Irish band U2 have just relesed their 12th studio album, but are they any good?

For:

Been around since the early '80s with the same lineup.

Fantastic live shows.

Some great songs (Pride, Unforgettable Fire, With or Without You, One etc).

Against:

Bono

Does their music stand up to repeated listening.

Bono

Later albums a bit of a let down.

Bono.

Over to you.......

I suppose there is a fine line between goodwill and sanctimony, but when it comes to music with a dirty, but true heart, I still think they are generally better than the rest, and consistently good.

Only heard 'Get on your boots', so far...and I like it. :)

Irish band U2 have just relesed their 12th studio album, but are they any good?

For:

Been around since the early '80s with the same lineup.

Fantastic live shows.

Some great songs (Pride, Unforgettable Fire, With or Without You, One etc).

Against:

Bono

Does their music stand up to repeated listening.

Bono

Later albums a bit of a let down.

Bono.

Over to you.......




They've actually been around since the late 1970's.

Are they any good? In the words of the late Alan Freeman...........not 'arf

Unlike ANY of their counterparts such as the great STONES, MACCA & ELTON who can sell out stadiums, U2 also fill the stadiums around the world, STILL have No. 1 singles & albums and get their music played on Radio 1 & 2.
33 years on with the SAME line up, who else does that?

Very good i would say, seen them 3 times absolutely brilliant. New album is very good got it yesterday and not stopped listening to it

Early stuff like Boy and war and Under a blood red sky i still like listening to. Unforgetable fire as well.
I'm a bigger U2 fan than i think i am.
I :love: dancing to Pride (in the name of love) - you don't hear it very often now and you can really have a good well, headshake to it. lol!

One word. Overrated.

One of my favourites. All I Want is You. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-TssRlmmBE)

I think U2 are still a great band. I was lucky to see them in London on the roof of Broadcasting House on Friday. They were great. The two songs from the new album sounded excellent, especially "Magnificent" which even on first listen sounds up there with the tracks on "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby". I'd agree with anyone who says that Bono has a massive ego (he knows it!) but on a musical level they're one of the best.

After reading the posts with different peoples opinions I have come to my final conclusion:

Overrated toss.

I've posted this on another thread, but how can someone play guitar in a band for 30 years and not get any better at it?

Gotta hand it to 'em though, they've done well for themselves with their limited talents. Well done, lads! (Anyone with any doubt about their limited musicianship should see them struggle through 'Sgt Peppers..' at Live 8. Paul McCartney had to play guitar!)

Frankly I have never rated them any higher than a Pub Band, about the same level as Lindisfarne.

I've posted this on another thread, but how can someone play guitar in a band for 30 years and not get any better at it?

Gotta hand it to 'em though, they've done well for themselves with their limited talents. Well done, lads! (Anyone with any doubt about their limited musicianship should see them struggle through 'Sgt Peppers..' at Live 8. Paul McCartney had to play guitar!)

You're confusing musicianship with talent. Most of the best bands are technically poor at playing their instruments but create a unique sound that is greater than the sum of the parts. Whereas technically proficient guitarists tend to make music which may be great fun to play but utterly tedious to listen to.

You're confusing musicianship with talent. Most of the best bands are technically poor at playing their instruments but create a unique sound that is greater than the sum of the parts. Whereas technically proficient guitarists tend to make music which may be great fun to play but utterly tedious to listen to.

I once lapsed into a Coma whilst listening to Genesis.

I once lapsed into a Coma whilst listening to Genesis.

You think that's bad. I remember making a curry while listening to King Crimson and one of the guitar solos went on so long that I lapsed into a korma.

You think that's bad. I remember making a curry while listening to King Crimson and one of the guitar solos went on so long that I lapsed into a korma.
Fripp deserves a medal for nailing Toyah.

Despite Bono beng a bit of an @rse sometimes, I still think they are a great band.

I think they're terrible. I'm sure it really bothers them.

You're confusing musicianship with talent. Most of the best bands are technically poor at playing their instruments but create a unique sound that is greater than the sum of the parts.

I agree. They're not one of those, either.