just wondering after i had to beat Wayne into submission after he dissed Bono as being selfish and a pain in the a**. so i was wondering what the rest of you think of Bono or U2

Are you going to try to 'beat us into submission' too, if our views arent the same as yours?

I like U2 and I think they are good, but I also think Bonos a pain in the a**. I like his music, but could care less about his views on society and the world.

hahaha, no no, i just needed a reason to beat wayne into submission. i accept all people's views...just not his

Once great, now well past their sell-by date.

I went to their concert in Amsterdam last summer. The band was still great, although I'm not a great fan of the simple things of Adam Clayton and the bored looking Larry Mullen. The Edge is still full of energy however and made a great show. I really think he is in fact the man of the band. Bono is a great singer, but it was rather annoying that he thought it was necessary to preach after every couple of songs. I came to listen to the band, not to hear Bono act like Martin Luther King. But still, I think U2 is one very good band. Good in the 80's, disappointing in the 90's and now more back on track.

USMELL2 might have had one or two early on, plus a couple off of the Joshua Tree. Beyond that, and in between, utter crap! It just goes to show you that a decent guitar player can carry a band. Very bland band for the most part, nothing exciting at all. Can't stand Bono either. What a self pretentious prick! When I see that cocksucker donate some of HIS money for AIDS, third world poverty etc., then perhaps my opinion might change. Get off your pedestal Bono.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/bono_my_music_will_last_100_years.html

Sometimes the simple instrumentation, rough voice and Bono's message make for an incredible, powerful song, but most of the time the sound is boring and the message pretentious.

And I hate the Edge's hat too.

I think theyre great, but if you listen to a lot of them, the guitar style gets too repetitive

Something similar can be said about drums ...

I'm not a fan of U2, but I don't dislike them either.

I do think it's really great what Bono's doing. He could just yell things like "Is everybody happy!" and "Throw your hands in the air!" on stage and at home just enjoy his wealth like all the other celebrities and everyone would still have loved him, but he chose the harder way. He realizes he's one of the few lucky people that's in a position where people will actually listen to what he has to say, 0so he does what he can to make this world a better place. And I really admire him for that. So what if that means that U2 will play 38 instead of 39 songs...

Quoted from Biscuit_Power

... So what if that means that U2 will play 38 instead of 39 songs...

Or none at all

Quoted from kevin_b

Once great, now well past their sell-by date.

just what I'm thinking, War and Joshau Tree are great albums

Can't stand their music, but I admire Bono's activism. In an age where all that most celebrities care about is going clubbing, scoring chicks, doing drugs and getting rich, he is trying to make a difference.

Quoted from Mairi

Can't stand their music, but I admire Bono's activism. In an age where all that most celebrities care about is going clubbing, scoring chicks, doing drugs and getting rich, he is trying to make a difference.

Activism? He may talk the talk, but in reality, does nothing! Him and Sting are the two biggest hypocrites of the 21st century! Bono crawl out from behind your amber lensed shades and donate some of YOUR money on worldwide television! I want to see him place a check in the name of it (his personal account) and be accepted to the bank!! And Sting, stick that Jaguar car up yer arse! f*** 'em both! Plight of the rainforest my arse!

Quoted from twistandshout

Activism? He may talk the talk, but in reality, does nothing! Him and Sting are the two biggest hypocrites of the 21st century!

Even if that's true, they get more done than you, me and everyone else on this board combined. At least they're doing something.

Great for a looong time, now tired and overkill.

Quoted from Mairi

. In an age where all that most celebrities care about is going clubbing, scoring chicks, doing drugs and getting rich, .

And quite a few non-celebreties. Damned if I can get the "getting rich" bit right though.

Quoted from kevin_b

And quite a few non-celebreties. Damned if I can get the "getting rich" bit right though.

LOL! ... I'm on my way too  ;D

Quoted from Biscuit_Power

Even if that's true, they get more done than you, me and everyone else on this board combined. At least they're doing something.

Well, I'm not so sure Biscuit Power. What do we really know? Beyond just talk from the band? And the media?

When I see Bono clothe, bathe, medicate, take care of poverty stricken children on his own money (show me proof in some way) on his own time, and, at his mansion in Ireland (or wherever) with those same children, he will always be running his MOUTH!

His heart is in the right place, but he doesn't let the general masses see the outcome. You can talk all you want, but without proof, your nothing with your millions. I think the Beatles have taken us all much further, wouldn't you agree my friend?

Me thinks you are a bit harsh.
Bono is a rock star, not Francis of Assissi. His aim is to raise awareness. That he had done beyond dispute (proof is this thread). He does what he can do, as do all of us. He probably could do more, but so could all of us. I wouldn't damn him because he's rich. All the power to him.
As to not letting the general masses "know the outcome", not sure what you mean there.

Quoted from twistandshout

Well, I'm not so sure Biscuit Power. What do we really know? Beyond just talk from the band? And the media?

Well, that's one of the advantages of being famous and popular. If you're Bono, you can get a more done with just a few words in an interview or between two songs than you or I or any other anonymous person could get done in an entire lifetime.

I'm not saying Bono is a saint, but I am saying he's doing a better job in making this world a better place than 99% of his colleagues. And he doesn't have to do this. It doesn't make him more popular, it doesn't make him richer and people wouldn't have thought less of him if he'd never done it, but still he does it. And that's great.

He did create the "One" foundation which has donated millions of money to help alliveate poverty. Those millions had to have come from somewhere, probably the band's pockets, since they dont ask for donations. you probably have to actually call up and find out where you can drop off the check if you do.

as for music. eh, the 80s were their huge protest/punk music early on (boy-under blood red sky), then they started to check out american rock, and implimented that in there (Unforgettable fire - joshua tree) and then they started going into the European music (actung baby - pop) and now they've started to go back to their roots. the only weak point would be Zooropa and Pop albums, Zooropa was too European and Pop was too rushed. ATYCLB and HTDAAB (short titles are a thing of the past appearently) are just them trying to channel some of their old energy, and they do it beautifully.

at least they're not as dated sounding as the Rolling stones

well for all of those that dont like Bono or U2, theres some good news. rumor has it that Bono may be leaving the band because he "feels that his politics are becoming to much of a strain on his band and the fans. although he knows his band backs him on what he is doing, he still feels that its straining the band."

hopefully, this is not true and it is still unknown whether its real, but it will be a sad day for this U2 fan if he does leave.

Quoted from tkitna

I like U2 and I think they are good, but I also think Bonos a pain in the a**. I like his music, but could care less about his views on society and the world.

Same here.

Bono can Not LEAVE THE BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!They are not a band without any one of them!!!!!!

Bono's never gonna leave the band. Politics or not, it's the music that gives him the power to make a difference and he knows that. Plus he wouldn't screw the other guys over like that.

They almost broke up yrs. ago, though over Religion as Adam ( Bass) isn't as religious as the rest. Hope it doesn't happen , though.

Like Sting , Bono leaves me cold have just never warmed to their personalities , but both have made some good music .
I just switch them off when they starte to talk , i suppose i dislike pomposity and i see that trait in both of them , but their music is ok .

DaveRam :)

Quoted from Revolution

They almost broke up yrs. ago, though over Religion as Adam ( Bass) isn't as religious as the rest. Hope it doesn't happen , though.

yea, shortly after Boy cause they all joined a religious group that told them to dump adam. Drowning Man on War is actually about him.

they also almost broke up before Achtung Baby cause Edge was going through a divorce (which you can hear throughout Achtung Baby and Zooropa) and Adam was becoming an alcoholic or recovering from alcoholism. something like that.

you ever notice that Bono's voice has changed dramatically from boy to HTDAAB or even from like Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby. well i guess all the cigarettes that he smoked over the years forced him to get some sort of surgery on his lyranx and as a result, his voice is really rather raspy. Bono and the Edge also have damaged hearing (or a syndrome associated with damaged hearing) because they never wore earprotection until the 90s so the volume during concerts really screwed up their hearing

yeah never got into u2 as a band they had few decent songs, but never been my thing.

Well, I attended one of their concerts last year, but they are not definitely the best.

I like some U2, but not a huge fan though.
Their last couple albums or so haven't done much for me, but I like the stuff before that!  I have to admit I've never been to a live show.
   One reason people have strong feelings is down to Bono being all up in everyone's face with his social and political activities. I suspect some folks just got tired of him and by extension, them.
However, that's just some folks.. on the other hand, he has brought so many social issues to the forefront of pop culture, be it apartheid in south africa or world debt and poverty or arizona's lack of celebrating martin luther king day. The band single handedly introduced millions of young college students to amnesty international and greenpeace by giving the organizations free ad space on every one of their records. ah, those records...



Reminds me of an old story, where the band's doing one of their big dramatic buildups, and they've brought the music to a slow burn... Bono steps to the mic and claps his hands purposefully, then steps away. About 15 seconds later, he steps back up and does it again.

After a few minutes of this he intones, "Every time I clap my hands... a child in Africa dies."

A guy in the audience yells "Well stop f**king clapping then!!"

Quoted from Pasta Cheif

A guy in the audience yells "Well stop f**king clapping then!!"

Brilliant. I have a thing about famous musicians ramming their own beliefs down your throat. If I go to a gig I want to hear music, not someones personal political beliefs.

I love Achtung Baby, and Rattle And Hum, but I think U2 have become very stale of late.

Half of my heritage being Irish, I find myself feeling a little guilty saying that I'm not a giant U2 fan...I mean I share Bono's environmental & political concerns--as we all should--and I think he's a great singer "In The Name Of Love", "Still Havent Found What I'm Looking For"...but, and I must be MAD to say this, but I've only liked two of all their albums : Joshua Tree & Achtung Baby.

hmm, well for those that dont particularly enjoy their last two albums (atomic bomb and all that you cant leave behind) i suggest you check out the bootleg section, i uploaded some u2 boots and one of the albums (unreleased and rare) has some stuff from those sessions that definitely should've been put on the albums instead of what really went on there.

dont worry, i never really liked the last two. only about half of the last album and three songs on the one before that are worth listening to. but i strongly suggest you check those out.

working on trying to get the Achtung Baby demo tapes up but havent gotten a good source yet. so theres those and some tripper, more techno-y remixes of trippy, techno songs there too. the DJ mix is a good album.

(yes, this is a shameless plug) ;D

I probably need to listen more carefully - but my main impression is that most of the material sounds too much the same - like hip-hop.

:P

the remixes sound too hip-hopy?

eh, maybe, just sounds like techno-dance beat thingy...

Quoted from somedude210

the remixes sound too hip-hopy?

eh, maybe, just sounds like techno-dance beat thingy...

I think he meant - like hip-hop, it all sounds too much the same. Not that it sounds like hip-hop. Unless Klang has very strange ears! ;)

haha, it all sounds the same. i actually knew someone that told me they didnt like U2 cause all of their stuff sounded the same. if you take one song from boy, one from joshua tree and one from any of the 90s albums and can prove that they all sound the same then i will agree with them

theres always a 10% chance they can pull it off, but then again, theres always a 10% chance of something

Yea, I wasn't very clear in my wording. Too much sameness. God bless 'em anyway.

:)

And, after listening to The Joshua Tree, Boy, and another one that I can't remember the name of, I still hate U2. Their stuff is just too damn GENERIC. At least to my ears.

eh, to each their own

i cant stand joan beaz

At least she can actually sing. And she doesn't have a shitty pretentious made-up name.

At least she can actually sing. And she doesn't have a shitty pretentious made-up name.

Oh man, that sounded really bitchy. Sorry. You're allowed to like U2. That's fine. I just really hate them.

thats fine, feel free to hate them.

Well, I'm a big fan of U2, have been for years. I think the Edge is the best rock guitarist going round, and Achtung Baby is my favourite non-Beatles album.  Of course the Joshua Tree is almost as good. And their last two albums are excellent, too. Their latest, H2DAAB, has a joy I haven't heard from them before.

I think the secret to enjoying U2 is just to listen to their music. Whenever I see Bono pontificating on the TV I hit the mute button or quickly leave the room. But when they write their songs all four collaborate, which may be how all the Bono BS doesn't make it onto their records. I love Bono's passion when he sings and feel there is a raw honesty to it.

But all this stuff about children dying in Africa when you have to sell half your worldly goods to get a decent seat at a U2 concert! Just stick to what you do best guys, just great rock music!

Mostly good, apart from a lot of cringe-inducing lyrics. Earnestness usually puts me off.

I like a few songs like With or Without You and  Sweetest Thing but I'm not a huge fan, I like bands better then them....but Bono has an amazing amazing voice! no denying that!

BAD

few okay singles, very overrated as is Edge as a guitarist

Quoted from fendertele

few okay singles, very overrated as is Edge as a guitarist

i totally agree!

can't stand them, I think they're shite, always have been overated, and Bono is an annoying little mess.

I want to change my opinion because it doesn't sound good what I wrote above.

I like U2 a lot. I think they are really good musicians. Bono's voice is amazing! I like can't get enough, his voice is spectacular. And With or Without You is definitely one of my favorite songs in the whole wide world, I get chills when I hear it.

U2 is definitely a good band, Bono puts so much emotion in his lyrics and it carries throught to the rest of the band. So in my opnion U2 as a great band!  

mm, nice to see my thread will never die

bwahahahahaahaha!

on that note, i do find that U2 is much better live and one of my favorite bands to listen live. Bono does some good transitions into covers during the middle of one of their songs (whether he sings the cover well or not) hes like a good little ADD kid when he sings live cause he just skips from his song to someone else's and back again.

Ya, he's good. He's such a good singer. I never get tired of his voice.

I agree with DarkSweetLady. I like them, not desperately, but very much. All their albums are good for me. Bono is a very good singer, and his voice IS AMAZING! My attitude to him was reaffirmed by his performance in Across The Universe, when he sang I Am The Walrus, well done, Bono! And how well he acted! On the whole i enjoy listening to the band.

I still haven't saw Across the Universe yet.

DarkSweetLady! Do it asap! The film is not a masterpiece, but i enjoyed it and sang along with the guys. Well, not at the cinema, though, but later at home watching video sure did. By the way when the film was over at the cinema the spectators applauded. You will like Bono and Joe Cocker.

I love Jim Sturgess I think he's so cute! I've been wanting to watch it I never got around to, I'm making it a personal mission.

That is so cool that people applauded. I planned on watching it when it first came out. Like the first release, then it was like re-released in like 2007. So, I've been waiting a long time, I need to see it!

Jim Sturgess - Jude is so good! And Max-character is perfect, when at war and when singing Hey Jude! But since we are on the topic of Bono don`t forget about the guy!

Quoted from DarkSweetLady

I still haven't saw Across the Universe yet.

if you were me, i woundn't bother.. :-/

I've heard that side as well. I had very mixed feelings about it but I think I might see it so I don't have to sit through another person asking me if I saw it and when I say No they go on this huge rant.

The most overrated band ever.  

Quoted from Waitrose

The most overrated band ever.  

Can`t agree with that. Didn`t use to like them very much, but have changed my mind on them of late. Their songs may not appeal to everyone without exception but they are something, and the band does have quite a few (meaning many) real great songs. Besides, Bono sings very well. They are survivors, they stick together, they regularly have something to offer to us! they maybe the best band of the 80s. ?

I don't think they are the most overated band ever.

They are succesful, like it or not. I would bet that any band would want U2's career.

I LOVE U2!!

I was never really struck with them when they were big in the 80's, to be honest. I was in high school (or secondary school as we call it over here) and my classmates used to rave about them, but I was of the opinion that Boner Bono had a voice like a pig with a knitting needle up its jacksy.

They've grown on me over the years a little but I still agree that they're overrated. I wasn't too struck about Bono in Across The Universe (which I really like as a movie) because I never forgave him for 'reclaiming' Helter Skelter back from Charles Manson - it wasn't his song to reclaim, it's Paul's.

/rant over

They've done some good songs but they ain't all that.

I think what he might have meant by "reclaiming" it was just that he was going to make it a song again not like a song, with this huge title and story attached that has nothing to do with it but give it a bad rap. That's just my take.

im listening to all of their albums right now, so im really getting a kick out of these replies.

their 80s stuff got me into them, but once i got kinda sick of that (though the live stuff of them from that era (besides Under A Blood Red Sky) was amazing, check them out in the bootleg forum /end shameless advertisement) the 90s stuff, after you get into is, i think is what makes them really great.

Why don't you like Under A Blood Red Sky? Any specific reason?
I just bought it and I enjoyed it.

Their 80's stuff is really amazing, I never get tired of listening to it.
Some of their 90's stuff was amazing. Early 2000s were good too, I haven't heard much of their latest album that came out in 2005? I think.

I just think U2 is a good, genuine band.

It`s a very good band but unfortunately they fight for peace, and nobody here seems to appreciate such efforts by musicians...

I have never liked any U2 songs and never understood why bono is so highly regarded as a singer.

Some people put U2 into the Beatles catagory of groundbreaking musicians...I can't and will never understand that logic.

Umm, U2 good. Very good. I don't know how people can't see it. On some level anyway.




My favorite version out of the hundred videos they have for this one.


I just like the outfit in this one. Heh.


And the remix version. Not sure which I like better. Both were pretty huge.


Not so popular, but I always loved it.


In conclusion. U2=Good!  :P

Absolutely agree with you, Sandra! Bono is a fine frontman, has his own style and they have introduced their peculiar sound into rock. Besides Bono is a human rights activist, if only you don`t mind a rock star being such.

Bad!