No offense to Bono or any of the fans. But doesn't all the righteousness get on your nerves? Back in the ol' Zoo TV days - U2 was political, but they weren't so politically correct that it made you sick (not saying that I'm always put off by it, but still - sometimes enough is enough).
I love U2's music. I love U2's message. I love U2. I love how they try to include themselves in other things besides music. But Bono's first job is a rockstar - not a saint. This has been made-fun of many times in pop culture and the media, and there is a reason for it.
Bono's speech at Notre Dame (before "one") seemed to me, just to go on and on. It seems that musically U2 has changed due to 9-11 events, but in what Bono says - it seems he's having a hard time tying it in. We all know he wants to - but then he tries to tie in the Drop-The-Debt campaign with the acts of terrorism (it made some sense yes, but the public doesn't want to hear that). Now the speech at the first Chicago show (October 15th), I thought, was perfect.
Short(er) and simple. So what I guess I'm getting at - for those of you that pay no attention to my posts - is that sometimes, in these times, little says more.
When I heard "beautiful day" I thought of hope and leaving the mess behind and rebuilding. When I heard "New Years Day" I was filled of feelings of revolution and pride.
I don't disagree with the article except for the part about the NYC concert - that was quite dickish and it makes U2 look like money scrubbers (which we all know, is not true). But honestly - look at what Bono has done. "New Day" with Wyclef. Net Aid (great idea, not executed well). The everlasting Drop-the-Dept and Jubilee 2000. And more recently "What's Going On?" - which, telling by sales and radio play. It shall not come close to any activist artist compilations from the past. I admire Bono for getting all the POP stars together - but c'mon - no one honestly believes that Britney, Durst, Christina, J-Lo, and all the rest of the crew, actually give a shit or know anything about AIDS in Africa. Sure they probably do now, but sometimes artists sign on just to be noticed and taken more seriously (Sit down N'Sync - you will always be a boy band to me).
So cheers to his efforts - but enough is enough already. Take a break. Rethink Time. Let the music talk.
I apologize for any spelling errors. 1:22 a.m. here.
~zoo~
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" You love this town - even if that doesn't ring true. You've been all over, and it's been all over you " - Bono
" Don't you know there ain't no Devil, that's just God when he's drunk " - Tom Waits