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you and peaceful chaos are not going to find a date here, and neither will bukowski.

methinks you doth protesteth too much pnw….WAY TOO MUCH! and besides, ALL vancouverites are exactly stereotypes. vancouver is full of wankers…and you are one of them.

hey bukowski! wanker!

hey ‘v’…you may not be a guy but your are certainly NOT a woman. you are simply a vancouverite ‘type’ (brrrrrr…and that is scary!).

los vi con el atasco de la perla el pasado mes de diciembre. era el acontecimiento más grande honolulu del concierto ha tenido siempre. vacaciones perfectas.

Is that you?

In your own words (metallica post):
“When a guy starts a fight with me, I don’t back down; I have to win. I treat women differently because I have far more respect for them than men, okay?”

Let’s just leave it at that; you don’t have to “win” (I’m not a guy).
peace.
-v

Is that you?

In your own words (metallica post):
“When a guy starts a fight with me, I don’t back down; I have to win. I treat women differently because I have far more respect for them than men, okay?”

Let’s just leave it at that; you don’t have to “win” (I’m not a guy).
peace.
-v

hey! what gives Dear PeacefulChaos? whats with the bad press from you? if you ever come to vancouver man, if you do, i’ll give you a good spanking…mmm…mmm…mmm…t hen we can do the davie stroll together.

…and you pnw are spotted all the time doing the davie stroll…mmm…also something not out of the norm for a ‘vancouverite’.

the davie stroll? lost me on that one. musicians & actors are spotted in vancouver all the time - not out of the norm.

Couldn’t get tickets to see U2 the last time they were in Van - sold out in minutes…but did see them last year in Hawaii (last date of their tour).

I like Vancouver so much because I am an original Vancouverite. Home turf. Yes, I know that Marty is from Burnaby.

and by the way “dear mullins the innocent”, marty mcfly (aka m.j. fox) is from burnaby, next door to vancouver. but at least he never did the davie stroll…like U2 and sgtpepper.

hey there, “dear mullins the innocent”, why do you like vancouver so much? is it because U2 were doing the davie stroll the other night with sgtpepper?

memo @ yoko. understood.
kquotes r good advice 4 artists.
~ peace from van ~

vancouverites are among the coolest in the world. just ask marty mcfly.

Come off it sgtpepper, this is you writing about yourself. You accuse me2 of doing this but you have been doing it all along. Its getting to the point on this site that no one is who they label themself as. You are all bogus but sgtpepper is the biggest bogess out of all us bogi! I dont even know who I am anymore.

what happened to sgtpepper? is this the same sgtpepper that was posting at the end of last night? I don’t see how it is possible to go from being clearly redundant(but annoyingly insignificant and certainly uninsightful) including the written version of verbal diahrea and diatribes and insults to fingering the sweet spot, panty-dropping and every other form of shallow feminism? I demand to know who is posing for the now (in the original’s own words) “completely unoriginal and boring and menopausal sgtpepper?”

la la la, we’re the green berets,
la la la, give us 3 hurrays,
we live and die for the USA,
We do whatever President Bush do say,

what a hoot! that is a great poem! it is so fresh…so innocent. it may not be art, but i like it!

love is like a flower,
growing in a trash can,
smelling stinky by the hour,
like the jockstarp of a man,
but it also smells just like…
…the postings on this site,
like vancouver city and its dykes,
and posters who are loafer light,
as i said, ‘love is like a flower’,
not like a weed thats called U2,
they have lost all of their power,
and their fans just go ‘boo hoo’,

i know i am but what about you? and of course, u2.

Traitors!
I thought we were friends! I thought we were bum buddies (especially those of you from Vancouver)! I thought…I thought…I thought…oh to heck with all of you! You are all as bad as U2…nothing left in the cupboard!

leave if you want but I for one am hanging in. I am hanging in just like U2 has for many, many years. Like them, I have nothing of any worth to contribute but I am hanging in. And my reason is simple, I have nothing else to do.

I am also out of here.

I just want to confirm that I did in fact write that last posting.

I have nothing more to write. Not that I ever had anything to write but even that pitiful amount is now toast, as in, Star Trek toast…much like my life. Without being able to post on this site I have nothing else at all interesting in my life or worth getting up each day for. In this respect, I am like sgtpepper.

si vou plais…poulet! That is what all of you are, ‘POULET!’

Its not the first time I have ‘lay down’ but I will not lay down here and let people insult U2. No way! Like, NO WAY! I really mean it, NO WAY!. There, I said it.

I want to say this. I am abivilent towards U2 but not so towards the Stones live.

I feeeeeeeel good!
Do, do do loolooloolood!
Just like I knew that I would now.
I feeeeeeeel good!
Do, do do loolooloolood!
So good!
So good!
Do do do do do!
Aghhhhhhhhhhhh!

I know how you feel sgtpepper, really, I do. I squealed like a pig once and i enjoyed it. I went, “Weeeeee, weeeeeee, weeeeeeeeee, weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, all the way home!”

Ha ha ha!
Now you are sqeeeeeeeeling like a pig sgtpepper! I have completed your ‘deliverence’.

I am beginning to see the light on this site. I have been misled by posters I thought were friends. Maybe me2 is the only true friend and poster on this site after all.

I forgot to add that for all star trek fans the most important question in the solar system is “How close is ‘Uranus’ to ‘Mars’?” The answer is, “The shortest distance between myself, alan.mullins and sgtpepper.” The other almost as equally important question is, “How many Klingons around ‘Uranus’ is there?” And the answer is, “The total number of postings combined of sgtpepper and alan.mullins with that number being identified as actual, genuine, bona fide ‘Klingons’.

Ummm… I didn’t post this last comment(obviously if you read my other posts). The Star Trek convention must be over. Hey– you’re mom is calling you to take out the trash! God speed my good man! Enjoy what I imagine your life must be like!

Come off it sgtpepper. Whats with the love you have for me2? I thought you had at least one brain cell but now I see you are just like the rest. Its you that needs to get a life!

i agree completely with you alan.mullins. how observant you are.

right on sgtpepper. what a loser that me2 is. even though the postings from me2 are from someone who knows the music business and what is good and what is rubbish, i still dont like me2. i guess i am saying i am jealous of someone who has so much talent. why does one person have so much talent and people like me, insignificant, sgtpepper, and other such losers have so little…in fact…none?

at last, postings that are back on track. no more me2. no more postings from me2 for a week now. maybe me2 has gone away. i hope so. i love U2 no matter what rubbish they bring out, i will buy it. i love bono.

come on now, i wants you to squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel like a pig!

before the sentence:
oh, i am really brave, i want to be brave and do my time. oh look at me, i am not afraid.
after the sentence:
hey, i’m not afraid of jail.
after the first 2 seconds in jail:
i want my mommy i want my daddy i want my teddy i want my lawyer i want whatever it takes to be domne to get me out of here…i am afraid. i want my u2 cd’s to listen to. wait…i’m not as bad off as all that…forget u2, if they cant help themselves then they sure as $%#@ cant help me!

(imagine a deep, gravely voice saying this), “arrrr, have ye ever been to sea billy boy?”
(imagine a whiny, squirming little voice that is high pitched), “No sir cap’n ‘oindgroinder, but oi beens blahn ashore a few toimes.”

i think i’m done with the hallway (wink wink, nudge nudge),
i think i’m done with the broom (wink wink, nudge nudge),
i think i’m done with the litchen table baby (wink wink, nudge nudge),
and oh yeah you know, i, i’ve been bad (real bad…crack crack…oh come now, i been badder than two cracks of the whip…crack crack crack crack crack, and crack! oh yeah, i deserved that),
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… i write good songs.

stayin’ up for days in a chelsea hotel writin’ sad eyed laddie of the lowlands for you,
me2, ohoh, me-ee-ee2, whatever made you wanna change your mind?

oh yeah, i remember, you are ALL losers who post here…even me2 (although, me2 is not as big a loser as the rest of you).

ever since i was a young boy, i have always tried to do the right thing, from soho down to brighton, i always used to sing, but i ‘aint seen nuthin like him. i dont know where i am going with this…do you?

U who?

hey…you cant do that!

you gotta do that, you gotta do that, yeah yeah! you gotta do that you gotta do that, yeah yeah. then you and me can be together etrnally, oh yeah. you gotta do that you gotta do that, yeah yeah.

yeah, yeah, yeah….i love you all, yeah, yeah, yeah.

i am so annoyed i could…i could…i…i…well…you just better watch it, all of you!

come off it! get serious with postings or take a hike! get off of here loser and chaos and peper and…and…and…just get off!

i know i am but what about you?

what absolute LOSERS you are, 99% of you! nothing to write about of any substance. say what you want about me2 but at least me2 is entertaining, and, me2 knows a lot. the rest of you collectively couldnt organize a barbeque in a slaughterhouse!

Yes, come back me2, keep creating your own fans club changing your name, keep wasting your time with your infantile humor, keep collecting plastic coins from our pockets and play with your friends to be an adult

I think me2 has been here– the writing patterns of some of the other posters who “proclaim his genius” have been very similar to his. Or, maybe me2 got kicked out of his parents basement and is without a computer. Or maybe there’s a Star Trek convention somewhere. I’d like to hear what bands me2 likes so I can trash on them.

now you’re even more bored.

since me2 stopped posting here all that’s left are posters who have the same traits as U2…no creativity…no imagination…no life…no self respect…no intellect…no humour…and ever so obvious ‘genatalia envy’ problem. Please…PLEASE…come back me2 and save us from losers with nothing else to do but try and have some semblence of a life by posting anonomously on this site because they live their pathetic lives vicariously through the likes of you me2. Such jealous, petty, losers. Brrrr…I feel dirty just writing about them. COME BACK AND SAVE UA ALL me2!

what happened to me2? is this the same me2 that was posting at the end of last week? I don’t see how it is possible to go from slightly clever(but annoyingly redundant and uninsightful) diatribes and insults to name-dropping, career-dropping and every other form of shallow braggartism? I demand to know who is posing for the now (in the original’s own words) “completely unoriginal” me2?

Now, Peps…just becuase U2 rocked in the 80 90…I often here the new gen..saying old u2…The old is good the new is good…more complex music…more diverse…dont go with popular opinion to judge the tunes…I think they have yet a come back album that every song is absolute old shcool with contempary new U2…They will be back strong with nothing but the good music that they come up with…al mullins…myrtle beach, sc

me2? himzero!

Let me laugh me2, keep dreaming that wasting your time in this web site means money to you, you worth nothing more than a what people think of you, in my case, just a reason to laugh at your candid ideas of life

You’re going to lose all your customers if you keep referring to them as losers.

do do do do do do do do do,
do do do do do do do do do,
well, little things you say and do,
make me want to be with you-oohoo,
rave-on, crazy feeling,
i know you got me reeling,

the money just keeps pouring in to my bank account from you losers that keep buying all the stuff i market including U2 stuff.

Job?
Or do you mean career, or perhaps livlihood or seasoned professional?

Do any of you people have jobs?

I’m Glad to them working with Daniel Lanois, Achtung Baby was their last great album.

U2 is an incredilble band, but their musical accomplishments were in the 80’s….They have not sold nearly as many albums as the greatest bands of alltime that some TRY to compare them to, including VAN HALEN(soundscan look it up)They are not really a rock band they are a hybrid of a POP/ROCK band.To compare them to ELVIS, THE BEATTLES, and ZEPPLIN is laughable.whoever said VH is an oldies act doesn’t listen to much mainstream FM ROCK MUSIC because they are a staple of any credible rock station in the country. On the otherhand you are much more likely to hear U2 on your local POP STATION. For the record VAN HALEN’s last #1 release was ME WISE MAGIC in the late 90’s, and that hardly qualify’s as an OLDIES ACT.By the way they are adding a second show in many of the city’s on their tour, because the first date SOLDOUT in minutes, so put that in your bowl and smoke BITCHES!!!

Im not huge on U2’s post-Zooropa output but they were the band that changed the way I perceived music and how I reacted emotionally to it (Joshua Tree did it). Anyone who hasnt listened to October for a while I say put it on and be amazed at the way it has got better over the years after being pretty good anyway.
BTW how much of a cock is that me2 clown? Obsessive compulsive self-lovers are everywhere on blogs- I prefer to share my contempt of them to with the online community rather than engage the fools directly.

Me2, I won’t charge you for the reverse psychology lessons…it’s on me, because it’s the oldest trick in the book. Good luck with your advertising career. Sell, sell, sell!

Oh yeah, and thanks for being a good sport.

I don’t pay American taxes, but thank you for the free lessons. You were a good tool for my writing and marketing skills practice.

i’m bored…again. now i am going to answer the age old question that personkind has grappled with for a long time but to no avail relative to an answer, ‘how close is uranus to mars?’ the answer is…wait for it…it is the distance between the respective (not collective) brains of insignificant, mw, ir, dearme2, and their tongues. boom boom! and now that my research is completed into ‘manipulation and reaction’ on an internet site like this one, (in only two days….wow). i had budgetted for a much longer time and cost to achieve a measurable outcome but you folks here made it SO easy (pavlov would be proud). can you imagine the irony? YOU are paying ME through your taxes for my research this weekend into how easy it is to manipulate people. and you are also paying me my salary (commission and bonus and expenses etc) through your purchase price when you buy music and/or go to concerts that i market. I market the sale of them by using reverse psychology and manipulative marketing procedures…and you fall for it every time and fall over yourselves to spend your money…wow! it just does’nt get any easier to make a living than this. you guys are SO gullible. i can tell you this with complete confidence knowing you WONT change!

I am a non-existent figment of your imagination.
Are you ready Me2…on the count of 3…
1..2..3…..snap out of it! Gone!
Feel better now? It’s vanished…and out of your mind forever.

You are paying far too much attention to somebody so extremely insignificant. What a lot of talk about nothing.

is this ever an interesting site and postings. i wonder however about just who this me2 poster is? they seem so well connected and knowledgeable about the entertainment industry and in particular the music industry. i guess living and working in LA gives an advantage as that is where all the action is these days. i do agree with the comments or rather, observations, me2 makes about U2. They used to be a good band…not great…but good. But unlike the great bands that were and are in and of themselves and their talent and originality, U2 is good as much because the rest of the bands are so mediocre, average, pretty pathetic even. And you know what? These bands know it but more importantly, they know that buyers these days will buy any old rubbish so long as it is packaged in shiny containers and promoted by smart marketing. In fact, its no longer about the quality of the music but in fact, it is ALL about marketing. Look no further than the reality and talent shows for evidence of this. They are full of wannabes…just like the artists of today and for some years past. And a perfect example of hype over subsyance these days and for quite a while is Rap. Rap is full of wannabes and no-talent people who are in it for one reason…hype. Anyway, thats my piece for what it is worth.

for someone to admit…in a public forum like this…that they are insignificant is sad.

oh oh, how so sad,
ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah,

ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah,

oh oh how so sad,

see the sky with its eyes wide open soaking all the land,

rain is falling and ???

whoooooo is me2?

ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh,

whoooooo is me2?

ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh,

i bet you really wanna know,

i now sit in a room full of gold,

filled with grammy awards as well,

i got it all for being so bold

’cause in La i never kiss and tell,

WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO THE !@#$ IS ME2?

It’s not important. Let it go.

Why aren’t you ignoring me? I’m not important to talk to, really I’m not. It’s an insignificant argument which is going nowhere fast. I’m sure that you have much better things to do in Hollywood, like shopping, than wasting your time here.

whats with you people? just because me2 is right and is kick assing the lot of you does not give you the right to insult him. disagree with me2 but do it in the same manner that me2 disagrees with you, i.e., with aplomb (something that you people lack and something me2 is proving to have in abundance). yes, it is annoying when someone gets the better of you…every time…as is what is happening with me2. but hey…get over it…accept defeat, and join his club. it is obvious you are all followers and he is a leader, and as we all know, there can be only one (leader that is). me2 has proved his credentials for the job of leader time and again these past few days and you guys have proved your credentials as followers time and time and time and time and time again these past few days. accept it and move on. i for one acknowledge you as leader here and now me2. sheesh…that was’nt so hard.

…you ARE joking ‘dear peter g’? i hope so. because, if you are not then you have a problem.

temper temper dear me2…never a wise thing to lose. game set and match to me yet again dear me2.

You’re also a complete boring waste of time to talk to. I can’t be bothered. I hope you choke on the LA smog which your limo is contributing to.

Nobody gives a rat’s a&$ about your superficial diamonds. They are not a girl’s best friend.

Which is why me2 should NOT be offending U2 fans by calling them losers. The fans ARE U2’s customers.

…could’nt stay away, eh dear me2. you love being bested and being shown for what you truly are. you are so obviously pavlovian it is like taking candy from a baby. oh…if you are looking for something to do later, come over to my place and use my toothbrush to clean to dust off my diamonds (diamonds that i bought from money that losers like you gave me by buying product i promote). i love me…dont you?

me2 did the same for me several times. i tell you, any artist who has received the help of u2 has nothing but good to say about me2. having me2 onside is like having direct access to the bank vault…oops…the fans.

Oh, and by the way, if you really are a music artist, then I am YOUR client. You do as I say.

thank you me2. once agin you have gotten pre-sale interest in our product (in this case the upcoming u2 cd) bubbling nicely). you have done it successfully before on behalf of so many other artists and you are doing it again, also successfully, on behalf of u2. the losers who post on sites like this will buy the new u2 cd in droves. yes, you have earned your fee once again. way to go me2!

I hope that you drown in your superficial tears, loser. Yeah right, if you were a real music artist, you wouldn’t be wasting your time arguing with me.

i agree with me2.
as me2 puts it, it is, ‘game set and match to me2′.

dear me2,

honestly…is that the best you can do ‘dear me’? lowering oneself to simple insult, foul language, and the like but worse still…posting without either IQ or EQ…is is someone i pity. i pity you dear me2…oh indeed…i pity you, and such people as you. i now stand…alone…in the vacuum of what once was (you remember…why all this was started, i.e., u2 being empty husks of what they once were). i weep tears, enough tears to potentially wipe out the memory of the last many cd releases by u2 to the point where they are washed clean…clean enough to start afresh like a spring day seconds after the sun begins to take the moistness out of the early morning dew. oh yes dear me2 (and of course, ‘types’ like you), i cry for you like a wolf in the dark forest howling to the great wind for some slight release of the burden of being the best there is (oh yes…i know only too well the feeling, the burden, of such a unique creature…for i too am such a unique creature). you have my pity (and of course a ‘moon’ from me as i drive past you in my chauffeur driven, custom built, very expensive, gas guzzling vehicle, on my way to take truckloads of money for the service i provide to oh so many artists including u2). you posters are such small people.

Superficial winners, and arrogant a&&holes ARE the biggest LOSERS, you moron. Me2, Bukowski, whoever the fu@k you are, you are an arrogant prick.

You don’t know who I am, so take a hike, a&&hole. I won’t be back.

You don’t “get it”. And you never will. This is just a meaningless blog. Good luck to you.

oh! dear me…dear me. and again, ‘dear me’. tsk tsk tsk. is that any way for a loser to talk (oops…write)? everyone…everyone…loves a winner, or say they say (i have always wondered, ‘who are they?’). are you and the rest of the crowd (most of them anyway), a member of the great unwashed ‘they’? is yes, then be gracious…like i always am. if not, then let me gracious to you as you stew in your jealousy and other such joy removing emotions (its not good for you, you know), and say this to you et al, ‘it is great being me…i love you all’. and yes, i even love u2…i just dont think they have ‘it’ any more and havent had ‘it’ since the joshua tree.

Now you can shove your useless trophy up your butt.

again, i win. i always do.

And so, as a final parting word to all you egotistical, arrogant jerks, I am a self-proclaimed “NOBODY” with absolutely zero talent. Never had any talent, and never will. I am boring, understated, unworthy of recognition, and I expect to be IGNORED.

Those who are really truly “great” don’t self-proclaim themselves as being great. You’ve got some seriously over-inflated ego issues.

me2, what’s YOUR excuse for posting here all the time? I’ve been working for about 20 years. Don’t worry, I’ll be out of these posts soon enough…you guys can continue wasting your time here getting on eachother’s nerves, for all I care.

me2,
To answer your question, no excuses. I’ve just been taking a meaningless temporary break from the outside world to re-evaluate.

I’ll take that as a compliment…U2 doesn’t need your pity, and neither do I. Don’t go out of your way to do me any favors.

it may not be art, but i like it.

u2 may release cd’s but it ‘aint music!

so this is where you have been freekin hiding the past few days me2…eh? i am really ticked off at you! you promised to help tune my organ for the fundraising show i am doing at your request on behalf of the ‘pathetic posters club’ of the world. did you forget? and i understand you had a party last night and did not invite me,,,why? if you want the bitch back you better get the rocket man straightened out again or else bennie will flame you with his jets!

i have legit reasons for posting here often…i am a high achiever, multiple tasker, extremely prolific, well read, funny as in tasteful, and, i am extremely talented (unlike u2). and, my life is full. plus, i only critique, i never criticize. whats your reas…oops…excuse for posting so often mw?

i agree

…actually, it is obvious you have NO life outside of these postings or sites mw. seriously, you have my pity. and of course…so does bono and u2.

…and once again the pavlov principle holds true. now then…what else can i easily get mw to do? let me see…oh yes…here goes.

What a kiss-a$$ you are.
How pathetic.

Now I’d like to offer a critique to both “…the Great” and to “me2″. You are BOTH boring. You ramble on for eternity to try and prove a point which can be stated in a few sentences or less. You are both “redundant”. It’s useless drivel which goes nowhere.

…and if that’s you, Bukowski, all the writing and so-called poetry that you’re leaving behind all over this web site is BORING AS HELL.

…and tutu, your poetry really sucks. WTF is that?

I’m not stupid enough to post any exciting and creative ideas of my own all over publicly viewed BLOGS. So think of me as boring here…outside it’s a different life and a different world.

the grammy awards did’nt think that ATYCLB was boring. However, I think you are boring mw.

the runaway train came roaring down and it blew,
the runaway train that used to be called u2,
the runaway train came roaring down,
lost its steam and began to drown,
and never again blew, blew, blew, blew hoo hoo hoo.

“All That You Can’t Leave Behind” was BORING!

I did not give Courtney permission to use my name. But I do agree with her about U2. And I have a comment about them of my own…’yawn’.

I watched myself last night on cable in the Pam Anderson Roast…was I wild or what? And Tommy Lee? Grrrrrrr…meow…ruff ruff ruff…ah ah ah ahhhhh…awooooooooooooooo! Like I said, I have met Bono and he is BORING! He is all pompous, self righteous, and just plain not interesting. We talked about the next cd and it was like, ‘gag’! He asked if Hole would open for U2 but Hole needs more than U2 to open Hole I told him. He hummed a few tracks from the cd and like…BORING!

oi be wunderin sur bout thon u2 fellers. oi haves to agrees…they lost it. begorrah!

I heard about this site at a party in LA last night and after reading the postings I have to agree…some of them ROCK! I have to agree also that creativity ‘dont come easy’. But I hope that posters like me2 dont back off boogaloo to anyone!

I’m sorry to say but Schools been Out for far too long. The good old days are gone and they ‘aint coming back.

WOW! This site rocks! Where the heck do get posters like Dorothy, me2, Peter G., and the like from? I dont know what this is site is doing to attract such great posters but keep it up! I for one will be reading here often and telling all my friends ‘In the Neighbourhood’ and Village to do the same. Rock on!

i think me2 is more concerned than informed. i think me2 is more for U2 than not. i think me2 is the most wonderful thing to happen to this site than the rest of you put toegther! there…i wrote! and, i have wanted to write it for a while. i have wanted to remove all my ribbons and braids and let my hair blow free in the wind! i have wanted to strip au natural and go streaking free through the corporate head office of sony records and say ‘hey…this is not a dress i am wearing that needs ironing, it is me, the real me, the way i am, and i am not ashamed or embarrased!’ i have wanted so much to take a blank canvas and gallons and gallons (or litres) of water based paint in many colours and use my natural body as the brush to create exciting, stunning, wonderful, thought provoking, emotionally inviting works of art and in so doing, reinvigorate a world long since lost in the grief of pablos passing! there! i said it…hmph!

Why is that most people…posters…are so insecure that whenever anyone either disagrees with anything posted or offers a point of view and/or opinion that requires a semblence of reflection and in so doing a challenge to retort in a likewise manner, that instead, they write drivel like, “…why are some people so negative…?” Most people who post on sites like like (not all…but certainly most) are geldings (regardless of gender…they are geldings). And in so being, reflect exactly the core essence of what it is they defend…attempt…to defend, i.e., lifeless creativity that has long since lost the spark to create if in fact it ever had any spark. This is exactly the point that the poster of recent days, ‘me2′ has been making and in doing so is proving his point[s] and also the main point i.e.’ that U2 and many such artists (and I use the word ‘artist’ sparingly here) have literally lost ‘it’. Fair enough…disagree with him…that i believe is what he/she wants, at least, as a starting point. But go further, beyond your comfort zone and in particular with those artist you naively defend, and try to be more than what you have become and in doing so, do what the artists you defend have not become, i.e., more of anything anymore. go for it me2! It is thoroughly refreshing to see a stallion among the geldings; refreshing, just like a breath of fresh air that for a brief moment the likes of U2 once was with one album (joshua tree) and maybe a second album (all that you cant leave behind) but as for the rest…BORING!

Peter, I guess that would depend on genes and DNA (I have friends who look almost exactly the same as they did 15-20 years ago, who have not aged). But if you are not referring to physical changes, I agree that career and attitudes evolve over time.

U2 put on a great live show. And if you like the band, the show will be one of the most fun nights of your life. Of course they aren’t producing Achtung Baby now. Some say that was their greatest album, and I agree it was great. But no good band, artist, or creative person is still doing what they did in 1991! Think about it, are you doing the same job, in the same company, in the same place as 1991? And if you are you have likely grown and changed a lot during the last 16 years. No one repeats one great accomplishment, or rests on one great album. One thing U2 fans enjoy is the new directions they take as musicians and artists and human beings. I have enjoyed almost all of their music (besides a few duds) and the live show is great. So why do people feel the need to be negative? Instead of being negative about a band you don’t like, why not post about a band you enjoy?

I also wanted to add that although I have enjoyed U2 concerts throughout the years, I much prefer going to a live show in a smaller venue. Not only is it more comfortable (such as a nightclub setting, where you can actually sit if you want to and have drinks), but the sound quality is far superior than in an arena. With that said though, U2 is one of the last bands around which can fill up those echoey pockets in stadiums.

Me2 might very well be quite informed and connected, but Hollywood is SO polluted with smog. The view must be somewhat hazy. I’ll take Hawaii’s views over LA’s anyday.

i have been reading this site for a few days now and i have to say it is a BIG ‘right on!’
this me2 person has got to be the most informed and connected person there is. are you in the music industry me2? you know a lot and you know what is going on…how come? do you tell it like it is when you drift around at all the meetings and you meet with all the artists and execs? i have a feeling you do. anyway, keep it going man or woman because you ROCK!

no disrespect intended…really…but get a life irishwhatever…U2 dont even come close to being the best rock band in the world. heck, even van morrison gives them a run for the money (yes…back to money) and van just stands there like a carboard caricature of himself as he has done since time went memorial (ooh…i like that). my goodness, prince also beats the pants off U2 for value for money and even he is coasting these days (although, i do admit, that is a savvy move he did giving his cd away for ‘free’ with the newspaper even though nothing is truly free.

and mw….of course you buy sub-standard product…we all do (yes… I admit it, even me. its either that or no product at all). however, i burn more than i buy, i.e., a track here, a track there, etc. i ‘aint buying a complete cd just to get one track…no way! if it was not for sub-standard product, we would not be buying any product at all! you even write that you used to buy a lot more than now, and the reason is simple…today there is a plethora of sub-standard products including what U2 has released the last many cd outings. the state of music today is awful! very few even half-decent products or artists. why else do you explain the continuing success of artists like the beatles, elvis, travelling wilburys, bob dylan, et al? for example…and I want you to think / listen carefully, logically, etc, just look / listen at Rap….it has been, is, and will always be the refuge of artists (oops…wanabees) that are not musicians and barely literate relative to language competency that will stand the test of time. ever since the likes of marvin gaye (now there is an artist), otis redding (wow!) and the like went off to a better life, and tamla motown went down the tube (due mainly to the greed and ego of the owner) music of that genre has hit the preverbial brick wall by enlarge. rap specifically is at least 98% sub-standard. buyers are buying a myth, a vicarious lifestyle, etc, but what they are not buying is music. anyway, I digress. music is changing…fast! it is in crisis and although there is nothing wrong with crisis in and of itself, in the case of music the crisis is negative. the beatles and dylan and elvis and to a degree the stones etc can only carry so much of the burden (and the stones are corporate these days but at least they have a foundation and back catalogue of music to have earned the right to be corporate…as ironic as that sounds). even now as i write on my rooftop while i kick off the moss, a few of thes lines have got me quite cross, but the suns been kind as i write down thes lines, etc. get the point?

I don’t ever buy sub-standard product. In fact, I used to buy a lot more music in the 80’s and 90’s than I do now.

I don’t ever buy sub-standard product. In fact, I used to buy a lot more music in the 80’s and 90’s than I do now.

Best Rock band to date! No one comes close!

I have been reading this page the last few days and I want to post something. But, I cant think of anything to post. The reason for this is simple, the poster called me2 has posted it all. Me2 is accurate. Me2 is right about the state of cd sales, and artists who are struggling to stay in the spotlight and who have the money to produce product that targets just enough buyers to either break even on costs or produce a small profit (mainly made on tax write-off of expenses). When will buyers ever learn? For example, a concert is expensive to get into and by the time the ticket cost, travel to / from, food / drinks, ‘t’ shirts, etc, are taken into consideration it is like ‘wow’! This does’nt even count the cost of the cd that is bought at the concert by so many goers. And what about the treatment you receive at the concert…like cattle! Meanwhile the artist gets it all…and I mean ‘all’! I know I am being naive here (of course I am, after all, I still wear Red Shoes and I am now 93 years old) but why dont you posters revolt instead of just being revolting. Instead of being revolting like the artists you support and defend, why dont you revolt against them and stop buying the sub-standard product they release? I tell you, I woke up when I got bumped in the head by a swirling farm implement inside the same tornado that picked both of us up and whisked us of like a milk shake to the land of Oz where everyone and everything stays in the same sweet innocent reality that is oftentimes called, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Now then….’Do I Have Buy-In?’

oh boy…what a night! now as i breakfast on my roof (all the freeloader stars are still asleep in the rooms below) i can email this to you my fellow posters and friends.

if you have to ask what it is i always win at then you dont understand and so, i cant be bothered explaining.

i have never antagonized anything or anyone (far too easy to do, far to obvious, and not worthy of me). i have however agonized (over why a special person like me has so much to do because so many others do so little). for example, pointing out that bono and the boys have, with their new cd, again, no clothes, the same as many…many…of their previous cd offerings. now, this may be the actual purpose (never underestimate someone who is a legend in their own mind, but not to be confused with someone who is a legend in their own time, i.e., me) of the marketing strategy. cd buyers these days (most of you posters on this site being the exception…not) are quite astute music critics as is quantified by cd sales in recent years that are plummeting fsater than superman after being hit mid-flight by an attack of green kryptonite rays. and bands like U2…who have made their profits…can afford to release product that has added things like free movie tickets, free concert tickets, free dvd’s, free booklets, etc (actually, nothing is ever free but it does show you the desperation by such bands / artists at wanting to stay in the public eye by producing product that will not produce a profit. it wont be a net loss (cost recovery…accountants always win) but it wont make a profit. however, it keeps them on the covers of such mags as rolling stone. and, posters like you not only buy this drivel, but actually defend it. as that famous thespian and orator called lurch said, ‘ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh….oh!’

no w…do all of you see my point? are any of you beginning to see my wisdom in all this?

do do do, do do do,

i look in your eyes i see nobody else but meee,

i said, ‘i look in your eyes i see nobody else but meee’,

i am what all of you here want but nobody else can beeee (but me),

do do do, do do do,

(break)

do do do do do do do do do do do do do,

(one more time),

do do do do do do do do do do do do do,

i picked you all up from the gutter and your postings are all the thanks i get,

i said, ‘i picked you all up from the gutter and your postings are all the thanks i get’,

all you want to do is insult me but dont realize you owe me a huge debt,

do do do, do do do,

(ad infinitum)

oh man, anyone who says “bono is in politic because of marketing” is an IDIOT!! you must know something about before you speak, you know?? :XXX

What, no antagonization this time? That in itself is a miracle.
Me2, you must be completely exhausted.

me2,
you always win at what?

The nymphs from Solsbury Hill are presently away on vacation in the Caribou, due to creative drainage they need to refuel.

is that all? is that all? come on…tell me that is’nt all. how very common…how very boring…how very peasant of you. ah well, as usual, it is game, set, and match to me. i always win…i never get tired of winning. and you know what? i never get bored because, unlike U2 e.g., i am always fresh, creative, imaginitive, quite humouros (but in a very sybtle, intellegent manner). i simply go from strength to strength. now, as i take a deep breath while standing on my glass bottomed patio jutting out of the west corner of my house on top of a hill overlooking a fabulous Holywood sunset with a cool breeze gently cajoling my thick mane of hair that makes even Robert Plant jealous (no mean feat) and which he comments about each time he visits my place for a party, I will now toss this laptop over the edge into the abyss of humanity below and go back inside to rejoin Courtney, Jack, George, Matt, Beyonce, Eric, Amy (sans husband for a change), and the rest of the gang (all hangers-on)…including the bassist from the group U2 who comes here often and tells us all tales that are a complete riot about how saint bono thinks he can walk on water. ah yes…a lot of fun. celebs are such gossips about each other…meow! later on i have two of the stones coming over (guess which ones?). if the wind is blowing at just the right angle and speed from where i live i can pee and it will drift on the air down to britneys place. what a riot! from my viewpoint i see all sorts of sights in the pools in the houses around here…all sorts of things (wow). ok…now that i have proved my point about U2…who is next? let me see now…could it be…YOU?

I have to agree with sgtpepper on at least on point - live U2 concerts are among the best. Whether you are a fan of their older or newer stuff, they do it all.

Peter G. and I know you can’t be the real one, or you wouldn’t even be involved in this stupid mess to begin with - My cd lists my fave song as SOLSBURY Hill, not Salsbury. The rest of you, lighten up, please! Sheesh! What a tempest in a teapot!

Musicians will make the music they make, and listeners will listen to the music they listen to. No need to trade barbs here…

I’ll get you all started after a red herring - I LOVE Mozart!!! So there!

well me2 I am signing off. This is beginning to be exceedingly redundant. I am sure everyone is sick of our equally prejudiced banter anyway. I will however, say one last thing to whoever reads this (in order to keep this post relevant) - buy U2’s album when it comes out and make sure to see them live. No matter what happens with this next album, they still put on one of the best shows I have ever seen.

U2 fans with high expectations should not be too skeptical…yet. That creative-exhaustion thing can happen to the most talented artists. I’m more of an earlier-era U2 music fan…but I’m willing to wait to hear their upcoming release before forming a premature opinion. They might surprise everyone and bounce back with a burst of innovation, as they did during the 80’s and early 90’s. And if they don’t, so be it - they’ve had a really good run, and will probably continue touring anyway. I don’t have a problem with that.

by the way me2…why dont you fly over from africa and we can go fox hunting or grouse shooting or rabbit poaching or some such thing that we english do for relaxation (even big english do these things, also medium english. its not just the exclusive domain of ‘we’ english. size does’nt matter). well actually, size does matter. i mean, just look at the stage shows i put on…wow! i have suggested to bono that U2 hire my stage manager and set designer but I was told there is not enough room on a U2 stage for a set, back-up singers, and all the trimmings that add to a good show. i was told there is only room for bonos ego.

even though bono is a friend and we have collaborated a few times in the garden at my english cottage where i am a lord (ok…i admit it, being a lord is not as grand as being a saint like bono but it still allows me to lord it over a few people. ok…maybe not as many people as bono lords over being a saint, but who is counting? ok…bono is counting but who cares? actually, he cares, and he has to count, as his fan base is dwindling as is evidenced by decling U2 cd sales while my sales are actually on the upswing…way to go PG fans…I love all of you, and of course, I Grieve for U2). now then, getting back to my gardenening with bono. do you know he has green fingers? well, of course he does…he’s friggin irish! everything in ireland is green. in fact, everything is 40 shades of green for cryin’ out loud! i am holding a late summer solstice ceremony on salsbury hill to ask the ancient wikan and wood forst nymphs and the like to cast a good spell on the next U2 cd to help sales. i can do this for the sales as after all, that is just numbers but i’m afraid there is NO spell can help put creativity, originality, enjoyment factor, etc, back into anything U2 puts out. Hey…theres a limit even to miracles!

is that the best you can do sgtpepper? you really are a U2 fan…no originality, no creativity, no imagination, no ability to place the blade where it will do even slight damage, etc. as i wrote before, noel coward was right about U2…and you. Yawn.
oh…and you were…are…wrong about your ‘understanding’ of what the miracle drug was. just admit and take your lumps (there surely has to be even one spot left on your cranium where a lump can reside among all the others you have taken over the years as a result of putting both your feet in your generously sized mouth at the same time. at least your socks or whatever must be clean…you can wash them as they are on your feet while the feet are in your mouth. i even find myself funny…is that narcistic or what? mind you, it is well deserved…eh? hey…if bono and the band can be narcistic, why cant i? i mean, clutching at straws of hoped for connections to creativity renewal by asking old friend to co-write on their next cd. hello! its like shuffling the furniture on the titanic to give a sense of false purpose, sense of direction…a future. regardless, the ship is still going to down!

maybe I was not wrong about miracle drug, correction taken back

my name sgt.pepper, me not as smart as me2. me2 be readin duh dictionary and studyin duh history books and he real smart. me2 like d-day and wwII. We are all inferior to his “honorable” (or honourable if you prefer the english way) dilatations on U2. The fact is that U2 is great. Even as they’re getting older their pop sensibility remains intact and Bono’s lyrics are as poignant as ever. And wldirishrose I apologize, I did completely misinterpret “Miracle Drug.” I just assumed that it had to do with Africa - my mistake.

Re. Wild Irish Rose’s — I was with you just until you made the comment about “Miracle Drug”. What on Earth are you talking about???? Bono specifically commented on that song being about the quest for treatments in Africa. Prior to the Boston shows in 2005 he went so far as to personal congratulate at least two drug development researchers in the audience prior to starting into the song.

I recall that National Enquirer article about Elvis’s statue being found on Mars. Then again, some of the best advice I ever saw published was “Don’t believe the hype” and “Don’t believe everything you read”. Stop making sense! You’re giving me another migraine.

hey, me2…what you saying? who you are? what you mean? i going see u2 when visit my country and i enjoying them. i buying all cd’s and i liking them (actually, i not buying cd’s but…but…i do buying burning cd’s. i meaning, why paying full dollars when i can buying burning copies…eh?). and me too like you me2 as i liking old u2 but not new u2 as new u2 be through and also screw u2 fans with new u2 stuff that not so good as old u2 stuff so this mean that me2 be right ’bout u2 being through. making sense?

there you have it. i dont like it, but there you have. we either start the invasion tonight as planned, bad weather or not, and take a chance, or we postpone it…again. If we postpone again the next date we have wont be until at least july 24, the next full moon. And, the longer we postpone the more chance there is of our plans being discovered. I mean…how much longer can we hide 250,000 troops? My decision is…we go…tonight. I dont like it but, there you have it. Oh…about U2…they are now in their ‘red shirt’ phase (and have been for 10 plus years), i.e., the expendable star trek crew member…they are toast! Has beens! No more! Irelevent! Nothing more in the hope chest! Dried up! Creativity all gone! In cruise control! Rudderless! Etc, etc, etc. Why dont they have the good grace as the Beatles did and call it a day. That was the smartest thing for the Beatles that the the Beatles ever did…break up. Just like Elvis…the best career move he made was bidding a final goodbye. Same with…well…you know what I mean.

Most creative-types, including musicians, are “intuitively” advanced. One of the keys to innovation is open-mindedness. With that said, I think that psychic rock in a sense has probably already been around for a long time.

U2 must be the best band of all time if they have found a way for records to make themselves. Who knows - maybe psychic rock will become the next big thing.

no such thing as `the best’ band - certainly no agreed criteria it is good we like different sounds etc - what a boring place it would be if we didn’t I am a massive u2 fan - have been since Boy. they are my fave band - but that doesn’t make them the best band ever. The last tour was awesome whereas the last album was good rather than great There is other good/great music out there you just have to try a little harder searching for it - try Cherry Ghost and richard Hawley for a start. I am sure the next u2 album will stir up the same debates - no bad thing imo, it is good we still have a band as good/popular as u2 Mike

…on that note, one of my favorite & most memorable concerts was The Joshua Tree.

U2 is amazing..and reading all of your comments make me laugh.
I love U2. From Boy to How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb..love it all. I even *adore* Pop.

Anyway, I just wanted to correct sgtpepper on the comment about Miracle Drug. It has nothing to do with Africa. It’s about a friend who had a disease and left him unable to talk and communicate. Until the technology and medicine allowed him to talk and let the thoughts that were in his head be expressed. Turns out he’s a brilliant writer, from what Bono says.

Do your research please!

Also, if you don’t like U2, you’ve problem never seen them in concert. Which means you are missing out on everything that U2 is.

If you don’t like them, it’s fine. No need to start the insults.

I’ve got nothing but love for U2.

Achtung Baby & prior is worth hearing at their concerts.
What they do next remains to be heard.

Thank you for shedding that light from both perspectives.

hey man….you are welcome Bono. call me sometime when you are in Ghana or somewhere and we can go bag some wild game on a safari or something.

I have to admit, after reading all the postings to date, it seems to me that me2 is beating the pants off all you other posters. I dont like what he says about me and the band but if I am going to be honest, I have to admit…me2 is right. So…the rest of you can stop defending me and the band…we give up. And further, as a result of this and the postings from me2, me and the band are going to break up and release no more songs. Hey, dont be sorry for us, we had a good run. And besides, we have plenty of money (money that you suckers gave us for the crap we have released the last many years). Me and the band have ridden on the coat tails of the Joshua Tree with every record we released after…its true. It was our sgt pepper but unlike the Beatles, we could not follow it up with a white album or an abbey road. At least they broke up when creativity and originality dried up as a group but me and the band decided to stay in it for the money (lots of it…LOTS!). Anyway, the games up…me2 has found us out and pointed out that the Emperor (me…Bono) has no clothes. And you know something? I am glad. Its been wearing on me for a while. Now, I can spend all my time in Africa. I can walk the talk instead of talking the talk as I have been doing. Thank you me2…sincerely…thank you.

get a life sgtpepper and also a name that is at least an attempt at being original. even subconsciously you are exactly like U2…no originality anymore if in fact you ever had any to begin with. writing stuff like, ‘oh…you guys piss me off, etc’ that is really original, informative, imaginative, intelligent…blah blah blah. you have committed…just like U2 has these past 10 plus years…the ultimate crime. That crime is…you bore people. Yes, Noel Coward had it down pat, i.e., the worst crime of all…boring people! And you, sgtpepper…are BORING! Now then…hows that for a me2 comment / retort that manages to skewer three pieces of old meat (sgtpepper and bono and U2) all with the same length of wordsmith steel. Ahah…enguarde you scoundrel, you are defeated…surrender and at least show a little honour (if you know what the word means that is…which I doubt). oh, U2 are still boring, have sold out, are no longer relevent, even with danny boys help and eno bicarbonate salts help, and almost anyones help, they will still be unable to get it back again. I mean…how low do you have to be to release a dog like how to dismantle an atomic bomb? Game, set, and match to me2 I’d say…eh?

Thanks for shedding some light, sgtpepper, from that particular perspective. Creativity can suck the energy right out of you, and there is nothing formulative about it. The wheel cannot be reinvented, but it can be reintroduced in new ways. I have respect for any band or artist who has sustained such longevity as U2 has. And as far as “relevance” is concerned, if you have the ability to adapt your own personal interpretation of music and lyrics to any given and changing situation, then the term “relevance” becomes a useless adjective.

I’m sorry but all of you are pissing me off, especially me2! Sure U2’s old stuff was full of passion and attitude, but their new stuff still reflects what their lives and thoughts are. What do you want? They’re older! Miracle Drug tells how committed Bono is to helping Africa and how much he is willing to give up in order to accomplish what seems impossible; and the city of blinding lights reconfesses his love, even after 20+ years of marriage - how many people can claim that! By the way have you ever tried to write a good, melodic song?! It is an incredibly hard thing to do! and to be able to do it for over 25 years, with constant sound and producing re-invention, is a feat almost nobody can claim. Only the Beatles reinvented themselves in a more covincing way than U2.

You guys are giving me a migraine.
However, I’m going to make my statement short and brief. Regarding the whole issue of “selling out”, who does it bother more, the fans or the music artists themselves who felt they have “sold out”? Perhaps somebody here can shed some light on my question.
Later.

Wow…I cant believe it, I agree with me2. Especially in relation to the comments lacking in real observation by calligirl and jennawhatever. Get your facts straight girls and read what is written before trying to respond. You are letting the debate get you all hot and bothered instead of remaining dispassionate and focudsed…like me2 does and does very well. I dont know the guy, or woman, but the postings from me2 are right on the money!

i guess no one bothered to ‘read’ my comments about ‘danny boy’ and his artistic output the last few CD’s…as limp as week old lettuce and just as tasty.

and, no one i read including my own comments has been criticizing longevity (i wish you people would learn to read as well as write). what has been getting written is a form of factual observations…NOT…criticism s. let me make it simple for you (sheesh…i hate when i have to do this). its like global warming…it is a fact…simple! the only debate is the cause, i.e., man made or natural or both and if so, what is the solution? like U2…they are worn out, lack spirit, have lost creativity, imagination is zilch, etc, etc, etc…they have sold out! what has this got to do with longevity and criticism thereof? get you facts right you…you…you…U2 no matter what fan and/or groupie you!

to all u jaded punks:
as a long time u2 fan since day 1, and ALSO someone who listens to current music (no need to name call anyone who likes u2 a ‘tool’– great band btw …it’s fair to say that since the beginning of rock and roll, there’s always been the voice of dissent relating to ‘rock is dead’; get over it. nothing is original, it’s ALL derivative of something which came before (props to the rock gods who started it all), so why criticize and slam a band as enduring as u2 merely b/c of their longevity and need to change it up once in awhile? in the end it comes down to taste– not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, or ’sellout’– at least they keep trying to stay relevant, irregardless of playing in large arenas or not. at least they are NOT aged dinosaurs re-living the ‘early albums’ on every stinkin’ tour. it reminds me of that line about woody allen movies, and how jaded fans always say ‘i like the early funny ones’…noone said you had to like all of it, but at least respect them for their legacy, and what they are still engaged in doing– making music that people can relate to. if u don’t like it, don’t listen to it. oh and yes! eno and lanois!!!!! bring it…

Not to get off the subject here, which has obviously inflamed more than a few passions, but have any of you listened to Daniel Lanois’ albums? In particular, Acadie. It gives great insight to how great an influence he has been on U2. The old makes way to the new only when the new has something better to say, and a better way to say it.

have any of you seen the trailers for the upcoming movie “accross the “universe” starring that famous over-the-top, self indulgent, one dimensional, self-parody, ‘actor’ called bono as he embarrases the absolute heck out of himself with a flat performance (much like many of his recent U2 performances). Brrrrrr…I thought I was watching Paul McCartney in that sad attempt of his at acting in the movies a while ago. Oh…and bonehead…oops…bono…makes a lame attempt during the interview where he is wearing an Edge type hat to hide ‘whatever’ to explain the plot and his role (his role is as always, i.e., bono playing bono). come on bono…its called hype and oversell! you have ruined a once half decent group that had great guitar riffs by the Edge and even better bass riffs by the bass player that looks like he could make the Proclaimer twins a threesome (triplets). As for the drummer…ah well, drummers are a dime a dozen.

“I Grieve”…for U2

I agree. I’m better than U2

My ol my, how we soon forget. U2 is and will always re-invent themselves . I have been a fan since the Eighties and each album/cd gets better than there last one. U2 will go down as one of the best rock bands ever! along side The Beatles,Rolling Stones,Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, and countless others. I will be sad the day when U2 stops making records, I hope to never see that day.
peace out!
R8B

I agree that U2 are too big for their own good. Some bands get so big they lose they hunger, U2 lost their long ago. They write some good songs, but it’s too contrived. I don’t feel the real emotion anymore, and music for me is all about emotion. I need to feel the songwriter’s hurt or joy. For me, Peter Gabriel is the greatest. He still has it and it’s real. His lyrics are sublime and he keeps pushing himself. Never settles. U2 needs to push harder and Bono needs to let out something personal that is not cloaked by clever lyrics.

More or less since Achtung Baby I have agreed with the “U2 has lost it’s way” sentiment…. but a recent viewing of the Slane Castle DVD has me diving deeper into the more recent stuff, and finding that there’s still some great stuff there. Having the Eno/Lanois team back with them can’t be a bad thing….

WAR, the U2 album.
“Read” the messages in the lyrics.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with me2 about U2. They have lost it and they are wandering and wandering and wandering and are lost in the desert of their own self indulgent arrogance. U2, or rather, Bono, believe in their own hype. They have become legends in their own mind! Saint Bono? So freakin’ true! Hey Bono! You ‘aint no….hey….hey…wait a minute…hold on there…get out of my office, get out…leave me alone…i dont care if you disagree with what i am writing about U2 it is my opinion and I am entitled to my opinion…hey…hey…what are going to do with that bucket of human fecal matter…dont, dont you dare, dont you…oh…oh…oh…that stuff smells really bad and it is sticking to my hair!

WAR?

Uh…what is it good for?

Uh!

ah…absolutely nuthin’!

Good God, y’all!

rubin’s make-a-band vs. destroy-a-band ratio is pretty damn low. if all the geezers want classic U2, eno/lanois are the way to go.

wtf does rick rubin’s solo stuff sound like, anyway?

@onebeautiful:

it’s larry MULLEN, jr. at least google the shit or something before you correct somebody, pretentious ‘tard.

WAR

i’m feeling quite ‘fruity’; even bordering on ‘naughty’. anyway, that aside (mmmm…fruity…naughty…mmm ). Oh yes…where was I? I mean, just listen to that absolute embarrasing hunk of crap called how to dismantle an atomic bomb! The one and only saving grace in the whole schmozzle was the honesty of calling the overpriced, unimaganitive, same old same old, predictable, lump of you know what, a ‘’bomb'’ (although, I think that was a freudian slip on the part of U2). ’nuff said. Oh…one more thing…U2 has lost it. Last good album was…mmm…let me think…it was…oh yes…wait a minute…i’m thinking…i mean…ok…for cryin’ out loud…there has’nt been one for a while. OK…satisfied?

Hey 1 other comment.
For the guy who says U2 is nothing but a Pop group.

Well what band hasn’t written a Pop song to get it going.

these all did
Springsteen
Led Zepplin
Bob Dylan
Rolling Stone (many times!!)
Aerosmith (what a joke now)
The Eagles
Pink Floyd
Beatles (the biggest Pop group)
and so many more

I’m 19, love all types of Music and have to say I find myself listening to a lot of U2.

I started with How To..bomb. This album is so different in so many good ways. It has its Pop, it has its hard rock, but most of all the writing is all there.

Then I was told to pick up Actung Baby and my god I love this album.

Then I got All that you can’t..behind wow another classic album here.

Then last week I opened up the Joshua Tree. I knew a some of the classics, but wow this album is full of great stuff. I didn’t even know U2 wrote Bullet The Blue Sky, wow.

If I go through all their catalog all I find is great songs, songs that everyone knows. I sometimes find myself not even knowing this song or that song was a U2 song - because U2 to me is very new, very fresh.

All I have to say is
Thank you U2
and I can’t wait for the next album.

quite strange that people say ’stop dissing U2′. How is it possible to have a band loved by ALL - no need to answer that. The whole idea of opinion is to be able to constructively share it with others and either agree or not.(my view on U2 is irrelevant -it’s interesting to see the mixed reactions). One thing that can’t be denied is that for good or bad, a lot of interest has been created.
Consider that most influential bands have had ‘defining moments’ in their careers. There appears to be many defining and continuing moments when reading the opinions of others here. I suppose the whole point is that there will always be those for and those against, so don’t beef about peoples opinion as long as it is well intended.
saying ‘dude they suck s**t’ about ANY band just ain’t really enough.

The album will be great becasue of one person Eno. Look at what and who he has produced to see the the over arching effect this guy has made to music over the last 30 years.
U2 is smart enough to know this guy (and Lanios) made Unforgettable Fire what it was and then listen to the first U2 album once they were no longer producing.
F Rick Rubin and Lillywhite-the real creative force is Eno alasy was always will be.

Anybody who recoginizes U2 as anything other than a POP VERSION of a rock band, is a real COCK SMOOCH!

“Just listen to “kite” on ATUCLB and you’ll know what im talking about.”

A song like “Kite” is why Bono and U2 are still on top so to speak. Straight from the heart.

In regards to spaz’s rant:

As I believe a significant reason as to why no band has stepped up and knocked off older bands is because of the accessibility and availability of music today. You can go online and hear anything. The indie music scene has exploded and the blast has effected the stature mainstream music.

Also, kids today have the means to rediscover great music from the past at ease. Thus, really the music scene kids are actually developing better musical taste because they are listening to quality of the past. Kids these days are learning the roots and realizing that its not about how big a band is, it is about how good they are. And normally, the better a band is, the worse they will do in the mainstream music scene because they are not willing to sacrifice their art for marketability.

n00b.

If im a teenager in this day and age id be effin’ pissed! I would feel cheated that no band in recent memory (or this decade) has come along and knocked the older bands off the top(although Greenday has come close). Thats the way music has worked from the 50’s to the early 90’s. You have to ask yourself, why are these older bands still around? No new band in the last 15 years has stood up and said (musically) “Get the Hell out of here…you had your time…now its mine!” Not one band. Say what you want about the 70’s punk bands or even the 80’s metal bands, they kicked Disco out…for good! Same can be said for Grunge…they kicked 80’s Metal out, just not for good. Name one band thats done that over the last decade or so. Music today is alot like disco was in the 70’s…instead of up tempo jazz-fused melodies…you have high gain amp drain and hip hop slop. It was unheard of in the 80’s if anyone anywhere in their right mind listened to disco. Hell, i remember ppl dissing John Lennon. WHY? Something or someone has to come along and take it. Noone is doing it. Noone. Geez, i hate to say this, but even Poison is still out there bangin heads.
Go ahead and say what you want about U2. yeah, i love the “heart on your sleeve” 80’s U2. I also loved the “lets break what alot of ppl are saying isnt broken” U2 of the 90’s. Hell, i even love the last two cd’s, you just gotta listen harder to find the meanings. U2 fans have always expected more…always will. It’l be interesting to see if VH changes their formula (sex,drugs,r&r). Yes, I love VH, but i’ve also grown up a little since then. U2’s music makes you think as much as it inspires you to be a better person. Also, you have to live and lost a little bit to appreaciate U2. Just listen to “kite” on ATUCLB and you’ll know what im talking about. It’s just pure bone-chilling emotion. I get the same feeling when i listen to Exit. U2 fans listen to music in a different way. The same can be said for ppl who like Pink Floyd or other bands like that.
Go ahead an call U2 crap. Fine. I can live with that. You cant deny that music today is lost. It has been for years. All i can ask is why?

That is an odd picture of Bono.

It’s seems easy to bash U2 lately, given their large media presence. They’ve stood the test of time and are respected by other musicians.They’ve perservered through the new-wave, 80’s hair metal, grunge,and boy band eras for a reason. Their body of work speaks for itself. They will never make another Achtung Baby or a Joshua Tree again, but I’m fine with that. They aren’t 30 years old anymore. I love it when people say they’ve gone “soft”. Um, They’ve NEVER been a hard rock band. This is a band that is greater than the sum of it’s parts. When Bono, Adam, Edge, and Larry make music, it’s sure to inspire and elevate those who choose to listen. I will follow!

i don’t know what the fuck that one guys problem was about the producers helping write the songs. fuck, i would love to have brian eno and daniel lanois write a song for or with me.

Rock and Roll is a dying breed. We should be thankful and respectful towards those who are left. Springsteen, Dylan, u2 and even Neil Young are the last ones left still doing relevant music. As much as Bono can get on people’s nerves, there’s no denying his passion for music..name me one freakin’ band today that like Springsteen has hailed music as his personal religion, like Dylan made countless attempts to reinvent themselves or even like Bono bring passion nigth after night to their live performances.

…not Bono though. He’s deserving of all he’s worked for, and has done a lot of good.
Pick on a different “rock star”, me2.

No, no, you’ve got it all wrong. Substitute the cooking oil with tar. That will ensure the humility.

i’m thinking that maybe as each one goes further into the abyss of endless imagination while rolling about au natural in a mound of flour liberally mixed with hundreds and thousands but having the advantage of preparing oneself with a fine film of say, cooking oil, that adding chicken feathers while rolling about might just result in a complete self degradation of integrity. much like the last few u2 releases. maybe the luck of the ‘oirish will fall on them on this next offering…but i doubt it. or maybe saint bono can perform a miracle, after all, is’nt that why he was declared a saint in the first place, i.e., for all his pontificating here, there, everywhere chastizing the world leaders for not spending enough on the likes of africa while he…saint bono…lives the life of o’reily as rich, pampered rock superstar. have i missed anything?

U2 is great, but I still would rank them below The Who, Springsteen & The Beatles for innovativeness, musicianship & overall accomplishment (and below The Who & Bruce for live performing)…

Now, now, Lenny Moshe…you’re assuming that U2 fans are a bunch of mindless lemmings. That’s pretty ignorant. And ignorance is a tel-tale sign of a mindless lemming…y’all. Shalom

U2 is one of countless bands I have been listening to for many years. I like their newer albums and their older material. HTDAAB seemed to have a sense of urgency to it with a harder edge. Bono’s voice and lyrics are always
top-notch. Yes, The Edge is a “minimalist” guitar player, but he can certainly bend his notes quite melodically and proficiently when the need arises. Also, his style is immediately recognizable and synonomous with the “U2 Sound”. Clayton and Mullen provide a classic rhythm section that many consider the cornerstone of the band instrumentally. I don’t like to compare U2 to other artists.
Isn’t REM or Joe Jackson great too?
If you want to debate musicianship or virtuosity, let’s discuss Zappa, Jeff Beck, Vai, Satriani, Rundgren, Hendrix, Steve Morse, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Rory Gallagher Jorma or Richard Thompson just to name a few.

I like U2, but I think they have lost their edge (no pun intended). I loved the youthful enthusiasm and even arrogance during the 80’s, I loved their experimentation in the 90’s, I even liked it when they produced something that wasn’t up to scratch with the rest of their stuff which shows that despite the failure they are indeed human - but I now find that they’ve sat back with complacency with their later material (2000 onward) and are now simply a parody of their former selves, re-writing their most accessible songs and giving the people what they want. I don’t think they’ve descended into mediocrity - as I’d much prefer U2 to rewrite a U2 song then say Coldplay - but they’re clinging to their status of the world’s most famous band without delving into uncharted territories like they courageously did on Achtung Baby. I don’t begrudge their fame or arrogance (Bono is unbelievably arrogant) - kudos to them, they worked hard and deserved it, but they ain’t what they used to be!

Cee, why don’t you try listening to earlier albums such as War and The Unforgettable Fire? You’ll need to dig back even further than the Joshua Tree. Then perhaps you can come back and present a more credible argument.

People like to hate U2 because they’re popular, and people like to feel like rebels. I understand tat some people actually do not like U2, and i respect that. But like rodd said, people can like what they want. I don’t care-i like U2 for the incredible music they create, and their ability to connect with anyone and everyone. Like what you want, but i dont see why you want to bash other peoples music

The producers are helping to write the album? bono’s a GENIUS (rolls eyes)

bono could right a song about the color of his feces and yall dumba$$es would convince yourselves it was about god or the cuban missile crisis or some sh!t… back away from your TV sets people, youre getting confused

And for the haters…

Czikk: “To call them bland is to call yourself bland, for it means you have little appreciation of revolutionary songwriting and instrumentals.”

… what does that even mean?

“If the naysayers are so absorbed with their self-righteous opinions that they can write a paragraphs of nonsense about a band they can never understand, then I will get nowhere in typing this.”

… I actually gave reasons why I don’t like U2, I thought pretty coherently… you just whined. Fail.

Still running: “I realize you probably only own a Best of U2 album and therefore are unaware of U2’s long list of deep and meaningful songs…”

… let me just cut you off there. I don’t own ANY U2 albums, actually, because I don’t like them. I’ve listened to The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Pop, and some of the newer stuff, so I’m pretty familiar with their work and the best compliment I can give them is that they used to be okay. Keep running.

And let the baseless U2 bashing continue. You know I’ve never heard a good argument for why U2 sucks. It seems like people who don’t like them just resent their success. Oh boohoo my favorite band has never been as successful and popular as U2 so I’m going to badmouth them for no good reason. U2 is still as popular as ever 25 years into their career, yeah truly a sign of one real crappy band.

Good call Rodd. I hate U2 but can still see why other people like them. Every music fan has their own sound that they are drawn to… and if all these people are willing to defend U2, they must be striking the right chords somewhere.

(Well more like thumping the right chords on bass and having Edge throw in those annoyingly-wispy “glass guitar” harmonics over it)

::shrugs:: To each his own!

Can’t we all just get along?

Let’s face it, not everyone is going to like the same type of music.

Some people enjoy original, unique, new and insightful music that bands and artists like U2, Tom Waits and Radiohead, among many others, have been producing for decades.

Others, however, don’t really care what they listen to, and are happy to be among the lowest common denominator, unintelligent and indiscriminant, and enjoy such artists as Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, and pretty much anything else that comprises top40.

There’s nothing anyone can do to change or alter opinions when it comes to music. It’s too personal.

So, folks like Matt S., Knuckle Bonez, and Cee, don’t worry, you can still listen to your watered down tripe and continue to bash bands like U2. It ain’t gonna change my mind. Nor am I going to change yours.

U2 is timeless . . . I wish people would stop hating on them - they’re the biggest band in the world - the haters can kiss my arse. TYVM

i love how some of you idiots are saying u2 are so great because their tour was popular. i’m sure bands like fall out boy and panic! at the disco have popular tours despite their lack of talent

only a shitty guitarist would call himself the edge

how bad do you have to be to have people help you write our album

Why does everyone keep referring to the term “relevance”? Relevant to WHAT? Good music is timeless and open to interpretation.

blackcrowe, I have to disagree with your statement about them being the only rock band relevant throughout their whole career. Pink Floyd was relevant their whole career. Whenever they went out on tour or released an album people went and people bought. Since they “retired” in 94 they have still continued to do well in album sales, and dvd sales of pulse were high. Imagine that, a dvd being released last year 12 years after the concert and selling like crazy. I can name 10 bands better then U2, that being said i love u2 and have seen them 7 times in concert. However, they don’t compare to bands such as Floyd, The who, Queen. I’m more interested in the new Oasis album next year then the U2 album, but I hope the U2 album is good

U2 were so strong during the ZOO TV era that eveything they do now seems artificial.
The last album could have been one of their best if it had the same production than Achtung Baby.
They can write good songs but they decided to sound like Bon Jovi.
I prefer when it sounds like Sonic Youth. I hope The Edge will put his keyboards and acoustic guitars to the attic… and buy a Frankenstrat !

The only band that you could say is better is the Beatles. But in my opinion U2 are better than the Beatles . Just whait 15 or 20 years from now and lets all see who makes more hits, number 1 allbums sould out tours, etc, More than U2. Or better yet who makes half of what U2 whas done in their carrer.

Matt S. thinks Fergie makes good music.

Awesome, U2 is the greatest band of the world, The Beatles and U2

Anyone who likes the new U2 is a tool. It is that simple.

This album is very important for U2—they need to do their own creative thing again. No more “going back to the basics,” as the last two albums have done. They need to, to quote 1994 Bono, “fuck up the mainstream” again. If they can’t do that and play it safe again, it’s time for Bono to save the world full time and put his efforts there.

U2 has always been a divisive band. But for those of you who dismiss them, listen to War, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop in that order. There’s some innovative and adventurous stuff on there.

And for those who question their musicianship? For U2, the bass and drums have always held the melody and been in the forefront and The Edge fills up the rest; that’s why they’re U2. Listen to Achtung Baby if you think The Edge sucks. Listen to any U2 album closely and focus on the guitars, for that matter. For God’s sake– he’s MINIMALIST; you can’t compare him to EVH.

Putting all Bono’s extra-curricular activities to one side, U2 are still f*cking awesome. I wasn’t too hot on “ATYCLB” but the last album was amazing from start to finish, they can take as long as they want to make the new one as long as they’ve got the inspiration still.

Why not just sit back and see how their next album goes, it’s no one’s problem but theirs if it doesn’t do as well as anticipated - I say bring it on!

If U2 is out of date why was their last tour sold out, and not just to people who are fans from the beginning, or even from the JT era? They have fans of all ages. I believe that their latest albums HTDAAB was a great album, and very relevant to today. I’ll admit when I first heard it I wasn’t too impressed, but I kept listening until I finaly got it. U2 in my opinion are THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD TODAY!!!!! And if Bono wants to buy a first class seat for his hat so what. What he does for humanitarian causes way out weighs that. And don’t believe for a minute that he doesn’t spend a lot of his own money on his causes, but what’s he suppose to do spend all his money on his humanitarian efforts?

I believe that a lot of people are just envious of U2, and the money they have made, but they have worked very hard and They deserve whatever they have. Thier music has touched so many people in so many different ways,I for one am glad that U2 will still be relevant for a long time to come. If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, don’t say it. You know The Golden Rule?

I agree U2 sucks, yeah right, got ya!! U2 are in a league of their own, and if you don’t like them, we’ll go listen to Britney Spears!

do u think Bono is a vampire or werewolf? (I mean in his freetime)>

Two words ladies and gentlemen! U2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

fabulous news with or without rubin. the boys from dublin have been together with their original lineup longer than any other band (except for zz top) and have managed to remain relevant. their music remains exciting and the ideas are always thought provoking. these guys are an institution and an inspiration. they defy comparisions. and they’re still together. i think the boss said it best in his speech inducting them into the rock and roll hall of fame: “they’re a real band; each member plays a vital part.”

http://www.u2station.com/n ews/archives/2005/03/transcrip t_bruc.php

by the way, i saw a werewolf drinking a guinness at the clarence; and he was running to stand still.

oh god, i wish they’d just stop. and comparing them with zeppelin, the stones…come on!!!!

…oh yes…this latest thingy about U2. Hey…who cares? U2 has lost it! They are over the hill! They have nothing more in the vault! Ever since Bono was declared a Saint and the rest of the band became his followers instead of his team mates, the end was obviously nigh. In fact, the same can be said for, as Bono calls him, ‘Danny Boy’. The last 2 offerings from Danny Boy were as limp as week old lettuce…and just as tasty. As for Brian Eno? Hello! If it was’nt for the advent of computers to give us an example of sterile, lateral thinking and supposed creativity, we would only have Brian Eno to show us how sterile music can be at times. I’m sorry (actually, I’m not), but even before it comes out I suggest U2 names their next CD offering ‘Turkey’!

I have to say U2 will be remembered as one of the great all-time pop bands (as in popular music not bubblegum) with The Stones and The Beatles. I was not a fan until I saw Rattle & Hum in the theater back in 1989(?)

I prefer Achtung, Zooropa, half of POP(the good half) and ATYCLB to the early stuff (even to Joshua tree, but maybe because I heard it so many times before I liked them)but they have one of the strongest catalogs in pop music history.

The last CD was not their best, but I think they could have another great album in them.

I for one am tired of all of the U2 bashing which seems to be fashionable nowadays. I’m a huge fan, and I agree that their last two albums haven’t been stellar. What I don’t understand is how anyone could ignore 1981-1997 when U2 was as bold as anyone in the music business. When they were respected critically, and commercially successful worldwide. When they reinvented themselves and their music constantly. Now all I hear is this U2 sucks and were never good BS that seems to be the popular thing to say. Most of these people haven’t even heard more than a couple of U2 songs. If you know anything about U2, it’s that both musically and lyrically they are everchanging. That’s a big reason why they have retained a large fanbase over the years, and why they used to be so well respected.

Vocals — BONO , Guitar — EDDIE VAN HALEN ???????????????

1- U2 , 2- Pink Floyd ,3- Led ZEP ,4- Stones ,5- Van Halen and 6- AC/DC …

Comon they ‘re very good band — U2 , Van Halen and others master rock band

This is a fun argument/discussion. But it must be said that NO band in rock history (and here I include the Stones, the who, Floyd, the Kinks, whoever) have maintained credibility and relevance like U2 has. No one. U2 is still creating new fans, not just reaping money from its old ones. They still strive for musical invention and integrity, not just play greatest hits. Anyone who saw the last tour knows that. Songs like “Miracle Drug” go alongside “I WIll Follow” with ease. Van Halen was a great band, and I’m looking forward to the reunion (got my tix already) but U2 may in fact be the greatest rock band of all time. They’re certainly the best live act I’ve ever seen, and I’ve see everyone. No band has done as much to fulfill the promise of rock n roll like U2. They combine the sexual with the spirtual, the egotistic with esoteric. and by the by, Bono is one of only two true “rock stars” Ive ever seen. The other? Prince. U2 isn’t a nostalgia act. They are alive and vibrant and everything pop/rock music should be.

But I can’t wait to see David Lee Roth!

TPG,
I’m not American, but you are insulting my American friends by your comments.

And another thing - Do you know Bono buys a first class seat wherever he travels….just for his hat? Its true…swear to your God.

TPG…don’t assume all Americans are the same and certainly don’t say that we are all uncultured, sloppy fools. I am not sure where you are from, but there all clueless idiots in every corner of the globe.

How can the self appointed ‘President of the World’ find the time to record an album?

btw, can RS add a few more paragraphs to the user agreement, I think I just testamented away my first born.

I’ll stop trying to discuss music on this site with the uncultured masses. It’s a worthless exercise. Like most Americans, your taste in music matches your taste in food and clothes. Sloppy and beyond pathetic.

Come back when you have a clue. On second thought, don’t come back at all.

In regards to VanHalens post…U.S. sales???? Puch up the world wide numbers then come talk to me. And you’re right Eddie is an amazing guitarist and there is no doubt about that. Personaly I’ve always like his stuff, and the new sound he created. But there is the problem…he hasn’t done anything in so long. They haven’t stood the test of time, U2 has….But you know after I read your post I did ponder what that would be like…Eddie filling in for the edge??hmmm…interesting yes, but just dosen’t fit.

Rolling Stone and its current readers are as relevant to music as MTV and its current viewers are

Anyone who reads Rolling Stone and any critics who work for Rolling Stone should be taken lightly. Considering U2 has been around making solid music for well over 20 years is a statement within itself. Wake me up when the 20 year reunion tour for Fall Out Boy is announced

Hey Cee…the same Jack White who will spend all of 3 or 4 days recording an album? Don’t get me wrong, I like the White Stripes, but come on, I realize you probably only own a Best of U2 album and therefore are unaware of U2’s long list of deep and meaningful songs such as Bad, Running to Stand Still, Mothers of the Disappeard, One, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Please, etc. Bland? Get real, see them live and say that. Don’t bash on them just because of their age, what does that have to do with anything?

U2 is a very distinguished and cultured band that has always put forth definitive songs and meaningful lyrics with artistry. To call them bland is to call yourself bland, for it means you have little appreciation of revolutionary songwriting and instrumentals. Edge is VERY good, and the rhythm section is always tied to the format beautifully. But why should I bother typing this? If the naysayers are so absorbed with their self-righteous opinions that they can write a paragraphs of nonsense about a band they can never understand, then I will get nowhere in typing this. But I can try.

U2 is vastly overrated. The Edge isn’t really that good - the rhythm section really stands as the lead instrument with Edge just throwing accents over top of it. Bono’s lyrics are like a (deeper, admittedly) version of Linkin Park - vague, trying to make a little bit of sense to everyone but instead, IMHO, just coming off as bland.

“It’s a Beautiful Day!”

C’mon now… he’s just writing songs about the first thing that pops in his head when he walks out the door.

I admit, they have a couple catchy tunes… “Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” for example, or “Staring At The Sun” (which no one seems to remember). But all in all, give me a Thom Yorke or even a Jack White over Bono any day.

Plus they’re old.

Ay-Ohhhhhhhhh!

Van Halen fans are calling U2 a joke???? God that is funny considering a 16-year old is going to play bass. That’s a joke.

This is a meaningless argument. Bon Jovi is better than both of their asses.

Who are brain damaged idiots who keep posting that Van Halen is equal to U2?

Van Halen stopped being relevant in 1988. They played harmless, disposable, redneck rock. Fun, butbasically worthless.

Learn to understand music, morons.

all this talk makes me wish Pink Floyd would do something…

HOWEVER!!! I do agree whole-heartedly with everyone who said, “Bono, lose the shades.”

When was VH’s last album? When was U2’s? I’m not bashing VH, they’re great, but talk about relevancy and being a “greatest hits” band, U2 has them beat.

HTDAAB was no Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby, but it was a good album (sold over 8 million copies in the US if I remember correctly.) I don’t even like Vertigo, and I still think it’s a great album (City of Blinding Lights did it for me.) Someone made a very ignorant comment about people not knowing any post-80’s U2. Uh, what about Beautiful Day? One? Mysterious Ways? Vertigo? Only to name a few.

Finally, and I say this as a musician who has been in several bands, it’s hard to keep a band together. U2 has been together for over 30 years. They still make good music; even if some like their older stuff better, some like the newer stuff. And how many of you who bash U2 have ever seen them live? They are phenomenal. The four of them are right for each other, they create sounds that work. If you’ve ever tried to write lyrics, you’ll see that Bono is an exceptional lyricist.

For those of you who don’t like U2, fine, you’re entitled to your own opinion. All it means for me is it will be a little easier (but still near impossible) for me to get tickets next time U2 goes on tour. Did I mention every show on their last tour for their “mediocre album” sold out instantly?

Why is it that many of you can only state the same ole argument that Achtung rocked and the rest since has been nothing? Have you heard anything relevant from new bands? Maybe you don’t like U2’s latest albums, fine, they are still WAY better than most anything that is coming out and I personally think they have the deep passion of their early work.
For those of you who say they are turning into a “greatest hits” band, have you actually seen them live? Or do you spend all day trying to tear down one of the most influential and innovative bands to ever walk the earth? ANYONE who has seen U2 live would know that their concerts are mind-shattering, especially when compared to most other bands. Van Halen? Come on, the 80’s are calling and they want there spandex back.
Boy…one of the best ever debut albums.
Unforgettable Fire…incredible, hello BAD, best song ever.
Achtung…obviously, insanely incredible.
Pop…WAY under apprecitated.
ATYCLB & Atomic….heart felt and both great albums, if you think other than that fine, go grow a mullet and remain forever locked in the 80’s.

Dean - that “guy” is Larry Mullins Jr. the drummer for U2 and also the guy who started the band.

U2 is a POPBAND , Van Halen is a ROCK and ROLL BAND….

Van Halen 11 #1 Hit in Mainstream RockTracks , 6 #1 Albuns in Billboard , about GUITAR I don;t talk ?

Hey Ultraviolet ? On the Guitar Eddie or The Edge ? ( common , Eddie is God ) VH sales 57.0 million in US , U2 54,0 million ? What more ???

I really don’t think album sales/awards should have anything to do with how great of a band anyone is. Music is subjective, that is why it’s great. Once you start boiling it down to numbers and how many moronic MTV fans purchased it, it really doesen’t say much about that band at all. A solid 75% (if not more) of the artists I listen to are well below the Rolling Stone radar, but does that mean that they aren’t good? Nahhhhh.

you don’t measure how good a band is by grammies. But i’ts a combination of everything, sales awards, popularity, and appeal to every generation, and how good they are live. Personaly I think U2 are the only band to have all this, they are the best band in the world. But comparing U2 to VH?? That is insane! They can’t even keep the same people in the band for more than 1 album. Shouldn’t even be mentioned.

oops . . . that would be “whether” and “Miracle”. I’m get all OCD when I see my own misspellings.

Actung is my favorite album and I would say it’s generally considered their best (even demonstrated by the comments below, wheather the posters still think U2 are relevant or not). But HTDAB is a strong contender for my second favorite U2 album. I don’t find it to be quite as much of an overall success as Zooropa or War (Mirical Drug, One Step Closer to Knowing and Yahweh are half-misses depending on my mood) but for me, the rest of it hits and it hits hard. It sounds very fresh and alive. It’s just interesting how differently albums register with people. I’m actually more of a post-Actung fan than pre-Actung (yes, I liked Pop). The older albums are undeniably raw and great, but their post-80’s stuff has more emotional resonance for me. Overall, I’m just a big ol’ fan.

“Hey Matt S bet u got a shit ton of money eh…”

Huh? Why would you assume that? I am broke as shit, in fact. And what are you saying, I can’t have an opinion unless I am putting out records myself? I respectfully disagree.

uh, i should clarify, i agree with kt except for the retirement bit. and the bono as messiah bs. remember kids: he’s only spending his celebrity. because nobody sems to be listening to teachers and nurses. but we will listen to a rock star. what a world we live in.

U2 has been constantly growing as artists and I think that HTBAAB is one of the best they have made. Every Album with the exception of Zooropa has shown areas of growth and greatness. I think that they are now and will be known by all as the biggest and best band of all time.

i agree with keith talent. for me, i’m hoping for an album that is not as spotty as the last few. an honest straight up rock record, with none of that mid tempo homage to the latest tragedy crap. if they were take achtung baby, and make it meaner and louder: that would be fantastic.

After reading all the comments it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who found the last album boring. Granted, from “Boy” to “Achtung” they were untouchable. From “Zooropa” onwards they have not put out a solid album. Yes, each one of those albums has at least 3 or 4 high caliber songs, but overall they are uneven and, sadly, boring. They’re middle-aged and wealthy. They need to sharpen their edge (pun intended) by working with new producers and putting themselves in in a different location or mindset (like they did with “Achtung”). Whether you like it or not, they are the dinosaurs of our generation’s music, (much like the Stones were back in U2’s heyday). I don’t expect them to be as hungry as they were in ‘83, but as songs like “Beautiful Day” and “Vertigo” proved, they do still have some spark left in them. The new album needs to make that spark a flame for them to stay relevant, otherwise Bono should stick to his humanitarian efforts. It’s a better use of his time.

The guy behind (to the left) of Bono… he’s doing a Derik Zoolander “look”. HAHA!

I am an 80’s child and have grown up listening to U2. About 10 years ago I thought all mainstream music sucked! I’ve been listening to Indie bands like Built to Spill, Pinback, Spoon and Modest Mouse (before they got popular). One thing that hasn’t changed is listening to U2 or Radiohead. U2 still puts great albums and if you didn’t like their last 2 albums then you have no idea what you are talking about. This is a band that has changed just like the times have changed. So for all of you My Chemical Romance or Fallout Boy fans, wake up and listen to real music and meaningful lyrics which is what U2 has.

U2 and Sprinsgteen w/E street Band, The last great rock and roll bands left.

Thought that The Song Doctor (Rubin) was producing the new U2 album.

However; U2 is one of the biggest bands to ever walked this planet. Whether one likes them, or not.

Same as my last post also counts for Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, R.E.M., The Beastie Boys and The Cure…U2 should set a good example and be bold enough to quit before destorying the positives they’ve created.

Looking forward to the next U2 album. Great Band, looking forward hopefully to see them in Concert here soon. If I did, my concert coming days would come to a satisying end. People who bash Atomic Bomb, don’t see that the band keeps developing. Love ya Bono!!

The ‘Bono as Messiah’/political stuff can be quite mawkish and over the top at times, definitely…And, to be fair, ‘Atomic Bomb’ was very bitty (as were ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ and ‘Pop’ in my opinion)…If U2 really want to impress me again, they need to try and combine the songcraft and emotional honesty of ‘Achtung Baby’ with the experimental leftfield detours of ‘Zooropa’ (probably thier most under-rated album but also a crucial one-without it, none of the electronic stuff on the last 3 records would be there).One more great album, a 2 year long show stopping world tour, then retirement would do it for me.

One little article on U2 and look at all the responses — some negative, some positive.

Bottom line — they are still relevant after 25+ years, no matter how you measure the term — album sales, fan base, concert attendance, number of vitriolic posts against them. Gotta love it.

I am lame.

Better be good. They have done nothing creative since Achtung Baby. The last two albums have been so over-produced and, let’s face it DULL. You tell me that you would rather play ‘Atomic Bomb’ than ‘Achtung Baby’? I want something that is an album that Bono has always promised - a classic. Physical Grafitti anyone?

“WAR” is their best and always will be.

Totally totally agree w/ you JohnMellor. I have every b-side and track they ever did from at least Unforgettable Fire through All That You can’t Leave Behind. Atomic Bomb just ended it for me. I totally agree w/ you. I now find it hard to even listen to anything they’ve done b/c they’ve pissed away their legacy w/ their ubiquity and mediocrity.

I’m the biggest s@#t-eating U2 fan there is. I was excited to hear that they’d be working with Rick Rubin (knowing that he makes bands rehearse material 1st, then records - he takes the best bits, strips it down, pushes the artist). After almost 30 yrs, U2 should be able to do just that - write, rehearse, record. As much as I love them, it’s beyond me why they still need 2+ producers (the last record had like 9). Their best work has been with Eno/Lanois, but U2 used to be about change, not formula. I love Lanois, I love Eno - I hope U2 doesn’t dictate to them what U2 should sound like. They need to tell the millionaires, “No - this sucks, go back and start again - I don’t care how big you are.” This is U2’s last chance with me. They’ve turned into the turgid dinosaurs Bono once claimed to detest - does anybody really listen to a new Stones record?

Last one…I know i’m crazy but i;m finding out i’m not the only one jealous people all working bands/musicians/artists got fans ya’ll need to grow up get a agrip and be happy its a wonderful world!and rollingstone is a great magazine i know i love it

Hey Matt S bet u got a shit ton of money eh…you dont got to like em you need music lessions and go be a musician then we can berate you too!! And winneing a grammy would be a bad thing huh!!

U2 is, arguably, the greatest band in the world today. Van who?? Those so many VH comments & they haven’t been able to keep their shit together since ‘84 - & you really think they’ll make it all tour w/o fighting David Lee? C’mon. I’ve been a U2 fan for decades, know every song & lyrics (& I mean every, baby!) and although ACHTUNG BABY is my #1 album of all time, all their albums are amazing. The band continuously produces great music and great shows and will continue to, by all accounts, for some time. However, you’re right, get rid of the Lennon glasses and bring back the Fly shades and black threads.

Whoever said that U2 are good because they have won Grammies is an idiot. Make decisions yourself, not based on what some bloated media spectacle tells you to. Personally, U2 annoys the shit out of me. Way to pretentious and over the top.

sorry folks just got to say if you ain’t a musician or part of a band or at the very least write’ you don’t have a clue! U2 and other bands stand the test of time because they can and Bono can be political all he wants because he can,and if your gonna bitch its because you can’t do these things shut up and enjoy what ya like!!!!

What’s going on. Have we warped back to 80’s? You’ve got the Van Halen tour coming up, Springsteen, the Police, U2, the Eagles touring. Year 2007 will be known as the year that the old farts have come out of hibernation in music history.

i have every U2 album ever released the lyric writing is so varied as is the music which is fueled by edges great guitar playing. their story as a band and how they came together is interesting, they have definitly stood the test of time, folks shouldn’t kick that, those that do are probably 12…and the humanitarian efforts made by these people rivals releif efforts made by nations and i’m almost sure they could care less what anyone in the general public has to say about their musical endevores! can’t wait to hear the new album i’m sure i won’t be disappointed.

well, gee, if U2 are old & outdated then why do we as the public continue to mean so much to so many people? they’re the 2nd biggest drawing live act (next to the obvious rolling stones), and they won the grammy for the album of the year last time. hmmmmm, of course they should hang it up. then they should teeter on with the fans about an on/off reunion, then bono can have his son be the bass player! YEAH! THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT!

Fuck U2! Van Halen ….

U2 takes themselves way WAY too seriously. They haven’t made a decent album since Achtuny Baby.

…but they still put on great concerts.

Pop? You’ve got to be kidding. Try digging back even further into the past.

I think Knuckle Bonez is absolutely correct. Sure there the Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby and there’s being some pretty good shit here and there (such as Sometimes You Can’t Make it on your Own), but U2 for the most part is a pretty uninspiring band musically only saved by this political bullshit from Bono and the fact that the guy is a pretty good frontman and singer. Just like Coldplay, a band that is associated with the singer straight away because the rest of the band is just schmaltz.

they lost their mojo since pop. period

Who can diss them? Anyone who has been tuned in since Boy knows that U2 is in a league of their own.

U2 is sooo much better than Van Halen, that shouldn’t even be an argument. come on, the only time i like listening to van halen is when they play it at the beginning of cubs games. i have to admit though, Bono does look completely ridiculous in those sunglasses.

U2 still rock, no matter what you nutters are on about. Van Halen WTF??!!!

Um, by that picture, is Bono trying to be 2007’s Lennon? Sheesh.

If this turns out to be half the album Achtung Baby was, I’m already hot and bothered.

And Grammys do not a great band make. Look at some of the lists of winners in the past 5 years. Egad.

Pop sucked, but Zooropa was awesome.

Fuck VH — they won’t play one song that’s less than 22 years old…oldies act, indeed. They’ll probably even do “Just a Gigolo,” losers!

U-2 aren’t really very much of a band when you get down to it.
Plagiarism aside, what have you except some hoodwinked references to the U-2 spy planes of the 60s and garry powers etc.

“www.cafepress.com/lec c25″

To whoever doesn’t think Rick Rubin is evil/stupid, please go pick up Queen’s News of The World and listen to his remix of We Are The Champions.

U2 puts feeling in their music. How much heart do you think went into “Jump”?

I think U2 is as good now as it ever was. They have the grammies to prove it. Their next album will produce even more grammies. Van Halen is good but they are more of an oldies act now.

It wasn’t going well with ruben so they got Eno and Lanois back! Yay! They’re the good producers for U2! not that I don’t like ruben, its just, he’s not good for U2… the only one missing is Lillywhite… they’ll bring him back I hope!
ROCK ON U2!!!

haha yeah Bono can get annoying at times, but you’re saying Van Halen is a superior band? you’re out of your mind

With all the other musical crap out there, you’re going to come down on U2???

Morons.

U2 has taken the political bullshit way too far, because they have nothing further to add musically. Their best work, like most bands was (in thier case the 80’s) early in their career’s.They are considered mainstream, because BONO does what he does. Great MARKETING dude. but smart people are not fooled by artist, and actors who use polictics to stay in the media spotlight. We KNOW it’s BIG BUSINESS. Most people can name several early U2 songs, but couldn’t name anything current they have done, if their lives depended on it. We all know the world is melting. I hate people who use soemthing that’s popular belief, and act like they are making a stand, because they know people are going to eat it up. I would tell you to go buy a VAN H HALEN ticket but they are all SOLD OUT, because they are A REAL ROCK BAND!!!!!!!

My name is Bono!

I love how everybody always compares anything a band ever did to their best album. ZOOROPA was awesome, POP was awesome and just now starting to get the props it shoulda gotten. Wakey wakey eggs and bakey. Atomic Bomb was the logical extension of what they were doing on Leave Behind. Sure, it was no Achtung Baby but what is? Atomic Bomob produced Vertigo, Sometimes you Can’t Make it on your own, City of Blinding Lights, and Original of the Species, all stellar songs. Myself, I liked it. But whatever.

*yawn* They have something to prove again after the ‘mediocre’ How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. God, Zooropa was better! One truly great album in, what, 16 years?! (since ’91’s Achtung Baby for those of you with GED’s in Rock). Can Rubin save Metallica? Can he save U2 from becoming the Greatest Hits touring act they appear to be headed for?

I have heard from reputable sources that Rick is indeed going to be producing U2’s next album.

Rubin’s just gonna sprinkle some metal dust on it and it will RAWK. This has me very jazzed, folks. Lanois with Rubin coming out of the bullpen? Yowza.

I understood that Rick Rubin was working with U2 on the recording of the next album.

This particular story makes sense in that Lanois states they’ve been invited “as writers this time” and no mention was made as to the actual recording, just the songwriting. No mention as to the producer.

Rick Rubin has stated in the past he likes the material written, completed and rehearsed before entering the studio to record the songs.

Has anyone else heard if Rubin is still producing the next U2 record?

Lillywhite are you involved?
can’t wait to hear it.