Should U2 retire and reform as Passengers?

We all know that U2 is on a kind of downward slide musically and artistically - and to be honest we have to recognize these things happen in life.  I just wonder if it would be wise to close the door on the current chapter we know as U2 and reopen the door that once allowed creativity to flourish.

Passengers' 'Original Soundtracks 1' is up there in quality with the greatest work the band U2 has ever put out;  to include the holy trinity of albums from the 90s beginning with Achtung Baby and Zooropa and ending with Pop.  It fits nicely in between Zooropa and the Batman single and the Pop album and tour.  U2 were never better than this.  But can they do it again,  or should they? 

I voted squirrel.

But, ah... no.... to the Passengers question... if they can't get their shit together as U2 then I doubt adding Brian Eno or anyone else to the mix is going to solve their issues.

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

You need to ask Eno about that prospect. It’s his band after all.

How can a band reform when they haven’t split up?

Jeez

I voted yes, but they'd have to actually DO this. My sense is that Passengers would just become a watered-down U2 cover band trying to win over the pop kids.

Should U2 attempt to repeat the artistry of their OS1 LP? No. Should U2 conjure up some of the spirit that allowed them to make OS1 in the first place? Absolutely.

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

Ha ha ! You’re so cruel…

Since Larry is the one who wasn’t convinced by Passengers in the first place, it would make sense to return to that if he’s unavailable.

That being said, I think that ship has sailed. Bono clearly wants the stadiums and his biggest band status back as well as songwriting relevance.

Whatever OS1 was good at, it wasn’t songwriting or filling stadiums.

RIP Passengers. I’m so glad I bought that LP when it was released. Soon it will be worth millions. I should try to make it pass as a U2 album and sell it at a premium.

Quote from: laoghaire on January 07, 2023, 02:21:38 PM

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

Ha ha ! You’re so cruel…

Since Larry is the one who wasn’t convinced by Passengers in the first place, it would make sense to return to that if he’s unavailable.

That being said, I think that ship has sailed. Bono clearly wants the stadiums and his biggest band status back as well as songwriting relevance.

Whatever OS1 was good at, it wasn’t songwriting or filling stadiums.

RIP Passengers. I’m so glad I bought that LP when it was released. Soon it will be worth millions. I should try to make it pass as a U2 album and sell it at a premium.

Wow. You have the vinyl? That’s a rare item. It goes for more than 300$ these days.

I voted squirrel.

But, ah... no.... to the Passengers question... if they can't get their shit together as U2 then I doubt adding Brian Eno or anyone else to the mix is going to solve their issues.

I voted for squirrel as well.  There was a guy back in high school who used to say that,  it was his thing.  He had other little sayings that were offbeat and funny,  odd even. 

Don't know exactly what it means other than knowing the guys personality i have an idea what i think it means.  Amazing that it has stuck with me all of those years.

OS1 is an absolute treasure.  I bought OS1 when it originally came out,  listened to it once part of the way through and put it aside since it was a bit out there for me.  It sounded nothing like the Batman song or AB and Zooropa.  My young mind wasn't quite able to comprehend this bizarre sounding music.  Glad that i came around to it 20 years later or whatever. 

While i do not think U2 retires and goes that direction,  one can dream.  I pretty much agree with what Soloyan has posted on the subject. 

Never mind U2’s OS1 LP!

https://www.nme.com/news/music/radiohead-are-going-to-get-together-in-early-2023-3376663?fbclid=IwAR3Y4ZP5HuqLNacEO7qhvFbAxq-JxU6CRN8rzyxX2HyLzV0_s2qu_7mckiE

Never mind U2’s OS1 LP!

https://www.nme.com/news/music/radiohead-are-going-to-get-together-in-early-2023-3376663?fbclid=IwAR3Y4ZP5HuqLNacEO7qhvFbAxq-JxU6CRN8rzyxX2HyLzV0_s2qu_7mckiE

I would love to see them do something to celebrate the 20th anniversary of 'Hail to the Thief' - the album that actually got me interested in Radiohead. 

Quote from: laoghaire on January 07, 2023, 02:21:38 PM

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

Ha ha ! You’re so cruel…

Since Larry is the one who wasn’t convinced by Passengers in the first place, it would make sense to return to that if he’s unavailable.

That being said, I think that ship has sailed. Bono clearly wants the stadiums and his biggest band status back as well as songwriting relevance.

Whatever OS1 was good at, it wasn’t songwriting or filling stadiums.

RIP Passengers. I’m so glad I bought that LP when it was released. Soon it will be worth millions. I should try to make it pass as a U2 album and sell it at a premium.

well we already have 2 individuals on the forum who think OS1 is a U2 album, so let the bidding begin! 

Quote from: Soloyan on January 08, 2023, 03:57:41 AM

Quote from: laoghaire on January 07, 2023, 02:21:38 PM

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

Ha ha ! You’re so cruel…

Since Larry is the one who wasn’t convinced by Passengers in the first place, it would make sense to return to that if he’s unavailable.

That being said, I think that ship has sailed. Bono clearly wants the stadiums and his biggest band status back as well as songwriting relevance.

Whatever OS1 was good at, it wasn’t songwriting or filling stadiums.

RIP Passengers. I’m so glad I bought that LP when it was released. Soon it will be worth millions. I should try to make it pass as a U2 album and sell it at a premium.

well we already have 2 individuals on the forum who think OS1 is a U2 album, so let the bidding begin! 

That’s what I always say when I put an item on eBay… all I need is a couple loonies fighting over it

Quote from: Soloyan on January 08, 2023, 03:57:41 AM

Quote from: laoghaire on January 07, 2023, 02:21:38 PM

No, I respect Brian Eno too much for that.

Ha ha ! You’re so cruel…

Since Larry is the one who wasn’t convinced by Passengers in the first place, it would make sense to return to that if he’s unavailable.

That being said, I think that ship has sailed. Bono clearly wants the stadiums and his biggest band status back as well as songwriting relevance.

Whatever OS1 was good at, it wasn’t songwriting or filling stadiums.

RIP Passengers. I’m so glad I bought that LP when it was released. Soon it will be worth millions. I should try to make it pass as a U2 album and sell it at a premium.

Wow. You have the vinyl? That’s a rare item. It goes for more than 300$ these days.

The only U2 LP I didn’t get upon release is Zooropa. And I regret it because it’s a rare item too. Oh well.