Do you think there will ever be a time when...

[Chizip]

U2 will give up trying to be the biggest band in the world and just make music for music's sake?

Like would they ever release an album in July, without 6 different super duper deluxe versions? Without releasing it at the perfect time to get the first single eligible for this years grammys while the whole album would be released for the next years grammys? Without releasing it at the perfect time to take advantage of holiday sales?

They really have already accomplished everything there is to be accomplished. They're in the Rock and Roll hall of fame, their already super duper rich, is it really necessary to continue to do everything possible to maximize profits and image in order to be the biggest band in the world?

Ah I dream for the day where we'll just get 11 good songs some July, without the hype machine in full force.

 

[U2Man]

no.

 

[Lila64]

 

[corianderstem]

Even though I do enjoy what they've been doing, I would look forward to this hypothetical time with great anticipation.

 

[U2democrat]

Even though I do enjoy what they've been doing, I would look forward to this hypothetical time with great anticipation.

 

[the tourist]

Never.

 

[Utoo]

No, they won't, mainly because they never have. Ever since they were a "baby band," it was their dream to be the biggest, and it was the dream of everyone associated with them (McGuinness, Bill Graham, etc.) to help them get there.

The only time a member of U2 played music for music's sake was when Dave & Dick Evans would play on their homemade guitar in the living room.

 

[Canadiens1131]

Never. U2 of the 00s is just a fricken' juggernaut. The music industry equivilant of a full-speed iron locomotive.

I think U2 is happy being U2 right now. No slyness, no irony, just big, spendy, charitable, champagne-poppin' celebrities.

 

[Chizip]

No, they won't, mainly because they never have. Ever since they were a "baby band," it was their dream to be the biggest, and it was the dream of everyone associated with them (McGuinness, Bill Graham, etc.) to help them get there.

The only time a member of U2 played music for music's sake was when Dave & Dick Evans would play on their homemade guitar in the living room.

but now that theyve accomplished everything they could have possibly accomplished, you dont think someday theyd say, "Fuck all that other sutff, let's just get some songs out there for our fans"?

 

[U2Man]

true. the "being the biggest" thing is part of their egos, especially bono's, and it is way too late to give it up now. they would rather quit entirely.

 

[2233]

"Fuck all that other sutff, let's just get some songs out there for our fans"?

Which fans? There are so many types of U2 fan, they must first resolve which fans they want to cater most.

 

[Canadiens1131]

Which fans? There are so many types of U2 fan, they must first resolve which fans they want to cater most.

Sometimes I wish they didn't give a flying fuck about catering to their fans and just make the music that comes out at the time of recording.

 

[Chizip]

Which fans? There are so many types of U2 fan, they must first resolve which fans they want to cater most.

Can't they not to try to cater to anyone? Just write their 11 best songs, and release it without worrying about the best way to maxizmize their profits/image/status?

 

[ozeeko]

I don't think U2 will ever do this. For one thing, it's LIVE where U2 really shines and they want to produce music that easily translates to the big stage (i.e. big ballads and pseudo-rock songs). I wish U2 would seperate the studio from the live performance, but this of course will never happen. Imagine them sitting around after an album with nothing to do, or with no easy strategy to take the new tunes to the stadiums. Bono would probably end up in jail 2 days later. They need to play live cuz it's where they feel at home.

 

[Tiger Edge]

Never. U2 of the 00s is just a fricken' juggernaut. The music industry equivilant of a full-speed iron locomotive.

I think U2 is happy being U2 right now. No slyness, no irony, just big, spendy, charitable, champagne-poppin' celebrities.

I don't mind it. I mean, even though I don't like half the music they are putting out lately, I'm grateful for the music I *do* like. I don't think the band sits in agony over their new CD saying, "THIS IS SUCH CRAP!" They obviously like the music they are putting out, the image they've become, end of story. Otherwise someLarryone would have quit the band by now.

 

[Utoo]

but now that theyve accomplished everything they could have possibly accomplished, you dont think someday theyd say, "Fuck all that other sutff, let's just get some songs out there for our fans"?

There's always the possibility. Part of me thinks it would be nice. Another part of me doesn't necessarily think we'd get something all that different than what we're getting now. Passengers was perhaps the closest thing to making music for music's sake. But at the same time, it wasn't really "for the fans;" I'd say it was more for themselves and for Eno, and kind of for "art's sake"--which has a bit of egotism in there even still.

I just think that this desire to be the biggest band in the world is so rooted in their characters and their needs that it'll never completely go away. Bono especially------a man, like many others who become performers, searching for some bit of approval somehow [watch Inside the Actor's Studio & you'll see that something like 75% of Hollywood have dead or divorced parents & that affected them deeply, looking for something later on]. I think that most of the band want to be in the band because it gives them something more....and it's something more than just music itself can give them.

I also would argue that ZooTV and PopMart ultimately created the band that we have now. I absolutely love these shows, the concepts behind them, etc., but I think there was a side-effect. If there was any chance of U2 overcoming their always-rooted desire to be the biggest band in the world, it was lost with ZooTV and PopMart. Both of these were designed to mock celebrity, pop culture, and all the ridiculousness that go with them, and they were effective at mocking these things. However, I think that because of these tours/intents/etc., the concepts that they were trying to mock were so constantly ever-present in their minds that they became somewhat normal to the band. Moreover, the characters and personas that they created allowed them to indulge a bit in their own desires.

The Fly is a caricature, but there is a bit of Bono in there, too. In a way, he hasn't fully let go of The Fly---mainly because there always was a part of him in there. But it's not just Bono, it's the whole band. You never quite see the real people. The Day In The Life of Edge was one of the first times that you saw such a public, outright display of how carefree and hilarious these guys really are. But at the same time, there was a bit of acting in there, too; some "playing for the camera."

As long as Bono wears his sunglasses; as long as Edge wears his beanie; as long as Larry's a hardass---U2 will always be more than just 4 guys making music. There will always be that desire to be the biggest band in the world; there will always be the desire to do something and see the reaction.

I don't think it's always a bad thing. Sometimes, the thing they'll do to get a reaction is Achtung Baby. Other times, it'll be something much less impressive. I think it's the desire to be the biggest in the world that will keep this band from producing crap repeatedly---their egos and ultimate desires won't let them.

 

[Canadiens1131]

I don't mind it. I mean, even though I don't like half the music they are putting out lately, I'm grateful for the music I *do* like. I don't think the band sits in agony over their new CD saying, "THIS IS SUCH CRAP!" They obviously like the music they are putting out, the image they've become, end of story. Otherwise someLarryone would have quit the band by now.

Actually I think Larry probably left the band during the Achtung Baby sessions when they replaced him with a drum machine as he was on the toilet.

While original Larry is hidden quietly in the south of France, the current Larry is a robot. That BS about back problems is just to explain random flights to specialists to refill his robot fuel.

 

[U2girl]

I think the chance of that flew out the window in 1987.

 

[U2Man]

Utoo

 

[Canadiens1131]

Notice how his drumming style hasn't changed in a decade or more?

Hmm.

 

[Tiger Edge]

Robot Larry

If there's someone to leave the band first, it's Larry due to back/wrist problems. Can't be a drummer forever.
And I'm sure when that happens they'll call it quits altogether. All for one, one for all.

 

[1stepcloser]

I'd love them to give up the 'biggest thing' attitude. And, dare i say it, for them to stop touring stadiums

Not drenching their latest albums in super slick over-production would help too.

 

[the tourist]

U2 should record for themselves and for no one else. How about a Kid A. I don't mean experimental like that. I just mean doing what they want. Not worrying about how many singles an album will produce. Not worrying about gobbling up all the awards.

 

[Canadiens1131]

Robot Larry

If there's someone to leave the band first, it's Larry due to back/wrist problems. Can't be a drummer forever.
And I'm sure when that happens they'll call it quits altogether. All for one, one for all.

Either that or replace Larry with Neil Peart.

 

[2233]

Can't they not to try to cater to anyone? Just write their 11 best songs, and release it without worrying about the best way to maxizmize their profits/image/status?

It's up to them how they approach their art. I have been enjoying their music, it doesn't bother me what their next record will sound like. If it sounds good to me, my money well spent if not I will wait for the next one and so on.

 

[the tourist]

Robot Larry

If there's someone to leave the band first, it's Larry due to back/wrist problems. Can't be a drummer forever.
And I'm sure when that happens they'll call it quits altogether. All for one, one for all.

And that's when Edge will record a solo album.

 

[Canadiens1131]

And that's when Edge will record a solo album.

Ahhh man! I could imagine Edge getting together with Brian Eno and doing some sweet musical texture BS kinda stuff that they're so good at.

It wouldn't take much to top Another Day on Earth

 

[the tourist]

I'd be all about Edge writing a rock album with a single or two, but with a lot of keys and layering and sparse, dark moments.

 

[adrball]

Nope, but they make good stuff in trying to be the biggest. So don't care.

 

[discothequeLP]

humans and robots can coexist peacefully?


-- impossible, the way they're programmed. . .