Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

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jick

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The U2 website and presale fiasco did substantial damage to U2's image. It was the longtime fans who were hurt the most. Fans began to doubt U2's integrity and their desire to continue on. Fans began to doubt U2's priority shift - postulating that perhaps they are now motivated more by money than by music.

To make things worse, U2 handled the matter the wrong way. Instead of coming to the fans' help, they left it to U2.com and Ticketmaster to explain themselves. Surely, U2's high-handed manner of ignoring the problem and being silent about it showed arrogance on their part.

So begun the massive U2 boycott. U2's American Chart positions dropped tremendously, from 13 to 22 to 28! It's torrid sales pace suddenly fell behind All That You Can't Leave Behind (no pun intended). Even in their home country of Ireland, the disappointed fans vented their ire by dropping the album to a lowly 13th on the Irish charts.

When you add up image problems, chart failure, and the fact that the band are already in their 40s and have lingered over 20 years in the industry, then the conclusion in inevitable: their relevance is waning and they are slowly morphing from contemporary trailblazing band to a mere nostalgia act (like the Rolling Stones right now).

Surely even U2 can no longer dig themselves out of this hole. Surely.

That's until Mullen comes to the rescue.

The Mullen Apology triggered everything. In one of the most touching artist-to-fan confessionals in rock'n'roll history, Mullen tells the fans regarding the fiasco that "some of it was beyond our control, but some of it wasn't." When he said some was within U2's control yet it still happened, he showed the humane fallible side of U2. The imperfection of U2 was exposed and admitted for the first time in such a public form of fans, many of whom thought of U2 as demigods who could do no wrong.

He went further to say "I want to apologise to you" and he ended by reassuring the fans of U2's "total commitment to our audience." Some may have thought U2's commitment was no longer to their audience but towards other material things such as riches. But with The Mullen Apology accompanied by the membership refund offer, all doubt was erased. Why would U2 turn down so much profits (membership fee refunds)? It can only be the total commitment Mullen stressed out.

What made The Mullen Apology so unique was the action that accompanied the words. Some artists (one U2 band member quickly comes to mind) are full of big words but no action to back it up. The Mullen Apology came with the refund offer, a new U2 fan ticket distribution scheme for the North America fall tour, and added dates for the first leg.

The after-effects of The Mullen Apology have already started to trickle in. Fans have related to the humane and imperfect side of U2 and sympathize with their guilt. The boycott is a thing of the past. Week 11 chart positions in U2's birthplace, Ireland, saw a massive climb from #13 to #5. The Netherlands saw the album shooting up from #8 to #6. In Britain, U2 withstood 5 new entries to lose only 1 position and hold steady in the top 20 at #18. Chart-wise, U2 are already making a grand comeback. I predict that the comeback in American charts may not be immediately evident this week, but look out for next week's results - and don't forget you heard the prediction here first.

U2's image was already tarnished. They were destined for commercial failure. There was no way they could rebound from the debacle. But they are doing it now. But the comeback won't mean a return to #1 in the charts. So you may ask - why am I labelling it the mother of all comebacks?

The answer is simple. In the music industry, you are only entitled to one comeback - then it's back to the commerical vacuum grave for you. Sting had his one-off with Brand New Day, Santana got his renaissance with Supernatural, the Eagles shook of their 14-year vacation with Hell Feezes Over but are on permanent vacation now, Blondie had her brief spell when Maria made the charts, and the list goes on. But is there anyone who can make a comeback twice? The answer supposed to be no. That is until U2.

U2 suffered their worst commercial and artistic disappointment with POP. From the disappointing chart nosedive of POP after a #1 debut in 33 countries, to the band looking "lost" in their first concert in Vegas (which also features a restart of Staring At The Sun with Bono arguing with Mullen), to the assortment of boos they received in the Macarena karaoke performance in Spain, up to the third leg where they played to half-empty stadiums in USA and Canada. Let's not forget zero Grammies. Surely U2 were done as a relevant music force after this.

But U2 made the grandest of all comebacks with All That You Can't Leave Behind, with its 11 million worldwide sales and 4 million U2 sales. Beautiful Day seemed to stay forever in the charts and the album seemed to win a gazillion Grammies. The tour grossed a record amount. So people were thinking U2 already used up their "one allocated comeback." Well think again!

After this presale fiasco, U2's image problems and the chart nosedive, U2 are supposed to have run out of lives. They aren't supposed to comeback from this. But thanks to The Mullen Apology, U2 are back in track and have resurrected from another certain death. An improbable second comeback? Well, this would have to be the mother of all comebacks!

Oh wait, the comeback has not really happend yet. It's just that I am positively predicting it: a rebound in the American charts, the lost love from fans found again, a successful tour that will have the fans feeling that they got their money's worth (as opposed to being robbed), and doubts about U2's integrity problems erased. All this hasn't happened yet but my prediction is that it will. I know this is a bold positive prediction because many think U2 have run out of lives. But who can prevent me from being positive and optimistic?

I think The Mullen Apology should go down as one of the legendary U2 written literature, right up there with the lyrics of "One" and Bono's introduction to the Book of Psalms.

Cheers,

J

By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of posting nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you...
 
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Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:
By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of postive nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you...

:applaud:

Legendary last words Jick!:wink:
 
Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:
[
By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of postive nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you... [/B]

:laugh:
 
Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:

By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of postive nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you...

"you're right"?

Even this "positive" thread includes a jab at another U2 member, and you still have that "greedy" avatar. Let's not forget you were among the loudest of the angry fans you talk about in this thread, and one of the most consistently negative posters ever.


This album was U2's strongest selling album ever and it got to no.1 in the charts (now that the big end of year/Christmas sales period is over, yes it fell. but once some Grammys come or the tour starts, it will get back up in the charts). Vertigo was no.1 in the download charts, breaking records. Tickets were - and still are - going extremely fast before, during and after the pre-sale mess.

I don't see any "comeback" here.
 
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Re: Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

U2girl said:

I don't see any "comeback" here.

You mean U2's #28 chart position Billboard won't shoot back up anymore? Do you mean U2 will never be able to comeback and restore their lost image? (Gasp!) Could the improbable have happened where I am positive whereas you are negative? I see nothing else but comeback in my sights.

Cheers,

J
 
Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:
U2 suffered their worst commercial and artistic disappointment with POP.

Sir, you are a troll. Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

Once again J uses an unrelated topic to take a swipe at POP.

I will remind everyone that J's email address used to be POP4EVER. He is a hypocrite of the highest order.

That POP was their biggest artistic disappointment is a subjective argument that you have ZERO evidence for. Do we need to return to the article where Bono said where the whole of ATYCLB was less than the sum of its parts?

POP was a financial disappointment compared to past & future efforts, that much is true. Considering the challenging nature of the music at the time I'd say it's not half bad. Look at the sales of Kid A. That isn't a disappointment either.

If you look at the recent Interference albums poll you'll see that POP finsihed THREE places ahead of ATYCLB. It also beat out Zooropa, War, and Boy.

I'd suggest you take your opinion and finad another bridge to hide under.


laz
 
Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:

By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of posting nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you...



why dont you take a long walk off a short pier.
 
The qulity of the songs on POP has nothing to do with this discussion. The point is that POP was recieved quite coldly by most critics after its release, and the first leg of teh POPMART tour was less than spectalular.
 
Jick obviously spent quite some time on this, so it shouldn't be dismissed in two seconds.

However, I think he missed the mark on this one and it should be dismissed in 45 seconds.
 
personally, besides my personal opinion about the tickets, I'm glad that Jick has (or for that matter someone) has found some reconciliation with all of this.
 
haha, I like how jick takes things and blows them waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion making it seem like U2's career is over...

When in actuality the album has sold nearly 4 million copies in the states and tickets for shows are selling out rapidly.

Yeah, I sure do wish that old U2 would make a comeback!
 
most of the time your posts are funny and entertaining, this one is just verbal diarhea.
 
"which also features a restart of Staring At The Sun with Bono arguing with Mullen)"

I loved that part of the concert!

And I love Pop and I agree that Larry's apology was important and will be remembered as the gesture that renewed faith in the band for those members who felt compromised. So I guess I am disagreeing with much of the post and agreeing with the point made about Larry's letter.

Comeback though, that's nonsense.
 
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Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:

The Mullen Apology triggered everything. In one of the most touching artist-to-fan confessionals in rock'n'roll history, Mullen tells the fans regarding the fiasco that "some of it was beyond our control, but some of it wasn't."

Wow. One of the most touching artist-to-fan confessionals in rock'n'roll HISTORY was a letter posted on their official website? I think you're overexagerrating per usual Jick, but that's why I love ya :wink: I don't think U2 needs to make a "comeback." I'm not surprised they dropped chart positions; U2 has never been much of a chart band anyway, except for Joshua Tree... I mean, a lot of their albums do well initially, but they don't usually stay at the #1 spot for very long, or even in the top ten. As for the presale fiasco, the majority of the population was not involved and doesn't care too much. Sure, they might have thought, 'oh, that sucks, that's a shitty deal' but I doubt they decided based on some article they read online or something that they would no longer listen to U2 because they're money-hungry whores. I don't think U2 is making the "mother of all comebacks" because their comeback is rather minor and basically deals with the more overzealous fans who were disowning U2, and now feel the band's integrity is perserved because of the "Mullen Apology." The Mullen Apology, that sounds like it should be the name of a book or a movie or a band or an album or something. Jick, if I become rich and famous with my band, The Mullen Apology, I'll give you .01% of the money and come marry you.
 
Re: Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

lazarus said:


I will remind everyone that J's email address used to be POP4EVER. He is a hypocrite of the highest order.

Maybe he was being sarcastic.

That POP was their biggest artistic disappointment is a subjective argument that you have ZERO evidence for. Do we need to return to the article where Bono said where the whole of ATYCLB was less than the sum of its parts?

I was thinking about something like this the other day. With ATYCLB, they had to push and market it, and themselves, to make the 'comeback' after Pop had made them a laughingstock (to many) but now that they are 'back' the way they are marketing Bomb seems like, well, open and shameless commercialism. Oh the irony from Pop! :laugh: :huh: I don't mind, I'm just happy for them that they are popular and loved enough to get away with it! ;)


If you look at the recent Interference albums poll you'll see that POP finsihed THREE places ahead of ATYCLB. It also beat out Zooropa, War, and Boy.

That was just one poll. I have been here a long time and that's the first time it's happened. Besides, so many people here have such a chip on their shoulder about Pop they defend it like an ugly child no one likes out of pity where people who like other albums don't feel so strongly. This would not happen anywhere else. Pop is a joke on non U2 message boards I have seen.

J has always had the guts to say these things, and more, even though they are not popular here and on wire. I don't consider him a troll but a brave warrior. (whether or not I agree all the time) Too many people won't speak up.
 
Lancemc said:
The qulity of the songs on POP has nothing to do with this discussion. The point is that POP was recieved quite coldly by most critics after its release, and the first leg of teh POPMART tour was less than spectalular.

Absolutely INCORRECT. I was around when that album came out, and they received some of the best reviews of their career. Even publications that were cold to them before were impressed by this album

It was only during the year-end recaps that the album was considered a failure, and that was an effect of the tour.

Also, J did not say "critical disappointment". He said "artistic failure". Those are very harsh words and he should be chastized for using them.

There's nothing brave about taking cheap potshots against the band like that. It's petty, foolish, and in J's case, extremely redundant.


laz
 
Re: Bold Positive Prediction: U2 To Mount The Mother Of All Comebacks (Thanks Mullen!)

jick said:

Oh wait, the comeback has not really happend yet. It's just that I am positively predicting it:

This isn't really a prediction - its a given, almost. Wouldn't have anything to do with the Grammys and Hall of Fame coming up in the near future, I suppose.

ATYCLB jumped from #66 on the Billboard charts, 16 months after its release, to #30 after the SuperBowl halftime show and subsequent Grammy show in 02.
So really anything can happen. It's not a comeback however.

jick said:

By the way, a note to those so-called U2 fans who are quick to accuse me of posting nothing positive in this forum, I've only got two words for you...

That's not true jick, I've seen jick post some positively positive post about U2. Just not sure which personality is the real jick.
but, I'm sure both personalities came out in this article.. ;)

I do enjoy reading your post however. Always entertaining to say the least..:wink:
 
lazarus said:


Absolutely INCORRECT. I was around when that album came out, and they received some of the best reviews of their career. Even publications that were cold to them before were impressed by this album

laz

Absolutely true, those were some of the best reviews they ever received, and, in the end, that was a remarkably successful tour as well. This whole idea that it was a "debacle" (to use Jick's favourite word) is nonsense. And the idea that Pop made them a "laughingstock to many" is very US-centric. I don't believe, and many of this site's members do not support, that view.
And blah blah blah, we've discussed this so many times, but the anti-Pop folks do not have the record on their side. It was NOT poorly received, critically. Just look it up, please.
 
I don't think we should turn this into another POP debate thread.

The point of the original post is that ATYCLB represented U2's first comeback. Whether it was a comeback from commercial mediocrity, or a comeback to the vintage U2 sound, or a comeback to listenable music, or a comeback to arena tours, or a comeback to Grammy success - it cannot be denied that ATYCLB was a comeback of the highest degree.

So the basic premise is that since U2 have already used up their "one allocated comeback" - they are supposed to be out of "comeback lives" this time. Yet, I boldly predict tthat they will comeback from their recent image problems, and charti position nosedives to mark an improbably second comeback of their career, which would make it the mother of all comebacks.

Thanks to The Mullen Apology.

Cheers,

J
 
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