spanisheyes
Forum Moderator, The Goal Is Soul
John Mellencamp on U2:
"I'm a very indiscriminate music listener," he said. "I'm not bound by any style or fashion." But he's not shy about saying what he doesn't enjoy: "Is it hip to like R.E.M.? Quite honestly, I find R.E.M. pretentious. I find U2 so pretentious I couldn't even like their records. They probably make great records, but the things that come out of those guys' mouths is offensive to me. 'We are the greatest band in the world.' If you were, why would you say that? To me, that's so much more offensive than Johnny Cougar ever was."
pre?ten?tious
1. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.
2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious.
Jealously, or sincerity? Forthrightness or pettiness? I found the words of Mellencamp fascinating to say the least, and it got me wondering about what he had to say, even though I must admit I don't listen to his music personally, but he has been around the music business for quite awhile, so he has some credibility in my estimation.
I must admit that there have been times when Bono has said something and done something, and something inside of me has cringed, not so much for my sake, but for the sake of others who might in the words of Mellencamp see it as pretentious. Bono will be Bono, so I don't see much changing. But it is a little disheartening to hear a music lover like Mellencamp offering there take on U2, and saying he doesn't listen to their music because of how Bono conducts himself in public. Has anyone else been given that explanation from someone they know. Is it fair, or is it the result of Bono at times coming across as pretentious, therefore, justifiable?
Just some rambling on a Monday morning. Would love to hear some honest, thoughful take on Mellencamp's words, as well as your own times when Bono said or did something that came off as pretentious, and how it made you feel. For it obviously has not hurt the band, but you wonder, and you wonder as well what the other members think of Bono's demonstrations of pretentiousness as well.
Chris
"I'm a very indiscriminate music listener," he said. "I'm not bound by any style or fashion." But he's not shy about saying what he doesn't enjoy: "Is it hip to like R.E.M.? Quite honestly, I find R.E.M. pretentious. I find U2 so pretentious I couldn't even like their records. They probably make great records, but the things that come out of those guys' mouths is offensive to me. 'We are the greatest band in the world.' If you were, why would you say that? To me, that's so much more offensive than Johnny Cougar ever was."
pre?ten?tious
1. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified.
2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious.
Jealously, or sincerity? Forthrightness or pettiness? I found the words of Mellencamp fascinating to say the least, and it got me wondering about what he had to say, even though I must admit I don't listen to his music personally, but he has been around the music business for quite awhile, so he has some credibility in my estimation.
I must admit that there have been times when Bono has said something and done something, and something inside of me has cringed, not so much for my sake, but for the sake of others who might in the words of Mellencamp see it as pretentious. Bono will be Bono, so I don't see much changing. But it is a little disheartening to hear a music lover like Mellencamp offering there take on U2, and saying he doesn't listen to their music because of how Bono conducts himself in public. Has anyone else been given that explanation from someone they know. Is it fair, or is it the result of Bono at times coming across as pretentious, therefore, justifiable?
Just some rambling on a Monday morning. Would love to hear some honest, thoughful take on Mellencamp's words, as well as your own times when Bono said or did something that came off as pretentious, and how it made you feel. For it obviously has not hurt the band, but you wonder, and you wonder as well what the other members think of Bono's demonstrations of pretentiousness as well.
Chris