U2 Musical Geniuses?

[Taggart]

U2 is probably the biggest band in the world right now. I have no idea how many hits they have, but it's up there. They have a distinctive sound, especially with The Edge and his trademark guitar delay. So, do you think they are musical geniuses or just good at churning out 'catchy' songs?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Meh

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Beethoven would be the prodigy you speak of, not 4-chord riff churners.

I dig their music, but they're only big due to the media and his outspokenness in politics.

 

[Gurck]

I really don't like them at all currently. I do like some of their older stuff, especially the first few songs on the Joshua Tree. Overall, my vote is no.

 

[chuckywang]

"Bad" is such a kickass song live. Oh man, I can't even describe how great it is. "Bad" is everything a good rock song should be.

 

[jtusa]

I hate U2.

 

[conjur]

They produce great music but I wouldn't call them geniuses. The lyrics are quite moving at times, though.


There hasn't been much in the way of musical geniuses since the days of Stevie Ray and Jeff Beck.

 

[Insomniak]

I like a few of their tracks, but they have never done much for me.

Outside of Mysterious Ways. That song is just damned great.

Anyway, as for the biggest band in the world, I don't really know how much I can get behind that. The Beatles and Michael Jackson may have something to say about that. I don't consider them musical geniuses (or even especially talented) in any sense of the word.

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
Beethoven would be the prodigy you speak of, not 4-chord riff churners.

I dig their music, but they're only big due to the media and his outspokenness in politics.

That is comparing apples to oranges, though. You can classify a lot of rock acts as genius (Beatles, Beach Boys, etc)

If they didn't release good music that people want to listen to, it wouldn't matter how outspoken Bono is.

 

[DaveSimmons]

They were one of the greatest rock bands in the world around the time of Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree, but I never considered them musical geniuses. What made them great was good (not genius) songwriting combined with an intense performance of those songs.

Now they're just a good commercial pop-rock outfit with good marketing and a loyal fan base.

 

[Juice Box]

I am def. a big fan of them...and yes they are very original with their Music. They are however...not for everybody.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
Beethoven would be the prodigy you speak of, not 4-chord riff churners.

I dig their music, but they're only big due to the media and his outspokenness in politics.

That is comparing apples to oranges, though. You can classify a lot of rock acts as genius (Beatles, Beach Boys, etc)

If they didn't release good music that people want to listen to, it wouldn't matter how outspoken Bono is.

I don't think what people want to listen to has any bearing on what they actually listen to, honestly.

 

[Kadarin]

They do have some great music. But... they also have some thoroughly mediocre music as well. What is up with that "vertigo" song, anyway? Total crap...

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: Insomniak


Anyway, as for the biggest band in the world, I don't really know how much I can get behind that. The Beatles and Michael Jackson may have something to say about that. I don't consider them musical geniuses (or even especially talented) in any sense of the word.

The Beatles and Jacko aren't active artists now. I meant currently who is the most popular CURRENT band, and that is probably U2.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
They do have some great music. But... they also have some thoroughly mediocre music as well. What is up with that "vertigo" song, anyway? Total crap...

As David Thorpe at SomethingAwful put it:

"Vertigo", which might as well have been called "The Studio Wouldn't Let Us Release Elevation Again, So Here's This"

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: Insomniak


Anyway, as for the biggest band in the world, I don't really know how much I can get behind that. The Beatles and Michael Jackson may have something to say about that. I don't consider them musical geniuses (or even especially talented) in any sense of the word.

The Beatles and Jacko aren't active artists now. I meant currently who is the most popular CURRENT band, and that is probably U2.

And you're basing this on what?

I mean, it's possible, but I want some kind of tangible proof?

 

[chrisms]

U2 is pop trash. They are not musical geniuses, and are not even talented musicians.

 

[BMdoobieW]

yes

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Insomniak

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
They do have some great music. But... they also have some thoroughly mediocre music as well. What is up with that "vertigo" song, anyway? Total crap...

As David Thorpe at SomethingAwful put it:

"Vertigo", which might as well have been called "The Studio Wouldn't Let Us Release Elevation Again, So Here's This"

Heh.. I never thought of it that way, but yes, David Thorpe was right.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: chrisms
U2 is pop trash. They are not musical geniuses, and are not even talented musicians.

Are you basing that on just their last decade of work? Give The Joshua Tree a listen.

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: Insomniak

Originally posted by: Taggart

The Beatles and Jacko aren't active artists now. I meant currently who is the most popular CURRENT band, and that is probably U2.

And you're basing this on what?

I mean, it's possible, but I want some kind of tangible proof?

I dunno. What is the definition of biggest band in the world?

Album sales+ticket sales+radio play+number of chart topping songs?

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: chrisms
U2 is pop trash. They are not musical geniuses, and are not even talented musicians.

I wouldn't go that far, but that's pretty close.

Still a classic:

http://www.umich.edu/~uac/threeweeks/st...tml?fpvol=3&fpiss=8&vol=3&iss=8&sto=17

 

[nick1985]

all i have to say is...


YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!!!!!!

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: Insomniak

Originally posted by: Taggart

The Beatles and Jacko aren't active artists now. I meant currently who is the most popular CURRENT band, and that is probably U2.

And you're basing this on what?

I mean, it's possible, but I want some kind of tangible proof?

I dunno. What is the definition of biggest band in the world?

Album sales+ticket sales+radio play+number of chart topping songs?

A good question. I'm wondering about criteria myself.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Taggart
U2 is probably the biggest band in the world right now. I have no idea how many hits they have, but it's up there. They have a distinctive sound, especially with The Edge and his trademark guitar delay. So, do you think they are musical geniuses or just good at churning out 'catchy' songs?

Genius in the 80s. They've gone steadily downhill ever since. They suck ass now. :thumbsdown:

Edit-'War' was their best album IMHO.