The difference is that, while Stipe and Co. soldiered on after a key member left (after saying that they wouldn't ever do such a thing) U2 has been comprised of the same 4 Irish lads since 1980.
1980! If Rock and Roll began in 1955, which is the accepted norm, then u2 has been around for more than HALF of the history of Rock.
What really surprised me as I began to research this retrospective is just how young they all are. Three of the members were born in 1961 and the other is even younger. I was born in 1965 which makes Bono and the gang close to being contemporaries.
The thing is, I have never heard the entire albums. I own them, in various forms, but after the big hit songs it just all sounds the same to me, so I would turn the record, CD, mp3, off.
Who among us doesn't own "The Joshua Tree"? And who has really listened beyond the first four tracks? (U2 notoriously front loads their albums with the hit singles starting off with a bang but giving us little reason to keep listening sometimes)
So, an end shall be put to that for me. I have begun the great U2 retrospective of 2008. And here's what I think:
U2 - Zooropa - 1993 (buy it...I guess)
Oh, dear.
I don't even know where to start.
This is bad.
It's not just bad. It's unlistenable bad.
There are no melodies to speak of. No songs, per se. Just tired balladic construction and dance grooves.
Clayton is so muted that you wonder if there is a bass there or is it a keytar.
Bono is uninspired.
The band sounds lazy and like they don't give a shit.
I suppose it was to be expected. They had a good run.
But, this. This is unacceptable.
Don't, I repeat, Don't listen to this unless you absolutely HAVE TO.
Grade D-
A Side: I dunno. Stay (Faraway, So Close), I guess.
Blindside: Nothing. This is crap
Downside: Zooropa (the album. not just the song)
1 comment:
100% agreement. This is pure shite. And I was mad, cause I was with these guys from I Will Follow. And then Jushua Tree hit when I was 17! It became my high school soundtrack. But this! This was like eating a spoiled tuna samdwich -- after you get over the convulsions there is something deep inside that prevents you from eating another, ever again (or even considering it). And so it was the end of the road for me and U2.. I never really listened to another U2 song again. Sure I heard them on the radio, but it was with scorn and nothing approaching appreciation.
Post a Comment