U2 versus Depeche 3boM

Which band is better?

I would suggest that its too close to call in the 80s and 90's - possibly giving the edge to U2 

21st century though,  DM and its not even close.  Their recently released album Memento iroM is up there with some of the best albums from their 90s catalog.  There are a couple of other albums this century that are good as well - nothing embarrassing and there have not been any clunkers.

The last time U2 sounded as good as their 90s self was,  well,  the 90s! 

DM for me. 

They both had their sweet spot:

U2: AB/Zooropa
DM - Violator/SOFAD

On balance, DM are way less irritating, are a better live band and made better records. An easy win.

I would still add POP and Ultra into that sweet canon. 

I never saw DM in the 90s but if you say they were better live - wow - heck of a statement!

With DM they still continue to make good to great music in the 21st century. 

I would still add POP and Ultra into that sweet canon. 

I never saw DM in the 90s but if you say they were better live - wow - heck of a statement!

With DM they still continue to make good to great music in the 21st century.

On the violator and SOFAD tours, DM were untouchable.

For me U2 are a bit like Springsteen live. I’m MEANT to say they’re the best but really I come away feeling a bit meh despite enjoying my evening. The only exception being the original JT tour but even then it was the crowd that carried everything, not the band.

There’s no contest, really. Gahan took performance to a way different level to Hewson.

And I agree, DM still have some great things in their pocket. U2 are an embarrassment.

I think Violator is probably as good of an album as anyone has ever made.  Wish i would have seen them on tour back then.  We caught them in 2009 'Tour of the Universe' and they were really good.  We'll also be seeing them in the fall for MM.  I have seen U2 a dozen times and honestly don't have the desire to see them again at this point. 

I think Violator is probably as good of an album as anyone has ever made.  Wish i would have seen them on tour back then.  We caught them in 2009 'Tour of the Universe' and they were really good.  We'll also be seeing them in the fall for MM.  I have seen U2 a dozen times and honestly don't have the desire to see them again at this point.

For sure.

Violator is a top tier LP. They’re still a cracking live draw although they’ve never matched their sweet spot with their recorded work.

Also, DG doesn’t come across as a total douche unlike bono.

I think most of us were willing to look the other way with Bono's preaching and palling around with heads of state as long as the music was okay.  However the more of a celebrity activist he became,  the more the music suffered.  I think this is also why you don't see U2 t shirts for sale in target or wherever. 

I think most of us were willing to look the other way with Bono's preaching and palling around with heads of state as long as the music was okay.  However the more of a celebrity activist he became,  the more the music suffered.  I think this is also why you don't see U2 t shirts for sale in target or wherever.

Exactly this

I think U2 is better but it's pretty close.