last unicorn

You all know how the media loves to take things out of context, and it's tabloid media we're talking about here.They're trying to manipulate that interview to make it soundl ike the band is blaming the fans. It's always amazing to see how quickly the fans are prepared to jump on the band.

U2 have talked about these things in other interviews before but people weren't complaining. They simply state the facts: NLOTH wasn't a big success commercially and they didn't have hit singles. So what? It's the truth. And of course it has to do with the musical taste of today's audience. And I don't think they'll change the direction of SOA or whatever album they have coming up because of it. U2 are not stupid, they know very well that the music they're currently making isn't radiofriendly mainstream. They knew that about NLOTH as well, otherwise they'd be very naive. Yes, maybe they could have chosen another lead single, but I don't think it would have changed things much.

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DevilsShoes

I'd be inclined to agree with this. As soon as I read that part I felt that Bono was talking about the public at large, or at least the fans they'd acquired since 2000, rather than the more long term-followers, whom he knows have had to swallow some fairly demanding stuff in the past.

Lots of smart comments on here. I do think that perhaps unrealistic expectations played a part here. The band seemed to believe they were making a landmark album so it's no surprise they're a little disappointed with the outcome.

U2 have always tended to react well to (perceived) failure in the past, it's a real incentive for them to prove themselves next time around. I hope this gives them back their focus as well as their fire.

last unicorn

Really? I thought they reacted the same to the mediabacklash that came with Pop and Rattle and Hum?

I understand the frustration. You believe in your work and then you feel it isn't reaching the audience like it's supposed to.

For me, U2 haven't lost anything. In fact I feel they've gained or re-gained a lot in recent years, and NLOTH is a great example of their new focus. I have been really proud of them for making that album and I'm still happy with it. But for a band like U2 who is used to being big and reaching a huge audience, it is understandably frustrating if their latest work isn't a commercial success. On the other hand, NLOTH is an album acknowledged by many critics to be one of their best. I think that should say a lot about it.

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DevilsShoes

I know that for Bono, failure is where he gets much of his inspiration from. People who are successful tend to just get on with enjoying being successful, but as we know very often great work emerges from struggle and strain. They were upset by the backlash to both R & H and Pop but it worked in their favour because it re-focussed them and spurred them on to recapture both creative and commercial ground. Where we differ is that I think the overall vision for NLOTH seems a little obscure or vague. It's reaching for something but I'm not quite sure what.

The huge success of AB speaks for itself but I still believe that ATYCLB is a strong album. I think on balance I'd still rather listen to BD, Walk On, Kite, IALW and New York than I'll Go Crazy, Boots, SUC or Breathe, I just think they're stronger and more inspired songs.

I mean, I love Magnificent, UC, WAS and COL but ultimately I do think that ATYCLB has a clarity and a spark that much of NLOTH lacks.

U2zoobaby

When I first read this article and the one in Rolling Stone where he says something about the fans not being "groovy" enough, I felt it was abit condescending thing to say. However, I also noticed that the arrticle we are addressing in this thread - the snippet about Bono saying that the album was challenging for those brought up on pop music. I have seen that line stop at challenging....which I think comes off alot differently than blaming fans growing up on pop. The album is challenging... it isnt something you just take in on one listen... it also isnt an album for the casual fan or listener, I dont think....so that makes it challenging. Its just not an album that is going to enthrall most people out there who are used to and like more pop music sounds and themes. A few months after NLOTH came out, I was at friends house working on something together...and we popped in some CD's. I have to say, when NLOTH came on...it didnt feel like an album that was reaching non-fans. For me, its an album I like to keep for myself, to listen on my own. I just dont know ..mb its too heavy for those wanting light fluff or more radio friendly depth ala Coldplay or something?

In the end, I just want U2 to remain true to themselves. Of course, they will have to take advice from others...as they did with every album. and possibly make changes. As long as they dont seem like they are begging for the same attention they once had...and just let the music stand on its own, then I think theyll be fine.

Oh...and one more thing... I also have been thinking about a comment Bono made about Eddie Vedder...about him sounding like "he really wants it"...which I take to mean that you can hear in EV new stuff that he isnt shunning the desire for popularity anymore. Hes got the fire in him to go all out again. I dont know, mb Bono is reflecting inwardly as well.

BVS

I will never understand this idea. Maybe Bad, but Bad doesn't belong in the same category as WOWY and One. WOWY and One are pure pop ballads through and through. MOS and Bad were never even trying to be pop ballads.

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my music

Music Facebook

^Apparently he did.

MyBloodySleeve

DevilsShoes

I meant in the sense that those songs are the emotional peaks of their respective albums. They each work as the centrepiece. I don't mean that either were ever intended for radio.

torn vinyl

Eddie Vedder always goes all out, he never stopped. Pearl Jam never made a record that was designed to be unpopular, with the possible exception of Vitalogy...which sold something like 10 million copies. By the time No Code came out, people were sick of grunge, sick of PJ...but then Yield came along (2 or 3 hits), Binaural had no hits but it had some that could have been, Riot Act was just BAD, the S/T record had World Wide Suicide...oh, and there was Last Kiss in 1999. So they have always been popular. The only way they avoided it was in not doing interviews or videos.

Pearl Jam are always hungry to ROCK YOUR ASS.

gvox

Ummm...

Nevermind.

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allbecauseofu2

artists change their mind all the time about music. Pop stinks, NLOTH stinks etc. i don;t let things disrupt my enjoyment of the music , and that includes the artist themselves. But honestly a great example of this is RHCP. More specifically the guitar player. john fraunstane. (I know thats not how its spelled.) basically, this guy hates the fans. Doesn't believe in autographs. Actually said once he really doesn't even care for funk music., Never seems to care about the fans in attendance. Proly thinks no one should be dancing to their music. Really just comes off like he just can't be bothered. Fine. Still love the band. love his solo work. And i won;t allow him to get in the way of me listening to his music.

ZOOTVTOURist

This only shows, how far away Bono obviously is from his own work and his fans these days. He says, in other words, that the fans might be too stupid to get such a 'complex' album. Embarassing, more so because this album is by far not 'complex' – with for the most part simple messages and simüple sing-along melodies. Far away from the impressionistic, poetic approach of TUF, TJT or even AB. Far away from the edges, that other great albums like ZOOROPA and POP present ...
And even worse: It is all about mass success, popularity in his head and wallet; the art aspect has been lost completely. And the ability to criticize themselves: "Oh, it is the fans' fault, they did not 'get' it" Well, what about the fact that the quality of the album and the disastrous singles-'strategy' is lacking a lot, folks? Might anybody please wake U2 up, before they enter the studio again? I am so disappointed!

last unicorn

Really? Since you have shown nothing but negativity towards the band here on this board, I'm actually surprised that there is still something left to disappoint you. Btw, your comparison is bad. NLOTH is much better than Zooropa, which is by far the worst U2 album,and Pop, which could have been great.

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mama cass

that's just your opinion LU

Zooropa is one of U2's greatest in my opinion... it's up there in my top 4 (along with Pop)...

last unicorn

That's true, but then HIS statement is also only based on an opinion and he states it as fact. OK, in my opinion, Zooropa is their worst album. I cannot even get myself to pull it out and play it. Pop is a good album in parts, there are songs I absolutely love on that one. But NLOTH is an album I keep coming back to at the moment, along with Unforgettable Fire. These two are my favourite U2 albums.

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Zoomerang96

Wow. You've lost it. You are u2fan2004! Aren't you? At the very least you're a new version of u2girl.