doctorwho
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
This may sound odd, but I rarely have expectations for U2. U2 have changed their style and sound so much over the years, it's impossible to predict what they will create. Granted, they always have their inherent U2 sound, but could you imagine the guys who created "Boy/Girl" creating "Streets"? Or the guys who wrote "Streets" writing "Mofo"? Or the ones who wrote "Mofo" creating "Peace on Earth"? It's just a huge range of styles that's impossible to predict.
Also, music is very subjective. This is evidenced by the thoughts on GOYB in this forum. Some loved it the second they heard it, others thought it was a new low for U2. I can tell you that I know people who actually hate JT. In contrast, some of those JT lovers completely abondoned U2 in the 90's. Hence, what Bono or Eno or Lanois or Edge or Rolling Stone or any other magazine or radio station or critic thinks, it's personal and doesn't apply to me.
One can appreciate a movie review as there's discussion of the plot, acting, sets, etc. Movies are visual and audio stimulants. But music is audio only and as a result, a new world is created in one's head as one listens to music. What that world is determines if we love or hate a song.
As such, I don't believe any hype ever. I didn't accept it for "Pop" or ATYCLB or HTDAAB and I certainly won't accept it for NLOTH.
That said, the hype for NLOTH is substantially different - almost subdued. It's not the usual members speaking about the work as much. And that suggests something special is coming. Many of us may still dislike it, but if nothing else, we could appreciate how unique it could be.
Also, music is very subjective. This is evidenced by the thoughts on GOYB in this forum. Some loved it the second they heard it, others thought it was a new low for U2. I can tell you that I know people who actually hate JT. In contrast, some of those JT lovers completely abondoned U2 in the 90's. Hence, what Bono or Eno or Lanois or Edge or Rolling Stone or any other magazine or radio station or critic thinks, it's personal and doesn't apply to me.
One can appreciate a movie review as there's discussion of the plot, acting, sets, etc. Movies are visual and audio stimulants. But music is audio only and as a result, a new world is created in one's head as one listens to music. What that world is determines if we love or hate a song.
As such, I don't believe any hype ever. I didn't accept it for "Pop" or ATYCLB or HTDAAB and I certainly won't accept it for NLOTH.
That said, the hype for NLOTH is substantially different - almost subdued. It's not the usual members speaking about the work as much. And that suggests something special is coming. Many of us may still dislike it, but if nothing else, we could appreciate how unique it could be.