Is it now time for a U2 reckoning?

More specifically - do U2 face a reckoning now that their Vegas adventure is finished?  They have already done 2 tours/show series based on past glories, so they can't go back there again (there is nothing to go back to anyway).  And each tour has relied more and more on tricks and tech to make up for relatively weak new material which has been either ignored or lukewarmly received.

So the stakes seem to be as high as they have ever been for this band to release some compelling new music.  Atomic City was not the embarrassing turd that Ahimsa and the football song were, but it wasn't exactly groundbreaking either... just more in the vein of Vertigo, Boots and Miracle...

Bono has done a better job lately in keeping his annoying mouth shut and they kept the politics to a minimum in Vegas, so maybe they do actually have some self-awareness about the animosity they have built up over the years.  But now they have to deliver.  Will they?

If atomic city was the best they could come up with, it seems unlikely they will break new ground. I think it will be business as usual; a meh LP followed by a tour selling shitloads of tickets that will make wons wet himself.

If atomic city was the best they could come up with, it seems unlikely they will break new ground. I think it will be business as usual; a meh LP followed by a tour selling shitloads of tickets that will make wons wet himself.

This, unfortunately. I am expecting a lead single that screams "Look how young and hip we can still act even though we're in our sixties!"

I quite like the idea of a full on greatest hits tour. They sound quite good in that high quality Vegas-video on YouTube. Some high quality versions there. A night of well rehearsed hits played to 60.000 excited casual fans, why not…

No time for a reckoning; like sharks, they have to keep moving or they'll die.

The only way that would happen is if they make a great new album. That would take at least one of the following elements: 1. Great songs, 2. Experimentation in order to achieve something new and interesting. I dont think its impossible but I also dont think its likely (as in very unlikely) for many reasons.

The only way that would happen is if they make a great new album. That would take at least one of the following elements: 1. Great songs, 2. Experimentation in order to achieve something new and interesting. I dont think its impossible but I also dont think its likely (as in very unlikely) for many reasons.

yeah and this is sort of the root of my question: if they produce another dud album, are they finished?

A year ago I wanted a new album and no tour.

Now I don’t want any album. I want their catalog to end at SOE.

I agree.

SOE would have been a decent record to bow out with. I still hold some hope for the future but atomic city really didn’t make me feel optimistic.

I'm eagerly waiting for the AC/DC-type album that Bono promised. He never says anything that doesn't happen or is slightly exaggerated.

Quote from: Melon on March 19, 2024, 07:01:39 AM

The only way that would happen is if they make a great new album. That would take at least one of the following elements: 1. Great songs, 2. Experimentation in order to achieve something new and interesting. I dont think its impossible but I also dont think its likely (as in very unlikely) for many reasons.

yeah and this is sort of the root of my question: if they produce another dud album, are they finished?

No. One advantage of being old enough is that their ability to tour forever no longer relies on the quality of albums that they release.
People will go to U2 shows no matter what the new album sounds like. Not in Rose Bowl numbers, but in arena numbers.

The other side of this is that they have even less excuse to play it safe with albums. The worst thing that happens is that the album doesn't do well on the charts, which it probably isn't going to do anyway, and they still play big tours and have eleventy bajillion dollars. Maybe try to make some interesting music and have some artistic integrity going into the final stage of your career.

The good thing now, is that nobody expects U2 to pull a great album.

The Sphere only confirmed their status as a solid and innovative live act. Although the term « live » is a bit off when it comes to describe modern U2. Let’s go with « in public ».

I wouldn't mind a couple of fuck off EPs in say an experimental vibe without the fanfare of the traditional u2 album release.  If they did one in that unreasonable rock then i suppose it would be merciful if they kept it to less than 8 songs or so.  And if they did another which veered off to the left turn like the OS1 side project or even the good bits of No Line then perhaps keeping it short would keep nonsense like the middle three disaster from blowing it up from within. 

Man, a (good part of) No Line style EP….

Never happen.