is a joke. Must I point to the 'Mole digging in a hole etc' bollox? Or 'Stuck In A Moment' which just plods along into nothing? Prior to that we had 'The Sweetest Thing' and before that there was 'Pop' which seems to be deemed ok cause when people said how shit it was they came up with the token 'experimental' excuse.

They stopped becoming relevant around 1991.

Ah Elevation was catchy, nothing wrong with silly lyrics now and again!!
I agree with you about "Stuck In A Moment.." and "The Sweetest Thing" though.

As for "Pop", there is one fantastic song on that album - "Gone" .
All my knowledge of U2 comes from my sister, who pretty much worships Bono:rolleyes:

randylonghorn

Like a lot of their older stuff, not really keen on most of the more modern stuff.

Yeah, they're a bit full of bs at times. In fairness, which of us could guarantee to totally keep our feet on the ground having had their success / money? I can think of a fair few people who lost it to a far greater extent.

Meh, let them sue people for return of their underwear if they want, no clothes off my back!

Bren_M.Records

Im surprised that your surprised that some Irish people think their music is ****.
I love the track Vertigo from a couple of year back, one of the catchiest guitar riffs Iv heard in a very long time.

Other than that though I gotta say their music never really did anything for me, at the time when people were "into U2" I was into bands like The Jam and The Specials etc. so I never really bonded with the band or their music even during the days that people considered it to be hip or relevent or whatever you want to call it.

square_igloo wrote: »

You think "With Or Without You", "Desire" and "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" are wank??:eek:
I know there are a lot of Bono-haters out there. He annoys me at times when he gets preachy, but as a band I definetly think U2 are still relevant.
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was quite a good album. And while I'm not a big U2 fan by any means, I like quite a lot of their stuff.

KnifeWRENCH

Bren_M.Records wrote: »

Im surprised that your surprised that some Irish people think their music is ****.

Ah I wouldn't say I'm surprised - every band has people who love them/hate them.
I just mentioned those 3 songs (and "Gone") because I think they're absolutely brilliant songs!
And I can honestly say I've never met anyone who doesn't like "With Or Without You"...though I suspect Xavi6 doesn't have it on his iPod/Zen!!:)

Xavi6

square_igloo wrote: »

Ah I wouldn't say I'm surprised - every band has people who love them/hate them.
I just mentioned those 3 songs (and "Gone") because I think they're absolutely brilliant songs!
And I can honestly say I've never met anyone who doesn't like "With Or Without You"...though I suspect Xavi6 doesn't have it on his iPod/Zen!!:)

You are indeed correct my friend. I've had a few people over here look at my iPod and go "No U2?!?!?!OMFG". Yes folks, it's cause they're shite. When you're abroad everyone expects you to be a fan if you're Irish.

MikeHoncho

Im with Xavi6 on this one and I know alot of people who feel the same. Pure ****e.

Earthhorse

I think we should talk about Julian Cope and his relevance to, well, anything really.

Knightfall

Why should U2 be more relevant than any other band? I love U2 and I love all/most of their work. However, they do not dominate my consciousness and I don't make life decisions based on "what Bono would do?" As long as they produce good music they will be relevant. They are the Manchester United of the music world. People think its cool to hate them, but they have more lovers than haters!

Captain Darling

Oh my good, f**king god.

I just knew Man Utd would have to be brought into this. I've always thought that U2 fans were exactly like Man Utd fans, and indeed they are often a combination of both.

They are so bloody insecure that at the slightest bot of criticism they have to batton down the hatches and start shrieking hysterically from the roof tops that its cool for people to hate them.

I dont think its cool to hate them, i just dont like their music, political/socio economic meanderings and general smugness.

There's a Southpark episode that comopares Bono to the largest turd every produced by man, i dunno if thats too far off the mark.

Knightfall

You, of course, are entitled to your opinion with regard to U2, any of the members of the band, their music and their political leanings. As are the people who like their music. What makes it laughable is that people like you who don't like U2 stupidly believe that all people who like their music also agree with their politics etc.

Wake up man, you're the exact same as the people you're critizing to the other extreme.

PS: I don't support Man Utd., just using them as an example. An example: "A portrayal of something to prove a point"

Attractive Nun

I support Man Utd.

I strongly dislike the music of U2, though I feel there is some merit in their earlier work. Still not my thing, but there you go.

Captain Darling

I may be mistaken but at no point, stupidly or otherwise, did i say that U2's fans agree with their politics etc. I expressed my own personal opinion as to why i dont like them.
You criticise me for stereotyping U2 fans, but at the same time make your own generalisations!

I also must digress, i find the whole 'people like you' comment discriminatory. How dare you denigrate my proud and worthy stance.

I sir, shall not be moved!

Knightfall

Ah sure tis grand, I feel the same way about Radiohead!

Captain Darling

What?!! You hate Radiohead!!! How dare you on the double. I have to get back up on my high horse!!!!!

Only having a laugh mate, nice one, they are kinda suckey too*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: *in my personal opinion.

Knightfall

Is now a bad time to bring up my membership of the U2 fan club?:D

Xavi6

Knightfall wrote: »

Is now a bad time to bring up my membership of the U2 fan club?:D

Some things are best kept to yourself. More lining for Bono's back pocket.

Captain Darling

Knightfall wrote: »

Is now a bad time to bring up my membership of the U2 fan club?:D

If you say nothing about that, i wont mention my subscription to Hairy German Ladies Monthly. The shame is nearly the same!!

Knightfall

Don't knock either till you've tried it!

ZakAttak

If you listen to any U2 album you'll find 3/4 songs that are good and the rest is pure filler.
They had their moments but these days don't produce much decent stuff.

Are they still relevant?
Henry Rollins made the point that U2 have the worst rythym section in the world. This is the case with most indie bands who don't pay much attention to the drums n' bass and instead have overly-emotional vocals coupled with twangy/high-pitched guitars in the background, which is exactly what U2 have been at since the early 80's. Their influence is very evident and commonplace, unfortunately.

Royale with Cheese

Gotta agree. The u2 rhythm section is awful, Adam Clayton in particular, it's probably why I never got in to them. I hate music which places no importance on musicianship and simply goes for a nice catchy melody.

The Edge gets a lot of praise as a guitarist (from some quarters), but I'd be firmly in the camp that he's massively overrated. Check out Bill Bailey's impression of him for what I'm talking about. Would love to put him in a solo-off against Slash, Clapton, **** even half the guitarists you see on the Dublin unsigned circuit.

They have good songs but I've just never got in to them. It's the type of music that appeals to the broadest audience, which is why they're so popular. I don't hate them, they just never did it for me.

JLemmon

Just a small note on the Julian Cope angle,
There is alot of bad feeling about U2 from those Liverpool bands from the early 80's, like Teardrop Explodes, The Zoo Records crowd bill Drummond etc.. and most particularly Echo and the Bunnymen, see any Ian McCulloch interview.
I don't know the reason but I can guess it was part creative part jealousy, U2 were trumpeted by all in the early 80's and these bands felt they were producing better product and less preachy then U2.
Not much of this from the Manchester bands they just got on with it. Although Liverpool had it's fair share of mouthy guys to cover the whole uk at the time.
Back to Topic, U2 were very important to Ireland at the time late 70's to early 90's, they projected an Image of Ireland worldwide that up till then had not existed, and projected on Ireland an image of the world that people here could reach within there grasp, they can be credited as one of the many architects of modern ireland. If you were around in these times you will know what I mean, having said that they were not liked by all in Ireland either but that's another story.

Captain Darling

A valid point about Cope, i thought he was just being mouthy.

I suppose historically U2 are an important part of Irish culture, they gave us an international identity through the sludge that was the 80's.

What they have to offer musically now remains to be seen. They'll still sell out Croker whenever they feel like, for the foreseeable future.

Just on the whole musicianship vs melody thing as mentioned earlier, i much prefer a song with a good melody then the prolonged noodling of a guitarist. I play myself and i had to laugh a Bill Baileys imitation of the Edge also, he's very overrated and i think Bailey hit the spot exactly.

As for U2's rhythm section... i'd take Mani and Reni any day over Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.

ZakAttak

Back to Topic, U2 were very important to Ireland at the time late 70's to early 90's, they projected an Image of Ireland worldwide that up till then had not existed, and projected on Ireland an image of the world that people here could reach within there grasp, they can be credited as one of the many architects of modern ireland. If you were around in these times you will know what I mean, having said that they were not liked by all in Ireland either but that's another story.[/quote]

They projected an image alright- an annoying preachy/up-your-own-hole image. 'Architects of modern ireland', oh yeah I forgot- sure wasn't it Bono who lowered the corporate tax rate and attracted investment here?.
I for one was ashamed to see that such bad music was coming from this country- especially when there were other bands who were much better.

Yes, Bono is a great businessman- so was Charley Haughey, a man who Bono has praised (simply because Haughey enacted legislation that gave them a tax break).

I hate U2 so much- and yet, as I said in my earlier post they do have their moments...

Captain Darling

ZakAttak wrote: »

They projected an image alright- an annoying preachy/up-your-own-hole image.

Ouch.

Kold

I know far more people that dislike U2 than like them. I myself have never sat through The Joshua Tree but I've heard enough of their music to say I don't particularly care to. Elevation wrecks my f*cking skull.

Death or Glory

Bono's a ****

Their music is ****e

JLemmon

ZakAttak wrote: »

Back to Topic, U2 were very important to Ireland at the time late 70's to early 90's, they projected an Image of Ireland worldwide that up till then had not existed, and projected on Ireland an image of the world that people here could reach within there grasp, they can be credited as one of the many architects of modern ireland. If you were around in these times you will know what I mean, having said that they were not liked by all in Ireland either but that's another story.

They projected an image alright- an annoying preachy/up-your-own-hole image. 'Architects of modern ireland', oh yeah I forgot- sure wasn't it Bono who lowered the corporate tax rate and attracted investment here?.
I for one was ashamed to see that such bad music was coming from this country- especially when there were other bands who were much better.

Yes, Bono is a great businessman- so was Charley Haughey, a man who Bono has praised (simply because Haughey enacted legislation that gave them a tax break).

I hate U2 so much- and yet, as I said in my earlier post they do have their moments...[/QUOTE]

But that's my whole point, they are one of the architects of modern Ireland, the Ireland that we are told about that doesn't exist only maybe for a few heads in Dublin 4, the celtic tiger ireland, berties Imaginary Ireland where we all have loads of money and land and love "your a star", decking, ryan tubridy, ray darcy and brendan "blockhead" o'connor , an Ireland where we all mourned over the cocaine death of our princess diana. In the future we will all go on pilgrimages to all the spots in dublin that the holy trinity of Guggi, Friday and Bono visited on regular occasions as they appeared to the poor people of Ireland and bestowed unto us living beyond our means we may even get another charity concert (self aid II) to help us get a dig out if it all goes wrong. Someone call Sir Bob, Ireland needs a dig out.

peteballagh

The Joshua Tree is an awesome piece of art, one of the greatest rock albums ever written. There's not one weak song on the whole thing.

The Edge is a great guitarist, maybe not in the league of Slash or Page, but he has a unique and distinct style that cannot be over looked.

The rythm section, Clayton's pretty good - he keeps it going, and he has his moments like in New Year's Day. Larry is a great drummer - Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky anyone?

As for Bono, love him or loathe him, you can't ignore him.

U2 have proved consistently over the last 30 years that they are one of the greatest bands of all time, you can't sell 170 million albums of "****". And yes, they are still as relevant today as they ever were. Although I don't think they're as good a band as they were in the 80's, they're still a darn good band.

Death or Glory

Actually, now that I think about it, the album they released in 2000 was ****ing brillaint..... can't remember the name of it but the tunes were deadly

Glassheart

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

The Edge gets a lot of praise as a guitarist (from some quarters), but I'd be firmly in the camp that he's massively overrated. Check out Bill Bailey's impression of him for what I'm talking about. Would love to put him in a solo-off against Slash, Clapton, **** even half the guitarists you see on the Dublin unsigned circuit.

How exactly is The Edge overrated? Or underrated? I always thought he was overlooked...

Why would you compare him with two of the most unoriginal and generic guitar players of all time? It completely misses the point.

DerekD Goldfish

Death or Glory wrote: »

Actually, now that I think about it, the album they released in 2000 was ****ing brillaint..... can't remember the name of it but the tunes were deadly

All that you cant leave behind
that suffered majorly from what I have called "U2
album track listing syndrome" due to thier tendancey to do this
where the singles are on the first half of the album and the
2nd side drifts into mediocrity
ATYCLB had the tracks "Peace on Earth" and "New York"
2 of the blandest peices of rubbish ive ever heard

ZakAttak

The rythm section, Clayton's pretty good - he keeps it going, and he has his moments like in New Year's Day. Larry is a great drummer - Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky anyone?

==> Ah, c'mon now- everyone likes a joke but this goes beyond that; it actually sounds as though you believe this. 'Sunday bloody sunday' has Larry doing a slow beat on a snare drum -AMAZING!!!

As for Bono, love him or loathe him, you can't ignore him.

==>Yes you can, you can ignore him and listen to better music/singers. Theres no reason why anyone would be inspired by him.

U2 have proved consistently over the last 30 years that they are one of the greatest bands of all time, you can't sell 170 million albums of "****".

==> Tell that to the spice girls.

And yes, they are still as relevant today as they ever were. Although I don't think they're as good a band as they were in the 80's, they're still a darn good band.[/quote]

==>Well, I guess you're right- wether we like it or not sh1t music will always be relevant in one form or another. If Bono can build a career on it, whats to stop Ronan Keating?

Xavi6

Death or Glory wrote: »

Actually, now that I think about it, the album they released in 2000 was ****ing brillaint..... can't remember the name of it but the tunes were deadly

Ah yes the album that featured the inspirational lyrics about a mole digging in a hole. Genius.

peteballagh

@ Zakattak

The spice girls made 3 albums which sold about 55 million copies. Big difference. You can't comment about the edge i notice - and who are you going to say is a better singer than bono? Oh right, vic beckham, yeah, funny

peteballagh

Death or Glory wrote: »

Actually, now that I think about it, the album they released in 2000 was ****ing brillaint..... can't remember the name of it but the tunes were deadly

Yeah, ATYCLB was a smashing album, the only low point being "Elevation"

Walk On is a serious tune

peteballagh

Ha ha no answer

nyarlothothep

never really got into them, I guess their experimental phase is where I probably would like them most, but anything aside I'm not pushed about. Strongly disliked Vertigo when it came out, its lyrically devoid and the riff is uninspired.

Death or Glory

peteballagh wrote: »

Yeah, ATYCLB was a smashing album, the only low point being "Elevation"

Walk On is a serious tune

That's the one! cracking tune

Xavi6

peteballagh wrote: »

The Edge is a great guitarist, maybe not in the league of Slash or Page, but he has a unique and distinct style that cannot be over looked.

peteballagh wrote: »

Ha ha no answer

Right here's the answer you seem to crave so much.

While the Edge is a decent guitarist, he uses a horrible amount of effects to sugar coat his average and easy/boring riffs and solos. Simple really.

ZakAttak

peteballagh wrote: »

@ Zakattak

The spice girls made 3 albums which sold about 55 million copies. Big difference.
==>So if the spice girls had made as many albums as U2 they would have sold more- thats what you're saying.

You can't comment about the edge i notice
==>I can comment about the edge, he's sh1t- they're you go, but loads of people have made this point already, I didn't think it was worth repeating. The edge has been doing the same stupid 2-note high pitched guitar solo for the past 20 years, and he hasn't gotten any better.

- and who are you going to say is a better singer than bono? Oh right, vic beckham, yeah, funny

==>Thats like asking 'which tastes better; Bon jovi's ball-sweat or elton john's arse-crack?' both of these these are horrid revolting creations, much like bono's voice.

Probably what i hate most about bono is the fact he's such a f**kin drama queen, and no matter how hard U2 try they have no sense of humour.

ZakAttak

peteballagh wrote: »

Ha ha no answer

I can only answer you if I'm online.

Blackpitts

We live in a world where Pete Doherty and Amy winehouse are cool and Bono is a prick...

I don't wonder any more why a lot of things are going to the dogs then...

JimiTime

^^ LOL:D good call. U2 are one of those bands that never really done it for me. I like quite a few of their songs, but can't listen to them for long. I wouldn't get personal on them though. Bono, is preachy, but so what, at least he's doing something positive. I think U2 have been great for Ireland. They put them on the worldwide musical map. I say leave them alone. They write their own stuff, they worked hard to get where they are (no x-factor crap) and they've endured the test of time. If u don't like them, don't buy their records, but don't get snobby about it. I also admire the fact that they never persued the cliche 'Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll', yet became the biggest band on the planet. I certainly don't begrudge them their sucess! Now Westlife, well, Don't get me started

peteballagh

Xavi6 wrote: »

Right here's the answer you seem to crave so much.

While the Edge is a decent guitarist, he uses a horrible amount of effects to sugar coat his average and easy/boring riffs and solos. Simple really.

It'll hurt for you to watch this, but check around the twominute mark. Possibly Edge's greatest ever piece of guitar playing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uTwspjawLI

happydayz182

JimiTime wrote: »

^^ LOL:D good call. U2 are one of those bands that never really done it for me. I like quite a few of their songs, but can't listen to them for long. I wouldn't get personal on them though. Bono, is preachy, but so what, at least he's doing something positive. I think U2 have been great for Ireland. They put them on the worldwide musical map. I say leave them alone. They write their own stuff, they worked hard to get where they are (no x-factor crap) and they've endured the test of time. If u don't like them, don't buy their records, but don't get snobby about it. I also admire the fact that they never persued the cliche 'Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll', yet became the biggest band on the planet. I certainly don't begrudge them their sucess! Now Westlife, well, Don't get me started

A f*****g MEN!!