U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

[Guest rohale]

This always constantly suprises the true believers, but there are actually people who just plain and simple can't stand U2. It doesn't take much more than an iPod ad to get them grumbling about the widely beloved Irish quartet.

 

The complaints for the most part start with charismatic world-leader pretend Bono: the Edge's guitar work and the steady thump of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. rarely bug people. Just wait for the sanctified singer to open his mouth and make playful pompous remarks as he did at the Grammy Awards in 2001. At the time U2 was enjoying one triumph after another, confirming the old ways of returning to old ways of recording was wise.

 

But decades of detractors haven't swayed U2's dogged determination to be rock's supreme torchbearer, nor I suppose have they affected the band's bank ledger. U2 can keep reapplying for the position of world's best if it wishes. Last year's " How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" plays like a power point presentation on the group's strength and passion. No pretenders to the throne, those that might actually want it, like Coldplay couldn't care less, like Radiohead come close to measuring up.

 

Consider U2's most recent induction to the Rock And Roll's Hall Of Fame. Typically that honor is bestowed upon acts well passed their prime. There have been forebearers still making vital music past their 25th anniveraries, let's name a few of them, Dylan, McCartney, the Stones, Springsteen, Bowie, Prince, Sting. None, however can claim U2's massiveness, for none is a triple threat. Not one of these artists mentioned above can deliver rabidly anticipated chart-topping blockbusters boasting music that defies demographics, stir up effusive praise for work deemed as relevant now as it's most influential albums were then. Launch internationally juggernauts that sell out so fast, millions are left furious over fan-club presales.

 

Yes, when the boss or the stone, or Elton, or Prince tour, that packs arenas. But what of their most recent material? The Stones, have only made half memorable albums in the last twenty years. Sir Elton and the Artist Formely Known as have shaped up considerably. Take Elton's latet album " Peachtree Road ". A very nice piece of work, but it's no " Yellow Brick Road ". These days no one is comparing Prince's " Musicology " to " Purple Rain ".

 

Dylan, Springsteen, Paul Simon and Sting keep churning out thougthful, incisive commentary, much of no doubt acclaimed. Yet what keeps their minions from forking over hundreds to seem them live isn't new work. No one from maybe critics go to see Bruce hoping he'll play lots from the " Rising ".

 

Exactly the opposite has proved to be true for U2, whose platform for making purposeful statements have ironically only widened. It's fans are eager to hear new material in concert as they do classic anthems from the titans in the band's catalog. Here's a good expample one of the best albums of all time " The Joshua Tree" and the extreme but megabiting " Achtung Baby ".

 

There is a considerable freshness that U2 have maintained over the years that has no parallel. Consider what songs leads off the latest " Now " trend. It's not something from Gwen, Snoop, or Ashlee. It's - " Vertigo ". No band - it's original lineup intact - that has been together as long could manage such a trick. No one else over the age of 40 is even on Top 40 now.

 

So how has U2 done it? With consistency of vision, a singular marriage of music and message with global appeal, and an innate ability to stay current. Some would say the band lost it's way in the 1990's. They recorded an album in 1993 called " Zooropa ". I think the album was more sonically invigorating than " Achtung ". Producer Brian Eno wanted sounds to have more statements. The audience didn't really accept it. In 1997, " Pop " was released and slammed by the critics and fans alike. They survived it with the release of 2001 " All That You Can Leave Behind ". Such interchangeability is clear proof fo sustained vision.

 

Despite the years of off putting corporate gestures, somehow these intrinsically working class street punks have never strayed so far into glitz that their backgrounds have been cracked. They seek out themes in most of their songs. Which in turn brings me back to St. Bono, the living embodiment, for better or worse, of John Lennon's social concern and indefatigable optimism. He campaigns constantly for worthy causes, Aids in Africa, third world debt. He is the dialoge meter between battling factions, whether in Ireland, the States or throughout Europe. Time after time, he's been nominated for the Nobel Piece Prize. The only other rocker to get that recognition is Live Aid organiser, Sir Bob Geldoff. Bono's influence is still growing. He can command an audience with any world leader at this point in time. Yet through all of this, he still mangages time to churn out new albums with one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

 

The likes of their contemporaries such as Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Psychodelic Furs, Simple Minds, The Cure, Tears For Fears are long gone, but U2 have withstood the test of time and carried on. Clannad and Enya are the only other contemporaries whose music still continues to inspire both critics and fans alike.

 

It's sort of a homecoming for the lads from Ireland as they have just embarked on another mammoth of a world tour only to bring the masses clammoring for more. For the last twenty five years, they have brought a level of passionate fire into music and still are very much unforgetabble.

 

Rohale