Is U2 winning over new fans?

[DGordon1]

^ Yes, because albums like Pop, Achtung, Joshua Tree and most of their other albums are "boring" and "uninspired." Riiight.

Did I say that? No

You said that's not much evidence that they're not boring and uninspired. Because you like to wind people up, very much indeed :p

I said if that's all the evidence DROOROPA could find - not the evidence I could find. Please read and process properly before having an opinion 

I processed your point fine, complex as it was. Please read and process properly.

[Sugarcube]

^ Yes, because albums like Pop, Achtung, Joshua Tree and most of their other albums are "boring" and "uninspired." Riiight.

Did I say that? No

You said that's not much evidence that they're not boring and uninspired. Because you like to wind people up, very much indeed :p

I said if that's all the evidence DROOROPA could find - not the evidence I could find. Please read and process properly before having an opinion 

I processed your point fine, complex as it was. Please read and process properly.

Clearly you didn't process my point properly otherwise you wouldn't have responded as you did.

[bahkey]

  NO

[Dali]

Well, they won me back with NLOTH after the letdown that was HTDAAB.

[mattressjedi]

Yes, they are winning new fans.

At 360 there was a a wide age range.

And tigerfan is evidence of newer fans right here.

[Sugarcube]

Yes, they are winning new fans.

At 360 there was a a wide age range.

And tigerfan is evidence of newer fans right here.

One person doesn't make it typical. U2 were winning new fans - this is partly why they changed so much in 2000. It would seem they're still trying to win new fans (or remain 'relevant') by employing people like danger mouse. However if NLOTH is the best they can do I doubt young people will fall for it anymore. Chaps, you're over 50 - deal with it and grow up. Your music will improve.

[mattressjedi]

With a few exceptions, I agree with what you said. 

[Fist-O]

Yes, they are winning new fans.

At 360 there was a a wide age range.

And tigerfan is evidence of newer fans right here.

One person doesn't make it typical. U2 were winning new fans - this is partly why they changed so much in 2000. It would seem they're still trying to win new fans (or remain 'relevant') by employing people like danger mouse. However if NLOTH is the best they can do I doubt young people will fall for it anymore. Chaps, you're over 50 - deal with it and grow up. Your music will improve.

I have to agree that NLOTH is far from being their best. It's probably the most average album the band has ever made, October and Pop are miles ahead. I'm 25 and its only after listening to their 80s and 90s material that they became my favorite band of all time.

[Sugarcube]

The best music comes from current experience in a songwriters life. Boon and co are too concerned with being aligned to the latest young bands (witness Boons ridiculous eye liner in an attempt to look like the bloke fom the Killers). Or their constant need to get the latest young producer who's probably totally unsuitable for their music. This is partly why NLOTH was such a mess.

IMO they've forgotten how to be themselves - unfortunately that's where their best music came from. You can tell when a band like U2 aren't being real or when their music is being smothered by attempts to be 'relevant' or chart friendly. This is exactly what's happened during the last 3 albums. All of which have slowly deteriorated. There are glimpses of the realness (for example Kite, Sometimes) but the rest of its radio pap and U2 by numbers.

With the current mindset U2 have, they will never make records like they used to again. Which is a massive shame as I believe they've still got it in them to do so. I don't mean they should record a JT pt2. I mean they will never make records as emotive and honest again.

[Ăhk-tung Bay-bi]

Or their constant need to get the latest young producer who's probably totally unsuitable for their music. This is partly why NLOTH was such a mess.

I thought NLOTH was produced by Eno and Lanois; hardly up-and-coming producers.  And why is there such distaste for 2000's U2?  Songs like Kite are classics IMO.

[Sugarcube]

Or their constant need to get the latest young producer who's probably totally unsuitable for their music. This is partly why NLOTH was such a mess.

I thought NLOTH was produced by Eno and Lanois; hardly up-and-coming producers.  And why is there such distaste for 2000's U2?  Songs like Kite are classics IMO.

They started with Rick Rubin.

Kite is a classic, you're right. For many, 2000's U2 is a bland facsimile of the rest of their career. There are moments of greatness still but they're few and far between

[Ăhk-tung Bay-bi]

Or their constant need to get the latest young producer who's probably totally unsuitable for their music. This is partly why NLOTH was such a mess.

I thought NLOTH was produced by Eno and Lanois; hardly up-and-coming producers.  And why is there such distaste for 2000's U2?  Songs like Kite are classics IMO.

They started with Rick Rubin.

Kite is a classic, you're right. For many, 2000's U2 is a bland facsimile of the rest of their career. There are moments of greatness still but they're few and far between

I hear ya.    Those Rick Rubin songs weren't all released (maybe a lucky escape) because Window in the Skies was what John Lennon would call "wallpaper music".  As a newer U2 fan, I agree with you: bring back the passionate tunes!

[Sugarcube]

Or their constant need to get the latest young producer who's probably totally unsuitable for their music. This is partly why NLOTH was such a mess.

I thought NLOTH was produced by Eno and Lanois; hardly up-and-coming producers.  And why is there such distaste for 2000's U2?  Songs like Kite are classics IMO.

They started with Rick Rubin.

Kite is a classic, you're right. For many, 2000's U2 is a bland facsimile of the rest of their career. There are moments of greatness still but they're few and far between

I hear ya.    Those Rick Rubin songs weren't all released (maybe a lucky escape) because Window in the Skies was what John Lennon would call "wallpaper music".  As a newer U2 fan, I agree with you: bring back the passionate tunes!

Window in the skies was horrible. And what in gods name were they doing recording 'when the saints go marching'. I really do fear for U2s sanity sometimes.

I believe NLOTH could have been a good album if they'd sacked the producers, roughened the whole sound up and gotten rid of the awful middle section.

[Canadanne]

I thought The Saints Are Coming was a fantastic cover, one of the best things they've done in the last decade. Window In The Skies was a bit dodgy lyrically, but I enjoyed it otherwise (and the video was fun). I'm really disappointed they didn't continue their work with Rick Rubin, it seemed promising. They've become way too comfortable with Eno & Lanois - I think it's important for them to shake things up by trying new producers.

[Ăhk-tung Bay-bi]

I think it's important for them to shake things up by trying new producers.

Perhaps this is why U2 is in an impossible situation musically; they can either attempt to win over new fans with new producers and a new sound, or please current fans and maintain their Eno + Lanois sound. Quite the conundrum!!