Are U2 Dad Rock?

  • 68 Replies
  • 4309 Views
*

The Exile

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 2769
  • The public enemy don't mean shit to Chuck D.
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #15 on: January 08, 2024, 08:43:23 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)
Listen as Hope and Peace try to rhyme,
Listen over marching bands playing out their time.

*

an tha

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 20353
  • And you can swallow, or you can spit....
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #16 on: January 08, 2024, 08:54:25 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

To narrowly classify a song as "Dad Rock" or another particular style or type would suggest it would not be possible to be a popular song with so many different groups of people.

People are free to classify songs etc however they want. How popular or not it may be with others is neither here nor there really.....my opinion or your opinion or anyones opinion is just that - an opinion.

And that applies negatively and positively.

The term dad rock as far as i am concerned is a pejorative to express disapproval....i'll use it freely when i wish to.

There is zero difference really between someone saying that 'Vertigo is terrible dad rock' and you for example saying 'HTDAAB is the 2nd greatest (or whatever) album of all time'

They are just both opinions held by individuals - opinions that are no more or less valid than each other.
« Last Edit: January 08, 2024, 08:57:48 PM by an tha »
20 Times

*

SlyDanner

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 5500
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #17 on: January 08, 2024, 08:56:30 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

Yup.  Utter waste of time.

*

The Exile

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 2769
  • The public enemy don't mean shit to Chuck D.
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #18 on: January 08, 2024, 08:58:18 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

Yup.  Utter waste of time.

It depends on the definition of "waste" and "time."  ::)
« Last Edit: January 08, 2024, 09:01:18 PM by The Exile »
Listen as Hope and Peace try to rhyme,
Listen over marching bands playing out their time.

*

laoghaire

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 9436
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #19 on: January 08, 2024, 09:01:15 PM »
I went with “since HTDAAB.” You could make a good argument about ATYCLB and maybe sway me for a minute but then I’ll settle back to “since HTDAAB.”

As for the definition of Dad Rock, that’s easy. It’s like porn.
WINNER: Thread of the YEAR (Serious Awards)

*

Larry Lovebucket

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 7415
  • Because I’m worth it.
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2024, 03:47:12 AM »
Well?

U2 are still a rock band like they were when they first started. This term "Dad Rock" is meaningless because it has multiple definitions many of which contradict each other. If you don't fit into the narrow box of what some perceive as indie'/alternative rock, then you could be tagged with the label.

When you think about it, any definition of anything is subjective, relative and culturally situated. Additionally, definitions vary over time. A band like Radiohead, for example, could neatly fall under the definition of ‘rock’ up to, and including, The Bends. OK Computer could usefully be considered ‘art rock’.  On the other hand, an album like Kid A falls more neatly into the category of ‘electronica’.

U2, since POP could, depending on the song, accurately be defined as ‘rock’, ‘pop rock’, ‘soft rock’, ‘dad rock’ or simply, ‘shite’.
©2024

*

wons

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 10687
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2024, 09:41:16 AM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

I know enough about this term "Dad Rock" to conclude it is a meaningless term. There is simply no clear definition for it. It can mean AC/DC and Neil Diamond. Air Supply and Metallica.

*

wons

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 10687
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #22 on: January 09, 2024, 09:56:05 AM »
Well?

U2 are still a rock band like they were when they first started. This term "Dad Rock" is meaningless because it has multiple definitions many of which contradict each other. If you don't fit into the narrow box of what some perceive as indie'/alternative rock, then you could be tagged with the label.

When you think about it, any definition of anything is subjective, relative and culturally situated. Additionally, definitions vary over time. A band like Radiohead, for example, could neatly fall under the definition of ‘rock’ up to, and including, The Bends. OK Computer could usefully be considered ‘art rock’.  On the other hand, an album like Kid A falls more neatly into the category of ‘electronica’.

U2, since POP could, depending on the song, accurately be defined as ‘rock’, ‘pop rock’, ‘soft rock’, ‘dad rock’ or simply, ‘shite’.

While most people would tend to agree, to a certain extent, on what terms like Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Rock, Pop, mean, with "Dad Rock" it is far less clear with nearly everyone having a different definition.

If "Dad Rock" is music one does not like, then U2 are definitely not Dad Rock, because everyone here likes U2.

*

MPare1966

  • *
  • 22995
  • Trying to throw my arms around the world
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #23 on: January 09, 2024, 10:27:56 AM »
Well?

U2 are still a rock band like they were when they first started. This term "Dad Rock" is meaningless because it has multiple definitions many of which contradict each other. If you don't fit into the narrow box of what some perceive as indie'/alternative rock, then you could be tagged with the label.

When you think about it, any definition of anything is subjective, relative and culturally situated. Additionally, definitions vary over time. A band like Radiohead, for example, could neatly fall under the definition of ‘rock’ up to, and including, The Bends. OK Computer could usefully be considered ‘art rock’.  On the other hand, an album like Kid A falls more neatly into the category of ‘electronica’.

U2, since POP could, depending on the song, accurately be defined as ‘rock’, ‘pop rock’, ‘soft rock’, ‘dad rock’ or simply, ‘shite’.

While most people would tend to agree, to a certain extent, on what terms like Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Rock, Pop, mean, with "Dad Rock" it is far less clear with nearly everyone having a different definition.

If "Dad Rock" is music one does not like, then U2 are definitely not Dad Rock, because everyone here likes U2.

Good one wons.  ;D
First Chair. Last Call.
Copyright 1966-2025
Powered by Grok
Official merchandise by Adidas
All rights reserved. 
Void where prohibited. For recreational use only.

*

So Cruel

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 10120
  • It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #24 on: January 09, 2024, 11:00:09 AM »
R-O-C-K in the USA

Talk U2 2023 Awards

WINNER - THE ADAM CLAYTON WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ON A BENDER WITH AWARD

WINNER - THE DAVID LEE ROTH BEST USE OF A MEME/GIF AWARD

WINNER - GOLD MEDAL 2024 OLYMPIC POST. MPARE SILVER.

*

SlyDanner

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 5500
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #25 on: January 09, 2024, 12:11:55 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

I know enough about this term "Dad Rock" to conclude it is a meaningless term. There is simply no clear definition for it. It can mean AC/DC and Neil Diamond. Air Supply and Metallica.

You have already been offered several definitions of how most people here think of Dad Rock, all of which have broad consensus.  Go back and read those prior posts.

As for these 4 artists you point out - not one of them would fall into that category.  And please don't annoy me with asking why, because I will simply point you back to the prior posts so you can gain some understanding.  I don't have time for any more pedantic willful ignorance.

*

MPare1966

  • *
  • 22995
  • Trying to throw my arms around the world
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #26 on: January 09, 2024, 12:17:23 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

I know enough about this term "Dad Rock" to conclude it is a meaningless term. There is simply no clear definition for it. It can mean AC/DC and Neil Diamond. Air Supply and Metallica.

You have already been offered several definitions of how most people here think of Dad Rock, all of which have broad consensus.  Go back and read those prior posts.

As for these 4 artists you point out - not one of them would fall into that category.  And please don't annoy me with asking why, because I will simply point you back to the prior posts so you can gain some understanding.  I don't have time for any more pedantic willful ignorance.


My assessment:

AC/DC: Dad Rock
Neil Diamond: Grand Dad Rock
Air Supply: Grand Ma Rock
Metallica: my cousin living in his parents basement Rock.

 ;)
First Chair. Last Call.
Copyright 1966-2025
Powered by Grok
Official merchandise by Adidas
All rights reserved. 
Void where prohibited. For recreational use only.

*

imaginary friend

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 7043
  • laughing apes take risks
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #27 on: January 09, 2024, 12:27:10 PM »
we're getting to the point where all rock is gonna be dad rock.
🏎️🚙🚜🦼

*

SlyDanner

  • Status: Experienced Mofo
  • *****
  • 5500
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #28 on: January 09, 2024, 12:54:18 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

I know enough about this term "Dad Rock" to conclude it is a meaningless term. There is simply no clear definition for it. It can mean AC/DC and Neil Diamond. Air Supply and Metallica.

You have already been offered several definitions of how most people here think of Dad Rock, all of which have broad consensus.  Go back and read those prior posts.

As for these 4 artists you point out - not one of them would fall into that category.  And please don't annoy me with asking why, because I will simply point you back to the prior posts so you can gain some understanding.  I don't have time for any more pedantic willful ignorance.


My assessment:

AC/DC: Dad Rock
Neil Diamond: Grand Dad Rock
Air Supply: Grand Ma Rock
Metallica: my cousin living in his parents basement Rock.

 ;)

haha - I think we agree on Metallica

Neil & AS - both adult contemporary, not Rock of any kind

AC/DC - disagree

*

MPare1966

  • *
  • 22995
  • Trying to throw my arms around the world
Re: Are U2 Dad Rock?
« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2024, 02:45:29 PM »
For me Boots as bad a song as they somehow fumbled it into being actually isn't the awful dad rock that vertigo, all because of you et al is....

It is more sophisticated and actually has more ambition beyond the ham fisted, lumpen turgid rawk like the other offenders.

The 'let me in the sound' part is actually ok and could have been a key building block in a decent song.....sadly they badly fumbled the whole thing - but solely because it has more ambition, and is a bit more sophisticated - it for me avoids the dad rock tag.

It is shite however.

If one of the definitions of "Dad Rock" is who listens to it and enjoys the song, then Vertigo wouldn't qualify as it was a hit on many different radio formats and with a very wide demographic of people. It made the album it came from, HTDAAB, U2's fastest selling album ever.

For me who listens to it and likes it is totally irrelevant.

Same. Some stupid 14 year-old might call Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins "dad rock" and they'd just be wrong.

It depends on the definition of "Dad Rock".

Just embrace not knowing about this. You're determined to not understand what everyone is saying anyway.  ;)

I know enough about this term "Dad Rock" to conclude it is a meaningless term. There is simply no clear definition for it. It can mean AC/DC and Neil Diamond. Air Supply and Metallica.

You have already been offered several definitions of how most people here think of Dad Rock, all of which have broad consensus.  Go back and read those prior posts.

As for these 4 artists you point out - not one of them would fall into that category.  And please don't annoy me with asking why, because I will simply point you back to the prior posts so you can gain some understanding.  I don't have time for any more pedantic willful ignorance.


My assessment:

AC/DC: Dad Rock
Neil Diamond: Grand Dad Rock
Air Supply: Grand Ma Rock
Metallica: my cousin living in his parents basement Rock.

 ;)

haha - I think we agree on Metallica

Neil & AS - both adult Seniors contemporary, not Rock of any kind

AC/DC - disagree

Fixed.
First Chair. Last Call.
Copyright 1966-2025
Powered by Grok
Official merchandise by Adidas
All rights reserved. 
Void where prohibited. For recreational use only.