Sorry, I agree with Philsfan but first, let me be clear. My original statements were that he sounds significantly different post 1990 than he does in the early to mid 80s (up to around 83 or 84). Regardless of which period you prefer I don’t see how the fact that there is a big difference between pre ’84 and post ’90 is even debatable. I just think it is interesting that the change he undergoes in this period is more than most people’s voice change in a whole career. In terms of which is better this is debatable. In terms of raw talent and strength his 80 – 84 period was best and I believe the changes that occurred from 84-91 were do to him not singing with the proper technique, overuse, and perhaps smoking and alcohol. These things aged his voice prematurely. However, Bono’s technique has generally improved with time so this has helped make his voice more pleasing to the ear for many and better in a lot of peoples mind – nothing wrong with that. What we mean by “thin” is that when singing in a higher key his voice just sounds very “stretched” and “strained.” You still may find the voice pleasing to the ear but this has generally been how it has sounded in recent years. His voice on “A man and woman” is a good example of this.
2 different arguments are being lumped into 1 here.
1.)His voice has changed and it breaks down as 1980-83(4) and a transition from UF to R&H and post 1990.
Yes, his voice in the 1980-1983 period stands out in contrast to any time after that. No debate here.
He sang differently, but still, its not like these songs are unrecognizable now as some seem to think. Listen to NYD and IWF from this leg of 360. There is no doubting that this is the same guy who sang both songs on the War Tour. In fact, Bono is singing both these songs much closer to how he sang them in the early 80s now than he was in the late 80s, early 90s-present.
The only place I can think of that there is a full on dramatic contrast between 1980-1983 and everything else is the studio versions of some Boy songs. Most notably IWF, An Cat Dubh and Electric Co. Live, they are pretty easily identified as the same singer in 1983 and 2005.
I do think the rougher, more strained, kermit type voice on JT and LT was more a product of constant touring(and maybe, as you suggest, drinking/smoking). The only real difference into the 1990s was Bono started holding back a bit more, using his falsetto and to my ears, his Zoo TV voice had a smooth richness to it that the late 80s voice didn't.
2.)His voice is thin now.
I just don't see how you arrive at that, sorry. He hits the higher notes longer, cleaner and with a good deal of power. The real stretching and straining took place on JT and LT when he often screamed and still didn't hit the notes right.
Don't get me wrong, there are days when I prefer JT tour to every other era, and his voice certainly had some qualities then that it lacks now. Not really tangibles, just something about it.
Where I get off the boat is when people claim his voice is thin now.
I don't hear too much straining in A Man And A Woman. Its not really a style of song Bono had ever sung before, and its not one of my favorites, but its a great vocal. I am perplexed by that as an example.
Take Away point.
Even if you want to use argument #1 until you are blue in the face, if to your ears Bono really sounds like a different singer entirely in the early 80s, great.
But do not try and use argument #1 as a way to make argument #2 and say his voice is "thin" today. It is objectively not.
), but other times it's embarrasing to listen to (MW from the Rose Bowl 
). So while I agree with you for the most part, his voice is nowhere perfect and will probably never be.
