You may think I'm crazy, but... - Page 2

Popmartijn · 08-28-2003, 01:43 AM

Sting,

I know that War probably saved U2's carreer (and the accompanying tour was also the first U2 tour that made money). So in 1983 it was an important album for U2. But in retrospect I think it isn't a good album. And you can also argue that The Unforgettable Fire, Boy, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby were very important albums for the band (which they were).

I don't want to start any direct comparisons here in this thread. This is about War! (although that doesn't mean we have to fight)
And indeed, to each his or her own...

C ya!

Marty

yertle-the-turtle · 08-28-2003, 03:31 AM

I agree with you. Too much of the album is average for me. That said, the first three songs, two hearts, and 40 are classcs.

U2Kitten · 08-28-2003, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiny dancer
War is what made me a U2 fan back in the 80's!

Me too!

I think it's held up very well compared to other things of its day. Synchronicity by the Police are probably 1983 at its best. It has SBS and NYD, which are still played regularly on anything from classic rock to new rock stations - I've heard it! Seconds, Two Hearts, Like a Song, Drowning Man, 40- that's more than enough to carry it and say it's stood the test of time. So what if it has a couple of weak songs on it, most albums do. War is in my top 5 along with JT, AB, UF and ATYCLB.

Salome · 08-28-2003, 10:58 AM

you say that "Surrender" does nothing to you and still you say that I "may" think you're crazy??

Seabird · 08-28-2003, 01:23 PM

I LOVE WAR!!

It's in my top 3! I know everyone has their own taste but War is great to me.

Bono's shades · 08-28-2003, 01:44 PM

I love War. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It's my third-favorite U2 album, after The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby.

filledeperle · 08-28-2003, 02:34 PM

War is OK. I'm not sure how to rank it, but its got some good songs on it (New Year's, Drowning Man, 40), and also some of U2's worst like Refugee. I think having those back-ups singers on the album is what ruined it. I can hardly listen to the album straight through with them singing.

Perle

Seabird · 08-28-2003, 03:54 PM

I didn't like the backup singers either but I still love the album. I forgot to add Surrender to my list, it's a good song.

STING2 · 08-28-2003, 04:11 PM

Popmartijn,

" And you can also argue that The Unforgettable Fire, Boy, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby were very important albums for the band (which they were)."

Thats very true, but none of the above albums were crucial to the literal survival of the band. Boy is a great album, but the band were signed to Island records for a four album deal long before they recorded it (6 months). The album did not get them their record deal, nor did it really break them anywhere. The band got most of its fans because of its live shows.

The Unforgettable Fire helped U2 reach a new level of popularity, from Gold Records to Platinum, from a few Arena's and mainly theaters shows to all Arena shows, from popularity in a handfull of countries around the world to album releases and some level of popularity in every market on the planet. Despite critics at the time, it was indeed a better album than War. But it was not crucial to the survival of the band as WAR was.

The Joshua Tree made U2 the biggest music artist in every nook and cranny of the planet. More popular than non-music items such as Coke, Pepsi, Guinness, Peanut Butter etc. It is also perhaps the greatest album in the history of music.

Much of the same can be said about Achtung Baby as Joshua Tree.

Dr. Who once asked if anyone thought U2 was at risk of being dropped by the lable after POP. My thoughts were "not even close" as it was one of the 20 biggest selling albums worldwide in 1997.

But after the October album and tour, the band were in danger of being essentially axed by the lable. The band often talk about these days as working to put food in their mouths. Studio time was expensive for the amount of funds they have. 40 was recorded in Wind Mill Lane with the door locked and the next band outside banging on the door.

martha · 08-28-2003, 04:28 PM

You know, it's ok not to like a U2 album, even if that album was an important one. Statistics and a history lesson, while interesting, don't usually influence personal taste.

Popmartijn · 08-28-2003, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by STING2
The Unforgettable Fire helped U2 reach a new level of popularity, from Gold Records to Platinum, from a few Arena's and mainly theaters shows to all Arena shows, from popularity in a handfull of countries around the world to album releases and some level of popularity in every market on the planet. Despite critics at the time, it was indeed a better album than War. But it was not crucial to the survival of the band as WAR was.

I disagree with you here. If they hadn't made The Unforgettable Fire the way it was released, but instead a More War, the band would soon have hit the dead end of the road and dissolved. They would have had their lucky shot with War and that would be it. With The Unforgettable Fire U2 enabled themselves to grow musically, something which they still do today.

Anyway, I have to agree with Martha here (this is getting too

), it has nothing to do with my reason not to like the album. The achievements of War are fine with me (better them than Kajagoogoo or some other 'hair' 'band'). Just as I don't mind others liking the album. Only I .., well you get the message.

C ya!

Marty

u2sangel · 08-29-2003, 06:34 AM

I love War too Drowning Man is one of the greatest love songs Bono has written!!!!

celia · 08-29-2003, 06:43 AM

War is a great album. The first 4 songs are brilliant. There are a couple of songs that arn't favourites of mine but I love the album!

08-28-2003, 01:43 AM	#21
Popmartijn Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Netherlands Posts: 32,853 Local Time: 05:22 PM	Sting, I know that War probably saved U2's carreer (and the accompanying tour was also the first U2 tour that made money). So in 1983 it was an important album for U2. But in retrospect I think it isn't a good album. And you can also argue that The Unforgettable Fire, Boy, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby were very important albums for the band (which they were). I don't want to start any direct comparisons here in this thread. This is about War! (although that doesn't mean we have to fight) And indeed, to each his or her own... C ya! Marty __________________

08-28-2003, 03:31 AM	#22
yertle-the-turtle ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: York, UK and Singapore Posts: 11,750 Local Time: 11:22 PM	I agree with you. Too much of the album is average for me. That said, the first three songs, two hearts, and 40 are classcs. __________________

08-28-2003, 10:58 AM	#24
Salome you are what you is Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 22,070 Local Time: 05:22 PM	you say that "Surrender" does nothing to you and still you say that I "may" think you're crazy?? __________________ “Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.” ~Frank Zappa

08-29-2003, 06:43 AM	#33
celia New Yorker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: all maps welcome Posts: 2,766 Local Time: 03:22 PM	War is a great album. The first 4 songs are brilliant. There are a couple of songs that arn't favourites of mine but I love the album! __________________

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08-28-2003, 01:23 PM	#25
Seabird War Child Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: with 2 kids in high school they tell her that she's uncool, but she's still preoccupied with 1985 Posts: 906 Local Time: 10:22 AM	I LOVE WAR!! It's in my top 3! I know everyone has their own taste but War is great to me.

08-28-2003, 01:44 PM	#26
Bono's shades Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The back of beyond Posts: 5,047 Local Time: 10:22 AM	I love War. I wouldn't change a thing about it. It's my third-favorite U2 album, after The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby.

08-28-2003, 02:34 PM	#27
filledeperle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 203 Local Time: 10:22 AM	War is OK. I'm not sure how to rank it, but its got some good songs on it (New Year's, Drowning Man, 40), and also some of U2's worst like Refugee. I think having those back-ups singers on the album is what ruined it. I can hardly listen to the album straight through with them singing. Perle

08-28-2003, 03:54 PM	#28
Seabird War Child Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: with 2 kids in high school they tell her that she's uncool, but she's still preoccupied with 1985 Posts: 906 Local Time: 10:22 AM	I didn't like the backup singers either but I still love the album. I forgot to add Surrender to my list, it's a good song.

08-28-2003, 04:11 PM	#29
STING2 Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,876 Local Time: 03:22 PM	Popmartijn, " And you can also argue that The Unforgettable Fire, Boy, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby were very important albums for the band (which they were)." Thats very true, but none of the above albums were crucial to the literal survival of the band. Boy is a great album, but the band were signed to Island records for a four album deal long before they recorded it (6 months). The album did not get them their record deal, nor did it really break them anywhere. The band got most of its fans because of its live shows. The Unforgettable Fire helped U2 reach a new level of popularity, from Gold Records to Platinum, from a few Arena's and mainly theaters shows to all Arena shows, from popularity in a handfull of countries around the world to album releases and some level of popularity in every market on the planet. Despite critics at the time, it was indeed a better album than War. But it was not crucial to the survival of the band as WAR was. The Joshua Tree made U2 the biggest music artist in every nook and cranny of the planet. More popular than non-music items such as Coke, Pepsi, Guinness, Peanut Butter etc. It is also perhaps the greatest album in the history of music. Much of the same can be said about Achtung Baby as Joshua Tree. Dr. Who once asked if anyone thought U2 was at risk of being dropped by the lable after POP. My thoughts were "not even close" as it was one of the 20 biggest selling albums worldwide in 1997. But after the October album and tour, the band were in danger of being essentially axed by the lable. The band often talk about these days as working to put food in their mouths. Studio time was expensive for the amount of funds they have. 40 was recorded in Wind Mill Lane with the door locked and the next band outside banging on the door.

08-28-2003, 04:28 PM	#30
martha Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Orange County and all over the goddamn place Posts: 42,556 Local Time: 08:22 AM	You know, it's ok not to like a U2 album, even if that album was an important one. Statistics and a history lesson, while interesting, don't usually influence personal taste.

08-29-2003, 06:34 AM	#32
u2sangel War Child Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: 21 Duke Street Dublin eating a gorgonzola sandwich! Posts: 604 Local Time: 03:22 PM	I love War too Drowning Man is one of the greatest love songs Bono has written!!!!