POP Revisited

[purpleblackeye]

I listened to POP over the weekend (it's been a while since i gave it a spin), and was struck by how awesome it really is....There is only one weak song - Playboy Mansion. This is a criminally underrated album, in my opinion. I even love the much maligned, Miami. Gone and Please are classics, up there with the best of U2. Wake Up Dead Man is a great closer.

I don't want to start another war, but, as much as I love HDTAAB, i think POP is the better album. The songs have a certain boldness and edgy (no pun intended) quality to them, which is mostly absent from HDTAAB.

I miss when U2 was "weird," as one of my friends put it. As much as everyone complained about the '90's and how they strayed too far off the traditional U2 path, i think it is their best decade, musically speaking. U2 may not have been totally satisfied with POP, but i think it will stand the test of time.

But I can't complain really - after 25 years, they are number one in 22 countries, they still are the best live band on the planet, and they can still make records like HDTAAB.

 

[If you shout...]

I won't bother elaborating endlessly on the "How?" and the "Why?" of it all, cuz I've done a good deal of that in the boards, of late...but I'll say that I almost entirely agree with you.

I think that the new album is very strong, very well-written, and comptetently performed, but (for better or worse) I don't think that it's a classic. I think that, for me, Pop is. The only thing that I'd have to take issue with is your dislike of "The Playboy Mansion;" you don't have to like it, but I LOVE it, personally. I actually just posted about this a day or two ago and went into length about how much I loved the song--I agree that Pop is a criminally-underrated album, but I think that "The Playboy Mansion" is even more criminally-underrated.

That said, I also find "MOFO," "Gone," "Please," "Wake Up, Dead Man" and just about EVERY other song on the album to be among the cream of the cream of the cream of the expansive crop of U2 songs. Even "Discotheque," if you must know....AND I LOVE THE VIDEO!!!! No shit...I do!!

 

[bsp77]

I listened to POP over the weekend (it's been a while since i gave it a spin), and was struck by how awesome it really is....There is only one weak song - Playboy Mansion. This is a criminally underrated album, in my opinion. I even love the much maligned, Miami. Gone and Please are classics, up there with the best of U2. Wake Up Dead Man is a great closer.

I don't want to start another war, but, as much as I love HDTAAB, i think POP is the better album. The songs have a certain boldness and edgy (no pun intended) quality to them, which is mostly absent from HDTAAB.

I miss when U2 was "weird," as one of my friends put it. As much as everyone complained about the '90's and how they strayed too far off the traditional U2 path, i think it is their best decade, musically speaking. U2 may not have been totally satisfied with POP, but i think it will stand the test of time.

But I can't complain really - after 25 years, they are number one in 22 countries, they still are the best live band on the planet, and they can still make records like HDTAAB.

I like the album a lot, even though it is one of my least favorite U2 albums. My biggest complaint is not that it sounds unfinished, it is the tracklisting. Any song sounds great on its own (except for possibly Miami and Playboy Mansion), but the album drags a little. I think my issue is that tracks 1-3 are all heavy techno/dance rock tracks, 5-7 are the regular rock tracks, and 8-10 are the more experimental trip-hop or drum n'bass tracks. It just neede to be mixed up, and I would add the Guilty version of Holy Joe.

Hey purpleblackeye - Wilco fan?

 

[believer75]

POP helped define U2 and build their legend in many more ways than people realize. The lyrics to the songs give you different insight into the band and what they are about, and also let you experience a different way that they can play their instruments. It is up with their best, but picking their best is always tough.

As a matter of fact, right now, I'm listening to 'Gone'. I remember the impact that song had on me right from the first time I heard it, back when I was in college. It's definitely a first class 'rock and roll' song from a first class 'rock and roll' band. My life would not be the same without those POP songs.

 

[Numb1075]

I'm a Pop fan. I am not a fan of Miami - and I've LOVED every other song U2 has made. IMO, Pop is brilliant, and it's only blemish is Miami.

You can never please all of the U2 fans. Some say the 80s were the best (w/ passionate anthems) and others will argue for the 90s (w/ experimental music) & now the 2000s (w/ U2 by numbers so to speak). Someone will always complain. I've found it pretty easy to just enjoy the band in each of it's "phases" and like the twists and turns.

 

[rjhbonovox]

I listened to POP over the weekend (it's been a while since i gave it a spin), and was struck by how awesome it really is....There is only one weak song - Playboy Mansion. This is a criminally underrated album, in my opinion. I even love the much maligned, Miami. Gone and Please are classics, up there with the best of U2. Wake Up Dead Man is a great closer.

I don't want to start another war, but, as much as I love HDTAAB, i think POP is the better album. The songs have a certain boldness and edgy (no pun intended) quality to them, which is mostly absent from HDTAAB.

I miss when U2 was "weird," as one of my friends put it. As much as everyone complained about the '90's and how they strayed too far off the traditional U2 path, i think it is their best decade, musically speaking. U2 may not have been totally satisfied with POP, but i think it will stand the test of time.

But I can't complain really - after 25 years, they are number one in 22 countries, they still are the best live band on the planet, and they can still make records like HDTAAB.

Yes I love a POP debate and comparing HTDAAB to Pop is like comparing Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet to The Joshua Tree. There is no comparison Pop pisses all over HTDAAB, sorry but it does!

 

[rjhbonovox]

That said, I also find "MOFO," "Gone," "Please," "Wake Up, Dead Man" and just about EVERY other song on the album to be among the cream of the cream of the cream of the expansive crop of U2 songs. Even "Discotheque," if you must know....AND I LOVE THE VIDEO!!!! No shit...I do!!

The video to Discotheque is GREAT. Why is it not? They are taking the piss, having a laugh, that is what its all about. The music is great as well. Pop IS GREAT. I Love Pop, every track. The weakest song on the album is If God Will Send His Angels, I prefer the single version, but songs that are always pulled down here like Miami and Playboy Mansion are superb, and they never tire of listening even after 7 nearly 8 years.

 

[U2Kitten]

 

[Atomic Monkey]

If finished, this album would have been incredible. I think Achtung would have kinda sucked if it was unfinished. (Ducks to avoid anything that might be thrown at him) POP really had tons of potential. Its kinda funny, I was listening to it last night. There's a certain life to it that ATYCLB and HTDAAB don't have. If they had more time, it might have been the best ever.

 

[rjhbonovox]

It damn nearly is the best ever, I listen to Pop the 2nd most next to Achtung baby.

 

[U2Kitten]

Question: WHY do some of you feel the need to keep touting Pop and how great it is and how much the new albums suck? Are some of you still that insecure about Pop's bad rep? Isn't 7 years enough to get over it? Put it to bed already.

 

[rjhbonovox]

Question: WHY do some of you feel the need to keep touting Pop and how great it is and how much the new albums suck? Are some of you still that insecure about Pop's bad rep? Isn't 7 years enough to get over it? Put it to bed already.

I think you will find if the new album had been 'the great album' we all wanted then not many people would be starting discussions about Pop 2 weeks after the release of htdaab.

 

[U2Kitten]

It's much better 2 weeks after its release than Pop ever was or ever will be. I can't understand it being held up as an example by a handful of you here. JT, AB, sure, but not Pop! If anyone is lamenting the bygone days of Pop, perhaps they can understand how many 80's fans felt while enduring the Pop era. Sometimes it looks like there are people here who only like Pop and not the rest, is that it?

 

[*k_i_t_e_86*]

woohoo I love talking about POP. And listening what other people have to say about it (unfortunatelly mostly bad things...).
So, im surprised that so many of you love this album as much as i do. Right now, both my vocabulary and tiredness dont let me put my fascination into words, but believe my, this is really special album for me!

I always liked U2 but after listening to this one i just soaked into their music for good.

That's a bit stange, but i dont have any favourite track on Pop. I dont single out any. And i think thats what makes the album so outstanding- its great as a whole. So dark and wierd...

Cheers for all Pop-appreciators

 

[jet_jaguar72]

why not pop? I really like UF and all the albums afterwards equally (maybe not zooropa). Pop has some scortchingly good songs...Staring at the Sun, Gone, Please, Wake Up Dead Man..etc..
I didn't understand all the disappointment with it when it came out nor do I now...is it because the first 2 tracks are very dancey?
It also helped to have seen the live show...so good and to hear the new stuff mixed with theold..it just gels better I guess..

 

[bsp77]

It's much better 2 weeks after its release than Pop ever was or ever will be. Pop was the worst album U2 ever made and I can't understand it being held up as an example by a handful of you here. JT, AB, sure, but not Pop! If anyone is lamenting the bygone days of Pop, perhaps they can understand how 80's fans felt while enduring the Pop era. Sometimes it looks like there are people here who only like Pop and not the rest, is that it?

Careful. You agreed with me when I defended ATYCLB from people slamming it, so you shouldn't slam another album now. Everybody has their personal opinions about the albums which should all be respected. I just don't like it when people start presentating their opinions as fact and start slamming people who feel otherwise. Personally, POP and ATYCLB are my least favorite albums besides for October, though I do still like them. I think the new album is far better than both and I will argue my reasons with anybody, but I do not believe that I am fundamentally right and they are necessarily wrong.

 

[rjhbonovox]

Wonderful post, nope I love U2 80's as well but their new stuff is getting worse. Their albums are going down hill unfortunately, although the new album has a couple of classic tracks there are too many fillers in there, even though their new fans seem to love it. Tracks such as Miracle Drug, All Because Of You, City Of Blinding Lights & Crumbs From Your Table are mediocre attempts at sounding like their back in the 80's and it has shown U2 up to being lacking in ideas and direction. Well the only direction their going in is back to the 80's and that is why Bono says this is their 1st album so that their new fans think that this is original material that sounds fresh when if your really honest it doesn't. I still love U2 and their still the best band in the world, but where is the opposition these days.

 

[jet_jaguar72]

Why is the internet in general so negative actually? I can't recall fanzines being so bleak as the internet usually is. It seems like every band website's message board laments the latest releases wishing for the good ol days heheh!

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Tracks such as Miracle Drug, All Because Of You, City Of Blinding Lights & Crumbs From Your Table are mediocre attempts at sounding like their back in the 80's and it has shown U2 up to being lacking in ideas and direction. Well the only direction their going in is back to the 80's and that is why Bono says this is their 1st album so that their new fans think that this is original material that sounds fresh when if your really honest it doesn't. I still love U2 and their still the best band in the world, but where is the opposition these days.

As a fan of 21 years, it DOES sound new, I hear nothing of the 80's in this other than Edge's basic guitar style he always has had.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Careful. You agreed with me when I defended ATYCLB from people slamming it, so you shouldn't slam another album now. Everybody has their personal opinions about the albums which should all be respected. I just don't like it when people start presentating their opinions as fact and start slamming people who feel otherwise. Personally, POP and ATYCLB are my least favorite albums besides for October, though I do still like them. I think the new album is far better than both and I will argue my reasons with anybody, but I do not believe that I am fundamentally right and they are necessarily wrong.

But it's usually ATYCLB that gets bashed by the Pop-ers. I agree NO album should be bashed, I just get so sick of Pop being held up as a great example while the new ones get dumped on. It's ridiculous.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Why is the internet in general so negative actually? I can't recall fanzines being so bleak as the internet usually is. It seems like every band website's message board laments the latest releases wishing for the good ol days heheh!

And it's not just U2 sites!

 

[rjhbonovox]

As a fan of 21 years, it DOES sound new, I hear nothing of the 80's in this other than Edge's basic guitar style he always has had.

Edges guitar style was basic in the 80's but his guitar style in the 90's was not. In the 90's Edge was adventurous and he was exploring new sounds, now it seems he has forgotton what he discovered in the 90's and just brought out the echo and memory man again, makes the music sound retro to me.

 

[ponkine]

I felt in love the first time I head Pop. I remember how it was. I was at home late at night when I turned on some Chilean radio. They presented Pop 2 weeks before official release and my mind was out of this world. They presented Pop complete, without any intermission. I listened with my headphones and was incredibly insteresting

To some extent, was pretty Beatles 66- 67 era, I mean, every time I listen to Pop I find something new, some hidden details, some instruments I didn´t hear, etc

I loved Zoo TV sounds references on Wake Up Dead Man, for example. I loved Edge guitars on Last Night On Earth barely audible, making a fantastic riff, another Edge guitars at the begining of Mofo, when Larry plays along Programming ( actually there´re some Edge guitars !!! ), etc.

That kind of things makes me love this awesome album. The longest U2 album ever ( without counting half- compiled Rattle & Hum ) and their TRULY third masterpiece, and their last masterpiece, indeed

My friend Edge, if you´re reading these posts, may you tell me...

WHY THE HELL DO YOU THINK IS "UNFINISHED" ????? and

WHY DO YOU STILL UNDERRATE THIS ESSENTIAL PIECE OF MUSIC, AND OVERRATE YOUR MOST LAME AND WEAK EFFORT EVER, ATYCLB ???

 

[nathan1977]

I listened to Pop again yesterday on my computer, except I revised the tracklisting to replace the original album versions of 7 of the 12 songs with the single versions or Mike Hedges remixes...and would you believe it was a lot better? I recommend trying it, for those who love the album, but ESP for those who don't...

 

[Layton]

Pop is an outstanding album. I also have always been annoyed with the unfinished tag the band themselves put on that album. I mean there probably isn't a U2 album that probably wouldn't have been different with another month or two of work. It's very possible that the "finishing touches" could make the album worse. Just look at the new mixes on the Best Of. As for fans saying the record sounds unfinished, I find that unfathomable. How could any one of us have any idea what would've happened with a little extra work done. I say shame on the U2 boys for making us all believe it's unfinished. If it's bad, it's bad. If it's great, it's great. They spent more than enough time creating it. They didn't need any more time.

 

[youtwohearts]

Okay just a little note...I am an 80's fan and POP is in my top 5 probably my top 3.

I love POP. Except I do have to disagree with you on Playboy Mansion, it is a great song.

 

[Saracene]

I don't want to start another war, but, as much as I love HDTAAB, i think POP is the better album. The songs have a certain boldness and edgy (no pun intended) quality to them, which is mostly absent from HDTAAB.

Unfortunately, writing something like this in this forum almost always turns out to be a direct invitation for a thread to turn from discussion of POP to posts exclusively about how much new stuff blows.

I haven't listened to POP for ages and feel rather curious about what my reaction would be like now. POP and Zooropa are the two U2 albums that swing up and down the most, for me.

 

[jet_jaguar72]

U2's quality lies in the fact that EVERY album has at least 2 songs that everyone really loves and most of the time they tend to be different. I wonder why people can't accept that bands will change sounds and styles every few years?
U2 is very cyclic, going in threes usually..
boy//war//october = raw, distinctively youthful energy
unforgettable fire//joshua tree//rattle and hum// huge, epic stadium sized anthems
achtung baby//zooropa//pop// heavy production filters, more experimental and ironic
ATYCLB//HTDATB//??? leaning more towards a honest, straight forward classic rock feel.

It's generalizing yeah, but it seems they do go in cycles and I don't think any fan will say that they have ver misstepped completely in any of their phases..which is a testament to their skill..

 

[U2Kitten]

Re: Re: POP Revisited

Unfortunately, writing something like this in this forum almost always turns out to be a direct invitation for a thread to turn from discussion of POP to posts exclusively about how much new stuff blows.

Exactly. As a fellow longtime veteran I'm sure you've noticed that there has never been a "Pop Appreciation thread" that didn't double as an ATYCLB bashing thread. It continues now adding HTDAAB That's the problem. If you love Pop, then praise it WITHOUT simultaniously bashing another album in comparison. If you do, don't be surprised to have the same done back to you.

 

[dgirl]

WOW, i knew when POP came out that hardcore U2 fans would either shun it or take it as an experiment for them.
I was so surprised that they worked with Howie B. ( i love his work) in his field of music he is a great producer and artist if your into the trip hop/electronica thing. They worked with the best and did a great job and embraced that era of music that was going around at that time.
Naked funk are a brilliant group.
I like most of the album, it does have it's faults but I can accept what they tried to do.