U2 have finally found what they are looking for: mediocrity?
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
BVS
Blue Crack Supplier
I just think it's funny that you think they can just turn it off and on when wanted. Some musicians strive for a lifetime to be "epic".
And also it's a tall order because what might be epic for you may not be epic for me. For example, many would not describe RTSS as epic.
So it really doesn't mean much, it sounds more like you're saying, U2 just needs to be making music I like again.
Nick66
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Indeed...right along with "classic" as an abused term. Or the oxymoronic "instant classic".
I actually don't think U2 has more than a few epic songs. MOS is certainly epic, and COBL certainly strives to be epic (but doesn't quite get there). Before that the last truly epic U2 song was Streets.
U2 had no epic songs in the 90's. That's not a slam on those songs, they just weren't designed that way.
I think they can crank out epicness whenever they want but they purposely pull punches. By this point, it's a formula and others (coldplay?) have been very successful following the craft and production.
Can you imagine the number of songs U2 has ditched over their career because they are too familiar, too paint-by-numbers U2? That's the challenge of making good music at this point in their career.
Can you imagine the number of songs U2 has ditched over their career because they are too familiar, too paint-by-numbers U2? That's the challenge of making good music at this point in their career.
This thread is epic
BVS
Blue Crack Supplier
#epicfail
aMansAman
War Child
OK you smart people - then try to express your feelings NOT in your native language .. how about explaining to me your favourite U2 sound in german?
You can replace epic with timeless, heartbreaking music based on rolling basslines, soaring vocals and a guitar which grows slowly but relentlessy from a subtle tasting Horsd'œuvre to a cracking final.
And regarding this "you want U2 to make music you like" - well that will always be a personal thing, for everyone ....
U2 is a very important band in music history .. and I just hope that they keep their level of artistic grandezza .
You can replace epic with timeless, heartbreaking music based on rolling basslines, soaring vocals and a guitar which grows slowly but relentlessy from a subtle tasting Horsd'œuvre to a cracking final.
And regarding this "you want U2 to make music you like" - well that will always be a personal thing, for everyone ....
U2 is a very important band in music history .. and I just hope that they keep their level of artistic grandezza .
doctorwho
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I completely agree with this post. I might also include "Bad" as epic along with the two songs you chose. While MOS never was a single, neither was "Bad". Plus, MOS it remained the closer throughout the 360 tour. I hope U2 knows how incredible this song really is and continues to keep it in rotation.
"One" was close to being epic, but I would call most of U2's 80's and 90's hits "classic" at this point.
Producing something that is "epic" is truly a challenge. As the term is so subjective, it does become difficult to define. The fact that U2 have at least three epic songs (IMO) is one reasons they are considered amongst the best.
popacrobat
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
see, that's much better, and offers some insight to what you really mean. it's not just you with the word epic, it's just a pet peeve of mine.
dazzledbylight
Blue Crack Supplier
some of this is so subjective......
if a song has an epic some seconds, part ot full song then it will be on my list of epic; even if it's just a few seconds if it is that powerful for me. and I looked up the definition of epic in The Oxford's English Dictionary (i speak 'Merican & English).
So BB, UC, COBL- each of these are epic to me in various permutations of grandness
In BB when they switch into the lines..
"... Lights flash pass...like memories..."
singing in either over-dubbed or the 3 of them in one take... the singing is so splendid ...it sonically hovers... and feels like Light filling the space
UC
definately agree that it would not work without the music.
In concert the only time I heard it was when I was 3/4 of the way back and?12 rows away from the very top of (old) Giants Stadium < and very close to where I saw my only ZOO-TV show> .
They finally got the sound right (volume-wise) 2 or 3 songs into the show - so that even though I was that high up- I still felt like being pretty enveloped by the sound!
The various chanted choruses were fantasic floating up to me ...these mysterious orders and encouragements from the uc while over-looking the (genuinely) epic Claw & screen!
COBL The ?bridge and the final chorus particularly as the song has been building in epicness
are fantastic!
Especially for me because I heard it live first time at the (got in as gen public let in later in the afternoon) Brooklyn Bridge MTV show.
I was about the equivalent of 15 rows away on the diagonal from the band (5 rows from the speakers wall on Edge's side; the Brroklyn Bridge soaring behind them and further on the diamonded lights of Lower Manhattan glitrtering in the dark evening sky of Nov. Wow!
The songs I highlighted in red -- I don't find epic but that's my take
wait.... what?!?
there can't be more than one song wioth that similar theme ??
ETA
dear NYD is for now no longer epic for me ( though I still consider War their break-out album, and I'ved been a fan since late 80/81> I went through that with Streets 98 (on radio)- 2001 (live) and while still have not returned to the level of epicness it had for me from the album's realease
; I've gotten more into hearing it again live. (NYD is so iconic had to 'splain that)
ozeeko
Refugee
EPIC or NON-EPIC...for me there's no preference. If it results in a good song that's all that matters. It could be kitchen sink production or a field recording. Doesn't matter.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
I like half epic songs.
Sent from my Note 3 using my S-pen.
Sent from my Note 3 using my S-pen.
Nick66
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Not all of us.
The Slow Loris
War Child
'All I Want Is You' is most certainly an epic song (which came after 'Streets'). 'One' delves into epic territory as well during the, "Love is a temple...." lines and the ending of the live versions. 'Stay' almost reached it, but instead reached a more subdued level of brilliance ala 'Running to Stand Still'.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
Guys. I just bought a Spigen Neo Hybrid case for my phone.
Sent from my Note 3 using my S-pen.
Sent from my Note 3 using my S-pen.
dazzledbylight
Blue Crack Supplier
is it epic?
Nick66
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
gvox
Ghost of Love
There are certainly songs from the 80s into 90s that venture firmly into epic territory when U2 plays them live. All I Want Is You. Running To Stand Still. One. Streets. Bad. WOWY.
Stay is not one of them, though.
And while I think Zooropa on the album is definitely a slow building epic tune, I'm not so sure recent live performances of it were as epic. Although it was certainly good.
I'm not sure there are many from the 00s that can be considered epic tho. With U2, it's almost as if the energy from the crowd drives the epic nature of some of these songs live. And lets face it, even though I'm sure they'd love to consider something like Moment of Surrender epic, again Im not so sure it really hits it out of the park with the audience yet. Maybe it needs another tour.
U2 ist episch
aMansAman
War Child
and now try to express in German language what you connect with this word!
I introduced "epic" on purpose of course - in order to contradict the thread's title "mediocrity".
And for me there is a realistic chance-that U2's musical output might end up being "average" ... If a complete album would be in line with Invisible and Ordinary Love, quality-wise.. I'd still like it for sure ... but I would not really dig it - on the other hand ... during my 20+years "fan-career" they surprised me more than once ... so why not again ?
Galeongirl
Galeonbroad
and now try to express in German language what you connect with this word!
I introduced "epic" on purpose of course - in order to contradict the thread's title "mediocrity".
And for me there is a realistic chance-that U2's musical output might end up being "average" ... If a complete album would be in line with Invisible and Ordinary Love, quality-wise.. I'd still like it for sure ... but I would not really dig it - on the other hand ... during my 20+years "fan-career" they surprised me more than once ... so why not again ?
Aber warum mussen wir Deutsch sprachen? Dieser forum ist fur Englischer sprache....
There's quite a big difference between epic and mediocrity, and there's so much in between there. Same goes with U2 songs. Some are epic, some are mediocre, and some are in between. If you want U2 to just be epic, give up the dream now, it's not going to happen. They never were and never will be able to write perfect songs all the time.
aMansAman
War Child
@Galeongirl: Because I was kind of accused of using the word "epic" ... and I thought "epic" would translate into a sound description of "the bigger than big U2" .. but I was wrong .. and that was my "fault" ... everybody thinks about it differently..
but in the meantime I think you all know what I meant with wanting the "epic U2" back ...
Regarding giving up the dream ... I did that some time ago.
What's left is this little hope that they can free themselves from any expectation they have on themselves .. and others have on them ... and I kind of see them going in the right direction ... taking their time ..
Remember - this is not the "are we gonna wait forever" album discussion thread.
This mediocre thread is for all the dissidents
but in the meantime I think you all know what I meant with wanting the "epic U2" back ...
Regarding giving up the dream ... I did that some time ago.
What's left is this little hope that they can free themselves from any expectation they have on themselves .. and others have on them ... and I kind of see them going in the right direction ... taking their time ..
Remember - this is not the "are we gonna wait forever" album discussion thread.
This mediocre thread is for all the dissidents
gvox
Ghost of Love
I'm just in awe of the fact that in 10 years - 10 YEARS! - you have managed to keep these feelings of disappointment in their failure to continue to be massively epic so..restrained!
I mean, since you seem to be in on a few of the in-jokes:
I mean, since you seem to be in on a few of the in-jokes:
You have 15 posts.
aMansAman
War Child
Well at some point ... things HAVE to be said
Number of posts is no indicator for "being in the know"
Among my friends I am the last man standing... in terms of caring about anything u2 does. My patience just ends now.. waiting for the album which makes me proud being a U2 fan.
Last album which showcased u2s balls was POP (my opinion)
Since then every album had its hidden gems which I love of course ... but well.. maybe... sometimes this shitty world produces a rose...
Number of posts is no indicator for "being in the know"
Among my friends I am the last man standing... in terms of caring about anything u2 does. My patience just ends now.. waiting for the album which makes me proud being a U2 fan.
Last album which showcased u2s balls was POP (my opinion)
Since then every album had its hidden gems which I love of course ... but well.. maybe... sometimes this shitty world produces a rose...
Nick66
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
The fact that people are using the terms "mediocre" and "epic" in comparison to each other shows just how abused and misunderstood the term "epic" has become, in particular regarding describing music or film. "Mediocre" describes quality; "epic" is in relation to size and scope. Something can be both mediocre and epic at the same time. There's no "in between" epic and mediocre...it's a discussion of two different things (at least as "epic" is correctly used...slang is a different thing).
Troy was an epic film based on an epic poem; it was also mediocre. Acrobat is an outstanding song but is not "epic". When someone hears something they like and exclaims "That's epic dude", they are either channeling Bill & Ted or they just have no idea what epic means. Or often times both.
U2 does have a few epic songs, but almost all of them are from the 80's; there were none in the 90's, and a couple contenders (at most) in the 00's.
Troy was an epic film based on an epic poem; it was also mediocre. Acrobat is an outstanding song but is not "epic". When someone hears something they like and exclaims "That's epic dude", they are either channeling Bill & Ted or they just have no idea what epic means. Or often times both.
U2 does have a few epic songs, but almost all of them are from the 80's; there were none in the 90's, and a couple contenders (at most) in the 00's.
BVS
Blue Crack Supplier
They didn't show case balls per se, but the last album did showcase a 10" cockatoo.
And the Slane show showcased a beach ball.
Sie wissen, wer wirklich epische Lieder macht? Das englische Band Coldplay. Das Chris Martin kann wirklich das Epos. Zweite nur auf Hauptverkehrs, meiner Meinung nach.
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