This article pretty much sums up why I don’t like U2 (and Coldplay for that matter).
U2 have long been so ubiquitous that their music has threatened to lose all meaning – for me, it happened around 1988 – but of late, they have truly excelled themselves. Some questions: when Bono is photographed going to church in New York with Blair, what does that do the idea of rock as The Other? Is their slide heartening proof that, after years of handwringing about music becoming so pan-generational and pro-establishment it had lost all meaning, there may actually be a point where the great unwashed realise a group stands for absolutely nothing, and recoil? If so, watch out Coldplay.
Are you a U2 fan? Are you offended by such snobbery?
Comments
I think this is more about people having built U2 up into some sort of demigods who are going to change the world, when really they are JUST A BAND. They write songs, they are particularly good at the emotionally manipulative key change, they want to sell music and concert tickets.
I think all the criticism is ridiculous. If you don’t like them, don’t listen. And don’t expect them to be the second coming because they aren’t.
They’re also not very good. Musically or lyrically. In my opinion. They are champions of inoffensive blandness.
ditto to what Amy said.
Nathan exactly right in your opinion. I have a heap of good friends that love U2 Christian or not. The reality is that you might not like them but they have won HEAPS of awards, have lasted longer than most other bands and are classed as talented by those who are in the music industry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_received_by_U2
Suggestion being too opinionated is not attractive – enjoy the differences in our world.
“right in your opinion”
Well, that’s kind of the point of having a blog. It’s where I write my opinion. On things. Like U2. And how they should retire. They used to be cool. Now they’re old men.
Being opinionated may not be attractive – but it gets readers. And comments. Why else would I blog? Feel free to disagree.
I’m sure I would think the music you listen to, Nathan, is inoffensive and bland. But that’s my opinion, and if you like it, my opinion doesn’t really matter to you.
Plenty of people listen to music that I personally think is rubbish. But I am not going to build up huge arguments about say, Britney Spears, and how she represents everything that is wrong with the word today. Why should bands like U2 and Coldplay get all this pressure that they should be anything other than just a band?
And at the very least you have to respect a band that can inspire the sort of dedication that means you will happily queue (myself and 40,000 others) for four hours just to get into a stadium to see them.
“have to respect”
There’s an imperative there that I’m not sure is required in subjective consideration.
I’m happy for you to like U2. I’m sure you have reasons. I don’t U2. And I listen to purposefully offensive music. Bland? Perhaps.
wow, one christian male who doesn’t rate U2 and Coldplay as their first and second favourite bands. Thank goodness.
They turned bog after Rattle and Hum. Their first three albums in the early 80’s were their best.
Overated, boring.
I completely agree Ben – The Fray are also a popular choice, perhaps 3rd.
Though I don’t share your love for 80s death metal…
I would like to put my vote out there as a Christian male who does not like U2, Coldplay or the the fray, One or two of their songs are good but would rather spend money on a carlton shirt than one of their cds (I hate carlton).
I like U2. Well, I like some of their albums. All That You Can’t Leave Behind is one of my absolute favourite albums, a few steps behind Sargeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
But some of their albums, I think are horribly boring. I don’t think I’ve even listened anything from the latest album because I was so disappointed with the one before.
I like a few Coldplay songs, and can’t stand the Fray.
I hate any band or celebrity put onto a pedestal, because in the end they are just people no different to you or I. They are just well known.
Where have I said not to listen to them? I’d love you to point me to such horrible authoritarianism…
Here are the things I’ve actually said about U2… Direct quotes.
“This article pretty much sums up why I don’t like U2 ”
“They’re also not very good. Musically or lyrically. In my opinion. They are champions of inoffensive blandness.”
“I’m happy for you to like U2. I’m sure you have reasons. I don’t like U2.”
“It’s where I write my opinion. On things. Like U2. And how they should retire. They used to be cool. Now they’re old men. ”
“I wonder too, if the label “alternative” could just be applied to “those bands not trying to be U2″.”
“Why listen to one band that tries to appeal to every aspect of musicallity and becomes middle of the road when you can embrace diversity which lets you appreciate the whole road, bit by bit?”
“There’s six bands in a list of five bands that I find more sonically pleasurable than U2”
“Bono’s public Christianity makes him a bit of a sacred cow. But I don’t like to criticise things without offering solutions here are 5 bands that are better than U2. In my opinion”
You asked if people a) liked them, and b) were offended by snobbery.
And then people answered with their opinions too. So as much as this blog is all about your opinion, on this occasion you asked for others.
You can respect a band without liking them for managing to convince enough people to buy concert tickets/albums etc over such a long period of time.
And there are plenty of ‘old men’ bands who should have retired years ago instead of going on comeback tours/I’ve run out of money tours. (ACDC – are you listening?)
This is true. I asked for other’s opinions – but not necessarily other’s opinions on my opinions – though I concede it may have been worded in a way that lent itself to that assumption.
“You can respect a band without liking them for managing to convince enough people to buy concert tickets/albums etc over such a long period of time.”
Why is popularity a measure of respect? By this standard Britney Spears is respectable. A Current Affair is the best standard of news on television and I should read Woman’s Day.
that’s ‘thrash’ metal, fella, not death metal. Gosh! I’m so rolling my eyes at you right now.
I can hate Britney’s music but respect that she manages to con so many people into buying her records.