[email protected]
Mon, 27 Jul 1998 12:24:49 -0400
While there is plenty of room for discussion about what U2 has actually been trying to accomplish
through the characters and image presented in the 90s -- the fact remains that U2 and Bono have
always been about playing around with different characters and images and over the top theatrics.
Whether in punk gear, desert wear or a black leather suit.
I have a problem with your "write off" of U2s 90s persona as nothing more than a vain attempt to go
Hollywood -- or a calculated attempt attract attention or look hip.
It was obviously calculated -- but I think in the 90s U2 has looked more at the entire package (the
music, the image, the tours, etc.) as an outlet for creativity. Their 90s image has been all about
irony. And the fact that you can't seem to get past the image yourself exemplifies that point.
If you have read their thoughts, you know that the image of U2 that the masses first got to know in
the JT years, they considered to be a myth. This was the same image that eventually brought them
backlash. This had little to do with the music they were making.
So your point that U2s current image has worn thin may be true -- because it already happened once
to the U2 that you obvioulsy cherish. So I ask, what is the difference?
The music is as strong as ever -- people did not like "One" because Bono was dressed like The Fly.
Most didn't even know he was playing a character at all. And the image did nothing to keep people
away. So obviosly they don't need the trappings. But U2 obviously enjoys it.
Anyway, the Zoo TV years were such a creative and brilliant leap for a band that was starting to
look and sound like a reject from the Woodstock era that I am amazed that anyone would ever think to
criticize it.
As a fan since 82 I will say that I have enjoyed every album and every image -- because I know that
everything they do has been created intelligently. It all comes from the music for me -- if I don't
enjoy it, I don't care what they look like. If I do enjoy it -- I don't care what they look like.
That's why I will never, ever again watch the Discoteque video ....;)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Mon Jul 27 1998 - 09:28:18 PDT