Should U2 throw in the towel?

garred

Listening to them recently (over last couple of albums) and watching them, don't you think U2 should hang up their gloves before turning into another Rolling Stones. Don't get me wrong eventhough they are not my favourite band I would say they are the best band of all time (even ahead of the Beatles) but I think they should certainly give up the touring, maybe just songwrite/produce. Their shows are great and all but its just having seen them the last couple of times live its begining to seem like they are gradually fading away (Bono does'nt seem to have the stage presence nevermind the voice any more) in front of our eyes. If they left now they would end on a high rather than dragging it out and not being remembered as they should be.

quarryman

garred wrote:

(even ahead of the Beatles) .

woah woah woah.

let's not get carried away here....

good point though. would be good to see them go their separate ways and still be successful. leaving the band with a consistent legacy.

hawkmoon269

I agree with you that the last two albums have not been particularly inspired. I personally think they should take time out for a couple of years once the current tour is over and then reform and hopefully go back to working with Eno and, I dunno, maybe just re-invent rock and roll all over again.

PS I wouldn't put U2 above the Beatles, personally. U2 would never have happened but for the Beatles.

Citizen_Erased

I have never really appreciated their music or the beatles music.

But no , they can caryy so that in a few years we can watch them crash and burn ... mo hah hah

garred

I would put them ahead of the Beatles. Remember when the Beatles came out everything was new...sounds, effects, riffs, lyrics, studio production...it was'nt done before. However a lot had been done since then and when U2 came on the scene but they still seemed to reinvent themselves. Both bands could do it live and in the studio but if you look at other factors; U2 have kept the same line up (including manager) for 25 odd years and still going, they have only played once in all that time without all members being there. The Beatles were a great band but if you put it into context with musical eras I'd have to go with U2.

Blisterman

U2 Were voted best live act in Rolling Stone, just 2 years ago, so they can't be that bad.

CrimE

Lads wtf!!

Hang on Im a huge U2 fan I i think that their last two albums were great. No way should they break up. in the words of bono they shouldnt break up until they make a bad album and lets face it they havent yet

JimboPope

I think the four of them should be led out and shot...twice for good measure.

Awful awful band. Really awful.

They are just re-hashing the same old tunes they've been churning out for years now, they've no relevance any more.

The only reason I feel there sticking around as far as Bono (what kind of stupid name is that to give yourself!) is concerned is so he'll remain in the limelight to further his influence witht the human rights campaigning.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of what their doing with regards to the whole make poverty history, amnesty international, buy timmy a new dog campaign but their music is simply pure sh*te!

dawballz

Agree with you there Jimbo..
Older stuff was good.
Stuff in the last 5-6 years or so is absolute rubbish.

Bungalow Bill

JimboPope wrote:

I think the four of them should be led out and shot...twice for good measure.

Awful awful band. Really awful.

They are just re-hashing the same old tunes they've been churning out for years now, they've no relevance any more.

The only reason I feel there sticking around as far as Bono (what kind of stupid name is that to give yourself!) is concerned is so he'll remain in the limelight to further his influence witht the human rights campaigning.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of what their doing with regards to the whole make poverty history, amnesty international, buy timmy a new dog campaign but their music is simply pure sh*te!

I ****ing hate your attitude man, its dumb. How exactly does one 'rehash' a tune??? Are the songs they do now the same with different lyrics?? eh no. Is the melody the same?? eh no.

Does the fact that they are the most popular live band in the world make them relevant?? Maybe that they were more than likely vital to the Live 8 concerts not make them relevant?

jcoote

maybe they should stop writing stuff cos they are not gonna write anotherjoshua tree lets face it but i think they can justify staying on giggin... i don't like them at a ll but not many bands could sell out 3 nights in croker!

Doctor J

As long as they enjoy what they're doing, why should they give a **** what any whingers think? What do they owe anyone? You only live once, they should do what they enjoy as long as they're capable of doing it. What a stupid question :rolleyes:

People need to stop expecting revolutions from middle aged men.

CrimE

Bungalow Bill wrote:

I ****ing hate your attitude man, its dumb. How exactly does one 'rehash' a tune??? Are the songs they do now the same with different lyrics?? eh no. Is the melody the same?? eh no.

Does the fact that they are the most popular live band in the world make them relevant?? Maybe that they were more than likely vital to the Live 8 concerts not make them relevant?

Well said my man very well said. U2 arent as popular as they are for no reason.

Just for arguments sake can you give me some examples of this "re-hashing" of tunes?

garred

Doctor J wrote:

What a stupid question :rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

Merely pointing out that they are not the band they used to be either in the studio or live and I think thats a fair statement. Would hate to see them going down the same road as other bands that are "milking it". They are a great band and I feel if they packed up the gigging now they would always be remembered as a great band. I personally think that their popularity now is only due to their earlier stuff and loyalty of fans.
Their last 2 albums were not great. Oasis I feel are in the same situation eventhough they have not been around anywhere near as long.

Doctor J

After over 25 years with the same line up, what band is as good as they used to be? Do you really expect them to be a better band as they approach their late 40s than they were in their 20s and 30s?

It kills me to see people saying bands should quit just because they don't like their contemporary output. They've moved on, either relax and move with them or move on to other bands and let them do their thing. Their legacy is their own, not yours, they've earned the right to do what they want IMO. Good luck to them.

Bungalow Bill

garred wrote:

:rolleyes:

Merely pointing out that they are not the band they used to be either in the studio or live and I think thats a fair statement. Would hate to see them going down the same road as other bands that are "milking it". They are a great band and I feel if they packed up the gigging now they would always be remembered as a great band. I personally think that their popularity now is only due to their earlier stuff and loyalty of fans.
Their last 2 albums were not great. Oasis I feel are in the same situation eventhough they have not been around anywhere near as long.

Didn't "sometimes you can't make it....." and "Vertigo" both go to number 1??

Didn't 'how to dismantle an atomic bomb" already sell about ten million albums?

Lyla went to number 1, so will "Don't believe the truth" and the album is set to do very well in the states also.

Where in all that do you get that people don't like what they are doing these days?

Has it hurt the Rolling Stones legacy? Paul McCartney's?

Didn't think so.

Oasis + U2 = greatness

garred

Where in any of my posts did I say people don't like what they are doing. Yeah they went to No. 1 and they could probably sample a dog barking and it would get to number one because of the fan base they have. Yeah Macca and the Stones have a legacy, but in the Stones case its what they did in the sixties not what they did in the last 10 years.

The point I'm making is they are not the band they used to be and I'd hate to see them going from a legendary band to a good band. You have to admit they are sliding from the heights of the 80's early 90's. If that slide keeps going of course peoples opinions of them would change.

Anyway guess I'm the only one that thinks this so it must be something I'm drinking.

Blisterman

U2 are one of the only bands that have had their original Line up for that long. Some of the arguments for them retiring don't make sense. What else would they do? Their solo stuff would be terrible compared to their group stuff.
Just because they won't make another Joshua Tree, they should stop recording, doesnt make any sense. As long as they're making good music and making money's all that matters,

Nightwish

yes yes yes, please!!!! it would be wonderful if bono shut up for a while...or better still forever

John

If you don't them don't listen. I don't see everyone's problem with U2. I don't like a lot of bands and a lot of bands I do like aren't as good as they used to be but I don't expect them to quit.

De Mad Yoke

But do you not agree that they are very overrated and you could call them sellouts with the whole ipod thing and stuff like that. And do Bono and the Edge like each other? Does anyone ever think there's tension in the band at this stage? Larry's the best member I think.
They're a good band with some good songs but they're not a good rock band.
Lizzy were best band out of Ireland! Better get away before u2 fans go mad!

Cork

U2 should call it a day. Their recent cd was goog on the first few listens. Now it is gathering dust.

U2's hayday was in the 80's.

De Mad Yoke

I agree. I wouldnt if I was a fan.

besty

they are still amazingly good. maybe their shows dont have the same energy they once did, but they are still a great spectacle and the music carries the show now. I personally love the last 2 albums

MisterAnarchy

U2's hayday was in the 80's.

Early 90's actually.
Should U2 throw in the towel.
Of course they should .
Afterall their 110 show tour grossing over $300m is only sold out in Europe and the US in record time.
Their European tour will be a fantastic spectacle.
Have you seen the size of the stage ?? Its monstrous.
Fair enough the new album isnt up to the standards of Achtung Baby but they are still a super power.
Their back catalogue is immense.
They are the best live band around at the moment by a long way .

Gilgamesh

they should stay home

sudzs

Gilgamesh wrote:

they should stay home

Oh gawd no... much rather they are anywhere but here in Ireland. I don't think I could be responsible for my actions if I bumped into Bono. (After I pick myself up having fallen over the little hobbity man)

Saruman

Hmmm i would have to say NOOOOOO I think U2 are great. garred you say the last few times you have seen them lin concert you were not impressed? Then please stop going and let other people who have been waiting for years to actually get a ticket go... Look as long as there is a demand for them,... and obviously there is.. they will be there. Their last album "how to dissmantle an atomic bomb" is great!! I love it. Im no die hard fan but they are probably my fave band and they are not getting old.. Bonos voice is not bad either.. he can do a fairly decent opera if he tries... no José cura but he is good in Rock terms

So no i do not think they should stop. I dont even think the stones should stop till they are no longer popular or dead... in fact dead will probably come first.....

Kolodny

Personally, I don't think U2's recent stuff has been their best, but they're still selling albums and selling out concerts the world over so why should they quit?

They have picked up fans at various different stages along the way in the 25+ years they've been doing this, so while some may say the 80s was their 'heyday', maybe the younger crowd are more familar with recent music/live shows and prefer that stuff to the back catalogue - maybe some just love all of it.

I'm sure many people think they're getting 'too old to be rock stars' or they've lost their touch, but as a band (should that be brand?) they're always going to appeal to someone so why not keep going until it doesn't appeal to them anymore?

BaldiePablo

5 Grammy's including best album says it all

Chardee MacDennis

defo throw in the towel.... crazy people why would they they are the biggest band in the world at the moment and who is gonna fill their place; coldplay??? there are no bands that can touch them, mainly becaause the state of the music industry is in such a state at the moment, but they are amazing and the live experience is second to none....

henry hill

Call_me_al wrote:

but they are amazing and the live experience is second to none....

Have to agree, their live stuff is where its at. When you listen to UABRS, Sydney, Mexico, Rattle & Hum, Boston, Slane, and Chicago live acts you can really hear why they're so popular. Saw them 3 times last year (Croker, Cardiff, New York) and was blown away.

However I wouldn't like to see them go on as long as The Stones, who i didn't rate at the super bowl. But I'll leave it up to the band to decide when they should quit, they've there finger on the pulse and they'll know when the times right. Although if they decided to throw one last gig in slane or croker at 65, I'm sure it would sell out!

(PS. When are Zoo TV & Popmart Live acts being puit on DVD ?????)

phantom_lord

JimboPope wrote:

I think the four of them should be led out and shot...twice for good measure.

Awful awful band. Really awful.

They are just re-hashing the same old tunes they've been churning out for years now, they've no relevance any more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of what their doing with regards to the whole make poverty history, amnesty international, buy timmy a new dog campaign but their music is simply pure sh*te!

I totally agree.

Anyway there's no way that they'd stop though. They're making too much money to quit now.

Atrocity

I hope they keep going because it's amusing how much money they make even though they suck. Fair play to them!

pureirishsugar

What the hell, U2 are clas, i think 5 grammys explains what some people here don't understand, but everyone has an opinion i guess

Atrocity

Celine Dion wins Grammys!!??

U2 are such a sacred cow, nobody seems to care that they are bland and overrated. And Bono is not Jesus Christ.

kyp_durron

5 grammys doesn't that mean much to me. there are plenty of other bands who deserved it more imo.

Of course they have had their moments but they having less and less of them with every new release.

I have to point I'm not really a fan so maybe my opinion doesn't count, at the end of the day if people are buying records they'll keep going.

But I'd like to see them call it a day.

For their sake more than anything.

deaddonkey

BaldiePablo wrote:

5 Grammy's including best album says it all

[rant]oh wow, grammies.

The most generic bands in the world get grammies. grammies mean nothing. They're not voted for by music fans, they're voted by people who hear that pap on the radio and like it because it's bland and inoffensive.

U2 make me sick. They're just awful. All the songs sound the same. All the guitar parts are much the same thing. The Edge is a guitarist who relies on digital effects to sound good. Ugh. The only good tihng about them is that they're no coldplay.
It's a shame to see them like that because joshua tree and war are fine albums.
Please, bono. Just go. For the love of all that is sacred.

I live near croke park and had to endure 3 nights of that, plus 80000 drunken fans. It was just terrible.

It's also pretty odd how people only like them because they're Irish and we're meant to be proud of them because they're irish and they've made it to the world state. If they were american you'd listen to them once and think "naahhh, I don't think so" and go and listen to the kinks, or any band that haven't been rehashing the same songs since the early 90s. The only other band that have become so dire from such greatness have been the foofighters. Grohl should quit it, he's already destroyed any shred of musical credibility he ever had. He's trying to turn into John Mayer.

Ugh. Hate them, and I can't escape them because they're our national export and it's unpatriotic to dislike 'em.

[/rant]

Mossy Monk

amazing how there are different opinions. personally i think U2 went **** after the 80's/early 90's. dont think i will ever convert anyone to thinking differently just because i put it on here. the thread is a pointless arguement. opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one

Agent Smith

if U2 should Throw in the Towel....




I will Follow....

























/me Gets His Coat

meldrew

If Bono stopped trying to save the world and concentrated on music we might get something good out of them

magpie

Yes, time to hang up the nylon hair plugs, cuban heels and silly glasses. U2 are dead.

Heinrich

pureirishsugar wrote:

What the hell, U2 are clas, i think 5 grammys explains what some people here don't understand, but everyone has an opinion i guess

Michael Jackson won as many grammies as did U2 but the record number won at one time was by George Solti. Look that one up if you don't know who he was...

If U2 were an English band then our "Natioinal Pride" would be regarding them as even lesser mortals than the Stones...:D

donegalman1

Been a lifelong fan. Think the last two albums are fab and refreshing. I just wish we didn't have Bono going on so much inbetween songs at the concerts. Thankfully he's bringing up his points on the world stage such as the UN where they belong, not at concerts please......

donegalman1

Been a lifelong fan. Think the last two albums are fab and refreshing. I just wish we didn't have Bono going on so much inbetween songs at the concerts. Thankfully he's bringing up his points on the world stage such as the UN where they belong, not at concerts please......

donegalman1

Been a lifelong fan. Think the last two albums are fab and refreshing. I just wish we didn't have Bono going on so much inbetween songs at the concerts. Thankfully he's bringing up his points on the world stage such as the UN where they belong, not at concerts please......

RopeDrink

I'm certainly not a big fan, I'm just the type of person who likes one or two of their songs. However, think of all the real fans... What do you say to them? 'Yeah, we decided to throw in the towel because... Well, it was our time...'

Music is beneficial in a lot of ways and can be used to accomplish many things - but at the end of the day, the core idea behind music is 'entertainment'. If U2 are continuing to entertain, why the hell stop!? They are good at what they do and, as Bono said himself, 'The moment they become a crap band is the moment they'll stop' (or something to that effect).

That is all you can ask of them.

That's my non-fan based opinion, anyway.

tj-music.com

U2 is a good band but absolutely overrated especially in Ireland. As long as they pull a crowd and enjoy themselves they should continue. Having said that I agree that it is best to stop when the music still has some meaning and leave a lasting legacy.

We have all seen it in cases like the Rolling Stones or Kiss or so where they really become carricatures of themselves.

Sad really

Terry

OMG!!111!!! i don't like u2. they sux.

don't listen to them if you don't like them.
the only valid opinion against U2 here was by RopeDrink.

i don't like oasis*, but i'm not gonna go slamming them on internet forums.
they can keep making music and tabloid headlines forever. i don't really care. it's not going to affect me.


*band picked at random.

Terry

oh yeah. stop buying tickets for the shows if you're not a fan.
i was surrounded by about 50 people at croke park who looked on bewildered when U2 played "party girl", while friends of mine who are fans were left at home , denied tickets which were bought by people who wanted to go into their office the following monday and boast about seeing U2, even though they don't like them.

Hippo

garred wrote:

The Beatles were a great band but if you put it into context with musical eras I'd have to go with U2.

Are you really serious writing this? Really??
Anyway U2 should just knock it on the head now, I've been around for their entire career (seems like about 200 years) and it's all very dull now.