Can't argue that as far as popularity goes. I mean, yeah, U2 is a very popular band regardless. I went and saw them a couple of months ago and I will probably go see them again in the future. I'm sure with any huge album you'll find varying reviews, but go to Amazon and read the reviews on "Atomic". While there is plenty of praise, you'll also read from many people who think like I do.

As you might with any music release. I would put forth though, as a rabid U2 fan who read them on a daily basis as interference.com collected them, that I was shocked at how positive the majority were.

My favorite song on the album (Fan since 1983)

Bono's voice (as you heard) is better than the last 2 tours (10 years). They are playing songs in there original keys, instead of lower and slower like they have been. (See SBS, Pride, IWF, etc) You heard Miss Sarajevo and you think his voice is "scary"? What scary moments do you feel Bono had on HTDAAB?

Ok, I'll bite.

"All Because of You" - Bono can't even hit the chorus notes in the studio version of the song. In concert, the Edge's guitar is so fuzzed out and the sound so loud, Bono's voice gets lost in the mix. But on the album - eeyikes.

well I just listened to my fab. recording of 4/15/05 from Phoenix (I would post here, but U2 isn't totally clear on being "taper friendly" see this) and I think you are off base as far as the "In concert" part.

Maybe you misread what I said (?). His voice sounded incredible when he sang operatic live. Very impressed. But Grunter brought up one example of where Bono sounds like he's off. I would have to go back and listen more intently to the last two albums, but there are a handful of times things aren't quite clicking vocally. The reason I can't recall the specifics is because some of the recent work is so boring I skip the songs and have put them out of my memory (this, after giving them a few listens).

He did give up smoking or something recently that has given him his voice back. On the Elevation Tour he sounded crappy. I think, right now, his voice is better than it has been in many years. So your point is valid.

See. I thought the exact opposite. I thought Bono's voice was much, much stronger on the Elevation Tour than on the current one. Certainly an improvement over the "Pop" tour.

Don't know what shows you saw. Maybe an off night or something, but as someone that saw 8 shows last tour and 9 this tour, and I have every Elevation show on CD, and most of the Vertigo tour, I will firmly stand by the "His voice is way better this tour" statement.

I saw 7 shows on each of the last 2 tours. Mostly based in Chicago and Boston. Bono's voice sounded infinitely better TO ME during the Chicago "Elevation" shows than it did this last time through.

Did you get the TO ME part? Do you understand the TO ME part? Are we done pissing up a rope?

I'd agree that his Vertigo voice was a lot better. Only saw him twice in Atlanta, but was amazed at the better voice he had over the Elevation tour.

I'm a long time fan, and have seen them over 30 times, and own hundreds of live shows on CD/DVD. Bono's voice has changed over the years. I personally like the overall sound now. As far as comparing different shows and tours, it is pointless. U2 play a ton of shows and Bono goes all out every night, so he has fried his voice at certain points on every tour.

As far as experimental U2 goes, I do hope for more. In my opinion Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop is the best 3 album run in history. The last 2 albums are not up to par, but are still excellent. To call u2 a nostalgia act is nuts. When U2 stops releasing excellent albums or starts playing one song from them live, then talk about nostalgia.

Well, based on the 2005 Chicago DVD, I would agree WITH YOU. He even mentions that "Frog in his throat" during Elevation.

:lol: