MrPryck2U
ONE love, blood, life
i always knew you were my favorite pryck.(the stoned smiley that was deleted)
Thank you! I think that made my day!
Have U2's 21st century releases done irreparable damage to their legacy?
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Thank you! I think that made my day!
The Panther
Refugee
Serious question: Is any musical artist's fanbase more obsessed over its P.R. image and legacy than U2's?
If you start a thread about actual music, it dies after four posts. But if you start a thread about how the mass public perceives / loves / hates U2, it goes on for 57 pages.
If you start a thread about actual music, it dies after four posts. But if you start a thread about how the mass public perceives / loves / hates U2, it goes on for 57 pages.
CrashedCarDriver
Refugee
yep, its the same with lou reed recording a record in the AIR studios in montserrat, david bowie in the 80s
all part of the story, just let it roll
pacemaker
Refugee
I doubt we as a fan base are alone in this type of discussion, but we might be! I don’t stray beyond these parts of the forum, but also keep in mind that these discussions are usually between the same ~dozen or so people, and not representative of the entire base.
I’ve been comparing U2’s inactivity between album cycles to the wait for George R R Martin’s to continue and/or finish the Song of Ice and Fire books. Neither U2 or GRRM can be bothered/are allowed to be transparent about what they’re working on, so fans can’t help but speculate while they wait to be drip fed bits and pieces of hope. Fan bases can be good at waiting, but they’re better at becoming embittered.
Around here, the focus is more about the band’s own obsession on those things. My read is that most of us wish they’d stop caring about any of it. Their unfailing concern about relevance is the source of their failures for the last dozen years.
womanfish
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Well, I think that every group of fans want their favorite artist to be looked at in a positive light. Just look at a Coldplay fan group where most of them are saying how incredible Music of the Spheres is. 
And I agree and disagree with DeVaul, in that the fans here want to see U2 stop thinking about hits, charts, and being "relevant.' But, I also think that in that same way we wish the band would actually think about their legacy and not what song(s) they have to shoehorn into albums to get some radio play. Thinking of their legacy in the big picture would more likely have them go down a road of making creative, passionate songs, charts and radio be damned, which would probably give them the most success they've had in over a decade.
On another note. I got to thinking about the initial question posed by this thread. And I have changed my view a bit. I think that U2's post-POP work, didn't do irreparable harm to their legacy. In fact I think it was essential to them having a solid legacy.
If U2 would have stopped after Achtung Baby or Zooropa or even POP... I don't think they would enjoy the same status they do now. As much as a I don't really like ATYCLB and Bomb, they were huge albums and truly cemented them as a long-term, biggest band in the world. Before that, their biggest band in the world run would have been like 4-6 years? With those two albums, and No Line along with the 360 tour, they were up to about 25 years of biggest band in the world.
Now for a more hot take on the subject. I actually think that U2's 90's work (my favorite era) actually was a double-edged sword on the legacy. On the Strombo show I was talking about, he said, U2 would have gone down as just an incredible 80's band, but with Achtung Baby, they cemented themselves as rock royalty alongside, The Beatles, Stones, and Zeppelin.
Ok, true enough. And as I say above, ATYCLB, Bomb, 360 cemented that further.
But U2's 90's material did something else. Yes, it was a transformation of historic proportions, it was boundary busting, it brought ZooTV which changed the live concert world moving forward, etc...
But it also veered U2 into alternative rock territory which then IMO splintered not just the fanbase, but how U2 is now played on the radio. Or where it is included in streaming playlists, etc...
Go listen to a classic rock station. Zep, GNR, AC/DC, Queen, Pink Floyd, Journey, Van Halen, Aerosmith. VERY little U2. Why? U2 really isn't considered classic rock.
Go listen to an "alternative" station. VERY little U2. Why? They don't really fit into that category either. If they play "older" acts, its more RHCP, Greenday, Nirvana, Pumpkins, etc...
The only places I hear some U2 now is the 80's/90's and today stations will play WOWY, Still Haven't... and the occasional Beautiful Day.
And on "independent" stations like great WFUV in NY. some on the one here in Nashville.
And I heard Streets on the classic rock station a week ago.
I can honestly say I don't think I've heard One on the radio in 10-15 years. No Mysterious Ways, no Even Better, no Vertigo, no Stay, no Staring at the Sun, no Desire, no Angel of Harlem. Don't really hear Pride or NYD anymore either.
On streaming playlists, they aren't an "80's band", or a "90's band" or a "2000's band". because they were successful over all 3 of those decades, they often aren't on these compilation playlists.
So while Achtung brought them to a new level of greatness in the world of rock, it did alter how they were viewed, could no longer be easily labeled which makes them less likely to be heard now. But the alternative would have been them dying a slow (or quick) death trying to remake The Joshua Tree.
Either way, i do think most of their 21st century material was essential in solidifying a lasting legacy.
And I agree and disagree with DeVaul, in that the fans here want to see U2 stop thinking about hits, charts, and being "relevant.' But, I also think that in that same way we wish the band would actually think about their legacy and not what song(s) they have to shoehorn into albums to get some radio play. Thinking of their legacy in the big picture would more likely have them go down a road of making creative, passionate songs, charts and radio be damned, which would probably give them the most success they've had in over a decade.
On another note. I got to thinking about the initial question posed by this thread. And I have changed my view a bit. I think that U2's post-POP work, didn't do irreparable harm to their legacy. In fact I think it was essential to them having a solid legacy.
If U2 would have stopped after Achtung Baby or Zooropa or even POP... I don't think they would enjoy the same status they do now. As much as a I don't really like ATYCLB and Bomb, they were huge albums and truly cemented them as a long-term, biggest band in the world. Before that, their biggest band in the world run would have been like 4-6 years? With those two albums, and No Line along with the 360 tour, they were up to about 25 years of biggest band in the world.
Now for a more hot take on the subject. I actually think that U2's 90's work (my favorite era) actually was a double-edged sword on the legacy. On the Strombo show I was talking about, he said, U2 would have gone down as just an incredible 80's band, but with Achtung Baby, they cemented themselves as rock royalty alongside, The Beatles, Stones, and Zeppelin.
Ok, true enough. And as I say above, ATYCLB, Bomb, 360 cemented that further.
But U2's 90's material did something else. Yes, it was a transformation of historic proportions, it was boundary busting, it brought ZooTV which changed the live concert world moving forward, etc...
But it also veered U2 into alternative rock territory which then IMO splintered not just the fanbase, but how U2 is now played on the radio. Or where it is included in streaming playlists, etc...
Go listen to a classic rock station. Zep, GNR, AC/DC, Queen, Pink Floyd, Journey, Van Halen, Aerosmith. VERY little U2. Why? U2 really isn't considered classic rock.
Go listen to an "alternative" station. VERY little U2. Why? They don't really fit into that category either. If they play "older" acts, its more RHCP, Greenday, Nirvana, Pumpkins, etc...
The only places I hear some U2 now is the 80's/90's and today stations will play WOWY, Still Haven't... and the occasional Beautiful Day.
And on "independent" stations like great WFUV in NY. some on the one here in Nashville.
And I heard Streets on the classic rock station a week ago.
I can honestly say I don't think I've heard One on the radio in 10-15 years. No Mysterious Ways, no Even Better, no Vertigo, no Stay, no Staring at the Sun, no Desire, no Angel of Harlem. Don't really hear Pride or NYD anymore either.
On streaming playlists, they aren't an "80's band", or a "90's band" or a "2000's band". because they were successful over all 3 of those decades, they often aren't on these compilation playlists.
So while Achtung brought them to a new level of greatness in the world of rock, it did alter how they were viewed, could no longer be easily labeled which makes them less likely to be heard now. But the alternative would have been them dying a slow (or quick) death trying to remake The Joshua Tree.
Either way, i do think most of their 21st century material was essential in solidifying a lasting legacy.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
I can't speak for the radio because I haven't listened to music stations in 20 years, but they're certainly not wanting for lack of exposure in grocery stores, places like Target, or sports broadcasts.
phanan
Blue Crack Addict
On the rare occasion I do listen to a rock station, U2 is well represented, so they are definitely classic rock.
That said, it's usually the material from the 80's, along with perhaps Beautiful Day. I never hear their 90's stuff.
That said, it's usually the material from the 80's, along with perhaps Beautiful Day. I never hear their 90's stuff.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Yeah, if I ever hear anything aside from the Joshua Tree Three, Beautiful Day, Pride, New Year's Day or Sunday Bloody Sunday on radio I'm surprised/pleased.
There’s a New Wave radio station in Utah that actually plays deep 90s U2 tracks regularly. I heard HMTMKMKM and Discotheque last week.
SiriusXM’s 90’s channel Lithium plays Achtung tracks regularly. I’ve heard MWays, One and EBTTRT, although they’re probably trying to promote the U2X station somewhat.
Radio is a kinda dying format anyway so it all probably doesn’t matter much anymore
SiriusXM’s 90’s channel Lithium plays Achtung tracks regularly. I’ve heard MWays, One and EBTTRT, although they’re probably trying to promote the U2X station somewhat.
Radio is a kinda dying format anyway so it all probably doesn’t matter much anymore
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DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
a glance at the main toronto "classic rock" station's website shows that they played beautiful day and sunday bloody sunday yesterday, and the sweetest thing this morning.
the main "alternative" station here plays mysterious ways occasionally, though i've never heard any other U2 song played. a little ironic considering the station's name is literally 102.1 THE EDGE.
the main "alternative" station here plays mysterious ways occasionally, though i've never heard any other U2 song played. a little ironic considering the station's name is literally 102.1 THE EDGE.
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pacemaker
Refugee
That's MR. 102.1 THE EDGE, to you.
The_acrobat
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Some of the trucks I have to drive at my job only have basic AM/FM/CD player radios, not even an auxillary plug in. So I am often at the mercy of local FM Radio. My options are Classic Rock (which is now 60's-90's), 70's -80's pop, or Country. Needless to say, 99% of the time I just tune to the Classic Rock channel. I don't hear U2 on their too often, compared to the constant barriage of AC/DC, Ozzy and Rush. But occasionally I do. I often hear NYD, SBS, Pride, WTSHNN, ISHFWILF, WOWY, Desire and Mysterious Ways. I also hear BD quite often elsewhere. Used to hear Vertigo quite a bit, but not anymore. I have never heard anything from NLOTH and SOI on regular rotation FM radio, even when they were new and being promoted. I actually did hear "Best Thing" and "Love Is Bigger" a few times each here and there.
MrPryck2U
ONE love, blood, life
I have the fun of being in 3 radio markets. Long Island, Southern Connecticut, and NYC. The LI classic rock station plays the warhorses plus BD and Vertigo. The NYC station is the same. But, the Conn. stations have better variety and play more stuff from the 90's.
womanfish
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Maybe it's a southern US thing. Just not a lot of U2 representation anywhere on the radio. When I was in Florida (and no, FL is not "the south), the pop station actually played Best Thing a few times a day for a couple months, which was pretty surprising.
I looked at the classic rock station here in Nashville, Their top songs. Out of 188 songs, U2 has 2. MW and Streets.
Compared to
AC/DC with 9
Zepp with 8
Queen with 7
and Aerosmith, GNR, Stones, VH, Police and Pink Floyd all with 6.
That means that about 1/3rd of the songs they play are from 9 bands. And U2 aint one of em. It's funny, cause when I hear Streets or MW on a classic rock station, it is pretty crazy how out of place it sounds. It just isn't like anything else in the playlist. Which is cool. But again, probably why they don't play more U2 songs.
I looked at the classic rock station here in Nashville, Their top songs. Out of 188 songs, U2 has 2. MW and Streets.
Compared to
AC/DC with 9
Zepp with 8
Queen with 7
and Aerosmith, GNR, Stones, VH, Police and Pink Floyd all with 6.
That means that about 1/3rd of the songs they play are from 9 bands. And U2 aint one of em. It's funny, cause when I hear Streets or MW on a classic rock station, it is pretty crazy how out of place it sounds. It just isn't like anything else in the playlist. Which is cool. But again, probably why they don't play more U2 songs.
roy
Refugee
Well, I think that every group of fans want their favorite artist to be looked at in a positive light. Just look at a Coldplay fan group where most of them are saying how incredible Music of the Spheres is.
And I agree and disagree with DeVaul, in that the fans here want to see U2 stop thinking about hits, charts, and being "relevant.' But, I also think that in that same way we wish the band would actually think about their legacy and not what song(s) they have to shoehorn into albums to get some radio play. Thinking of their legacy in the big picture would more likely have them go down a road of making creative, passionate songs, charts and radio be damned, which would probably give them the most success they've had in over a decade.
On another note. I got to thinking about the initial question posed by this thread. And I have changed my view a bit. I think that U2's post-POP work, didn't do irreparable harm to their legacy. In fact I think it was essential to them having a solid legacy.
If U2 would have stopped after Achtung Baby or Zooropa or even POP... I don't think they would enjoy the same status they do now. As much as a I don't really like ATYCLB and Bomb, they were huge albums and truly cemented them as a long-term, biggest band in the world. Before that, their biggest band in the world run would have been like 4-6 years? With those two albums, and No Line along with the 360 tour, they were up to about 25 years of biggest band in the world.
Now for a more hot take on the subject. I actually think that U2's 90's work (my favorite era) actually was a double-edged sword on the legacy. On the Strombo show I was talking about, he said, U2 would have gone down as just an incredible 80's band, but with Achtung Baby, they cemented themselves as rock royalty alongside, The Beatles, Stones, and Zeppelin.
Ok, true enough. And as I say above, ATYCLB, Bomb, 360 cemented that further.
But U2's 90's material did something else. Yes, it was a transformation of historic proportions, it was boundary busting, it brought ZooTV which changed the live concert world moving forward, etc...
But it also veered U2 into alternative rock territory which then IMO splintered not just the fanbase, but how U2 is now played on the radio. Or where it is included in streaming playlists, etc...
Go listen to a classic rock station. Zep, GNR, AC/DC, Queen, Pink Floyd, Journey, Van Halen, Aerosmith. VERY little U2. Why? U2 really isn't considered classic rock.
Go listen to an "alternative" station. VERY little U2. Why? They don't really fit into that category either. If they play "older" acts, its more RHCP, Greenday, Nirvana, Pumpkins, etc...
The only places I hear some U2 now is the 80's/90's and today stations will play WOWY, Still Haven't... and the occasional Beautiful Day.
And on "independent" stations like great WFUV in NY. some on the one here in Nashville.
And I heard Streets on the classic rock station a week ago.
I can honestly say I don't think I've heard One on the radio in 10-15 years. No Mysterious Ways, no Even Better, no Vertigo, no Stay, no Staring at the Sun, no Desire, no Angel of Harlem. Don't really hear Pride or NYD anymore either.
On streaming playlists, they aren't an "80's band", or a "90's band" or a "2000's band". because they were successful over all 3 of those decades, they often aren't on these compilation playlists.
So while Achtung brought them to a new level of greatness in the world of rock, it did alter how they were viewed, could no longer be easily labeled which makes them less likely to be heard now. But the alternative would have been them dying a slow (or quick) death trying to remake The Joshua Tree.
Either way, i do think most of their 21st century material was essential in solidifying a lasting legacy.
Great post. Truly great.
Sirius XM's the Spectrum is the most commonly played station in our house - because we know we're old but have occasional denial (and we're fairly certain there aren't going to be any F bombs dropped in front of the kids) so the mix of new and old is pleasing to our rapidly aging sensibilities.
U2 are played fairly often. many of the hits, but they would play the singles from SOE during that time frame as well. your song saved my life is currently in the rotation.
https://xmplaylist.com/station/thespectrum/most-heard
U2 are played fairly often. many of the hits, but they would play the singles from SOE during that time frame as well. your song saved my life is currently in the rotation.
https://xmplaylist.com/station/thespectrum/most-heard
Hollow Island
New Yorker
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2011
- Messages
- 2,947
Achtung and Zoo TV veered U2 into the alternative rock world, but that's where they'd been for 4/6 of their albums up to that point. It's where they came from and it's their natural habitat. They didn't become mainstream in 1987 by going to the mainstream - they brought the mainstream to them.
ATYCLB and HTDAAB are essential to their legacy but I think that what's hurt them is staying in that place and adopting that version of U2 as their identity instead of continuing to evolve and change. The questions of "What will they do next, who will they be next?" were central to who they were and by NLOTH those questions had ceased to be relevant. I think they've been hurt by being predictable more than anything else.
ATYCLB and HTDAAB are essential to their legacy but I think that what's hurt them is staying in that place and adopting that version of U2 as their identity instead of continuing to evolve and change. The questions of "What will they do next, who will they be next?" were central to who they were and by NLOTH those questions had ceased to be relevant. I think they've been hurt by being predictable more than anything else.
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mikal
Blue Crack Addict
Yep, the F bombs come by surprise sometimes. Totally forgot that the singer for Atreyu yells "Get the fuck up" in the beginning of "Underrated", and now my 5 year old has a new phrase...
#parentingfail
womanfish
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Yeah, its a tough one. I mean, they have always been a sort of hybrid. Boy and October getting play on "college" radio But then War and UF were pretty much what put them in the "rock" category, with SBS, NYD and Pride. Pretty much rock/classic rock station staples in the mid to late 80's. JT and R&H didn't change that much. Obviously they were now being played on both rock and pop stations.
AB put them more solidly in the alternative "modern rock" sphere. I think U2 had the most weeks at number 1 in 1992 on the Billboard modern rock chart. They also charted on the club/dance charts there for a few years.
I totally agree with you on your take with ATYCLB and Bomb. They were enormous successes. But as fans, long time fans, it was tough to see them get stuck in a U2 mold.
No Line could have been another transformative album, if they had released what they had envisioned at the beginning. But alas, it didn't happen. So then we got two more albums of U2... being just U2. Not the band that always kept you wondering what was next.
Hollow Island
New Yorker
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2011
- Messages
- 2,947
Wondering what their new stuff would sound like was so exciting. Biggest WTF I ever had was when they released Passengers. I'd never even heard ambient music before! And that was U2?! God, it was incredible. Not that a band can ever be expected to throw a curveball like that. But what I wouldn't give for some surprised next time around. NLOTH had some, but more than anything it carried the suggestion of a new U2. They'll never do it, but a box set of the NLOTH sessions would likely be fascinating. I want that and a comprehensive set of the Pop sessions - including the album that was "ready" in 1996.
I think that the Achtung 30th was a great opportunity to repair their legacy somewhat, but they didn't really do anything for it. I guess it doesn't jive with the Sincere U2 that they want to project. They went all out for the Joshua Tree's 30th.
I think that the Achtung 30th was a great opportunity to repair their legacy somewhat, but they didn't really do anything for it. I guess it doesn't jive with the Sincere U2 that they want to project. They went all out for the Joshua Tree's 30th.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Yep, the F bombs come by surprise sometimes. Totally forgot that the singer for Atreyu yells "Get the fuck up" in the beginning of "Underrated", and now my 5 year old has a new phrase...
#parentingfail
Rock on with your bad self Leo.
the problem with U2's fandom is that some people think Passengers is incredible and some people think Passengers convoluted horse shit - and this was true even in the late 90s. their genius was that they were able to toe the line between those two parties, but i think it's kind of inevitable that the "passengers is incredible" folks were to be the ones who would fall off the bandwagon, as U2, if nothing else, has always been about being big, and every change, shift or move they've made was calculated around being big (yes, even Achtung Baby).
regarding them going balls to the wall for JT30 and not AB30 - welp, there's a few things wrong there, too.
first, ya know, we're still sort of in a pandemic. so even if they wanted to do a big ole blow out anniversary tour, the landscape has changed. perhaps everyone in the band or even the crew, as they're a notoriously tight-knight touring crew, isn't comfortable with it yet.
regarding the album release - they did kind of already blow out Achtung Baby on the 20th anniversary - full length documentary, kindergarten AB and even an album full of other artists covering AB front to back. it was also the central part of their Glastobury set, and took over a large swath of the biggest tour ever (fuck off, Ed Sheeran).
for JT30 they did, what, a new live concert and a few dodgy remixes? whoopity doo.
so yea - they've done the big Achtung Baby blow out. would i have liked to see a rerelease of From The Sky Down in higher (digital) quality? sure. i wouldn't have minded another live release either, but to be fair, we already have official releases of Sydney and Dublin. SO what, a US show? I guess.
Yep, the F bombs come by surprise sometimes. Totally forgot that the singer for Atreyu yells "Get the fuck up" in the beginning of "Underrated", and now my 5 year old has a new phrase...
#parentingfail
man i thought i was safe with a replay of the Buffalo show from the Working On A Dream tour being replayed on E Street Radio in the car and then Bruce goes and drops like 8 F bombs during the story part of Growing UP.
Irvine511
Blue Crack Supplier
I keep up with Bruce but don’t spend time on his forums.
When he commits musical atrocities like the above, do his fans get angry like U2 fans? Or is there an, “Aw, shucks. There goes Bruce again. At least we’ll always have 1978” kind of attitude.
innocent_eyes
Refugee
I don't recall these two things and would be very interested to give them a look...
I couldn't find anything on Google though...do you have more info or better yet links?
thanks.
pacemaker
Refugee
i swear the dublin ZooTV show saw an audio release at some point but now i can't find it. i have the release uploaded to my YT Music account though.
perhaps i'm losing my mind. highly possible.
perhaps i'm losing my mind. highly possible.
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Irvine511
Blue Crack Supplier
I bought a CD of the Dublin show a store that sold bootlegs and weed and listened to it obsessively on my Sony discman in high school.
Obsessively.
His voice is phenomenal on this recording, especially on Ultraviolet.
All of which is to say that I believe the show was broadcast ont he radio in order to give the fans something to record on their cassettes, and I believe Propaganda even sent out a case liner or something with show deets.
But I could be wrong.
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