Why all the U2 hate???

karaokeman

Sure Bono needs to be told he's not a politician or a big cool guy, but no bands are perfect.

Other than that, U2 are a fantastic band. They've written amazing songs, The Edge is one hell of a skilled guitarist and they have era-defining albums under their belts (The Joshua Tree).

I just think its pure jealousy. Jealousy on part of anyone who would love to be in a band that sold 170 million records worldwide.

Penfailed

I don't hate them. I don't really like them either. I'm ambivalent to them.

Auvers

not a major fan of U2 or anything but I appreciate their music even if Bono is extremely annoying

I think it down to good auld Irish begrudgery*


*A peculiar disease of the Irish which seemingly renders them unable to to feel good about the success of their fellows.

Two big reasons spring to mind very quickly, and I suppose they're two among many:

-Most people who still follow rock and pop music are far too young to remember the last time U2 wrote and recorded a quality body of work. The vast majority of their output since the early '90s has been a lazy churn of paint-by-numbers U2-lite, with Bono's increasingly lame lyrics described by one critic as a "meaningless word salad".

-By their shameless hypocrisy, they are causing great damage to those who live in poverty, and to those who campaign to eradicate poverty - the very people U2 claim to champion. It is deeply cynical to monopolise the airwaves in regular, righteous displays of moral indignation, and then when the cameras are turned off do one's best to pay as little tax as possible, and amass as much wealth as their bank accounts can hold.

Few would argue that they should take a vow of poverty, but they should at least pay their tax, sell their shares in dodgy companies, stop talking about climate change when they stage the most environmentally-damaging tour of all time, and agree not to pal up with war criminals ever again. They talk like a charity and a band, but act like a business and a particularly snide religion. This inflicts harm on those who deserve better, and is immoral.

It's difficult to understand how a band can still talk with reverence for the values of Joe Strummer while the business pages report the workings of billion-dollar "investment vehicle" Elevation Partners, or of solidarity with the people of Tibet and Burma while the papers report on the aquisition of another mansion. But that's hypocrites for you.

d22ontour

karaokeman wrote: »

I just think its pure jealousy. Jealousy on part of anyone who would love to be in a band that sold 170 million records worldwide.

Maybe just maybe, most people who don't like them think their music is rubbish ???

Dyr

A) They claimed to be from ballymun to earn themselves some sort of working class kudos

Bono

C) They've always been media whores, everything is a stunt for PR. They've never had a vision or purpose like the really great bands, it's always a pose.

D)Bono

E) they really aren't much cop musically, they just try to ride the zeitgeist of the era, like their embarrassing discovery of dance music.

F) F***ing Bono

Android 666

Auvers wrote: »

not a major fan of U2 or anything but I appreciate their music even if Bono is extremely annoying

I think it down to good auld Irish begrudgery*


*A peculiar disease of the Irish which seemingly renders them unable to to feel good about the success of their fellows.

reverenddave

karaokeman wrote: »

The Edge is one hell of a skilled guitarist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Go2DK9VtQ

reverenddave

,

fryup

why so much hate/dislike? well there's various reasons really....

• first and foremost > without doubt irish begrudgery (less so nowadays but its still there)

• Bono's preaching rubs some people up the wrong way esp in the early days when he would never shut his cake hole

• Bono's speaking out against the IRA's bombing of enniskillen in the rattle & hum movie did not endear him to republicans

• and also the fact that they're proddys (except Larry he's a mick*) > don't mean to stir up anything here but lets face it proddys are always looked upon as "outsiders" and "west brits" in southern irish society

*irish catholic
think Bono comes from a mixed marriage

boidey

Because they are hypocritical ****es that have been doing the Jackson Browne thing for too long.

sgb

I have to agree with the previous post's on this thread, the reason why U2 are not liked is BONO. Such an annoying person

RayCon

To be honest its very hard to see past Bono ... jaysus he's an annoying twat., but apart from that Ive never liked them .... nothing to do with begrudery , just DONT LIKE THEIR SONGS.

The one thing I do like that they released was The Unforgettable Fire ... everything else is forgettable.

rebel10

I don't particularly dislike them. Some of their older stuff was ok. I just find that whenever one of their songs are on the radio, I tend to switch over to something else. I just find them boring more than anything else.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I think Irish Begrudgery only kicks in when the people in question start acting like they're mega famous world wide rock stars.

Bono has always been a bit of a twat, but I thought it was just him, until I saw The Edge being interviewed at Glastonbury last year and he actually referred to himself in the 3rd person as "The Edge".

I'm always happy to see Irish people do well for themselves but when they start acting like that I can't be bothered with them.

Look at Colin Farrell, everyone loved him when he first broke into Hollywood, then he started acting like a complete dick and suddenly he wasn't so popular.

I think Irish Begrudgery is basically that we like Irish people to do well, but not to act like they're doing well. We're a strange bunch.

Nolanger

In school they were the band the lads who weren't into music much liked.

Cole

karaokeman wrote: »

The Edge is one hell of a skilled guitarist

Just to add to the reverenddave link. Truth is stranger than fiction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeupLXuoWko

reverenddave

Cole wrote: »

Just to add to the reverenddave link. Truth is stranger than fiction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeupLXuoWko

didn't work ???

EDIT: now it worked in the quote

stupid git just shoots himself in the foot
admitting how crap he is
yet people still buy there albums and go to their gigs

Nolanger

and he's a Brit!

Dudess

I like U2 - well, up to 1993. Since then, their stuff has been very bland bar the odd exceptional song. I think Bono's a knob but he doesn't irritate me anywhere near as much as he does others. However I hate when accusations of jealousy get thrown out - that if you don't share the same taste as many others, you're obviously jealous. Proof? Some people just don't like U2's music - the fact they're popular doesn't make that an impossibility. A band's brilliance is subjective. Even if there are objective elements - Bono does have a good voice, The Edge is a good guitarist - they STILL might not be a person's thing.

And the only thing "typical" about "Irish begrudgery" is that it's always being lazily thrown out - I have yet to see such a pattern in real life. This just in: it's not exclusively an Irish thing! :eek:
And it can't be that commonplace when so many hordes of Irish people decry it (they're obviously not begrudgers themselves). "Typical Irish disgust at non respect of one's 'betters'" might be more apt...

Android 666

Dudess wrote: »

I like U2 - well, up to 1993. Since then, their stuff has been very bland bar the odd exceptional song. I think Bono's a knob but he doesn't irritate me anywhere near as much as he does others. However I hate when accusations of jealousy get thrown out - that if you don't share the same taste as many others, you're obviously jealous. Proof? Some people just don't like U2's music - the fact they're popular doesn't make that an impossibility. A band's brilliance is subjective. Even if there are objective elements - Bono does have a good voice, The Edge is a good guitarist - they STILL might not be a person's thing.

And the only thing "typical" about "Irish begrudgery" is that it's always being lazily thrown out - I have yet to see such a pattern in real life. This just in: it's not exclusively an Irish thing! :eek:
And it can't be that commonplace when so many hordes of Irish people decry it (they're obviously not begrudgers themselves). "Typical Irish disgust at non respect of one's 'betters'" might be more apt...

100% agree with you on the begrudgery thing. Annoys the bejasus out of me that you can't criticise anything Irish without the begrudgery thing being thrown out at you. Unbelievably stupid...

Dudess

It's either begrudgery or music snobbery - heaven forbid it's just not liking the act in question. Everyone has at least one "credible" act they personally dislike, including those who lash out the begrudgery/jealousy/snobbery accusations...

Glassheart

It's cool to hate U2 these days but I love them.

The last two records were a little patchy but they still feature some of their best songs.

Dudess

Bar teenagers, people dislike a band because they simply don't enjoy their musical output, not to be cool. What's best by them is all a matter of opinion too.

Rigsby

RayCon wrote: »

To be honest its very hard to see past Bono ... jaysus he's an annoying twat., but apart from that Ive never liked them .... nothing to do with begrudery , just DONT LIKE THEIR SONGS.

This about sums it up for me. Quite apart from the personal issues, or begrudgery etc, their music just does not do anything for me and never has done from the very start. Also, someone mentioned the Edge being an excellent and gifted guitarist. That's a matter of opinion, and one I most definitely do not share.

smokedeels

Dudess wrote: »

Bar teenagers, people dislike a band because they simply don't enjoy their musical output, not to be cool. What's best by them is all a matter of opinion too.

this,

I'm not going to discuss the personalties of the band members, just that I don't and never have enjoyed the music they make - I don't "hate" U2 - they don't enter my thoughts at all.

boidey

Begrudgery has nothing to do with it, thank you. Musically they have been flogging a dead horse for 10 years+. By this stage its just brand and product. The bottom line with any branded product is the money.

Music aside, my own personal peeve is their stance on file sharing. Any band that is willing to criminalise their fans is beneath my contempt.

Can'tseeme

Actung Baby and Zooropa I liked also some of the stuff on Pop was pretty good. After that, I've found most of their stuff pretty bland. Over the years they've had some great songs, though I wouldn't bother listening to much of it these days.

Rigsby

boidey wrote: »

Musically they have been flogging a dead horse for 10 years+.

I still did not like them, even when that horse was a foal !

Glassheart

Nolanger wrote: »

and he's a Brit!

:rolleyes:

seanmc1980

i like U2's early stuff thb

its actually the people who like u2 that make me dislike them. they usually have no other taste in music and listen to U2 because "their the biggest band in the world".

i'm think total muck savages from the mid-lands

Glassheart

Dudess wrote: »

Bar teenagers, people dislike a band because they simply don't enjoy their musical output, not to be cool.

Of course it's a factor.Posts 16 & 31 prove the point.

seanybiker

Never really got into them. Some of their songs are good. That Bono is a bleeding headwrecker.

Johnny Whelan

I'm not concerned with the cult of personality. When talking about a band, I ask one question - Are they any good? - Well I'm afraid U2 is a one trick pony. Look at Bowie for example, every album is completely different. But, if you've heard one U2 song, you've heard them all. Brian Eno showed U2 how to be different and they've been the same ever since. Sad but true.

Fighting Irish

karaokeman wrote: »

Sure Bono needs to be told he's not a politician or a big cool guy, but no bands are perfect.

Other than that, U2 are a fantastic band. They've written amazing songs, The Edge is one hell of a skilled guitarist and they have era-defining albums under their belts (The Joshua Tree).

I just think its pure jealousy. Jealousy on part of anyone who would love to be in a band that sold 170 million records worldwide.

.

Glassheart

Johnny Whelan wrote: »

I'm not concerned with the cult of personality. When talking about a band, I ask one question - Are they any good? - Well I'm afraid U2 is a one trick pony. Look at Bowie for example, every album is completely different. But, if you've heard one U2 song, you've heard them all. Brian Eno showed U2 how to be different and they've been the same ever since. Sad but true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r08GJC-0umI

+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2lbiS1fris

= You're wrong.

Chardee MacDennis

Johnny Whelan wrote: »

I'm not concerned with the cult of personality. When talking about a band, I ask one question - Are they any good? - Well I'm afraid U2 is a one trick pony. Look at Bowie for example, every album is completely different. But, if you've heard one U2 song, you've heard them all. Brian Eno showed U2 how to be different and they've been the same ever since. Sad but true.

yup pop is exactly the same as war thats the same as the joshua tree :rolleyes: Every Queen album sounds basically the same - must be a sh1te band then.

It is partly irish begrudgery imo and a lot of hipster views - "So many people like them; they must not be cool!!" or "I only like their early stuff"

i can understand hating bono but their music is very good compared to most of the main stream stuff out there and they are amazing live.

why isnt there this much hate for the Stones if its about 'floggin a dead horse' as most people claim?

and one more edit: edge is one of the best guitarists in the world at creating sounds - he's like a producer for the guitar (and the bands tone) and while most guitarists would say he is technically limited, he puts a lot of guitarists to shame through the way he uses the guitar as an instrument.

Android 666

Whatever about people not liking Bono, he doesn't bother me in anyway, I think to equate the fact that some people might not like something Irish is down to begrudgery or jealousy is beyond retarded. Why does music criticism cease to be a factor if I'm talking about U2? Because I criticize their music it is not because I'm trying to cut them down to size or because I'm jealous of their success, it's because I don't like what I hear. Understand?

I've said I liked a couple of their albums and would agree with most that there last few albums have been pretty much paint by numbers and not exhibiting the same spirit or quality of the earlier albums. To have liked a band and some of their albums while not liking some of their later output does not in itself represent a hipster view - ffs I don't think you'd have a hipster commenting on a U2 thread do you? They're too busy trying to do something vaguely creative…

Chardee MacDennis

Android 666 wrote: »

Whatever about people not liking Bono, he doesn't bother me in anyway, I think to equate the fact that some people might not like something Irish is down to begrudgery or jealousy is beyond retarded. Why does music criticism cease to be a factor if I'm talking about U2? Because I criticize their music it is not because I'm trying to cut them down to size or because I'm jealous of their success, it's because I don't like what I hear. Understand?

I've said I liked a couple of their albums and would agree with most that there last few albums have been pretty much paint by numbers and not exhibiting the same spirit or quality of the earlier albums. To have liked a band and some of their albums while not liking some of their later output does not in itself represent a hipster view - ffs I don't think you'd have a hipster commenting on a U2 thread do you? They're too busy trying to do something vaguely creative…

yes but there is a lot of hate and vitriol spouted about for U2 - not indifference, which most sane people have about the music they dont like, it's like Bono has walked up to these people and kicked them square in the balls...

Jerichoholic

I don't like them due to their music and me not thinking it's very good. To me they are in that safety, middle of the road zone along with the Script. To be fair I don't know many people that do like U2, and those that do also think Michael Buble is a 'lovely singer'.

Brenireland

U2 are legends and Bono I have to say is great for using his celebrity status for doing good unlike the majority of celebrities out their so I have to say he and U2 have deserved their success,And fingers crossed they'll come to Ireland to play in concert soon!

Android 666

BastardPrince wrote: »

yes but there is a lot of hate and vitriol spouted about for U2 - not indifference, which most sane people have about the music they dont like, it's like Bono has walked up to these people and kicked them square in the balls...

In fairness, if I'm slagging off something I don't like, my language and my description of my dislike of that thing is generally going to be greatly exaggerated.

The problem I have, and it was on the Beady Eye thread, is this whole use of the word 'haters'. It's as if people can't handle criticism or take it too personally. Come on, people, it's a bunch of randomers typing away on their computers - don't take it so personally.

Hermy

This band are from England and who gives a sh!t.

maccored

I find U2 as interesting as take that or the script to be honest. And I dont like either take that or the script.

maccored

even though its a piss take, I still think this is a damn funny video. More entertaining that *actually* listening to U2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IagcDon-ZJk

MajorMax

The final nail in the coffin for me was when Bono started dressing up as a pint sized demon and speaking with an English accent. Stupid little Bo!!ox

maccored

MajorMax wrote: »

The final nail in the coffin for me was when Bono started dressing up as a pint sized demon and speaking with an English accent. Stupid little Bo!!ox

he always sang with one, even in the earlier days.

JerryHandbag

Their finest work IMO, and yet wasnt released under the U2 name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS4hJabqRc4

RayCon

BastardPrince wrote: »

why isnt there this much hate for the Stones if its about 'floggin a dead horse' as most people claim?

Couldn't agree more - they plateaued with Exile on Main St and that was nearly 40yrs ago ...

MagicMarker

I don't hate U2, I just don't think they're very good.

And yes The Edge is quite possibly the most overrated guitarist in history, next to Kirk Hammett.

ItsAWindUp

Jerichoholic wrote: »

I don't like them due to their music and me not thinking it's very good. To me they are in that safety, middle of the road zone along with the Script. To be fair I don't know many people that do like U2, and those that do also think Michael Buble is a 'lovely singer'.

That about sums it up in a nutshell.