This is always a fascinating discussion. For me, I pretty much lay one offs aside. I haven't liked a one off song from U2 for a long time. Hold Me Thrill Me and Night and Day were outstanding one offs, and that's great. Its a bonus.
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But speaking of albums, it's not just pre/post 2000. There are people that only like the first 3 albums. Because that's the style they liked. There are some that adore UF and JT and that's about it. There are some that love everything up through JT. Then a larger group that would go from Boy through Achtung, possibly Boy through Zooropa, and then some through POP. If people went beyond POP, they probably are in for the long haul.
Also, there were a huge amount of people that became fans during ATYCLB and Bomb. Then went back to discover their older work.
For me, I was listening to the first 4 albums with my brothers when I was 10 and 11, JT hit when I was 12, and then Achtung when I was 16. So Truly the core time when your musical taste is being formed.
But for me, now. Although I would choose the 90's material over pretty much anything else, I can appreciate the whole 42 year catalog. It all speaks to me in different ways. And I am neither a post-2000 hater, nor am I a MAGA freak love show for everything the band does.
I readily criticize when i think something sucks, but the band has put out enough excellent material 2000 to present, that it would be stupid for me to abandon them.
For me ATYCLB, Bomb, R&H and October were their low points for me. But there are fantastic songs on each of them, but with a lot I don't care for. That's what bothers me about pre-2000's fans, and the fans that just seem to hate on the last two records.
Yes, No Line had 3 really bad songs on it. But so did All That, and so did Bomb and so did October, and R&H was just a mess for the most part with a few standout songs, and other mediocre ones. And lets not forget War and UF, which both have a couple of poor songs on there. SOI and SOE fall into the same category. Some really great songs, a few bad ones. Nothing much has changed.
If you don't like the style they moved onto, sure. Then quit being disappointed or disgusted, and know your journey with the band may have ended, But to me, if someone likes ATYCLB then I see no reason why they wouldn't like SOI or SOE. If you Like Achtung and Bomb then No Line should be right up your alley (except the 3 shitty songs) lol.
I think after 42 years, that each album they release, we kinda now wait and see if it will be the one that just doesn't do it for us anymore. And that's ok. Their next one may be that one for me. But I have a feeling it will have about 2 bad songs, 5 good/very good songs and 4 great songs on it, and that will be good enough for me.
