On the Mike & Mike show this morning on ESPN Radio, I heard Eric Kusilias (who is neither Mike NOR Mike) say that the best band of their adult life (since 1980) has been U2.
Question 1: Do you agree that U2 is the best band since 1980?
After thinking about that for a while, I decided that I have a hard time agreeing with it. Does it mean most popular? Had the most hits? Was the best-liked? Is most well-known? I’m not sure. I think I shy away from them because I don’t believe that as musicians they are incredibly talented. They are great, and good enough to do exactly what they do, but I don’t think of any of them as “the best musicians of their time”. In fact, if Freddy hadn’t died, I’d think Queen would easily win this distinction, with their freakishly amazing blend of talent and likability and hit songs.
However, I do think that U2 has had more of an influence on emo and indie music than we think. Edge’s guitar playing isn’t technically amazing, I don’t think, but it’s very different and incorporates simple things, in new ways, like sustaining the same few notes over and over to create a background of sound. What he did as one guitarist with digital delay, emo and indie bands are doing now with 2 or 3 guitarists.
Question 2: Do you think Edge’s guitar playing and U2 as a whole has influenced indie and emo rock music?
That’s all.
Filed under: Music, Quotes, Thoughts & Questions | Tagged: Edge, emo, Freddie Mercury, indie, Queen, U2
Who the best band is? is a question based solely on opinion. Was U2 the most popular band since 1980? Yeah probably. Was U2 very influential? Of course. The music industry is known for taking whatever is popular and recycling it over and over again until it is no longer profitable. Do I like U2? They’ve got a couple of really good records. But that’s about it.
Now, Edge as a guitar player. He just never learned to play the guitar so he cobbled together a technique of his own. And people imitated him.
Queen would have definitely made a run at it. They were so good it was silly. Not sure any band gives me chills like their songs can.
You’re right about U2 being built to do exactly what they do, but what they do is pretty magical.
I won’t put too much in this debate because I couldn’t help but be biased. U2 is my favorite band, period. When they were talking about this on Mike & Mike, they determined that U2 was the best band because of longevity, consistency, and high points. There’s something about a band that’s been around over 25 years still mattering. How many other bands can you really say that about? Bon Jovi? Nope. Aerosmith? Maybe. I agree with your assessment about Queen’s immense talent, but I get the feeling that they would eventually become known more for their quirkiness than rockability.
Also, I enjoyed whatigotsofar’s statement that U2 has a couple of really good records, but that’s about it. Isn’t that sort of the point?
U2 are very fine, but I would have to put in a word for Radiohead.
Though the best band of all time was probably Cream
.., i think air supply is the best band since 1980..,
.., they are very very popular..,
.., : )