How and why did U2 become so hated band?

[Texas King]

U2 is probably one of the most successful and also one of the most polarizing rock bands. They have tons of haters. They're probably the most hated 80's rock band.
I think in general they're treated like "Nickelback of the 80's". 

What are reasons (musical or non-musical) that make them so hated or polarizing? How and why did they become one of the bands that "you're supposed to hate"?

Personally I'm not much of a fan nor I'm a hater of this band. 

 

 

 

 

[Maverick]

I don't think it's about the music necessarily.

 

They're a bit too preachy.

 

And waking up one morning with their new album forced into my iTunes catalog didn't help matters.

[bluefox4000]

I think a lot has to do with Bono.  he's self important. As well as force feeding an entire bland album on to everyone's music collection is another thing.

 

Also on a musical level they're about milquetoast  as it gets.  I guess you can argue the early stuff was better but i find it all just horrifically bland.

 

Mick

Edited November 12 by bluefox4000

[Segue Myles]

15 minutes ago, bluefox4000 said:

I think a lot has to do with Bono.  he's self important. As well as force feeding an entire bland album on to everyone's music collection is another thing.

 

Also on a musical level they're about milquetoast  as it gets.  I guess you can argue the early stuff was better but i find it all just horrifically bland.

 

Mick

I don't agree about being milquetoast.

 

Their eighties run is adventurous and full of musical and lyrical brilliance, I'd say they take a lot of inspiration from the greats and albums like The Joshua Tree or The Unforgettable Fire really aged well because they didn't toy too much with current trends.

 

As a fan of Springsteen and Dire Straits, I'm surprised you dismiss their creativity.

 

However, I hate Bono and their music after Rattle And Hum is mostly mid.

[bluefox4000]

Just now, Segue Myles said:

I don't agree about being milquetoast.

 

Their eighties run is adventurous and full of musical and lyrical brilliance, I'd say they take a lot of inspiration from the greats and albums like The Joshua Tree or The Unforgettable Fire really aged well because they didn't toy too much with current trends.

 

As a fan of Springsteen and Dire Straits, I'm surprised you dismiss their creativity.

 

However, I hate Bono and their music after Rattle And Hum is mostly mid.

 

 

i don't hear it but your more a fan.

 

Mick

[The Analog Cub]

The music isn't my cup of tea but I wouldn't call it "bad". Ever since 2000, though, they seem content trying to churn out the same gospel-y world-pop music and it sounds awfully bland. There are maybe a handful of songs I can find something to like amongst War, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and Atomic Bomb.

 

Non-musically, they're incredibly self-absorbed and unbearably earnest with their "heal everybody" mentality. When I listen to or attend a rock concert I want to feel like I'm rocking out, not attending a sermon or group therapy session.

 

The iPod thing was annoying but if you compare it to the invasiveness that streaming services have today, it's so inconsequential.

[The Analog Cub]

As a guitarist, I find a lot to like about Edge's attitude in challenging rock guitar norms. It's very similar to other greats like Johnny Marr or Robert Smith, the guys who are more about textures and creating something unique than they are about melting your face off.

 

Problem with Edge is that while his attitude is admirable, his execution pales in comparison to the others. Sticking a delay pedal in front of two strings for 30 years on isn't very fun to listen to.

Edited November 12 by The Analog Cub

[bluefox4000]

4 minutes ago, The Analog Cub said:

As a guitarist, I find a lot to like about Edge's attitude in challenging rock guitar norms. It's very similar to other greats like Johnny Marr or Robert Smith, the guys who are more about textures and creating something unique than they are about melting your face off.

 

Problem with Edge is that while his attitude is admirable, his execution pales in comparison to the others. Sticking a delay pedal in front of two strings for 30 years on isn't very fun to listen to.

 

 

totally agree.  never deny in his day he really was different but now it's not that special.

 

Mick

[Segue Myles]

41 minutes ago, bluefox4000 said:

 

 

i don't hear it but your more a fan.

 

Mick

Not really...its weird how much I love early albums but I have to ignore who it is. I feel very...wrong...calling myself a U2 fan, but I guess on paper I am...though I am more a U2 album fan...

[Entre_Perpetuo]

In the early early days U2 were disliked for being young scrappy punks with a hit or two.

 

In their classic 80s run they were hated for their outspoken politics, which would appear during concerts as Bono speeches.

 

On Rattle And Hum they were hated for both the above and for their ambition reaching further than their abilities for the first time.

 

In the 90s they were hated for their gargantuan commercial success and unimaginably huge tours, which felt hypocritical if not antithetical to their some of their political talking points. This is also when Bono started using sarcasm, smoking a bunch, and basically becoming the super rich guy version of himself that still overshadows his younger more idealistic image.

 

In the 00s and onwards they were hated for the above reasons, plus also making generally the blandest boringest most predictable music of their careers while Bono’s voice slowly fails him, and still acting like the most important band to ever walk the earth. Oh and the iPhone thing, which at the time I was very happy about, but I actually happened to relisten to Songs Of Innocence yesterday and… yeah it’s pretty dire straits for Bono and the boys, even compared to the contemporary pop alternative they were low key aping.

[Maverick]

35 minutes ago, The Analog Cub said:

As a guitarist, I find a lot to like about Edge's attitude in challenging rock guitar norms. It's very similar to other greats like Johnny Marr or Robert Smith, the guys who are more about textures and creating something unique than they are about melting your face off.

 

Problem with Edge is that while his attitude is admirable, his execution pales in comparison to the others. Sticking a delay pedal in front of two strings for 30 years on isn't very fun to listen to.

 

Unless it is set to dotted 8th note repeats. Then sign me up for forever!

[The Analog Cub]

5 minutes ago, Maverick said:

 

Unless it is set to dotted 8th note repeats. Then sign me up for forever!

 

*Run Like Hell on max volume for days*

[J2112YYZ]

Growing up I never cared for them because they were just everywhere all the time. Every single was huge. Every album was huge and that continued for about 20 years. They were so big that I felt like I was being forced to like them rather than making the decision myself as to whether or not I liked them and that really turned me off. Perhaps a lot of others felt the same and that contributed to the hate. Now, that I'm older, I don't really have a problem with them anymore. Do they still release new music?

[treeduck]

One word: Bono

[Segue Myles]

31 minutes ago, treeduck said:

One word: Bono

Absolutely. No matter how great the albums are, the man is insufferable.

[bluefox4000]

Also i just remember U2 being the first band i recall  being hyped up.  i bought The Unforgettable Fire at a flea market in 1997 the guy recommended it. He was like best music you'll ever hear.

 

Put it on.  Fairly good, lol

 

Mick

Edited November 12 by bluefox4000

[Segue Myles]

31 minutes ago, bluefox4000 said:

Also i just remember U2 being the first band i recall  being hyped up.  i bought The Unforgettable Fire at a flea market in 1997 the guy recommended it. He was like best music you'll ever hear.

 

Put it on.  Fairly good, lol

 

Mick

If it means anything...that album has always divided fans

[Maverick]

2 hours ago, The Analog Cub said:

 

*Run Like Hell on max volume for days*

 

Damn straight!

[zepphead]

When it comes to complete and utter a*seholes, Bono really is in a league of his own.

[laughedatbytime]

2 minutes ago, zepphead said:

When it comes to complete and utter a*seholes, Bono really is in a league of his own.

Roger Waters would like a word.

[zepphead]

1 minute ago, laughedatbytime said:

Roger Waters would like a word.

We could have a three way play off between Bono, Sting and Roger Waters! Everything to play for!

[Segue Myles]

11 minutes ago, zepphead said:

We could have a three way play off between Bono, Sting and Roger Waters! Everything to play for!

I was worried where that sentence was heading for a second...

[Chicken hawk]

U2 was my first concert back in the Late  80's at Boston Garden. I loved them.

 

 

[Entre_Perpetuo]

1 hour ago, zepphead said:

We could have a three way play off between Bono, Sting and Roger Waters! Everything to play for!

It’s Waters all the way and I honestly don’t think it’s even close. Bono and Sting would be better off against Don Henley for a fair fight.

[invisible airwave]

The Bob Geldof complex really starts here.  Some good deep cuts like Hawkmoon and Heartland but a mixed bag of Boner's fauxlanthropist ego getting warmed up.  Pop wasn't quite the beginning.  Then again, I can think of worse bands at that time to steal from Charles Manson back.  Better them at the time than those hair bands.

Looking at my new sig reminds me of how Henry Rollins said that The Clash were the band that U2 wish they were but will never be.

 

 

Edited November 12 by invisible airwave