something they never were?? U2 were alwalys a pop band with a bit of integrity...what is a song like Gloria considered? I gave up on U2 about the time of Joshua Tree or Fire....but I came back home thanks to Achtung...and i have enjoyed their roll since. Okay the last album was a little flat but there were some good singles on it. I heard Vertigo and I like it at this point...would cause me to buy another drink at the pub... I don't get the hateing part? what's the deal the 2 have been around so freaking long now you gotta wait and see what happens.. even the stones were cranking out really boring stuff after 25 years. save the bitterness until later..

I was just having a conversation this weekend with a couple of other musical snobs and we all agreed U2 is the biggest and best band in the world right now. We have big hopes for the new disc. Me, especially. They were more fans of the electronica years.

I think Vertigo is an awesome song in it's entirety, but attaching it to that apple commerical was a BAD idea. People are going to be sick of this song (and hence U2) before the disc even comes out.

And a commercial? Come on guys, your fuckin' rich, why sell out? The commercial prompted my good buddy Travis (mentioned above) to wonder if U2 has 'jumped the shark'?

I guess we'll find out in a few weeks.

When are the first four albums going to be remastered on CD. It's been a while since they came out.

I have to agree with Kyle's post. They've always been a pop band with a unique sound & genuine emotional energy. I haven't heard the new stuff but the last one was pretty bland except for a few tracks & even those weren't great. Another Achtung seems pretty unlikely. I don't know if Eno is still producing but if not maybe they should get someone to help stretch them in new ways...maybe David Torn or some other forward looking, fresh producer.

Hmmm...again, there's the debate between the pro-ATYCLB's and the anti-ATYCLB's. Look guys, just take the music at face value. I'm a huge fan of U2. I consider Achtung Baby to be the best album ever. That's right, that's how much I respect this band. I don't ever expect them to top it, or to return to the era from 87-93. What they did then was pretty amazing, most bands could never do that, let alone top it. ATYCLB was a good album with some good songs, a few great ones, and a few that really disappointed me. Overall, it was a nice CD to listen to, even if it wasn't their best. The new album has been described as anything from Unforgettable Fire to Pop, not much mention of ATYCLB, for those of you who don't like it. The first single Vertigo was fresh and fun, in my opinion. A great way to jump back into the game after 4 (!) years of doing God knows what. Should be great live, methinks it will be the opener. If you don't like it, have no fear, they guys have said the album went in a different direction from that first song.

All in all, I never expect them to top what they did, but as long as they are putting out music that is enjoyable, preferably better, I'll listen to it. I don't want them to be the next Stones, and don't think will be, and as soon as they put out real crap I'll say it's time to call it quits. But until then, just take each song for what it is: a song, made for your entertainment. Like the song, listen to it. Don't? Don't listen to it.

As for the iPod thing...hmmm. Kinda smelly. I know they weren't paid for it, and Apple isn't actually sponsoring them or anything, so it doesn't automatically qualify as "selling out." Nevertheless, I don't particularly like seeing the ad on TV, and agree that it will most likely backfire on them. Not that that would be such a bad thing. ;-)

this fine review has been selected for Advance

Let's face it - it's been all downhill for "Saviour Of The World" Bono and those three other guys since "War," which is precisely the point at which he, like David Byrne and Sting before him, let his ego get away from him. Now the band's music reverberates with the unmistakable sound of millionaires' pension plans being topped up. "Achtung Baby" the best album ever? I think I feel sick...

Why U2 sucks in 2004: iTunes.

I thought All That You Can't Leave Behind was a real return to form after some much needed time off. "Vertigo" sounds like their most rocking tune in some time - looks like blue skies to me

IMHO these boys bit the big one on Zooropa. I'm speaking as a disenfranchised fan boy who once spent 2 nights sleeping in line for tickets. Boy, were those some heady days. But anyway, I downloaded alot of the last album, it didn't stink, and if they continue on the upward trajectory, I may put down money on the new one. As long as Boner doesn't make any more appearances on the O'reilly Factor.

Comment #7 Is pretty accurate. Who asked bone head Bono to come in and play Jesus? Sorry Bono but Jesus doesn't need your assistance.

I wonder if Bono or the PCP he is on is doing the talking. Next he will be assaulting someone at the R&R hall of fame for wasting some of their dinner.

For some reason, the whole "Cult of U2" thing used to ruffle my feathers to a minor degree primarily because it made me think how far in the crapper their music has gone since those first three albums. Once Bono started striking those Christ poses on the "Live At Red Rocks" video, it was all over but the shouting. On the other hand, I'm probably the only person in this world who thinks The Who need to retire while they still cling to a modicum of dignity, so proceed with caution. Your results may vary...

I have this recurring nightmare of going up for communion at church only to find Bono on the altar annointing the masses. World without end, Amen.

Jesus, I'm sorry. Maybe I should rephrase that: Achtung Baby is my favorite album. Therefore I think it is the best. That is my only criteria. Different tastes people. I'm sorry you've been disappointed with their post-War stuff. But others of us feel exactly the opposite and are looking forward to the new CD.

Aw hell, no need to apologize. It would be a pretty boring world if everybody liked the same thing, wouldn't it? If you could see some of the albums in my collection...

Regards,

Clark from Detroit

S'ok clark, you have every right to think they've gone down the crapper years back. One just gets so much shit on the internet for being a U2 fan these days...most people aren't that offended by their music, it's just that the hype and exposure makes it seem ten times worse to them...

Honestly, I just can't see any point in arguing music. You can tell me all you want that U2 don't do enough solos or aren't heavy metal enough or whatever else, but I'm still gonna think they have the best tunes.

Anyway, not saying you shouldn't hate them with all your little heart, we all hate certain bands...I just got a little defensive, it's hard not to when everytime you mention them on the net people either love them or really, truly Hate them.

I have to agree with the original review. ATYCLB was definitely U2 Lite, mostly pop fluff. I sorta grew into tolerating the album but to me, it can never compare to any album before.. esp. Achtung. The new single Vertigo is okay but I'm not thrilled about it. I think Beautiful Day was a better first single even though it was just soft rock. I'm hoping the rest of the new album will be better.

ATYCLB was the first time U2 backed off from pushing the envelope and making music that mattered. sure, U2 has always been a pop band, but they always sold themselves as more than that and i believed it until ATYCLB. and i agree: achtung baby is an absolutely brilliant album (though starting to sound a little dated in 2004)

The appeal of Actung Baby for me is it still sound fresh out of the box. Sometimes I'll go a year withough playing it all the way through, but when I do, it has some great sounds. I still get misty during One, Acrobat more than ever, and LIB still raises the hair on my neck.

BTW anyone here knocking the stones has obviously never been to one of the recent shows. Yes, dawn of the living dead, but that has always been their show hasn't it?

Listen to the first part of All That..., it's a little tepid. But then listen to the live versions from the tour. What's amazing to me is that this is live material. It's not so strong on the canned CD. If you listen to various live versions, they're really playing these songs. Listen to A Little While. That's amazing in concert, but if play the album version for someone, they just stare back at you.

It reminds me of bands like the Grateful Dead et al. Anybody who listened to a studio album was like, What's the big deal with these guys? But they could be incredible live, and they weren't just going through the motions of rehearsed everything. (The Who, after they'd ceased do much but pantomime pre-rehearsed sets, toured with the Dead once and were bewildered by how the could play an entirely different show every night.)

And that's where I think U2 is. What they've returned to. You can catch that they know that for a while their live shows were crap. I've seen them since I was just a wee pup. They were incredible until the Joshua Tree tour, and tanked after that. Twice, I sat there watching a bunch of people watching a concert, in a stadium with crappy sound. It was depressing. I was in Spain for the last tour, and didn't even bother trying to get tickets.

To my eternal regret, because now they're back to playing, really playing, like they once did, like the best bands do, like any band that makes their gigs an experience, and the audience even becomes a part of it, the band feeding off their energy and vice-versa.

So calling the new stuff mediocre is a bit off base. I have the sense (or maybe would like to believe) that they're moving (or moving back) to being a real live band. And at this stage of the game, that's incredible.

It's also the direction music seems to be heading, with file sharing eating into CD profits (which for most bands were mostly stolen by studios anyway).

Unlike some others, I wish they'd do more politically and socially, not less. The attention brought to Aung San Suu Kyi and hence that whole situation by Walk On has done a lot to protect her and others involved in Burma/Myanmar... but why does the band keep putting out vapid videos (Pride comes to mind, why wasn't it chock full of ML King?) - why was the video of Walk On full of shots of the band being ultra-cool in Sao Paulo, and just a snip of Aung San at the end saying nothing but Please Stand By? I mean, you've got a zillion people who are gonna watch your video, could've made it topical. Maybe the ratio of band to activist should have been reversed.

As for the music, I think they ought to do more to make their live shows available, past and present. People trade these things, but why not yank out some of the highlight concerts. They say the Madison Square 2001 concert was the best of the band's career. I've never heard it. I'd love to. And that way they could delay their next studio CD until they really had it down.

Because, despite all I've said here, I have no idea what was going on with, say, Electrical Storm.

It's funny-
Back In The Day- and I mean somewhere in the very early 80's- I and my friends ceased following the band. It was so clear back then that the energy and originality of "Boy" wouldn't continue with "October." And it never did seem to. Most of you, as fans of the band, probably think this sheer insanity, but there you have it.
The thing that consistently strikes me about rock and roll, or pop music, or whatever it's called, is that, despite the best efforts of record companies and television networks, the music is best played and created at a young age. It's always a little sad to see the heroes of one's youth struggle to maintain the elaborate and expensive lifestyles they created when they were young and became accustomed to as they aged.
REM is another example. Middle aged guys playing to a diminshing audience, most of who's disposable income, once reserved for the purchase of REM albums and concert tickets, now goes towards diapers, car payments and golf course memberships.

Update: Why U2 Sucks in 2005

How To Recycle A U2 Tour

Here are the official instructions on how to recycle a U2 concert. It is good to see that U2 knows the value and importance of recycling on our overpopulated planet. You would expect nothing less from such a conscientious group of fellas.

1) Pull out the 2001 Elevator Shoe Tour stage design, parts and all. Go to Home Depot and purchase a few 2 by 4's and walla! A recycled stage design at a minimum expense.

2) Have a planted audience member come up on the stage to dance during "Mysterious Ways".

3) Have a planted audience member come up to play guitar for "Party Girl" two nights in a row.

4) Play the official Top 40 iPod jingle twice during the same SOLD OUT show.

5) Play the same song selection during each concert - maybe flip flopping a song or two here and there.

6) Drape a flag around yourself, cop a dramatic pose and pretend you're doing something cool. Doesn't matter which flag it is since we're all ONE.

7) Cut into the song playlist by going on what appears to be a prozac induced banter about how the little guy can save the world.

8) Charge $50.00 to make your "fans" stand in line like sheep for 10 hours and convince them you are doing them a favor.

9) Charge $165.00 for clueless corporate suits to fill the seats.

10) Film a DVD and tell the fans at the city you're filming in that it is your favorite city. This years it's Chicago. In 2001 it was Boston. Anyone wish to make a wager what city it will be next time around?

11) Sweep up and reuse the cheap confetti which fell to the ground on the previous show. It's dark in there - nobody will be able to tell it has been recycled.

12) Wear an American flag lined leather jacket for two tours in a row and pretend you love the USA. You stand a better chance of grabbing the people's cash.

13) Publicize that you're NOT doing a greatest hits tour and then proceed to do a greatest hits tour with the same worn out and overplayed material. And don't forget to change the original meaning of the songs to fit your own DARK SIDE political agenda.

14) Ride around NYC on display in a flatbed truck. A classic recycle job. This one has been tried and tested for many years.

15) Recycle your voice by using backing vocal track(s), dubbing, software enhancement, hidden live singers, whatever. Is it live or is it Bonovox?

16) Pretend you are relevant when your corporate influenced Top 40 music becomes irrelevant.

17) Pretend you are relevant when your corporate influenced political shtick becomes irrelevant.

18) Get a bunch of ass kissing SELL OUT celebs to support your SELL OUT agenda.

19) Pretend it is not about the money when it is all about the money. How many times have you heard these lads say "we're affluent, we don't need the money." If you don't need the money, why are you charging $165.00 per ticket and selling your ass everywhere like a cheap whore?

20) Give the illusion that a U2 show is a spiritual experience when, in reality, it is a corporate cash grab. Fans tend not to feel taken when they are made to think that they just had a magical experience.

So, there you go - twenty ways to recycle a concert tour. It saves manpower, creative & original thought and most of all, it saves money. It is good to see that relevant recycling is also being utilized at Top 40 pop concerts.

Let's just hope that U2's biological half-life expectancy is a bit less than the half-life expectancy of their vinyl records. You go Plastic Bono Band.

your all motherfuckin retards u2 is the best band ever, and HTDAAB is an amazing album, better than any shit any other band is releasing today. Anybody who thinks U2 has lost anything since the 80s listen to sometimes you cant make it on your own and original of the species and tell me they arent good anymore.

u2 doesn't have any idea of making good music, sorry guys but that romantic-pop like style they have represents their need of playing with people emotions (talking about situations that can happen to anybody) so people (that doesn't have a clue about apreciating creative music) can identify with their non-creative music. Melody? yeah right, i can play a sad song with 3 notes and sing a lot of sad lyrics so you will feel melancholic and buy my album.

Anyone can try that formula, Dude and anyone has. Not just anyone can do it it well. Not just anyone can do it as well as U2.

Some people think it's a huge step backwards for U2 to make records that sound like U2. I happen to disagree.

I've been a musician for over 20 years, I don't hate U2, I just don't hate anything or anyone, but yes U2 is way overrated, there is a name behind their success at doing basically not much and that name is Paul Mcginnes (u2's manager), he is the one that made them big. They are not a rock and roll band, even their lead singer BONO said that on an interview last october, "We are not a rock and roll band, and sometimes we get away with it". Also I saw at a bar the new vertigo DVD and the poorest performance ever, they looked boring and the crowd was bored as well. I mean in my opinion they are a product, that's all, you can't hate them for that, they don't force you to go buy their stuff, It does however pisses me off when I tune the radio or TV they seem to be everywhere, I feel like I'm force to listen to their stuff when I don't want to.
Last but not least, they lost my respect when on the same interview BONO said that "Pisses me off when some magazines rate guitar players higher than Edge just because they play faster, he should be high up there, he is one of the greatest"...Sorry bono, but you are telling me that The Edge is better than, Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young, Trey Anastasio, Ray Cooder, Satriani, etc, etc...?, that tells me the lack of knowledge right there I mean this band is way off. I wouldn't include any of the u2 members on any list of good musicianship. Sorry

U2 really blows, no matter how you slice, market, advertize or apply modern PR to them. Helping Africa does not make your music better. Bono's weepy, crooning makes me sick, like a cat in heat. The rest of the band, well... not worth a mention are they?

Why does everyone kiss their drunk, junky asses?

U2 has three good albums, Boy, October and War. After that they sucked, they became what they wanted to, superstars. They wished they has become the Clash,(the only band that matters) they could not. I saw them at Red Rocks, probably one of the best shows I have ever seen, but they went to hell after that, they are overrated and boring, I cant belive how popular they are, oh wait, yes I can, considering bands like the Black eyed peas are popular explains alot.

U2 are rock, not pop you people.

Edge is one of the best guitarists out there, he doesn't have to play shredding solos to be good, he's innovative and Bonos are great vocalist.

You haters disgust me.

U2 might be one of the last truly successful and truly great rock bands left, regardless of whether they suck now (or ever did).