Bono: 'U2 album was too challenging' - Page 7

last unicorn · 10-25-2009, 10:39 AM

As far as I remember, U2 trying to reach to a younger audience has always been one of the most critisiced moves of the band, especially here in this forum. Now many here are blaming the band for being unable to reach out to a younger audience and thus not being relevant anymore for today's music audience. I think most of us seriously need to make up their minds about what exactly we want and expect from this band. And I do think U2 have a much heavier burden to carry than any other band in this field.

An Cat Gav · 10-25-2009, 11:26 AM

I do hope that the pursuit of a hit single wont turn SOA into another HTDAAB. The initial idea of a meditative album about faith and pilgramage sounded incredible, just what I'd been hoping for and what I think they need as artists. An understated album to satisfy themselves artisticticly, not just comercially, Kind of like Zooropa to Achtung Baby. I think NLOTH, although far from their best work was still a huge step in the right direction, only the inclusion of what were seen as more radio friendly tracks like SUC and Crazy tonight haled it being a truly excellent album.

Rich79 · 10-25-2009, 11:57 AM

I think what Bono is talking about with pop songs won't start to happen until the album after SOA. To me, they're getting a bad taste in their mouths with the NLOTH material and will want SOA to be out sooner rather than later; while the tour is still on.

To me, it is a very frightening article and kind of what I expected would happen. An album that was supposed to be more experimental, but really wasn't, due to the addition of several "safety" songs that were supposed to chart well. And now, Bono kind of alludes to the problem being that they didn't have strong enough pop tunes on it. In my opinion, the album's weakness was trying too hard on getting pop songs on it and not focusing enough on the album as a whole. The whole thing has no real identity. Now we've been warned, more blatent attempts at radio hits coming. I have to say, its fighting fire with fire. With talk of going back to the Rubin sessions, I think we can say the next project after SOA will almost definitely be an ATYCLB clone. So Bono, NLOTH wasn't too challenging; it wasn't challenging enough. From a lot of what I read on these forums, it would appear that U2 fans were more than ready for a challenge. Instead, we got an album that doesn't quite make sense. Is it supposed to be experimental? Is it supposed to be a pop record? Is it even a complete idea? I guess, in that sense, it is challenging. What Bono says is downright frightening. The spirit of going off in a totally different direction without a safety net is apparently gone from this band and was the whole reason I liked them so much in the first place.

ZOOTVTOURist · 10-25-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich79

I think what Bono is talking about with pop songs won't start to happen until the album after SOA. To me, they're getting a bad taste in their mouths with the NLOTH material and will want SOA to be out sooner rather than later; while the tour is still on.

To me, it is a very frightening article and kind of what I expected would happen. An album that was supposed to be more experimental, but really wasn't, due to the addition of several "safety" songs that were supposed to chart well. And now, Bono kind of alludes to the problem being that they didn't have strong enough pop tunes on it. In my opinion, the album's weakness was trying too hard on getting pop songs on it and not focusing enough on the album as a whole. The whole thing has no real identity. Now we've been warned, more blatent attempts at radio hits coming. I have to say, its fighting fire with fire. With talk of going back to the Rubin sessions, I think we can say the next project after SOA will almost definitely be an ATYCLB clone. So Bono, NLOTH wasn't too challenging; it wasn't challenging enough. From a lot of what I read on these forums, it would appear that U2 fans were more than ready for a challenge. Instead, we got an album that doesn't quite make sense. Is it supposed to be experimental? Is it supposed to be a pop record? Is it even a complete idea? I guess, in that sense, it is challenging. What Bono says is downright frightening. The spirit of going off in a totally different direction without a safety net is apparently gone from this band and was the whole reason I liked them so much in the first place.

This is one of the best postings, I've read here for ages – fans like you are the reason, why it still makes sense for me to stay in this forum. Thank you

subnet · 10-25-2009, 11:59 AM

don't make a mountain out of a molehill guys

Rich79 · 10-25-2009, 12:09 PM

Well, as always, I'll give whatever they do a chance and I'll buy it up like everything else U2. I obviously can't say I know the mentality of the band, but if they go even more experimental and adventurous after SOA, I'll be totally floored.

U2girl · 10-25-2009, 01:14 PM

"We weren't really in that mindset and we felt that the album was kind of an almost extinct species, and we should approach it in totality and create a mood and a feeling, and a beginning, $$$middle$$$ and end."

financeguy · 10-25-2009, 01:59 PM

I repeat, I have no problem whatever with U2 releasing chart friendly pop tunes provided they are great pop, but usually, to be frank, they are not. I remember when they re-recorded Sweetest Thing and put it out as a single in 1998. This was a song that been largely ignored up to then but the re-recorded version served its function of getting them back on the radio during the hiatus between Pop and ATYCB. I thought that single worked very well. In the run to Christmas 1998, I distinctly recall it was getting good radio play. But, by and large, Sweetest Thing is a rare exception. In general, U2 aren't particularly gifted at writing chart friendly pop music, in my view. I have nothing in particular against GOYB, but can anyone truly say it's a better track than Sweetest Thing?

digitize · 10-25-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by financeguy

I repeat, I have no problem whatever with U2 releasing chart friendly pop tunes provided they are great pop, but usually, to be frank, they are not. I remember when they re-recorded Sweetest Thing and put it out as a single in 1998. This was a song that been largely ignored up to then but the re-recorded version served its function of getting them back on the radio during the hiatus between Pop and ATYCB. I thought that single worked very well. In the run to Christmas 1998, I distinctly recall it was getting good radio play. But, by and large, Sweetest Thing is a rare exception. In general, U2 aren't particularly gifted at writing chart friendly pop music, in my view. I have nothing in particular against GOYB, but can anyone truly say it's a better track than Sweetest Thing?

I personally pretty much loathe Sweetest Thing in every format, so yes, I can say that I strongly prefer Boots.

AliEnvy · 10-25-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitize

I personally pretty much loathe Sweetest Thing in every format, so yes, I can say that I strongly prefer Boots.

To me Boots doesn't seem to 'fit' on NLOTH because it's an Elevation/Vertigo do-over that finally hit the mark. Third time's the charm. A fun pop song that rocks and full of familiar U2 themes and metaphors. Nicely done, IMO.

digitize · 10-25-2009, 02:14 PM

Doctorwho, your post is too long for me quote in good faith, but I think it is spot it.

SethVincent · 10-25-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilsShoes

And I say this as somebody who thinks AB is overrated.

I was

your post until this ^^

U2opra · 10-25-2009, 04:22 PM

I agree with Rich79, NLOTH is a confusing album - it doesn't mean it's bad, it just I guess can be hard to get into or feel captivated, understand for some of us. I certainly felt that way the first time I heard it. I felt the first 4 songs of the album were brilliant, the middle to me was kind of a 'WTF is going on' moment and the end was much better but incomplete. Which come to think of it is the main issue; it felt incomplete. The songs that were stuffed into the album as chart pleasers threw the theme a bit off track...Which is why I am mostly confused when I listen to this album, but it still is a great album!

mikal · 10-25-2009, 04:42 PM

i really have nothing to add either than i think there is a huge overreaction to this article.

Popmartijn · 10-25-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikal

i really have nothing to add either than i think there is a huge overreaction to this article.

And those 5 lines (or so) the original poster quoted are just a hack job from some person with Internet access. The full article can be found here:
U2 and Bono adapt to changing times - Yahoo! News

And that full article also includes lines like:

Quote:

"We're trying to do everything we can on that front without having to change what we're about artistically: The music stays sacrosanct," The Edge says. "We are much more focused on being the best than being the biggest."

And that means perhaps making the kind of album that doesn't guarantee hits but does guarantee surprises and new ideas, which "No Line" has delivered.

"The biggest danger for a band like U2 is accepting that you've reached a certain age, and, therefore, you can just actually sit back," says Mullen.

"That's not what we signed up to do. We want to make relevant, great music, and Bono has said numerous times, 'One crap album and you're out,'" he adds. "We've avoided it so far."

10-25-2009, 10:39 AM	#1
last unicorn ONE love, blood, life Premium Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: in Bono's freckled arms ... Posts: 12,792 Local Time: 02:23 AM	As far as I remember, U2 trying to reach to a younger audience has always been one of the most critisiced moves of the band, especially here in this forum. Now many here are blaming the band for being unable to reach out to a younger audience and thus not being relevant anymore for today's music audience. I think most of us seriously need to make up their minds about what exactly we want and expect from this band. And I do think U2 have a much heavier burden to carry than any other band in this field. __________________ we g e t to carry each other

10-25-2009, 04:22 PM	#13
U2opra Zooming In Zooming Out Premium Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 601 Local Time: 01:23 AM	I agree with Rich79, NLOTH is a confusing album - it doesn't mean it's bad, it just I guess can be hard to get into or feel captivated, understand for some of us. I certainly felt that way the first time I heard it. I felt the first 4 songs of the album were brilliant, the middle to me was kind of a 'WTF is going on' moment and the end was much better but incomplete. Which come to think of it is the main issue; it felt incomplete. The songs that were stuffed into the album as chart pleasers threw the theme a bit off track...Which is why I am mostly confused when I listen to this album, but it still is a great album! __________________ "Be all that you can be."

10-25-2009, 04:42 PM	#14
mikal BLIND SHEEP Premium Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Fez Posts: 12,414 Local Time: 07:23 PM	i really have nothing to add either than i think there is a huge overreaction to this article. __________________ Come On Ye People! Stand Back And Don't Shove! Shove! Shove! Shove! Shove! Shove!

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10-25-2009, 11:26 AM	#2
An Cat Gav Refugee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Prague. Posts: 2,175 Local Time: 01:23 AM	I do hope that the pursuit of a hit single wont turn SOA into another HTDAAB. The initial idea of a meditative album about faith and pilgramage sounded incredible, just what I'd been hoping for and what I think they need as artists. An understated album to satisfy themselves artisticticly, not just comercially, Kind of like Zooropa to Achtung Baby. I think NLOTH, although far from their best work was still a huge step in the right direction, only the inclusion of what were seen as more radio friendly tracks like SUC and Crazy tonight haled it being a truly excellent album.

10-25-2009, 11:57 AM	#3
Rich79 The Fly Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 267 Local Time: 08:23 PM	I think what Bono is talking about with pop songs won't start to happen until the album after SOA. To me, they're getting a bad taste in their mouths with the NLOTH material and will want SOA to be out sooner rather than later; while the tour is still on. To me, it is a very frightening article and kind of what I expected would happen. An album that was supposed to be more experimental, but really wasn't, due to the addition of several "safety" songs that were supposed to chart well. And now, Bono kind of alludes to the problem being that they didn't have strong enough pop tunes on it. In my opinion, the album's weakness was trying too hard on getting pop songs on it and not focusing enough on the album as a whole. The whole thing has no real identity. Now we've been warned, more blatent attempts at radio hits coming. I have to say, its fighting fire with fire. With talk of going back to the Rubin sessions, I think we can say the next project after SOA will almost definitely be an ATYCLB clone. So Bono, NLOTH wasn't too challenging; it wasn't challenging enough. From a lot of what I read on these forums, it would appear that U2 fans were more than ready for a challenge. Instead, we got an album that doesn't quite make sense. Is it supposed to be experimental? Is it supposed to be a pop record? Is it even a complete idea? I guess, in that sense, it is challenging. What Bono says is downright frightening. The spirit of going off in a totally different direction without a safety net is apparently gone from this band and was the whole reason I liked them so much in the first place.

10-25-2009, 11:59 AM	#5
subnet Refugee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In God's Cottage Country Posts: 1,878 Local Time: 08:23 PM	don't make a mountain out of a molehill guys

10-25-2009, 12:09 PM	#6
Rich79 The Fly Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 267 Local Time: 08:23 PM	Well, as always, I'll give whatever they do a chance and I'll buy it up like everything else U2. I obviously can't say I know the mentality of the band, but if they go even more experimental and adventurous after SOA, I'll be totally floored.

10-25-2009, 01:14 PM	#7
U2girl Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: slovenija Posts: 17,170 Local Time: 02:23 AM	"We weren't really in that mindset and we felt that the album was kind of an almost extinct species, and we should approach it in totality and create a mood and a feeling, and a beginning, $$$middle$$$ and end."

10-25-2009, 01:59 PM	#8
financeguy Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,099 Local Time: 01:23 AM	I repeat, I have no problem whatever with U2 releasing chart friendly pop tunes provided they are great pop, but usually, to be frank, they are not. I remember when they re-recorded Sweetest Thing and put it out as a single in 1998. This was a song that been largely ignored up to then but the re-recorded version served its function of getting them back on the radio during the hiatus between Pop and ATYCB. I thought that single worked very well. In the run to Christmas 1998, I distinctly recall it was getting good radio play. But, by and large, Sweetest Thing is a rare exception. In general, U2 aren't particularly gifted at writing chart friendly pop music, in my view. I have nothing in particular against GOYB, but can anyone truly say it's a better track than Sweetest Thing?

10-25-2009, 02:14 PM	#11
digitize Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doing His Disappearing Act (actual: Austin, Texas) Posts: 7,042 Local Time: 07:23 PM	Doctorwho, your post is too long for me quote in good faith, but I think it is spot it.