2006 - 89/90 flashback?

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U2girl

U2girl

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Listening to the radio Christmas interview, did anyone else get the feeling of deja vu?

- like Rattle and Hum was a more pursued "American sound" follow up to JT, it could be argued that in some ways Bomb was a more pursued "back to the roots" follow up from ATYCLB. Also both JT-Rattle and Hum and ATYCLB-Bomb eras saw the band have similar outfits.

- both albums did receive more (Rattle and Hum) and relatively less (Bomb) backlash.

- both times, Bono especially got to be the lighting rod of critisism for being too preachy.

- both albums in a way divide fans in two camps.

- the band was popular in both of these eras but eventually got tired of the current sound.

- there were reports of the band being in top form, being relaxed, new energy etc in the last few 2006 dates in Australia/Japan/N. Zealand, and that brief tour is reminiscent of ("we're throwing a party for ourselves...and you") Lovetown's short, but famously energetic tour stretch. It almost didn't feel like Vertigo tour anymore.

- after the album/tour, the band (ok, Bono) said they're up to something new: "dream it up again" / "our band reached the end of where it's been at with the last couple of albums".

- add to that "the story so far, here's the next chapter" feel of U2 by U2 and U2:18 and maybe for 80's U2 with Night and day cover.
 
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I do believe that U2 is heading for a change with this next album. I doubt it will be as radical a change as Rattle and Hum to Achtung Baby, but I do think it will clearly be different from the last two albums.
 
I agree that U2 is more or less in a similar point where they were in 1989/90.

I only think that now it is worse.
Bono's starting to be (unfairly) highly criticised by the media because of philantropy and his causes and putting the band's name in risk. The "back to roots" direction the band took is driving the band to that way too.
If U2 doesn't change its direction (but very carefully) any step now can be dangerous.
 
I agree with Agyo too, u2 are not in a position to be messing around with commerical dud albums like 'Pop'.
 
Headache in a Suitcase said:
and bono will have a new character for the next tour: geriatric man
Click to expand...

Just you wait 'till *your* mid-forties, sonny! :madspit: :madwife:
 
Aygo said:
I only think that now it is worse.
Bono's starting to be (unfairly) highly criticised by the media because of philantropy and his causes and putting the band's name in risk.
Click to expand...

Really? :eyebrow: Can you point to a 'major' media outlet that has criticized his causes? I don't read everything so maybe I missed something. In the past 3 years all I've seen are good articles and interviews and biopics.

I know he takes a lot of flack from bloggers and some posters here, but from the mainstream media?

One more question: how is that affecting the band's name?
 
You know media love to destroy its idols, and it is Bono´s time, people have loved him for too much time


Headache in a Suitcase said:
and bono will have a new character for the next tour: geriatric man
Click to expand...


Please sign me in the same geriatric (and I´m just 25) :lmao:
 
I agree with this.
WITS (especially the second video) also felt like they were closing a chapter.

I don't really care what they do next, but I'm ready for something different.
 
Reggie Thee Dog said:


Really? :eyebrow: Can you point to a 'major' media outlet that has criticized his causes? I don't read everything so maybe I missed something. In the past 3 years all I've seen are good articles and interviews and biopics.

I know he takes a lot of flack from bloggers and some posters here, but from the mainstream media?

One more question: how is that affecting the band's name?
Click to expand...
Yeah, really.

Not all media, publishes all-positive news about Bono. The text may be positive, but the general impact on the public... not!
Yes, on the internet media, Bono is getting harshly criticized and bashed. Don't forget that these media are starting to have big impact - even in the conventional media - on the public, and even more on the public that likes U2, that is more and more connected with the new media.

How can that affect the band's name?
Easy: many people doesn't know U2's members. U2 is Bono and Bono is U2. Bono gets bashed = U2 gets bashed too.
 
The new album will be a hip-hop album...Why do you think Rick & Kanye will help out? ;)
 
majid23 said:
The new album will be a hip-hop album...Why do you think Rick & Kanye will help out? ;)
Click to expand...

These two NEED to help produce it. I don't care if they don't actually try for a hip-hop sound, but these two are absolutely the best men for the job.
 
They seem so burnt by Pop that I can't see them experimenting again. Sure they might change their sound, which I guess is what we all want (i.e. something new), but I'm guessing we won't get all the 'edgy' sounds of Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop. Pity since Bomb is the outcome of this attitude. It is U2 playing it safe. Safe is where they will always be now. Lets just hope we get a new sounding safe for the next album.
 
kingofsorrow said:


nah. he'll dress up in ah blue lame/glitter suit and go under the name "viagra man" or maybe " mr. blue".
Click to expand...

ahhh... makes sense. it'll go along with their new marketing campaign...

u2viagra.jpg
 
AndrewCowley said:
They seem so burnt by Pop that I can't see them experimenting again. Sure they might change their sound, which I guess is what we all want (i.e. something new), but I'm guessing we won't get all the 'edgy' sounds of Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop. Pity since Bomb is the outcome of this attitude. It is U2 playing it safe. Safe is where they will always be now. Lets just hope we get a new sounding safe for the next album.
Click to expand...

...Kind of odd that POP is being criticized as U2's biggest failure.. The album sold millions; shows here in Europe were well received. A number of shows in the US didn't sell out.. so what..

U2 learnt from that by not booking a tour before the album is finished.
I sincerely hope the band will break boundaries again and look and reach for new levels... ... Both ATYCLB and HTDAAB and their tours were playing it safe (you've got a point there Andrew)..

The release of HTDAAB has been a little over two years now. When I listen to it for sheer enjoyment I select 3-5 songs max.. Same for ATYCLB...
Achtung Baby however is a different ballgame. I listen to that as in one piece...

..yeah, I truly hope U2 will dream it up again and take the time to make a kick ass album where they might lose some of the popkids and the middle of the road-audience.... They could do a limited indoor tour in the US (they always do indoortours in the US ;-) ) and an indoor tour in Europe.. You don't have to be afraid of instant sell-outs with thousands of people waiting in front of box offices.. Just anounce the tourdates secretly (as was done in 1992 here in Holland) and supply longtime Propaganda/U2.com members with the best tickets...

U2 don't have to do it for the money... They should explore their artistic talents.... I wonder if they're still up to this.....
 
Well U2:18 is intended to introduce their older material to younger audience and to satisfy the casual fans who go for hits. They wanted to make their music more accessible for these particular groups. IMO a sort of safe step along with ATYCLB and HTDAAB. So there's no need to play safe with the next album. And they seem to be ready to do sth different, as the latest releases (U2:18 & U2 by U2) indicate a kind of closing the chapter.
I would say that they're heading for a change, however I don't think it would be as radical as Achtung.
But definitely, this reminds me of the situation they were in 1989/90.
I just hope they're not afraid to experiment and explore some new territories in music. Whichever direction they decide to go I will be happy if the album is great and not crap...
 
I wish U2 would go to Japan for a few months to work on the new album . I think Bono stated in the zoo era , and also more recently, if they went I think the album would be really special !
 
U2 should be more aggressive with guitars , keyboards , lyrics ,
be rude , be reckless,shake all that bubble flavor shit off , Bono get yerself a new girlfriend
 
I reckon the sound they go for will be as much based on the type of tour they want as much as anything. Working backwards from the tour, be it stadiums then they have to hit the 'middle ground' again with their album, be it smaller venues then they can experiment a bit which would actually be good since it would help keep demand down.

Funnily enough I reckon they'd get the most freedom if they decided not to tour. Then they can just release any old thing without needing to worry about backing it up with a tour.
 
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