Comments on: Quit While You’re Ahead

By: rollogrady

rollogrady — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:41:41 +0000

J.J.

“Quit While You are Vital and Relevant” is probably the mature way to say what I was feeling/thinking at the time.

By: J.J. Leslie

J.J. Leslie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:20:41 +0000

Not love. Mechanics. I wonder if some is just that it’s machine like. They are the writers that can go to an empty recording studio and have no qualms about creating music. There is no more staring at a blank screen dreading writing a word, or playing a note in fear that it might be crap. They are not escaping Dublin anymore. Instead of self loathing, their drive for music accentuates their own sense of self worth. It’s no longer desperation or escape, although time in a studio might be like hiding from the machine. They couldn’t handle Rick Rubin’s methods. They have Lillywhite complacent. They felll back into their people and their places. They did not overcome. I don’t think they have really challenged themselves since “Pop.” That album was not an epic failure that it is made out to be. They just made a mess of it. But, I don’t think they have the drive to work that hard. The hardest I have really seen them work is on the song “New York” from “All that You Can’t Leave Behind.” It’s the last time they really went someplace new and exciting.

By: DeanMoriarty

DeanMoriarty — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:00:37 +0000

yeah bono with eyeliner is a no-no. but you would think they have way too much money already so it must be love, right?

By: J.J. Leslie

J.J. Leslie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:36:03 +0000

Thanks! I was agreeing with you 100%, actually. I took off on a bit of riff on the idea that went into some wild territory. I wasn’t sure whether it went too far and didn’t pass muster. I wish I had a backup of it. In short, I was thinking instead of “Quit While Your Ahead”… It should be “Quit While You are Vital and Relevant”. Bruce was vital and relevant during “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” Before or since? No. His fans are now getting fat, and want their music spoon fed to them with predictability. Music does not need those creature comforts. People need to be let out of the high chairs, and away from drooling over strained broccoli. U2, I love deeply. Shared hurt, shared heritage. They do make it a point to truck out solid openers on tour to shake the fans waiting for the Joshua Tree songs. I fault those fans for being there. But, at some points, I fault the last 10 years of U2’s career for wandering into a sort of complacency. They were almost vital. The preach challenging their influences while attempting to claw their way back to the thrown of rock stardom, but I definitely think there is a point when enough is enough. However, with U2, I am not sure any of them could really function free of each other. Especially in that Q magazine interview, I see them ducking some of the questions concerning their place in being relevant.

By: rollogrady

rollogrady — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:03:21 +0000

I’ve never liked Bruce, but I like U2. I question the quality and motives. I’m sure that it’s hard to walk away from a 200 million dollar tour. Bono with eyeliner?

By: DeanMoriarty

DeanMoriarty — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:56:32 +0000

i dont own any albums by these two artists. but they do have some good songs and if they still feel like they can put out quality shit then who cares? if they still sell out shows and make “hit” records then let it flow.

By: rollogrady

rollogrady — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:12:45 +0000

JJ: I received your 2nd comment about “pass the muster” by email, but it did not show up in my comments box. The 1st one didn’t show up all together. I don’t have a problem with people disagreeing with my posts. I receive like 200 spam posts a day, but your comments normally go live without a problem.

BTW- I stand by the post. These guys need to head into retirement (add The Stones to the list). Please feel free to post your comments.