bmgwd89
The Fly
I'd have to go with Pop. For me Zooropa, while also a great album, has more songs that aren't great, and also has less material overall.
Zooropa or Pop
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1stepcloser
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Zooropa definitely for me. It seems like an inspired creation when one listens to it. It doesn't have a bad song on it and some of the songs are exceptional. The title track for example and Lemon are masterpieces.
Pop isn't bad itself but you can tell it's unfinished despite what all the pop-till-i-die army may say. Plus the new mix of Gone is better than the original.
And Zooropa had better video's too
Pop isn't bad itself but you can tell it's unfinished despite what all the pop-till-i-die army may say. Plus the new mix of Gone is better than the original.
And Zooropa had better video's too
XHendrix24
Refugee
1stepcloser said:And Zooropa had better video's too
I forgot about this point. The videos for the Zooropa singles were arguably the best U2 have ever done. Numb, Lemon, Stay. All fantastic videos.
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
WalkOnTheEdge said:Do we really need a new one every day?
Yes.
Zooropa > Pop by just a little bit. Both are brilliant.
jonnytakeawalk
Refugee
Nisse said:
No you couldn't.
Zooropa has at least three absolute classics, Zooropa, lemon and stay. Only one mediocre song- babyface, and absolutely no bad songs. Pop on the other hand
Earnie Shavers
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Justin24 said:
Name two techno songs from Pop. I'll give you Mofo, depending on your definition of 'techno', but name one other.
Zoots
Blue Crack Supplier
Earnie Shavers said:
Nice.
goincommando
The Fly
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2006
- Messages
- 129
I think Zooropa works more so than Pop as a whole. Looking back on the tracks however, Pop seems stronger. I think I'm one of the few who enjoys all of the songs equally, including Miami, Playboy, and Velvet. I still don't like the "Miami" howl towards the end, but the song comes off as a gritty representation of the city. Playboy is fun if you don't mind the irony, and velvet is smooth, seductive and quite beautiful.
pattip2000
New Yorker
Pop
and to waynetravis- buy the damn album, its only like 10 bucks at Best Buy. You know you want to, all the cool kids have.
and to waynetravis- buy the damn album, its only like 10 bucks at Best Buy. You know you want to, all the cool kids have.
jonnytakeawalk said:
No you couldn't.
Zooropa has at least three absolute classics, Zooropa, lemon and stay. Only one mediocre song- babyface, and absolutely no bad songs. Pop on the other hand
Dude don't get me started
There are people who get scared by numb , find some days ...... a pale left out of achtung ..... I could go on You see it's all bout the views
JCOSTER
ONE love, blood, life
POP 
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
BANZAI said:
Classics:
Gone
Please
Wake Up Dead Man
Great Songs:
Discotheque
Do You Feel Loved
Mofo
IGWSHA
Last Night On earth
Playboy Mansion
IYWTVD
Weak Songs:
Staring At The Sun
Miami
------------------------------------------
That's why.
For Zooropa, it's
Classics:
Zooropa
Lemon
Stay
Great Songs:
Babyface
Numb
Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car
SDABTO
The First Time
Dirty Day
Weak Songs:
The Wanderer
Still, Zooropa is more of an experience than Pop. The records are nearly tied, but still, I've got to say Zooropa. Barely. And the Joshua Tree is inbetween Zooropa and Pop.
Last edited:
BANZAI said:
That's pretty interestin question , it's like a test "make me buy this" , and it's much more interesting , considerin that I do not own POP yet ..... I think I keep waitin for a 2.0 edition ..... Anyway lemme try
1- LNOE , I put it in 1 line , for me it's the best rock'n roll song of U2 in the 90's together with Fly and End of the world . Though I wish it was even closer to live version , with a better worked bridge and the climax in the end with the solo , still the album version , I don't see it nothing wrong
2-SATS , Though some already called it so many things , such as a simple try of a possible One II ..... I still find it fantastic , Edge's sounds really make you take a "trip " on the song , Bono's vocal's are okay , if not brilliant , but very good lyrics , the melody really works in my ears , it has another great bridge ( Which I start to notice , Pop is filled with great bridges on the songs ) , and the rhyhtm section is like most of album , pretty solid and enjoyable
3- Please , I wish it was the single version on the album , coz I find it the real , alive version of it .... still what to say , Please for me is a masterpiece , it's get cliché sayin over and over , but the lyrics are from the very greatest of u2 , withtout mention the rhythm section , Larry and Adam are extraordinary on it
4-Discotheque , of course after u listen it live , u with it was more like rock , but still is one fun song , with fantastic riffs of edge , the main rhythm is worth all song
5-Gone , though I'm not the biggest fan of it , it's a real great piece on the album ...... even though the chorus is a bit flat without edge's backing ..... still fantastic bassline by Adam , the bridge is fantastic , for me the album version really works
6-DYFL , it's a pretty fun to listen it , specially with headphones , the drums and bass really make it shine , together with some great tricks of edge , working with nice effects , there's also the chorus which features great guitar , it's another underrated tunes
That's only a bit of it of course
In a nutshell back to topic , I love both Zoo and Pop , I love lemon , i like a lot Stay , Zooropa , I'm really likin Babyface these days , actually discovering it , and there's that gem , First Time ....... And of course I love pop as well ....... u can't just ignore such album with all those songs I listed and more
BTW my rate : Pop 8.7 X Zooropa 8.3
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
J_NP said:
Good post, and solid ratings.
Zooropa 9.3
Pop 9.1
JT...9.2
DreamOutLoud13
Blue Crack Addict
POP.
What's better than Pop? Even before you take the CD out of the case, you know you're in for something extraordinary. It's a freaking rainbow! And Pop has the best booklet in a U2 CD ever. So shiny, so many pictures.
Now, as for the album itself? Why do I love it so much? It's different! This was U2 doing something different! Going out on a limb, pushing the limits, taking risks, being gay space cowboys with giant lemons, and doing something different! It's amazing.
I love Zooropa too, it's Purple Space Crack™, and it's different too, but it's not as different. Zooropa was a whole other planet, but Pop is a whole other universe!
Pop has some of Bono's very best lyrics, with some of the darkest themes. Bono has described the album as "fucking black", and he's right. Despite its name, there is nothing light about the album. Even in upbeat songs like Last Night On Earth, there are darker messages hidden in the lyrics. She's living like it's the last night on earth because she's about to go kill herself. Fucking black, indeed.
I think the only complaint I'd make about the entire album is that in some of the songs (particularly Do You Feel Loved and Mofo) the mix is just a little off, off to the point where it's hard to hear Bono underneath the noise
Discotheque:
I'm glad they opened the album with this one. I'm glad it was the first single. Even if it did scare off so many people (OMG! What are U2 doing? What is this disco shit?). The song is your first clue that this album is going to be different, but don't let it mislead you (as it has so many), this is not going to be a happy-go-lucky dance album (even though you can dance to Discotheque). Also, there are BOOMCHAS. 'Nuff said.
Do You Feel Loved:
Sexiest song EVER. The bassline alone in this song is worth the cost of the album. The great lyrics of Pop really start to be showcased here with track two.
Mofo:
MOOOOOOOOOOOFO! Great live song, if only for the intro. But ahem, this is the album version. This is Mofo, home of Edge's 747 guitar. I think only Bono could get away with writing a song about: God, rock and roll, and his late mother, and title it "Mofo".
If God Will Send His Angels:
And with a title like that, this song is from the point of view of a guy beating up his girlfriend. Nice. This is where the album really starts getting dark. Bono was right when he said "The first three songs are the party, the rest is the hangover". The song is a great take on how hard it is to have faith, in a world that's seemingly falling apart.
Staring At The Sun:
Too traditional, and thus not one of my favourites on the album Despite it's airy lyrics, the song is not all happy, the middle eight especially shows the darker side of the song.
Last Night On Earth:
For a "techno" album, this is one of the most straight-forward rock songs U2 has ever done, and they've certainly not done anything this rocking since. If U2 could come up with an entire album full of songs like this, I would be a very, very happy girl. Also "She hasn't been to bed in a week, she'll be dead soon, then she'll sleep" seems to describe how I often feel.
Gone:
My favourite U2 song ever. Ever. Ever. EVER. This is the such a dark, personal, bitter, sad song. How anyone can not love this song is beyond me. Wonderfully, wonderfully written. There's a certain sort of defiance in the chorus, and the emotion in Bono's voice in this song is striking.
Miami:
This song gets slagged off a lot, and though it's one of my favourites on the album, I at least understand why it gets slagged off. It's the sort of song that you either get, or you don't get. Miami was never meant to be taken seriously. It's been described as a "postcard", and that's exactly what it is. It's the story of someone on vacation in Miami. Also, there is something remarkably sexy about this song. Once again, that's due to the bassline in the latter half of the song, but also the lyrics. Everytime I listen to it I want to go get knocked up in a photobooth in Miami. It is a very good thing I live nowhere near Miami.
The Playboy Mansion:
This is the sort of song that's easy to forget. Besides the porn music at the beginning, it's not wholly remarkable. The song is not actually about the Playboy mansion, but rather about heaven, and is a sort of look at society's obsession with material goods, money, products, and the strive for fame.
If You Wear That Velvet Dress:
Beautiful, beautiful, seductive song. The first third is very quiet focusing mostly on Bono's voice, but Larry's little "heartbeat" drumbeats are genius. Edge is beautiful in this song. They all are, to be honest.
Please:
The "Sunday Bloody Sunday" of the 90s. But while SBS was a young, demanding song, driven by marching beats, this is a grown up desperate plea. Stunning. The middle eight showcases some fantastic lyrics.
Wake Up Dead Man:
I love the fact that the first and only time U2 have used the F word in a studio track, it's in a prayer. I love that! This song is desperately dark. It's funny to think that the album that started inside a giant disco ball is ending with this song. This song has so many layers, and so much hidden in it, including Van Dieman's Land being played backwards during it, and about a million other things hidden in the background.
And we've got the most fabulous uniforms too 
What's better than Pop? Even before you take the CD out of the case, you know you're in for something extraordinary. It's a freaking rainbow! And Pop has the best booklet in a U2 CD ever. So shiny, so many pictures.
Now, as for the album itself? Why do I love it so much? It's different! This was U2 doing something different! Going out on a limb, pushing the limits, taking risks, being gay space cowboys with giant lemons, and doing something different! It's amazing.
I love Zooropa too, it's Purple Space Crack™, and it's different too, but it's not as different. Zooropa was a whole other planet, but Pop is a whole other universe!
Pop has some of Bono's very best lyrics, with some of the darkest themes. Bono has described the album as "fucking black", and he's right. Despite its name, there is nothing light about the album. Even in upbeat songs like Last Night On Earth, there are darker messages hidden in the lyrics. She's living like it's the last night on earth because she's about to go kill herself. Fucking black, indeed.
I think the only complaint I'd make about the entire album is that in some of the songs (particularly Do You Feel Loved and Mofo) the mix is just a little off, off to the point where it's hard to hear Bono underneath the noise
Discotheque:
I'm glad they opened the album with this one. I'm glad it was the first single. Even if it did scare off so many people (OMG! What are U2 doing? What is this disco shit?). The song is your first clue that this album is going to be different, but don't let it mislead you (as it has so many), this is not going to be a happy-go-lucky dance album (even though you can dance to Discotheque). Also, there are BOOMCHAS. 'Nuff said.
Do You Feel Loved:
Sexiest song EVER. The bassline alone in this song is worth the cost of the album. The great lyrics of Pop really start to be showcased here with track two.
Mofo:
MOOOOOOOOOOOFO! Great live song, if only for the intro. But ahem, this is the album version. This is Mofo, home of Edge's 747 guitar. I think only Bono could get away with writing a song about: God, rock and roll, and his late mother, and title it "Mofo".
If God Will Send His Angels:
And with a title like that, this song is from the point of view of a guy beating up his girlfriend. Nice. This is where the album really starts getting dark. Bono was right when he said "The first three songs are the party, the rest is the hangover". The song is a great take on how hard it is to have faith, in a world that's seemingly falling apart.
Staring At The Sun:
Too traditional, and thus not one of my favourites on the album
Despite it's airy lyrics, the song is not all happy, the middle eight especially shows the darker side of the song.Last Night On Earth:
For a "techno" album, this is one of the most straight-forward rock songs U2 has ever done, and they've certainly not done anything this rocking since. If U2 could come up with an entire album full of songs like this, I would be a very, very happy girl. Also "She hasn't been to bed in a week, she'll be dead soon, then she'll sleep" seems to describe how I often feel.
Gone:
My favourite U2 song ever. Ever. Ever. EVER. This is the such a dark, personal, bitter, sad song. How anyone can not love this song is beyond me. Wonderfully, wonderfully written. There's a certain sort of defiance in the chorus, and the emotion in Bono's voice in this song is striking.
Miami:
This song gets slagged off a lot, and though it's one of my favourites on the album, I at least understand why it gets slagged off. It's the sort of song that you either get, or you don't get. Miami was never meant to be taken seriously. It's been described as a "postcard", and that's exactly what it is. It's the story of someone on vacation in Miami. Also, there is something remarkably sexy about this song. Once again, that's due to the bassline in the latter half of the song, but also the lyrics. Everytime I listen to it I want to go get knocked up in a photobooth in Miami. It is a very good thing I live nowhere near Miami.
The Playboy Mansion:
This is the sort of song that's easy to forget. Besides the porn music at the beginning, it's not wholly remarkable. The song is not actually about the Playboy mansion, but rather about heaven, and is a sort of look at society's obsession with material goods, money, products, and the strive for fame.
If You Wear That Velvet Dress:
Beautiful, beautiful, seductive song. The first third is very quiet focusing mostly on Bono's voice, but Larry's little "heartbeat" drumbeats are genius. Edge is beautiful in this song. They all are, to be honest.
Please:
The "Sunday Bloody Sunday" of the 90s. But while SBS was a young, demanding song, driven by marching beats, this is a grown up desperate plea. Stunning. The middle eight showcases some fantastic lyrics.
Wake Up Dead Man:
I love the fact that the first and only time U2 have used the F word in a studio track, it's in a prayer. I love that! This song is desperately dark. It's funny to think that the album that started inside a giant disco ball is ending with this song. This song has so many layers, and so much hidden in it, including Van Dieman's Land being played backwards during it, and about a million other things hidden in the background.
1stepcloser said:
And we've got the most fabulous uniforms too Goocher100
The Fly
- Joined
- May 24, 2006
- Messages
- 102
I really love both of these albums and I'm going to go with Pop. I love Zooropa and it has alot of my favorite songs on it but I can't help bunching it in with AB which is unfair to any album. As a stand alone effort, I think Pop is a better record.
AtomicBono
ONE love, blood, life
DreamOutLoud13 said:
hey, I feel the same, at least if Bono's involved...brilliant post, I must say. I considered doing a song-by-song analysis myself, but I figure I'd ramble a lot and use the words "LOVE" "AWESOME" "AMAZING" and dare I say "WOW" and "EXTRAORDINARY" far too much
Another universe is a good way to describe Pop, because that's how I feel when I listen to it, like I'm in another universe. If I close my eyes I can really get lost in this album.
Do You Feel Loved may very well be my favourite song ever. Somehow it always ends up being my most played song on my iPod. Mofo, too, is up there. The live version of Mofo was badass, but nothing can beat the ending of the studio version. That is one of the greatest segments of recorded music in the entire history of anything ever. Gone and Discotheque are contenders for my "favourite song ever" too. Discotheque is the song that got me into U2 at the first place, and Gone is my theme song. That is the song I want played at my funeral. I'll be up with the sun, motherfuckers.
I can listen to Pop in any weather, any mood. Despite it being a very dark album, it's got a lot of rocking songs, in fact I think it's U2's heaviest album both thematically (though Achtung comes close there) and musically. So if I'm happy and it's a gorgeous day outside, I'll put on Pop. Also, if I hate myself and it's raining out, I'll put on Pop. I think I just never stop listening to Pop at all
Yeah, don't even get me started on Pop, because once you Pop the rock don't stop.
DreamOutLoud13
Blue Crack Addict
^ You and I should start a Pop-cult.
You and I should start a Pop-cult.
AtomicBono
ONE love, blood, life
DreamOutLoud13 said:^
great idea
cobl04
45:33
They are both fantastic!
Hope that's what I'll be saying soon.
Hope that's what I'll be saying soon.
Screwtape2
Blue Crack Addict
Most U2 albums you can listen to in just about every mood. Pop and Zooropa are different.
Pop is the kind of album you only listen to when you're feeling wild. It's so overtly sexual! The way Bono sings some of the songs gives the listener of holding back. Listen to Do You Feel Loved or Mofo and you'll know what I mean. Pop is the album to make love to.
While Zooropa is more of a trip. They are hard albums to compare. I think Zooropa is more comparable to Unforgettable Fire and Pop is best with Achtung Baby.
Pop is the kind of album you only listen to when you're feeling wild. It's so overtly sexual! The way Bono sings some of the songs gives the listener of holding back. Listen to Do You Feel Loved or Mofo and you'll know what I mean. Pop is the album to make love to.
While Zooropa is more of a trip. They are hard albums to compare. I think Zooropa is more comparable to Unforgettable Fire and Pop is best with Achtung Baby.
namkcuR
ONE love, blood, life
I love both, but I take Pop over Zooropa.
The way Pop is viewed by many is frustrating to me. I really believe this record had all the potential in the world to be absolutely huge.
The thing is, U2 have historically added/changed things about their songs after they start playing them live. I bet everyone here could name one song from each LP that they wish was more like its live counterpart. I honestly think that this hurt U2 on Pop more than any other LP. If Last Night On Earth had its orgasmic outro, if Gone had Edge's 'dooooown's, if Miami was overall more like it's live counterpart(with the Zeppelin-esque guitar delivery), if Please was like it's live counterpart(the single version is ruined by a neutered rhythm section in the bridge), if Mofo had the 'Move me a mountain' outro, if SATS had Edge's backing vocals in the chorus, etc etc - I honestly believe if the bulk of these songs were more like their live counterparts, Pop would never have gotten the lukewarm response it did.
Also, I believe the less than stellar performances at the very beginning of Popmart had more than a little to do with the public perception of Pop. U2 needed more time to rehearse and it showed. I think coming out of the gate being able to play all of their new songs very well would've done wonders as far as the public reaction to the album and tour is concerned.
Just image Pop with studio recordings more similar to their live counterparts. Imagine Popmart with more rehearsal time prior to the first shows. Imagine 'If God Will Send His Angels' and 'Do You Feel Loved' getting a proper, full, and non half-assed live treatment.
Pop could have been HUGE.
BTW, I listen to Pop like this now:
Discotheque
Do You Feel Loved
Mofo
If God Will Send His Angels(Grand Jury Mix)
Staring At The Sun(Monster Truck Mix)
Last Night On Earth(My Mix - Album version with Single Version's bridge)
Gone
Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me
Miami
Holy Joe(Garage Mix)
North And South Of The River
If You Wear That Velvet Dress
Please(My Mix - Album Version until 'We Just Started Again', Single Version after that)
Wake Up Dead Man
The way Pop is viewed by many is frustrating to me. I really believe this record had all the potential in the world to be absolutely huge.
The thing is, U2 have historically added/changed things about their songs after they start playing them live. I bet everyone here could name one song from each LP that they wish was more like its live counterpart. I honestly think that this hurt U2 on Pop more than any other LP. If Last Night On Earth had its orgasmic outro, if Gone had Edge's 'dooooown's, if Miami was overall more like it's live counterpart(with the Zeppelin-esque guitar delivery), if Please was like it's live counterpart(the single version is ruined by a neutered rhythm section in the bridge), if Mofo had the 'Move me a mountain' outro, if SATS had Edge's backing vocals in the chorus, etc etc - I honestly believe if the bulk of these songs were more like their live counterparts, Pop would never have gotten the lukewarm response it did.
Also, I believe the less than stellar performances at the very beginning of Popmart had more than a little to do with the public perception of Pop. U2 needed more time to rehearse and it showed. I think coming out of the gate being able to play all of their new songs very well would've done wonders as far as the public reaction to the album and tour is concerned.
Just image Pop with studio recordings more similar to their live counterparts. Imagine Popmart with more rehearsal time prior to the first shows. Imagine 'If God Will Send His Angels' and 'Do You Feel Loved' getting a proper, full, and non half-assed live treatment.
Pop could have been HUGE.
BTW, I listen to Pop like this now:
Discotheque
Do You Feel Loved
Mofo
If God Will Send His Angels(Grand Jury Mix)
Staring At The Sun(Monster Truck Mix)
Last Night On Earth(My Mix - Album version with Single Version's bridge)
Gone
Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me
Miami
Holy Joe(Garage Mix)
North And South Of The River
If You Wear That Velvet Dress
Please(My Mix - Album Version until 'We Just Started Again', Single Version after that)
Wake Up Dead Man
Mirrorballman83
The Fly
POP!!!
An Cat Gav
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
jacobus said:i like BOTH albums. i tried to write a little poem for those two great albums
zooropa and pop
is good for my cock
and both are much more better
than their current dad-rock
[/QUOT
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!
Both are great but Zooropa wins hands down. Its damn near perfect.
Pop has IGWSHA, which in my opinion counts against it greatly.
Both albums get in my top 5 though.
