Comments on: Let’s Start Wondering Why The U2 Album Isn’t Selling

By: Bearded Rapper even though the whole Joaquin Phoenix thing is so old

Bearded Rapper even though the whole Joaquin Phoenix thing is so old — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:14:51 +0000

I liked the second track on the album, Magnificent a lot. I have it played on a loop on my laptop when I work.

By: KikoJones

KikoJones — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:51:18 +0000

Good points, randywatson and darkthirty.

All this talk about a singles-driven marketplace makes it unavoidable for me to see the irony in how technology has affected the music business in a way no one bothers to mention. In other words, the relevance of singles over albums; artists signing all-inclusive deals (recording, management, touring, merchandise)...it's staring to look like the '50s all over again.

One of these days some artist is gonna find themselves face-to-face with the 21st century version of a-Cadillac-in-lieu-of-payment-for-their-work scenario. Let's not kid ourselves: the bloodsuckers will reinvent themselves and make it happen somehow. Soon. Just you wait.

By: ObtuseIntolerant

ObtuseIntolerant — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:57:41 +0000

@HomefrontRadio: As wonky as this comment is, I agree about not listening to music radio at all, ever anymore...(I listen to NPR.)

Does decline in radio listenership have an impact on such things?

I like U2 fine, not fanatically. I have owned past albums, happily, but not since a few albums back. I don't think I've heard GOYB. If it was what they played at the Grammys, I was unmoved, even turned off.

I buy albums if they are recommended to me by people I trust...not by critics or columnists (or NPR's fogey/indie slant), but by friends, and lately, I buy a good amount of music when artists I am fanatical about recommend something themselves (depending on the honesty of the context)...that's probably defined my last year's music purchasing.

No one I know is excited about this album...that's all. As a result, I surely am not, either.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:33:49 +0000

My 2 cents: I have only heard GOYB, but the video totally turned me off. The images were silly, and the only excuse to have the chick with the giant boots, is if that image is the main stage prop on their world tour.The Rolling Stone article makes it sound as if the band has collectively taken up permanent residence up their backside.I hope that I am wrong-the best thing I read was Larry Mullin again in RS:”Spiderman….Tommy?”

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:09:45 +0000

Don’t get me wrong… I do like GOYB but it did not jump out at me when I first heard it played. I don’t think it works very well as a lead single. To me it makes much more sense in the context of the album. It’s a great pallet cleanser after the super-pop anthem Crazy Tonight. In that context I feel it really moves the album along nicely but on it’s own it’s a misfire. But as far as Crazy Tonight is concerned… is anyone else wondering about another Ipod commercial? If any song on that album would fit that mold CT would be their best bet imo. It’s sweet and poppy and has a decent hook. I know a lot of reviewers single that song out as one of the new album’s weak links but I disagree. I think it could really serve an important function for the band. You need that sweet pop to catch people’s attention in order to garner initial sales. Once they have reason to start buying I do think this album will do fine. This is their most consistent album this decade, imo. Instead of a huge single with some filler on the back half of the album (ie: Wild Honey, Peace on Earth, When I look at the World and almost the entire last half of HTDAAB) this album is strong throughout–except for Unknown Caller. It pains me to say but that song is god-awful through and through. It’s the only song on the album that’s a complete dud–uninteresting melodically and shit for lyrics. Maybe my opinion will change over time but as for now I’m still wondering when they’ll release CT as a single and I’m still secretly wondering if there’s enough sweetness in that song to save the album from eventual obscurity.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:04:57 +0000

Thanks, randywatson, you’re a voice of reason. Agree completely on NLOTH. I haven’t enjoyed a U2 album beginning to end since Achtung Baby, until now (minus a couple of clunkers). This band is damned if they do, damned if they don’t. If they had put out Vertigo or Beautiful Day, Part 2, everyone would call them a sellout. Instead they release GOYB, which makes sense in context of the album as you said, but not as a single, and the new album is branded a failure in the press because it “only” sold 400-500K domestic. This is an album that takes repeated, careful listens to reveal itself. It’s not an album around an Ipod commercial or a campaign theme. I could care less about the 300K people who supposedly dropped off since HTDAAB. The band that meant so much in the 80s/early 90s, at least to me, is back on this album. And I hope the next album that’s supposed to drop later this year continues in this direction.

By: thumper

thumper — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:36:35 +0000

@VivaLaMainstream: exactly

By: Audif Jackson Winters III

Audif Jackson Winters III — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:06:17 +0000

@Chris Molanphy: I mentioned the iPod ad above.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:05:32 +0000

@jt.ramsay: No one buys MP3 downloads from Amazon.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:57:32 +0000

how about this: U2 are as boring as fuck?