Why do we stick around ?

Inspired by a very good comment from Swimming sorrows on the rivals thread…

Can you share why do you keep an interest for the band ?

Personally, as much as I regret how they slowly morphed into what they are now, I can still appreciate their body of work as a whole.

Every album release (so far) has been rewarding for me, one way or another. Including the Songs of… trilogy.

I remain curious about what’s next. Although my level of anticipation is at an all time low.

My interest in the band is very low, almost nil, because it has not been rewarding for the last 4+ years. And this is quite disappointing to me.

I still post here because I enjoy you guys, and there is a shared understanding of some things, eg jokes and references.

I’ve also found some other good music here.

Married for life. For better or for worse.

I believe U2 is as good as they have ever been in the studio and playing live. I'm just as excited for a new U2 album and new U2 tour now as I was over the past several decades.

I agree with a lot of the critique that U2 gets on this board. The greed issues and the huge variance in the quality of their output for many years. On the other hand, I also think U2 should be allowed a break at the very least due to Bono's serious health issues. They also seem to still be able to deliver quality work from time to time.

That being said, the main reason I'm still around is that U2 made some of the best albums ever that have had a significant impact on my life. So I always have a hope that they will reach these highs again. And I still listen to those albums a lot.

I agree with a lot of the critique that U2 gets on this board. The greed issues and the huge variance in the quality of their output for many years. On the other hand, I also think U2 should be allowed a break at the very least due to Bono's serious health issues. They also seem to still be able to deliver quality work from time to time.

That being said, the main reason I'm still around is that U2 made some of the best albums ever that have had a significant impact on my life. So I always have a hope that they will reach these highs again. And I still listen to those albums a lot.

Good point ! I still listen to a lot of U2 myself.

I haven’t been able to listen to them for a while. I hope to be able to again some day, but it’s got a sour taste for me now.

I do hope for at least bits of good stuff on their next album. SOE having Little Things, RFD, and LIAWHL made it well worthwhile for me, not to mention other tunes I enjoy. I’m not holding out hope for a wall to wall classic, but I do hope that we get at least one amazing tune. I do worry, though, since their post-SOE work has been not just subpar but absolutely abysmal imho.

Melon, what do you mean by Bono’s serious health issues? I’m of course aware of the cardiac event in late 2016, but do you think he is having ongoing health issues? Personally, I wonder about a possible neurological problem.

I’m here because 1980 - 2001 happened

I rarely listen to u2 anymore.  I'd say Oasis is probably my favorite band at the moment but i tend to go in waves of listening to my favorites.  After reading Surrender and SOS came out, i listened to those 40 tracks on repeat for a few weeks but most everything that Bono says and does these days seems to just piss me off.  I come here still just for the interaction.  Sometimes it just feels like its arguing politics which isn't a turn on, but this feels like my internet home.

To argue the toss with Scrappy about football.

This was my response to the question that originally inspired this thread:

A million Ahimsas won't make Pop sound worse. I'm here because I love what U2 used to be, and I will always be curious about what they're going to do next, even though I won't like most of it.

To argue the toss with Scrappy about football.

Love you too, scoobs

Must have been the other Swimming Sorrows.  I might get a new username.

Anyway, there's a small group of artists (in music and other mediums) whose great work is so important to me that I just feel obligated to keep up with them and their work no matter what they put out.  U2 is one of those.  Also, I will say that I have still really liked at least a few songs on every album they've ever done.  I will say though that the singles they have put out since SOE have been reeeeaaally rough.  I like about half of SOE, but holy shit are Ahimsa and Your Song Saved My Life terrible.  SOS was also one of the most boring albums I have ever heard, just staggeringly dull. 

I'm a little bit terrified what the next album will be like, but I'll definitely listen to it....

Must have been the other Swimming Sorrows.  I might get a new username.

Anyway, there's a small group of artists (in music and other mediums) whose great work is so important to me that I just feel obligated to keep up with them and their work no matter what they put out.  U2 is one of those.  Also, I will say that I have still really liked at least a few songs on every album they've ever done.  I will say though that the singles they have put out since SOE have been reeeeaaally rough.  I like about half of SOE, but holy shit are Ahimsa and Your Song Saved My Life terrible.  SOS was also one of the most boring albums I have ever heard, just staggeringly dull. 

I'm a little bit terrified what the next album will be like, but I'll definitely listen to it....

I would support this.