elevated_u2_fan
Blue Crack Supplier
angelordevil said:
Sorry Chizip, I've always thought exactly the opposite, as well.
It just seems like they've deliberately tried to attract young fans in a carefully executed way since 2000. I think it was the head of Interscope records who said how they actually set out to completely re-brand U2 following the 'failure' of Pop. I think it definitely worked. I wonder if it worked so well, that now, instead of reaching for new sonic territory, we have a band that's afraid to fall flat on its face and pick up the pieces.
I'll say this: U2 are damn smart, and smarter than me. But sometimes smarts and savviness don't necessarily equate with great art. Then, of course, you get into the whole 'taste' thing, which is very subjective.
I also think GibsonGirl makes a great point about how a band's recent output can act as a portal to their earlier stuff. That's bound to happen again with U2:18, even though it's nothing new and exciting for most of us.
I'm not sure if it was an attempt to woo young fans specifically but they did consciously turn up the marketing and promotion. When I look at the PopMart era especially I don't look at the album or tour itself as a failure but there was a definite failure in terms of promotion, at least in North America.
I think (and I'm no expert here) that there were two set backs at the begging of the Tour - the "Year in Pop" special - which is considered to this day (apparently) as one of the lowest rated specials in TV history and the weak opening shows in Las Vegas which of course the critics pounced on.
I have a feeling this really caught U2 off guard and I think they made a decision (whether consciously or unconsciously) to back off with promoting the tour/album in North America. They made very few appearances on TV (I remember one performance on the MTV awards and an interview on David Letterman - just Bono and Larry, with no performance.) and gave only a few interviews. I think this is where they made the mistake.
Now, you look at ATYCLB and on and they were everywhere; Letterman, Leno, MTV, NBC, Ipod Commercials...
I think that they were more interested in promoting themselves more then actively attracting a younger audience but they definitely came along as well.
I will agree IMO that artistically and creatively U2 are not at the same level as they previously were but in business terms they are much wiser.