For some reason I never like U2's stuff the first couple of times I hear it. They are by far my favorite band; in fact I want to go to Ireland if I can to see them on their next tour. I wasn't impressed with the album at first, but it is definitely growing on me.

One Step Closer reminds me of the song 'First Time' from Zooropa. I can't quite grasp Miracle Drug as a masterpiece, but that might e bbecause I'm not in love right now. City of Blinding Lights is awesome. Vertigo seems a bit out of place, but I love it; it kicks my ass everytime I hear it.

I can't wait to buy the album in the store. Even though I've downloaded the whole thing, Bono and the boys are one group that I'll ALWAYS support by throwing my money their way.
Of course I'm one of those people that love whatever U2 does - my favorite era of theirs is the 'freak-flag' waving era of Achtung Baby! and Zooropa.

Never liked U2. Never bought an album.

For some reason, I think I'll pick up this release. I can't explain why. It better be good.

If I dig it, I have the feeling that I'll have a lot of catching up to do.

Loved "The Sweetest Thing" single though.

I don't want to be argumentative but, if you don't like U2 why would you choose to buy this album 25 years into their career? I love the album a lot but it basically sounds like U2. Other than the single, every song would fit nicely on any of their past albums. I think what I'm trying to say is, if you don't like U2 why would you buy a CD that sounds very much like classic U2?

Be prepared for your meal. It blows War and JT out of the water, and is right up there with Achtung Baby.

On a side note, its funny how for many people u2 albuns become classics over time. When Achtung Baby came out I knew from the first listen it was amazing and better than anything they had done, but many u2 fans were horrified. Now its considered by most the first or second best album. u2 always does something different, no album sounds anything like the one before.

Actually, I mispoke. What I should have said is that I've never gotten into U2. I've enjoyed many of their songs over the years. For some reason, within my somewhat large collection (~800 albums), I have never actually purchased one of their CDs.

To be honest, I never really had strong feelings for or against the band. I've always thought of them as more of a "singles" band than an "album" band. I am sure many of you will glady tell me why this is wrong and you are probably correct.

As I said, something about this album makes me want to pick it up. Maybe its the hype. Maybe its the fact that Best Buy and Circuit City will inevitably sell it rather cheaply. I don't know.

Is that me speaking?

I am a huge U2 fan (U2 license plate on my Xterra, ZOO TV, I run a U2 website, moderate on a few lists, recorded a few live shows, and created some of the most popular live DVD's of them out there.) but I always need about 5-10 listens before I even want to comment on one of their new albums. I had it on Saturday, and didn't feel like commenting on it (in print) until Tuesday.

Which site do you run, Chrisedge?

the one in the first post. u2preservation

Anyone else having trouble finding the limited edition online? I know that there are a few places that still have it, but most of the sites that I visit seem to be sold out already.

I generally avoid posting in U2-related threads because of my obvious bias (i.e. turning into some sort of crazy fanboy if someone rips on them), however you seem reasonable and knowledgeable about music in general. I'll give you a few U2 non-single tracks to download if you feel like giving them a listen:

Until The End Of The World
Running To Stand Still
In A Little While
Ultraviolet
Heartland
Kite
Drowning Man
God Part II
Promenade
Another Time, Another Place
Gone

These, IMVHO, are their best non-single tracks. Give them a shot and find out if you have any interest in getting into U2 more as a band and less as a radio act. If you enjoy them even a tenth as much as I do, it'll be worth it.

Fine picks, Achtung.

These are great songs that aren't too well known outside of U2 fans.

Definately listen to the new album though, it may be better than all of the albums that came before...

Thanks. I will definitely check these out. Best Buy has Joshua Tree for $10 so I think I will pick that up as well. Seems like maybe a good place to get started.

I think U2 is overrated.

But I do like some of their stuff, as long as they don't try to get creative and weird like they have a few times in the past.

Let's face it, U2 is best when they write simple songs that touch the human heart. (like on All The Things You Can't Leave and Joshua Tree).

City of Blinding Lights is a great one.

U2 overrated???? That's the dumbest statement around. One of the most influential bands ever, and in my mind, the best group ever since The Beatles!!! These guys just make quality music year after year. I wish the recording industry would learn to focus again on the artist instead of the quick buck.

Me too, Dalvin, me too.

Damn you quick buck!!!

If anything, U2 is UNDERATED.

Based on the quality of their career, they should be on the radio all the time, but instead we get slammed with Ashlee Simpson and Britney Spears.

If U2 is overated, what would you call of the crap that is on the billboard top 40 right now that no one will remember in 3 yrs?
Get a clue before you make such a statement.

The guy above me is a smart man, listen to him, you idiodt that thinks U2 is overrated. I personally think that's grounds enough from being banned!!!!!

I would like to heartily second your pooh-pooh on their attempts at creativity! Lord knows we need more of the same, so I'm glad someone else appreciates the complete eschewal of anything different.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If it ain't formulaic, than forget it."

Hey! Maybe The Bono and Edge will use those lines for their next unoriginal album.

And I totally agree. "All The Things that you can't leave" rawks, followed closely by "Ack Tongue Baby".

I don't know whether U2 is overrated since I can't really tell how well-liked they are nowadays just by sniffing the air. However, I am of the opinion that they've become extremely derivative and banal, and seem to be content to recycle their tired anthemic "hey! yeah! i feel great!" pop products. U2 has never sounded bad to my ears, just uninspiring and mediocre in the recent years.

I love a lot of their early stuff (and I'm fully aware of how cliched that statement is). Granted, Joshua Tree is mostly brilliant. But the thought that they'd represent the pinnacle of popular music since The Beatles is too depressing to contemplate.

Dalvin, I don't know how to put it any other way than.... shape up or ship out!

Calling other members idiots and their statements dumb(ass) is a sure fire way to get yourself booted for good. Read the rules; read the DOs and DONTs sticky thread; post respectfully.

And anyone seeing people breaking the board rules please remember just to use the "Report This Post To A Moderator" link rather than being tempted to escalate the situation by responding in kind. And always remember that you can use http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/member2...serlist=ignore


Benedict
Moderator, Music Talk

That statement I made about being banned was completely tongue in cheek. I'm sorry about that. It wasn't meant to be an attack on a fellow member benedict!

u2 i s hardly overrated, i don't understand why a band is overrated if someone doesen't like it. I did not like u2 until i went out and bought the rattle and hum dvd for my mother. I was blown away at how great this band was. And my love for them has grown even more after watching the live aid dvd. But i often need to se a band live in some form to like them. I hated bruce springsteen, but went with a friend who won two tikets for the rising consert. And after that i have bought all of his albums and know most of the lyriks by heart, the same with phil collins. But american psycho made me like him.

But back to u2, i think that their new album is great and i have the CE preordered, but did download the album first. the best songs are in my opinion miracle drug and make it on you own. Wich i read that he wrote as a song to his father when he died in 2001 i think.

I don't think that they are overrated, but over exposed.
I think they write some great stuff, but they can get way too political in their rantings in their songs and in the media.

Yep. Over exposed is a better way of putting it.