spanisheyes
Forum Moderator, The Goal Is Soul
Guitarist (Issue 225 July 2002)
U2 #22 in The Top 50 Rock bands of all time - as voted for by readers of 'Guitarist' magazine.
#22 U2
Pompous Irish twats or spirited saviours of rock: discuss. Whatever you think, U2's continued presence is all about rejuvenation. From their new wave beginnings to the mega selling rediscovery of American roots rock, via modernistic disco dance to forty-something gents growing up responsibly; U2's standing - sometimes overshadowed by Bono's flag-waving(literally) for the worthy causes of the world - is hard to dispute. The Edge's delay and effects-laden soundscapes, not to mention minimalist note content, easily elevate him into Guitar God category. The 2000 album All That You Can't Leave Behind returned to the classic guitar-driven formula and is chasing The Joshua Tree in terms of sales; Achtung Baby is essential listening too.
Rock Rating:
Attitude: 9/10
Style: 6/10
Drugs: 4/10
Riffs: 6/10
Formed: 1978
Classic Guitarist Line-up: The Edge
Favoured Axes: Fender Strat/Tele, Gibson Explorer, Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Amps: Vox AC30
Essential Listening: The Joshua Tree (1987)
I try and not get too upset when I see polls like this, considering what this magazine used for their rock rating: drugs? This magazine proved to me once again how much substance U2 has that what others see as minimal, U2 fans, or just fans of music see as substantial.
I see a lot of indifference, or just plain hate for U2, because in many instances, the word saviors are used in conjunction with their music and message on a whole. Maybe bands with substance are just a thing of the past. It's now all about promoting the persons above the music. So above, you get a good glimpse of where rock music, or just music in general is. Especially when the first 4 out of 5 sections on the rock rating our about lifestyle, as opposed to musicianship and consistency.
So please, don't get upset, many people will never get U2, because U2 is unwilling to play the game, or play by the rules that other band are expected to play, and willingly do so, but you have to asked yourselves, where will many of these bands be in 10 years? U2 is about 4 men who allow themselves to take a back seat to a music that they know is bigger than themselves, and yet, are realistic to know that to get an ego ahead of this 'big music' would be suicide for U2 and any other band for that matter.
So U2, I'm proud of the fact that your #22 in the mind of many ignorant rock fans, but we know that you stand head and shoulders above them all. Discuss.
Chris
U2 #22 in The Top 50 Rock bands of all time - as voted for by readers of 'Guitarist' magazine.
#22 U2
Pompous Irish twats or spirited saviours of rock: discuss. Whatever you think, U2's continued presence is all about rejuvenation. From their new wave beginnings to the mega selling rediscovery of American roots rock, via modernistic disco dance to forty-something gents growing up responsibly; U2's standing - sometimes overshadowed by Bono's flag-waving(literally) for the worthy causes of the world - is hard to dispute. The Edge's delay and effects-laden soundscapes, not to mention minimalist note content, easily elevate him into Guitar God category. The 2000 album All That You Can't Leave Behind returned to the classic guitar-driven formula and is chasing The Joshua Tree in terms of sales; Achtung Baby is essential listening too.
Rock Rating:
Attitude: 9/10
Style: 6/10
Drugs: 4/10
Riffs: 6/10
Formed: 1978
Classic Guitarist Line-up: The Edge
Favoured Axes: Fender Strat/Tele, Gibson Explorer, Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Amps: Vox AC30
Essential Listening: The Joshua Tree (1987)
I try and not get too upset when I see polls like this, considering what this magazine used for their rock rating: drugs? This magazine proved to me once again how much substance U2 has that what others see as minimal, U2 fans, or just fans of music see as substantial.
I see a lot of indifference, or just plain hate for U2, because in many instances, the word saviors are used in conjunction with their music and message on a whole. Maybe bands with substance are just a thing of the past. It's now all about promoting the persons above the music. So above, you get a good glimpse of where rock music, or just music in general is. Especially when the first 4 out of 5 sections on the rock rating our about lifestyle, as opposed to musicianship and consistency.
So please, don't get upset, many people will never get U2, because U2 is unwilling to play the game, or play by the rules that other band are expected to play, and willingly do so, but you have to asked yourselves, where will many of these bands be in 10 years? U2 is about 4 men who allow themselves to take a back seat to a music that they know is bigger than themselves, and yet, are realistic to know that to get an ego ahead of this 'big music' would be suicide for U2 and any other band for that matter.
So U2, I'm proud of the fact that your #22 in the mind of many ignorant rock fans, but we know that you stand head and shoulders above them all. Discuss.
Chris