mad1
ONE love, blood, life
Hey, check out this U2 review - quite mean! (if its been up, Im very sorry), ATYCLB
Check it out, as I said, sorry if you've ever read this.....but..interesting......
***********************************
It has been almost one year since U2 released ATCLYB, the album which was
SUPPOSED to save rock and roll and give the music industry a fresh new
direction. Being burdened with saving the rock music industry is quite a
monumental task, even for the best band in the world. In this article, we
will explore the facts and give an objective overview as to what U2 has done
- both positive and negative - to save rock and roll from extinction.
U2's Positive Rock Accomplishments
1) U2 releases a rock album titled All That You Can't Leave Behind. Don't
laugh. This may not seem like such a big deal, however, it is still a rock
related accomplishment since, thanks to the major labels, there are not that
many rock albums being released these days.
2) To shamelessly promote their new album, U2 pays tribute to former rock
stars Mike Hutchence, Joey Ramone, The Clash and The Beatles. Even though
these artists have a snowball's chance in hell to make it back to the
industry, U2 promotes them like they are just one album away from returning
to glory.
3) U2 gives promising rock musicians a boost by dedicating the song 'Desire'
to them. Considering the shitty music being pumped out by the major labels
these days, these promising future rock stars will require a little bit more
than just desire to make it. U2 should be well aware of this since their
label is in the business of manufacuturing pop stars who cannot sing, dance
or identify any musical instrument related to a four piece band.
U2's Negative Rock Accomplishments
1) At the expense of their genuine rock fans, U2 goes out of their way to
market themselves to a bunch of teeny boppers whose musical knowledge is
limited to lip singing, tacky costumes and redundant dance moves. These
kids wouldn't know a guitar if someone took it and smashed it over their
heads.
2) U2 pricing their concert tickets out of the reach of the authentic grass
roots rock fan. Hey U2, in case you didn't know, real rock fans do not live
in the suburbs, they do not wear Gucci, they do not drive daddy's 50,000
dollar car and they certainly cannot afford your astronomical ticket prices.
Most real rock fans (and people for that matter) work two or three jobs just
to make ends meet. Just go to any U2 concert and look around at the fans.
Since when did these fake plastic people become "rock" fans? The answer is
they never became rock fans.
3) U2 using supporting acts like PJ Harvey, Nelly Furtado, The
Stereophonics, Garage and No Doubt to open their concerts. Are these solid
rock bands or elevator music artists who have been carefully selected in
order not to upstage an aging rock outfit with diminishing skills? How
about using an opening rock act from the 80's who can use a boost at this
time in their career? Bad idea because they may steal the show from U2.
4) U2 appearing in media outlets who only cover pop, hip hop and other
non-rock related artists. MTV, TeenHollywood, Much Music and the extinct
FarmClub are a few examples and reasons why rock is dying. Do these
organizations really know how to properly promote rock music? If you don't
even know what rock music is, how the fuck are you supposed to promote it?
5) U2 showing absolutely no support to the rock or alternative music
industry. Talking a bunch of shit and doing nothing except looking out for
your own skin is not providing support. When was the last time U2
contributed out of the kindness of their hearts something of value to the
industry? Everything they have done only relates to THEIR wallets.
6) U2 going for the big bucks and signing with a label whose apathy towards
rock music only rivals their own apathy. Certainly, this is a marriage made
in heaven. U2 could have signed with a smaller label for less money which
would have given them more freedom to support the industry, however, when
you sell out, why not sell out BIG?
7) U2 exploiting their older authentic "rock fans" and treating them like
shit. This does not need to be discussed any further.
8) U2 keeping silent on the recent developments in the digital music
environment. As the major labels are going out of their way to screw music
fans (overpriced CDs, copy protected CDs, a mass shut down of music on the
internet and a lack of quality rock music), major artists like U2 sit idly
by and watch helplessly. Actually, U2 has participated in the campaign by
screwing over their own fans. Do you know why Boston is not on the current
leg of the tour?
9) U2 not touring Latin America and Australia because there is not enough
money in it for them. However, U2 has no problem selling these poorer
countries their albums and taking money from these fans. Back in the late
70's, it cost Pink Floyd one million bucks per show to stage The Wall
concerts in arenas, not stadiums. Considering the enormous expense for
their shows, the concert tour did not do well financially. Pink Floyd
sacrificed for their fans, something U2 knows nothing about with their
stripped down (another word for low budget) show. How else do you explain
the lousy, drowned out sound quality at their concerts? Another explanation
may be to cover up for Bono's "delicate" voice.
10) U2 performing at tacky award shows. If you're a genuine rock band, you
tell these self-serving award shows to go fuck themselves and not even show
up to pick up your useless piece of fake metal (if retired bands like Lynyrd
Skynyrd can get a Grammy, there is absolutely no credibility to such
awards?). But when your tongue is so far up your label's ass that you can't
see or think straight, blowing off the award show is definitely out of the
question.
11) U2 mentioning at tacky award shows that rock music can rub shoulders
with HipHop, Rap and KiddyPop. Nice try, but no cigar. U2's current brand
of "rock" music is designed for clueless kids and housewives who need to go
on a diet. You think a real rock fan who has lived through the glory days
of rock music is buying all this double talk?
12) U2 censoring their non-rock setlist (removal of "Bullet The Blue Sky")
to kiss ass for whatever reason. This move is not surprising since U2 is
now controlled by the ignorant masses. How pathetic and wimpy can you get?
13) U2's live tour being promoted by radio censorship kings Clear Channel.
Let's telephone all of the Clear Channel stations and request "Bullet The
Blue Sky". Never mind, they're too busy playing classics like "God Bless
America".
Conclusion
So why is U2 and the media playing it like they are these saviors of rock
when, in fact, they are just as responsible for rock's downfall as are the
money hungry major labels? U2 "saving rock" headlines make excellent PR and
reading material geared towards readers who don't know jack shit about rock
- or any other type of music of substance for that matter.
U2 has no interest in saving rock music because this will only create more
competition for them. Remember, this is an aging band who will be lucky to
put out another mediocre rock album. If by some miracle the rock industry
picks up and returns to its previous glory, U2 will not be able to compete
with the younger talent out there. Therefore, U2 will be fired from their
job as the best rock band in the world and they will finally be out of luck.
On the other hand, if things remain constant, U2 can put out any type of
filler music which will be hailed by mainstream media as a great rock album.
When you have no frame of comparison, even the lousiest of rock music seems
great. Especially if it is marketed to ignorant fans who are more than
happy to eat up any type of shit you serve them.
As an example, have you heard the new Stone Temple Pilots album? Hey Scott,
as if you didn't know, your music was a lot better when you weren't so
straight and sober. The new STP album makes a great frisby for my dog to
retreat.
And isn't U2's thought process consistent with U2's label, who have gone out
of their way to stifle technology and attempt to monopolize the music
industry by the use of lawsuits and the buying out of their competition (did
they ever get screwed on that mp3.com deal or what?)?
When you leave the marketing of rock music up to a bunch of bozos who only
have their own self interests in mind, the result is a dying industry. It
is actually quite amusing to watch these culturally deprived so called music
pros tripping over their own feet trying to market something they know
nothing about.
What improvements has the rock industry made since U2 released their album?
If anything, things have become more grave and critical for the rock music
industry. When was the last time you saw a real rock concert, heard a real
rock song on the radio or went to a real rock club?
Can't wait to read the next bullshit pointless article of how rock music's
demise has been over exaggerated. At least now we know who is behind these
marvelous works of fiction.
PS: If we can pick up a ticket for 10 dollars from a desparate scalper
after the U2 show starts tonight in Montreal, we'll review it. Since the
show opens with "Beautiful Day" (which genius thought up this original
opening?), getting there for the beginning is not necessary.
If we are unable to pick up a ticket, just read any review from the first
time around. Subtract an impact opening song and "Bullet The Blue Sky" and
you will have the concert in a nutshell. And don't forget to add the sleep
inducing "What's Going On".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check it out, as I said, sorry if you've ever read this.....but..interesting......
***********************************
It has been almost one year since U2 released ATCLYB, the album which was
SUPPOSED to save rock and roll and give the music industry a fresh new
direction. Being burdened with saving the rock music industry is quite a
monumental task, even for the best band in the world. In this article, we
will explore the facts and give an objective overview as to what U2 has done
- both positive and negative - to save rock and roll from extinction.
U2's Positive Rock Accomplishments
1) U2 releases a rock album titled All That You Can't Leave Behind. Don't
laugh. This may not seem like such a big deal, however, it is still a rock
related accomplishment since, thanks to the major labels, there are not that
many rock albums being released these days.
2) To shamelessly promote their new album, U2 pays tribute to former rock
stars Mike Hutchence, Joey Ramone, The Clash and The Beatles. Even though
these artists have a snowball's chance in hell to make it back to the
industry, U2 promotes them like they are just one album away from returning
to glory.
3) U2 gives promising rock musicians a boost by dedicating the song 'Desire'
to them. Considering the shitty music being pumped out by the major labels
these days, these promising future rock stars will require a little bit more
than just desire to make it. U2 should be well aware of this since their
label is in the business of manufacuturing pop stars who cannot sing, dance
or identify any musical instrument related to a four piece band.
U2's Negative Rock Accomplishments
1) At the expense of their genuine rock fans, U2 goes out of their way to
market themselves to a bunch of teeny boppers whose musical knowledge is
limited to lip singing, tacky costumes and redundant dance moves. These
kids wouldn't know a guitar if someone took it and smashed it over their
heads.
2) U2 pricing their concert tickets out of the reach of the authentic grass
roots rock fan. Hey U2, in case you didn't know, real rock fans do not live
in the suburbs, they do not wear Gucci, they do not drive daddy's 50,000
dollar car and they certainly cannot afford your astronomical ticket prices.
Most real rock fans (and people for that matter) work two or three jobs just
to make ends meet. Just go to any U2 concert and look around at the fans.
Since when did these fake plastic people become "rock" fans? The answer is
they never became rock fans.
3) U2 using supporting acts like PJ Harvey, Nelly Furtado, The
Stereophonics, Garage and No Doubt to open their concerts. Are these solid
rock bands or elevator music artists who have been carefully selected in
order not to upstage an aging rock outfit with diminishing skills? How
about using an opening rock act from the 80's who can use a boost at this
time in their career? Bad idea because they may steal the show from U2.
4) U2 appearing in media outlets who only cover pop, hip hop and other
non-rock related artists. MTV, TeenHollywood, Much Music and the extinct
FarmClub are a few examples and reasons why rock is dying. Do these
organizations really know how to properly promote rock music? If you don't
even know what rock music is, how the fuck are you supposed to promote it?
5) U2 showing absolutely no support to the rock or alternative music
industry. Talking a bunch of shit and doing nothing except looking out for
your own skin is not providing support. When was the last time U2
contributed out of the kindness of their hearts something of value to the
industry? Everything they have done only relates to THEIR wallets.
6) U2 going for the big bucks and signing with a label whose apathy towards
rock music only rivals their own apathy. Certainly, this is a marriage made
in heaven. U2 could have signed with a smaller label for less money which
would have given them more freedom to support the industry, however, when
you sell out, why not sell out BIG?
7) U2 exploiting their older authentic "rock fans" and treating them like
shit. This does not need to be discussed any further.
8) U2 keeping silent on the recent developments in the digital music
environment. As the major labels are going out of their way to screw music
fans (overpriced CDs, copy protected CDs, a mass shut down of music on the
internet and a lack of quality rock music), major artists like U2 sit idly
by and watch helplessly. Actually, U2 has participated in the campaign by
screwing over their own fans. Do you know why Boston is not on the current
leg of the tour?
9) U2 not touring Latin America and Australia because there is not enough
money in it for them. However, U2 has no problem selling these poorer
countries their albums and taking money from these fans. Back in the late
70's, it cost Pink Floyd one million bucks per show to stage The Wall
concerts in arenas, not stadiums. Considering the enormous expense for
their shows, the concert tour did not do well financially. Pink Floyd
sacrificed for their fans, something U2 knows nothing about with their
stripped down (another word for low budget) show. How else do you explain
the lousy, drowned out sound quality at their concerts? Another explanation
may be to cover up for Bono's "delicate" voice.
10) U2 performing at tacky award shows. If you're a genuine rock band, you
tell these self-serving award shows to go fuck themselves and not even show
up to pick up your useless piece of fake metal (if retired bands like Lynyrd
Skynyrd can get a Grammy, there is absolutely no credibility to such
awards?). But when your tongue is so far up your label's ass that you can't
see or think straight, blowing off the award show is definitely out of the
question.
11) U2 mentioning at tacky award shows that rock music can rub shoulders
with HipHop, Rap and KiddyPop. Nice try, but no cigar. U2's current brand
of "rock" music is designed for clueless kids and housewives who need to go
on a diet. You think a real rock fan who has lived through the glory days
of rock music is buying all this double talk?
12) U2 censoring their non-rock setlist (removal of "Bullet The Blue Sky")
to kiss ass for whatever reason. This move is not surprising since U2 is
now controlled by the ignorant masses. How pathetic and wimpy can you get?
13) U2's live tour being promoted by radio censorship kings Clear Channel.
Let's telephone all of the Clear Channel stations and request "Bullet The
Blue Sky". Never mind, they're too busy playing classics like "God Bless
America".
Conclusion
So why is U2 and the media playing it like they are these saviors of rock
when, in fact, they are just as responsible for rock's downfall as are the
money hungry major labels? U2 "saving rock" headlines make excellent PR and
reading material geared towards readers who don't know jack shit about rock
- or any other type of music of substance for that matter.
U2 has no interest in saving rock music because this will only create more
competition for them. Remember, this is an aging band who will be lucky to
put out another mediocre rock album. If by some miracle the rock industry
picks up and returns to its previous glory, U2 will not be able to compete
with the younger talent out there. Therefore, U2 will be fired from their
job as the best rock band in the world and they will finally be out of luck.
On the other hand, if things remain constant, U2 can put out any type of
filler music which will be hailed by mainstream media as a great rock album.
When you have no frame of comparison, even the lousiest of rock music seems
great. Especially if it is marketed to ignorant fans who are more than
happy to eat up any type of shit you serve them.
As an example, have you heard the new Stone Temple Pilots album? Hey Scott,
as if you didn't know, your music was a lot better when you weren't so
straight and sober. The new STP album makes a great frisby for my dog to
retreat.
And isn't U2's thought process consistent with U2's label, who have gone out
of their way to stifle technology and attempt to monopolize the music
industry by the use of lawsuits and the buying out of their competition (did
they ever get screwed on that mp3.com deal or what?)?
When you leave the marketing of rock music up to a bunch of bozos who only
have their own self interests in mind, the result is a dying industry. It
is actually quite amusing to watch these culturally deprived so called music
pros tripping over their own feet trying to market something they know
nothing about.
What improvements has the rock industry made since U2 released their album?
If anything, things have become more grave and critical for the rock music
industry. When was the last time you saw a real rock concert, heard a real
rock song on the radio or went to a real rock club?
Can't wait to read the next bullshit pointless article of how rock music's
demise has been over exaggerated. At least now we know who is behind these
marvelous works of fiction.
PS: If we can pick up a ticket for 10 dollars from a desparate scalper
after the U2 show starts tonight in Montreal, we'll review it. Since the
show opens with "Beautiful Day" (which genius thought up this original
opening?), getting there for the beginning is not necessary.
If we are unable to pick up a ticket, just read any review from the first
time around. Subtract an impact opening song and "Bullet The Blue Sky" and
you will have the concert in a nutshell. And don't forget to add the sleep
inducing "What's Going On".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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