The Yuletide U2 thread

old hippy

So when did the rot set in? It really depends on what your U2 “era” was. For some it was even before they went truly global. They’d been around a few years at that stage and weren’t Ireland’s answer to joy division, after all. For others it was post Live Aid, getting name checked on “Cheers”, covers on Rolling Stone Magazine. I remember hearing various heads, a few years older than me grumbling about it. The sentiment was that something precious, uniquely Dublin, something they were proud of had been taken from them and exposed to a global audience. Their secret was now the domain of the US, MTV and all the rest. The “cool” had gone out of U2. Of course, some of us had moved on, to “discover” something else; maybe Talking Heads, The Cure, The Smiths. U2 was old hat.

Discuss.

kneemos

How many points for this question?

Beal Tuille

Once I left Lansdowne Rd after seeing their Popmart show I knew my time with them was up.

I have never looked back. Would have been there from the release of Boy until then.First time live was Croke Park 84,

humberklog

The rot set in right at the word "Discuss".

Frank Black

They were ****e from the get-go.

old hippy

Frank Black wrote: »

They were ****e from the get-go.

Do you think so? They were heralded as the Irish joy division in their early days and despite the dubious Xtian schtick, their was an energy about them, a spark that you could hardly ignore. An unforgettable fire, if you will...

padd b1975

When Bono got rid of the mullet and started wearing shades 24/7.

MadsL

For me the shine went off U2 when I saw them play in 85 at the MK Bowl. They had trouble with the backing track at the start of Bad and Bono stopped to ask if anyone knew a joke. The idea of a rock and roll band having to stop because their backing track broke down, rather than grabbing a guitar and playing, just jars with me. Never saw them again.

Bono also took the piss out of a friend of mine's palsy which did not help.

That said Boy is one of the greatest albums ever made, I'm off to play it now.

MadsL

Frank Black wrote: »

They were ****e from the get-go.

First three albums were fantastic.

old hippy

padd b1975 wrote: »

When Bono got rid of the mullet and started wearing shades 24/7.

Ah but that was at the beginning of the ironic phase. Before it all became a parody of a parody.

I'd say after Zooropa, they lost their appeal for me. That said, I love the Passengers album and I was delighted to see them at Live8.

Cienciano

Obviously this is subjective, but after Rattle and Hum. Lots of people like Achtung Baby, but it's actually shíte.

BraziliaNZ

Beal Tuille wrote: »

Once I left Lansdowne Rd after seeing their Popmart show I knew my time with them was up.

I have never looked back. Would have been there from the release of Boy until then.First time live was Croke Park 84,

lolz, i was at that too, found it boring. The most exciting thing about it was waking up the next day to find out Lady Di had been mashed up in a car crash, lol!!

old hippy

Cienciano wrote: »

Obviously this is subjective, but after Rattle and Hum. Lots of people like Achtung Baby, but it's actually shíte.

I like Achtung Baby but I prefer Half Man Half Biscuit's Achtung Bono

MadsL

old hippy wrote: »

I like Achtung Baby but I prefer Half Man Half Biscuit's Achtung Bono

Demi-homme, Demi-Biscuit. As I like to call them.

DEFTLEFTHAND

I'm of the opinion that Achtung Baby was their last great album but they've had some nice singles since. For instance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0adFYuNuns

hansfrei

The Chinese cover band are now on the moon.....

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/12141328-six-wheels-on-soil-for-yutu.html

mr_edge_to_you

All I Want is Yule
With or Without Yule
All Because of Yule

Fr_Dougal

old hippy wrote: »

So when did the rot set in? It really depends on what your U2 “era” was. For some it was even before they went truly global. They’d been around a few years at that stage and weren’t Ireland’s answer to joy division, after all. For others it was post Live Aid, getting name checked on “Cheers”, covers on Rolling Stone Magazine. I remember hearing various heads, a few years older than me grumbling about it. The sentiment was that something precious, uniquely Dublin, something they were proud of had been taken from them and exposed to a global audience. Their secret was now the domain of the US, MTV and all the rest. The “cool” had gone out of U2. Of course, some of us had moved on, to “discover” something else; maybe Talking Heads, The Cure, The Smiths. U2 was old hat.

Discuss.

Thought hippies were above being hipsters?

take everything

Cienciano wrote: »

Obviously this is subjective, but after Rattle and Hum. Lots of people like Achtung Baby, but it's actually shíte.

Eh no.

camel jockey

The Blades were much better.

anncoates

Not a gigantic fan but they're a good band. Bono is actually the weak link for me in band.

I like Boy, Unforgettable Fire, Blood Red Sky and Achtung Baby best.

guinnessdrinker

Beal Tuille wrote: »

Once I left Lansdowne Rd after seeing their Popmart show I knew my time with them was up.

I have never looked back. Would have been there from the release of Boy until then.First time live was Croke Park 84,

I seen the Popmart show at Lansdowne aswell in 1997 I think it was and I thought it was an amazing night although the night I seen them in Slane a couple of years later would be hard to beat!

camel jockey

hansfrei wrote: »

The Chinese cover band are now on the moon.....

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/12141328-six-wheels-on-soil-for-yutu.html

Tossers.

PointLe55

two of my favourites

camel jockey

PointLe55 wrote: »

two of my favourites

They have had some great songs, in fairness, including these. I have never really been into 'albums' / 'concept albums', much prefer to treat songs in isolation.

hatrickpatrick

Wonder how many people saying their recent albums are sh!te haven't actually listened to them :rolleyes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k18rlUe_nc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ0TCGXH10o

Nate--IRL--

I'm no fan of theirs, but their new one is pretty decent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3ahd6Di3M

Nate

Sulla Felix

Thier xmas song is one of the least irritating of the entire genre, so that puts them up there in my book at least.

Daqster

old hippy wrote: »

joy division

Music to slash your wrists to. I despised them then and despise them still.


As for U2. Some great songs, some annoying ones also.

For me, the best song Bono ever had anything to do with was the In A Lifetime Duet with Clannad.

old hippy

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Thought hippies were above being hipsters?

What would a priest know of such things?