This should create some interesting discussion....

It isn't the most nuanced or well put together article - in fact for my money it is pretty ham fisted and poorly constructed....

But it is what it is and the subject matter should at least spark discussion.

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-does-everybody-hate-u2/

Reading now…

Ah, yes, their super hot album October and memorable single Fire.

“U2’s music has deteriorated greatly since their 1987 peak. This is heard clearly across 1993’s Zooropa, 1997’s weird dance-rock hybrid Pop”

Come to my house to pick up your pitchforks.

Everyone doesn't actually hate U2 although at times it may seem like it.  I think the title is a bit misleading and the story seems to touch on the highlights (or lowlights) that most of us are painfully aware of. 

I think perhaps if U2 had suddenly died in a plane crash in 1998 or so they would be widely regarded as musical gods and heroes to many.  Same could probably be said 5 years later.  Things started to take a turn for them in the mid 2000s and they have never fully recovered. 

I wouldn't be a fan today if it weren't for the 1990s and i treasure those concerts i was able to attend - they were important pieces to the puzzle of my life - would gladly do it all over again and then some. 

Its tough watching the band grow older.  An impactful reminder of the cruel effects time has on all of us while putting front and center a giant spotlight on our own mortality.  I don't particularly care for birthdays however i supposed they beat the alternative. 

If U2 retired in 1994 they would be immortal.  In 2001, they would be still highly respected and I guess, loved, by and large (except for the people who really did always hate them, ie. the British music press).

In 2011?  Nope.  2024?  Fuck off.  They are cooked beyond all hope.

U2 aren’t interesting enough to be hated. These days, as they slide into irrelevancy, they’re mostly ignored, especially by younger people.

But really, it’s not u2 that’s the problem, it is, and always has been, bono. I’m sure he’s a decent chap and all that, but he has a serious PR problem, among those that take any notice, even when they made decent records.

The headline is just click bait, of course. ‘Everyone’ doesn’t ‘hate’ U2. That’s just silly.

The whole article is probably clickbait; I did not read it.

On a personal level, I feel genuine hatred for 2002-2019 Bono and all that he came to espouse and embrace.  You know the drill; slavish adherence to the end-of-history-consensus, uncritical embrace of late capitalism (and they call themselves Christians), boosterism for the tech world they used to at least be willing to critique.  Since then?  Hard to tell.  He seems a spent force, and not even really a celebrity these days.  What is there to rail against.

The article is pretty much shooting an ambulance.

There's a lot to say about why U2 are uncool to many people but this is poor writing. I mean Henry Rollins and Liam G, really ?

Hate is a strong word.  I have virtually no time for this band anymore yet I would not describe my sentiments as hate.

Perhaps disdain is more accurate. 

Clickbait for sure.  And yes very poorly written.

Didn't read it but sounds like Henry Rollins was bashing the band in it?  He's been making fun of u2 his whole career.  I saw him bashing them during a spoken word show in the 90s.

Didn't read it but sounds like Henry Rollins was bashing the band in it?  He's been making fun of u2 his whole career.  I saw him bashing them during a spoken word show in the 90s.

Rollins is a man child. Literally, nothing interesting to say.

Hate is a strong word.  I have virtually no time for this band anymore yet I would not describe my sentiments as hate.

Perhaps disdain is more accurate. 

Clickbait for sure.  And yes very poorly written.

Yeah, despite the poor writing it is hard to argue with this part:

Ultimately, the dislike for U2 stems from a combination of overexposure, Bono’s controversial persona, the infamous iTunes album incident, perceived musical stagnation, and their overt political commentary. These factors together contribute to the polarising reception of the band, making them a target for criticism despite their significant and undeniable impact on music and culture.

Quote from: SlyDanner on July 08, 2024, 01:33:50 PM

Hate is a strong word.  I have virtually no time for this band anymore yet I would not describe my sentiments as hate.

Perhaps disdain is more accurate. 

Clickbait for sure.  And yes very poorly written.

Yeah, despite the poor writing it is hard to argue with this part:

Ultimately, the dislike for U2 stems from a combination of overexposure, Bono’s controversial persona, the infamous iTunes album incident, perceived musical stagnation, and their overt political commentary. These factors together contribute to the polarising reception of the band, making them a target for criticism despite their significant and undeniable impact on music and culture.

I agree with that. i wasn't offended by getting a free album but the optics of being on stage with the nerdy computer guys didn't do anything for them.  Personally, i started turning off when Bono switched from being a humanitarian and into a democrat mouthpiece.

U2 accomplished the very rare occurrence of “jumping the shark” on more than one occasion.

U2 accomplished the very rare occurrence of “jumping the shark” on more than one occasion.

that could make for a good thread.  list all the JTS moments.... might take up too much space for the forum servers though.