U2 or REM?

They also did not include All That You Can't Leave Behind. Not sure how that's possible. Ever hear a little song called Beautiful Day?

Jersey wrote:

They also did not include All That You Can't Leave Behind. Not sure how that's possible. Ever hear a little song called Beautiful Day?

It's possible because this one would have been a DNF. More accurately, DNS. How can you seriously compare this to those other albums? Do you really think you'll still be listening to it 20+ years from now? Of course, you probably haven't been alive that long, so you can't be sure.

I still listen to War, Unforgettable Fire, and Joshua Tree all the time. There are 5+ songs on each of these that are bettter than Beautiful Day. For example ... ever hear a little song called Red Hill Mining Town? I could go on ...

I hate Beautiful Day.

[quote]joseph smith wrote:

props to the girl who recognizes the genius of life's rich pageant, fables, and dead letter office. if you had only thrown reckoning in there, i'd ask you to marry me.[quote]

Sorry, I'm happily married.

Reckoning is definitely high on my list. I definitely perfer their early stuff. I just wanted to incude at least one non-IRS album and New Adventures in HiFi is superb.

The same with U2- the early years are my favorite, but again, I think All that You Can't Leave Behind is a really solid album.

yo wrote:

it is weak music. and honestly every music fan I have talked to about it agrees. the serious music snobs i know dislike it to a person. go look through reviews. NOBODY has ranked it as "one of their best ever" by any means. If that's your opinion, that's fine. However, I believe there is objectively good, bad, and mediocre music. this stuff falls in the mediocre to bad range.

millions of people like britney spears, too. doesn't mean she has an ounce of talent.

Comparing U2 to Britney Spears is among the more absurd comparisons I have ever head the misfortune to consider. Not even on the same planet.

As for reviews, I checked out a few U2 forums and everyone loves it, having mentioned that a number of songs are right up there with the highly popular "One" and "WTSHNN."

I think what is happening here is that you are projecting your own bad feeling about the album onto every person, or taking the 3-4 bad things you have read and never considering the many, many good things written or said about the album.

Sales speak for themselves; the fans like it. If you don't, fine, but many people do, and I agree that this new album is fantastic music.

No comparison..U2 wins , hands down. With or Without You, One, All I Want Is You, and Bad are some of the best songs ever.

I think the huge difference between U2 and REM is the Joshua Tree album. That album transcends all of its peers, it transcends the artistic talents of the band that created it. It was born of synergy and a higher inspiration. It is such a complex, thoughtful flow of human emotion that offers so much. I listen to it in its entirety and feel like I\'ve just experienced the highs and lows and everything in between of a whole lifetime. I would maybe go so far as calling it a masterpiece. But only time can tell.

Lets try this cross-country thing.

1) The Joshua Tree- U2

2) Automatic for the People – REM

3) The Unforgettable Fire – U2

4) Reckoning – REM

5) New Adventures in HiFi – REM

6) All that You can’t leave behind – U2

7) War – U2

8) Murmur – REM

9) Up – REM

10) Out of Time - REM

11) Boy – U2

12) Achtung Baby – U2

13) Reveal – REM

14) October – U2

U2 ( 1,3,6,7,11 ) = 28

REM ( 2,4,5,8,9) = 28

Tie-Breaker (5th man) : REM

questiodrenns wrote:

Lets try this cross-country thing.

1) The Joshua Tree- U2

2) Automatic for the People – REM

3) The Unforgettable Fire – U2

4) Reckoning – REM

5) New Adventures in HiFi – REM

6) All that You can’t leave behind – U2

7) War – U2

8) Murmur – REM

9) Up – REM

10) Out of Time - REM

11) Boy – U2

12) Achtung Baby – U2

13) Reveal – REM

14) October – U2

U2 ( 1,3,6,7,11 ) = 28

REM ( 2,4,5,8,9) = 28

Tie-Breaker (5th man) : REM

It's been a while since I've actually tallied a dual meet score so I might be off on the rules here, but since REM's 6th man comes in before U2's 5th, doesn't REM's 6th therefore count as U2's 5th (by displacement)? This would put U2's score as 27, REM's at 28. Also, college rules would go head to head 1-5 and tip the scales in U2's favor (3-2).

I know none of this has any real bearing on who is the better band, but I just wanna make sure I have my scoring rules right.

Nah dude. REM's team benefits by having a 6th ahead of U2's 5th. That's why you run 7 - the more you can displace another teams (weaker) 5th runner, the higher their score (lowering their overall performance). U2's 5th man scores where he places. NOW, if REM had more than 7 guys running, then after 7 those runners can't displace anyone. Make sense?

AND ... I'm not sure what "college rules" you are referring to. 1-5 what? 3-2? What the ..?

The score ends up 28-28, & REM wins in that post based on a higher 6th place finisher. All dual meets get scored the same. Maybe you are thinking of a team going 1-2-3 in a dual meet, which automatically gives them the victory (do the math).

U2 wrote:

Comparing U2 to Britney Spears is among the more absurd comparisons I have ever head the misfortune to consider. Not even on the same planet.

As for reviews, I checked out a few U2 forums and everyone loves it, having mentioned that a number of songs are right up there with the highly popular "One" and "WTSHNN."

I think what is happening here is that you are projecting your own bad feeling about the album onto every person, or taking the 3-4 bad things you have read and never considering the many, many good things written or said about the album.

Sales speak for themselves; the fans like it. If you don't, fine, but many people do, and I agree that this new album is fantastic music.

I agree comparing spears with u2 is crazy--but i'm not comparing them. I was saying that just because a lot of people like something, it isn't objectively good music. Of course you could argue that point and say that is exactly what makes music good (lots of people liking it). I just don't agree with that.

now on the second point, you said you went to u2 forums for your rave reviews. of course people on those sites are going to nut their pants over anything their heros put out. I now know there are actually a number of good reviews out there all over the place, though. I guess I just know that people I have talked to--including old U2 fans--happen to dislike the new music. I think along the lines of the end of this review at

:

"How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb tries to recapture U2’s underdog status as the world’s rock and roll saviors, but it’s just too ordinary to rekindle a movement for aging do-gooders. Your uncle will think this is hip shit, but that’s why you have college radio."

ok, enough on this topic!

questiodrenns wrote:

12) Achtung Baby – U2

Words can't describe how dumb you really are. Actung Baby is one of the greatest albums of all time and is certainly one of the top 3 between these two bands. Rolling Stone had it at #62 for all albums, only the Joshua Tree was rated higher (#26). First REM on the list was murmer at #197.

Heck, if we go straight by rolling stone's list, U2 goes 1,2,3,5,7 and REM doesn't have enough to score.

U2 is way better, but longevity and song quality, you can compare it any way you want, but U2 will come out on top every time unless the person doing the comparing is baised. For example: you.

Make a great tape:

Side A (or B) - Automatic

Side B (or A) - Achtung

Call it Automatic For The Baby, or, Achtung People.

U2 is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. REM? Don't think so.

Simply...U2

Achtung Baby is by far U2's best album. Just look at the transformation the band made from the Joshua Tree/Rattle N' Hum era to ZOOTV tour. And if you haven't listened to Boy in a while, I suggest another listen.

Also, I would have to say the general US populace has already stated that U2 is more better since try and actually find a ticket to a concert for there current tour.

I really can not believe anybody has said that Stipe actually sucks. Dick that is, although I'm sure some of you may think that is ok too. Bono may have garlic breath and greasy hair. Oh wait It's all about the music. Hey I like them both but U2, Bono, they are saving the world aren't they?

Amen Brotha - I was about to post something similar - don't need to now!