Wide Awake n AZ
The Fly
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2017
- Messages
- 296
The "tax avoiding" thing really only has legs in Ireland and some UK. Not a person stateside could give a shit, and we all look for ways to lessen our taxes. I cannot imagine that really has that much pull, when looked at from a "per person aware of U2" statistic. Most don't know, some who know don't care, and then there is a small number who care so much it makes them hate the band. Fair enough...but that just isn't that impactful. The negativity Bono draws is far more from a cynical society that hates "from the sleeve" emotions, and parses every comment for deep meaning from a guy who is known to speak words for the fun of speaking without always engaging the brain first. Add to it people who don't want politics in music (this amazes me...have you heard of U2?), and Bono gets to be the punching bag. I agree more personal lyrics can help bridge that gap, but I don't think that "love or hate" dichotomy with Bono really rests upon his structuring of personal assets and residence to avoid paying high taxes. Outside of a few people who were probably going to hate him anyway.
As for the new song. I really do like it. Yes, it is 2000's U2, but it is the 2000's and the band is U2, so I am not sure why that is a surprise. There are elements of 80's emotion, but it is still largely a 2000's U2 song, which is fine. The 1980's U2 was the 1980's U2, and they often moved off a theme, so the UF sound was short lived, as was the War sound and the JT/R&H sound, and what they do now is a more contemporary rock version that pulls from all those influences. There are still anthemic moments, keyboard soundscapes, some chime here and there, and also the standard American progressions they learned from JT. I don't think they are in the time/headspace/age to make another sound/noise art record, and Pop certainly made them realize the general public doesn't want its dance beats from U2, though we can all disagree with the general public there. This is a good song that might turn into a great song, but I still feel like its impact is going to be with fans only, because there simply is not a medium for a 50 year old band to get their song out to the masses in any way that penetrates the cultural norm. That's true of everyone...that mechanism is dead, and it is up to fans to buy their favorite bands albums, knowing 40,000 units in a week is enough to throw it up at the top of the charts these days. The million sellers for new music from old bands are long gone. So charting this as to whether it is a success by sales numbers compared against the past is a pointless venture. For me, just...is it good? SOI was good in parts. But it wasn't great. There are songs I really like, but the album wasn't a "turn on and listen through" album. I know a lot of diehards hate ATYCLB, but that was a good album...right up to the cliff (again, that cliff is either after In A Little While or Peace on Earth for me...it changes). It worked. The songs were good. They had staying power. That's all I want...a good album. I am not going to hold it up against the past. Just my ears.
As for the new song. I really do like it. Yes, it is 2000's U2, but it is the 2000's and the band is U2, so I am not sure why that is a surprise. There are elements of 80's emotion, but it is still largely a 2000's U2 song, which is fine. The 1980's U2 was the 1980's U2, and they often moved off a theme, so the UF sound was short lived, as was the War sound and the JT/R&H sound, and what they do now is a more contemporary rock version that pulls from all those influences. There are still anthemic moments, keyboard soundscapes, some chime here and there, and also the standard American progressions they learned from JT. I don't think they are in the time/headspace/age to make another sound/noise art record, and Pop certainly made them realize the general public doesn't want its dance beats from U2, though we can all disagree with the general public there. This is a good song that might turn into a great song, but I still feel like its impact is going to be with fans only, because there simply is not a medium for a 50 year old band to get their song out to the masses in any way that penetrates the cultural norm. That's true of everyone...that mechanism is dead, and it is up to fans to buy their favorite bands albums, knowing 40,000 units in a week is enough to throw it up at the top of the charts these days. The million sellers for new music from old bands are long gone. So charting this as to whether it is a success by sales numbers compared against the past is a pointless venture. For me, just...is it good? SOI was good in parts. But it wasn't great. There are songs I really like, but the album wasn't a "turn on and listen through" album. I know a lot of diehards hate ATYCLB, but that was a good album...right up to the cliff (again, that cliff is either after In A Little While or Peace on Earth for me...it changes). It worked. The songs were good. They had staying power. That's all I want...a good album. I am not going to hold it up against the past. Just my ears.
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