Quote:
Originally Posted by PornMD
You commented on the "growth" of RHCP. I agree, they haven't grown. But with that statement you're saying that after the early great U2 songs, Beautiful Day and Vertigo signify "growth" for them? I repeat my opinion - there was a time when they were a good band and had nice songs, and the last one of them to hit the radio was Sweetest Thing, which was an '87 song anyways. Honestly after the early 90s most of their stuff that's been on the radio has been forgettable IMO - I actually have to look on AllMusic and listen via YouTube to figure out their last radio hit before Sweetest Thing that I think is okay (and I'd probably say Mysterious Ways from way back in '91). Media had to beat me over the head with the likes of Discotheque, Beautiful Day and Vertigo or else they'd be similarly forgettable, but as it is, I remember them and didn't like them much the first time I heard them let alone the millionth. The only "growth" U2 has had since the early 90s is Bono's ego.
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We could go on all day about how bands have shown growth and versatility, or how they haven't. As we've mentioned, it's mostly subjective. (At least you're making an effort to support your points, unlike others in this thread.)
I'm not suggesting Beautiful Day and Vertigo are among U2's best, though Walk On is a keeper. Just surprised you included Sweetest Thing up there. Since you brought up Discotheque, I'll say that I found that song to be brutally underpraised (you want growth and something different -- well, Discotheque fit the bill). Although my favorite U2 songs are older -- New Year's Day, Where The Streets Have No Name and the brilliant Bad -- some of their later stuff is worthy: Don't forget the ballad One, which many consider to be their finest moment. At any rate, there should be a distinction between best "singles" and best "songs" because U2, like many bands, have gems that weren't released as singles. Or they were B sides and on EPs. (Spanish Eyes, Electrical Storm, etc.)
As for impact on music overall, we'll have to agree to disagree. It's amazing that people can talk about the likes of Sublime -- wildly OVERRATED in my book -- as being more transcendent than U2. There's damn good reason U2 have more Grammys (25?) than any other band in history; there's a reason legends such as Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Pavarotti and Johnny Cash collaborated with U2; there's a reason they're already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet still creating acclaimed albums (the harshest critics from the likes of SPIN, Rolling Stone and Q magazines rated No Line On The Horizon with 5 stars).
Naysayers can nitpick U2 and laugh at Bono all they want, but the proof's in the pudding.
Longevity matters, in all walks of life. Anybody or anything can seem great for a few years, 5 to 10 years, then disappear. But it's being determined and skilled, and healthy enough, to stick around and keep producing that really matters. Red Hot Chili Peppers are in that rarified air; perhaps Metallica, though I think they're sputtering. I've seen folks actually keep a straight face while saying, "So and so would've been the all-time best if they had stayed together or lived longer." LOL. If my aunt had testicles, she'd be my uncle.
