I was watching the bonus DVD that came with the new U2 album on some releases. I borrowed it from a friend because the demons at Best Buy (Denver) opted not to carry it. Anyhow, it reminded me of something I realized last time I saw the band and hadn't thought about since; The Edge runs that band. The Edge (Dave Evans) is the one who writes the songs, melodies, and plays many of the instruments.
So, we all know that Bono is great and famous and really great. However, let's not forget out little friend Dave hiding on the right. What isn't known is that Edge is a really good singer. You wouldn't have known it from that 'numb' thing he did years ago, but if you watch the bonus DVD you'll see him singing the songs he wrote for Bono. I do not mean to take away from Bono, but the Edge is U2's real bandleader.
* oh, and there is one thing I must tell you U2 fans. The U2 iPod is a scam, basically. You pay $50 extra and get nothing. the iPod does not come with a single U2 song on it. Nope! It comes with a $50 coupon against the purchase of the entire U2 catalogue on iTunes. Oh, and the U2 catalogue on iTunes is $150. So, if you buy the U2 iPod you pay an extra $50 for the colors and then another $100 for all the U2 albums. Save yourself the trouble. Buy a regular iPod, and then go to Amazon and pick up hard copies of the whole collection for a good bit cheaper.
Article comments
1 - So Me
Better yet, buy a regular iPod and skip the U2 music. U2 IMHO is overrated, the only worthwhile album is Achtung Baby, OK may be the Joshua Tree too.
2 - Triniman
I think the term "overrated" without context, is overrated.
I enjoy music would caring too much about what other people think, so I don't pay attention when something said to be "overrated." I either like it or I don't, that's all that matters to me.
3 - Phillip Winn
Lono, you can't _get_ a lot of the U2 iTunes collection anywhere but iTunes. It's 446 songs for $150, including bunches of previously-unreleased stuff.
Not that I think it's worth it, since I have all of their released albums and even a fan club album (that I bought used) already, but just so you know...
Also, Bono writes most melodies, so it's not quite as one-sided as you've described it, but clearly Dave and Paul are the creative force behind the band. It makes it all the more amazing, I think, that they've managed to stay together for more than 24 years.
4 - DJRadiohead
I agree The Edge is a huge part of the U2 sound. And if you read interviews with the band, you won't get any argument from the other three bandmembers (in fact, the bonus DVD that accompanies "HTDAAB" has some interview footage that bares this out).
Appreciating The Edge's many contributions to the band should not come at the cost of diminishing what Bono does. It does not have to be a zero-sum game. Bono writes some terrific lyrics. A lot of U2's music is simple and understated. It comes alive when Bono adds his melodies and lyrics. I think U2 is the classic example of the whole being greater than any individual part. That there have been no lineup changes in the nearly 25 year history of the band supports this idea, too.
5 - mrbenning
So long as The Edge isn't ghostwriting all of Bono's lyrics, I think they're both doing their jobs pretty damn well.
6 - mrbenning
So long as The Edge isn't ghostwriting all of Bono's lyrics, I think they're both doing their jobs pretty damn well.
7 - Tom Johnson
For a really big U2 fan, the digital-box is a dream come true - over 400 tracks, including a whole bunch of never-before-released-in-any-format exclusives. I guess if you have to have the U2 Ipod and you want that box, then this is a deal, but you can have the same exact deal by buying a regular white 20gb Ipod and the box - it's the same monetary output either way. I guess that $50 coupon is just an incentive for those who were both going to buy an Ipod and also wanted the digital-box.
8 - Brett Walker
U2 have now become absolutely terrible. As a huge U2 fan, it sickens me how such a pretty band have fallen into such generic waffle.
Achtung Baby and the ZooTV tour are the pinnacle- sheer brilliance.
The only thing that the iTunes box set showed me is that Vertigo could have been so much than the terrible lead song for a terrible album- i.e. Native Son. At least you get Mercy with the complete edition, a song that should have been on HTDAAB.
9 - Amie
if it weren't for larry, there'd be no u2. he started the band. and don't forget adam. he's pretty bomb. he dated that one model chick that one time.