Comments on: U2’s 180 deal

By: B

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:29:59 +0000

and yet no decent b-sides compilation.

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:51:37 +0000

If they weren’t still ‘relevant’, they would have gone the way of most Rock dinosaurs (Stones, McCartney)- great ticket sales, but new material that flops. That’s not the case. I agree with Jim that a discussion on their music is for another day- and let’s face it, it does come down to your personal taste.
I think the above piece definitely reads as a ‘kudos’ to the band- and why not? For a band who experienced success in the starry heights of the 80’s music industry, they have been smart enough to realise that the industry has changed rapidly, and they’ve had the smarts to keep looking at new revenue streams. Something which the majors have only copped onto within the last 5 years.
It’s the music INDUSTRY people- it’s all about the green; don’t fool yourselves!

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:51:55 +0000

fair play. they haven’t been relevant in years, but they sure know how to play to their strengths.
on a side note, i see SonyBMG are offering Leona Lewis a new 100million 5 album contract. good to know the recent profit slowdown due to evil illegal downloading, hasn’t had any impact on label stupidity.

By: Steve K

Steve K — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:11:53 +0000

I don’t begrudge Bono. I’m 6′3.

By: Quint

Quint — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:12:02 +0000

Ed- My comment is not begrudgery, just a statement of fact. For the record, ‘Achtung Baby’ is a masterpiece and probably one of the top 20 albums ever made. There’s some interesting stuff on Zooropa also and ZOO TV is THE greatest live show ever staged and hasn’t been topped since, and probably never will. Their brace of early eighties albums still sound incredibly fresh, albums which have been ripped off by Editors, Interpol, The Bravery et al. All phenomenal achievements for a band from a tiny country like Ireland. For the past 14 years they have been a spent force creatively. Now it’s all about Bono meeting world leaders, signing 360 deals, moving their millions to tax havens and releasing dreadful albums. It’s not brgrudgery, just disappointment.

By: Leigh O'Gorman

Leigh O'Gorman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:17:03 +0000

if i remember correctly, the last tour they did pre-live nation nearly lost a tonne
now that both parties are doing well out of this deal, it’s diffcult to see what the problem is

and yes, spot on them for not signing their recording and publishing away

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:51:11 +0000

Smithers:What will you do with the extra million sir?

Burns:Oh I don’t know, throw it to the pile I suppose.

By: Jim Carroll

Jim Carroll — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:44:36 +0000

Ed - “somewhat begrudging”? Why does ANY negative comment have to be seen as begrudgery? And I don’t think that comment is begrudgery in the least - it’s a compliment more than anything else

As I said in the post above, this is not about U2’s music - we’ll go there some other day - but their business. And there is no begrudgery whatsoever there, just admiration on how a very slick, professional and successful machine operates. Their music, as I said, is another matter and for another day.

Why is it a crime for U2 to make themselves filthy rich – it’s not as if U2 don’t give a fair share back to the poor.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2006/0807/1154691501356.html

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:39:00 +0000

Not the post Jim - though comment 2 is somewhat begrudging “U2 are more a like a corporation now with Paul McGuinness as CEO” etc - their music has touched the lives of people all around the world and it’s very moving to watch that in U23D or read the comments left by passing fans/tourists on Bono’s garden wall. Why is it a crime for U2 to make themselves filthy rich – it’s not as if U2 don’t give a fair share back to the poor. Congratulations again U2.

By: Jim Carroll

Jim Carroll — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:32:42 +0000

F*ck the begrudgers

Where’s the begrudgery in the post above, Ed? I don’t see any. And I wrote the thing.