Is Live a gimmick band? Options

[beau99]

But.. they suck.

Saying U2 sucks is like saying Live sucks.

[seriakiLLa]

First off, I think you can still rock while writing 'shiny happy' songs. And you can also put it not so bluntly (creative writing here).

Whether Live is onto gimmickry or not, I can't tell for sure. But if one makes a couple or more of albums about nothing but happiness and love, then I doubt if it is totally being honest and true to oneself.

I think Live's next album would make things a bit clearer for many of us.

[mfitz804]

Singing about love and water does not make Live a gimmick band. If they were, it would be the shittiest gimmick ever.

[sandkind]

But.. they suck.

couldn't have said it better

[Lakini's Juice]

How can u say U2 sucks? If there wasn't a U2, maybe there wouldn't be a Live.
U2 have made great records, sure some crappy ones too, who hasn't? Live have for sure.
So give a rational explaination of WHY u think U2 'sucks', instead of just saying 'U2 suck'.
Or is it just they're are super famous? Jealousy? Please. Please. Please. xD

[Pokey]

I've said it once, and I'll say it again - there are no U2 fans, only people who think they like U2, but they don't .. you're all kidding yourselves and you can't argue with that. I don't care "if it wasn't for U2 there would be no Live!" .. it doesn't mean I have to respect them or like them ... hell my old man Mozza is fanatical about The New York Dolls and they inspired him to get into music, but they suck as well.

U2 are the most overrated band of all time, there is nothing about them that stands out that makes them deserving of their legendary status. Bono has an average voice, all the rest don't exactly excell at anything they do in terms of making them the best or "up there" in their field. Bono's ego adds to it, hell it's not an ego, it's a mental illness. True that they don't suck in the way like group of high schoolers who can't even play instruments would suck if they tried their hand at the band thing .. but it's the fact that people rave about U2 so much .. it makes me sick. People think they're more enlightend and "holier than thou" if they're a U2 fanatic, and of course I'll get a barrage of comments now saying "well I'm a U2 fan and I'm not like that!", sure.
I just don't think U2 deserves the respect they get, I don't think they deserve the title of being one of the greatest ever bands just because Bono does charity work.
"The Edge" what the fuck? I might have thought that was kinda cool when I was 9 years old.

"BUT LOL POKEY, BONO BRINGS ATTENTION TO SOME GOOD CHARITIES!" .. fantastic, doesn't mean they become a better band because of it. Bringing attention to charities doesn't somehow make his voice any better. He doesn't "Hulk up" after he's given some money (usually someone elses that he's just handing the cheque over to) and then suddenly go into super-mega-god-rockstar mode.

U2 appeals to almost the lowest common denomonator after emo music .. people who want to be "touched" by music and bask in the glory of "the great ones". These people don't know good music, they should be ignored because by falling in with this crowd they're just ruining it for everybody by egging U2 on.

This has been said by someone else but it's pretty much my favourite article ever,

When people in this day and age think “rock star,” they probably think Bono. Bono, on stage in his big sunglasses and his flowing shirt. Bono, with that wry little smile of his, talking to some politician about matters in the third world with a barely-detectable hint of condescension in his voice, the kind that says “we both know that I am right, but you are a fatcat and I am the voice of the people.” Bono’s impeccable hair, and Bono’s resolute chin. If we held elections for “rock star,” Bono would win. While Bono was once just the leader of a post-punk band with political pretensions, he now seems to view himself as the ambassador between rock and roll and the real world. The problem is, rock and roll does not need an ambassador to the real world, nor does it want one. Those familiar with the BBC sitcom “The Office,” which has been released on DVD in America to great popularity recently, might draw a parallel between Bono and Gareth Keenan: If being a rock star is a job, Bono thinks he is assistant regional manager, but he is just assistant to the regional manager. He is rock and roll’s most sycophantic, detestable toadie, trying to worm his way into the world of management without getting hired. For those of you who have no idea what I just said, I will provide an alternate explanation: Bono is a twat. Stop making records and go save the world off camera.

There, U2 suck.

What did I make this thread about again?

Oh yeah, Live being a gimmick band. I'm not saying they are, but it's the fact that whenever Live is brought up around people most of their reactions are "the band that sings about love?" .. it's what they've become known for and for the past 7-8 years or whatever it's pretty much what they've been doing, so that in a way is gimmicky.

This post has been edited by Pokey: Jun 9 2006, 9:29 am

[sellingthdrama]

I think pre TDTH displayed a search for something, lyrically and musically for the guys. They had more of an edge towards the negativity of life along with the angst of being younger and it showed in the music. TDTH and after seemed like the search was over, something was found. They focused on the positive aspect of life while they were maturing and it is reflected in the music. I don't think of it as a gimmick, just a progression to more mature, self confident polished group who knows now what they clearly want to provide to the listener.

I completely agree. I admit, I really miss the pre-2000 Live. But hey - we all change and grow older. What's been cool for me as that Live's music turned more optimistic and happier-sounding, I was having similar changes in my own life. So as the new music came out, I could still relate to it. This still applies to SFBM. Btw, I think Get Ready is awesome. Just a great feeling to that song.

[sellingthdrama]

I agree , it is just the natural progression of life in general. All are now married and 3 of the 4 have children. Having children is a HUGE , life changing experience. It is something that one cannot describe. It is something that has to be experienced to understand. I think that alone has a lot to do with this more mellow Live - just my opinion ! I am not sure what the average age is for this board ?? Maybe it's just that some don't understand because they have not come to that stage in their life yet ?

I agree here, too. I don't have any children, but I know that when I was more pessimistic and cynical 10 years ago, I would not have enjoyed their newer music at all. I'd have seen it as "fake" or said that Live has sold out.

"It's the way we sing that makes 'em dream" is one of my absolute favorite Live lines.

[sherocker]

Saying U2 sucks is like saying Live sucks.

that's just...RUBBISH!!

[beau99]

that's just...RUBBISH!!

The truth hurts sometimes.

[LiveRocks]

Off the top of my head here are a few current "Gimmick" bands:
Primus
Alien Ant Farm
Weezer
Bowling for Soup
There's more but that's was just a quick list.

Now ask yourself is Live a gimmick band?

Also being a gimmick band such as above doesn't necessarily mean you suck, although not in all cases. For Weezer fans let me say they are a gimmick band but I'd put them in the "Do not suck" catgeory.

[sherocker]

The truth hurts sometimes.

truth? i call it blasphemy.

[Senghe]

Live - gimmick band... not on purpose. But I do believe that people who are happy in their life make largely uninspiring music.

Pokey, I used to REALLY like U2. But it was 1982 and I was 12. And I kept it up until 1984 and I wobbled a bit over The Unforgettable Fire. But then The Joshua Tree made my mind up - that album is the biggest pile of shamelessly pretentious bollocks I've ever heard in this life and if I believed in reincarnation, my previous ones too, all 250 of them. And we've been on a downward slide ever since. In fact, my irrational loathing of U2 and REM (Don't EVEN get me started) would be responsible for me losing so much reincarnation credit, I'd be coming back as an amoeba for forseeable future. but hey, who wants to get to Nirvana - I hate them lot too!

I don't know about them being the lowest common denominator after Emo - see all those whiny little Emo kids who cut themselves and shit. Their parents ALL listen to U2 and that's what's made their offspring so miserable. U2 are 'thinking' music for the terminally brainless who want to appear like they're right on and all that. Bono is just obnoxious and the hot air coming out of his mouth is what's REALLY responsible for global warming. And the best reason to despise the ground that U2 walk on? One word - COLDPLAY.

[sandkind]

How can u say U2 sucks? If there wasn't a U2, maybe there wouldn't be a Live.
U2 have made great records, sure some crappy ones too, who hasn't? Live have for sure.
So give a rational explaination of WHY u think U2 'sucks', instead of just saying 'U2 suck'.
Or is it just they're are super famous? Jealousy? Please. Please. Please. xD

just more fun to simply say they suck and of course i'm jealous of their $$$$$$. really, if you're a fan, why does another person's opinion matter. i love live and don't care if others think they suck (sometimes i think they suck when i listen to their latest ). IMO Bono really is an idiot though