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"I don't really like hanging out with musicians. [I]t's hard to really talk about anything. Sitting and talking about Peavey amps is not my thing." -- Adam |
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"I don't really like hanging out with musicians. [I]t's hard to really talk about anything. Sitting and talking about Peavey amps is not my thing." -- Adam |
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Column: off the record...,vol. 9-420
@U2,
July 25, 2010
Thirty years ago this month, U2 started work on the Boy album. It's hard to believe that they've been making music for over three decades now. When it comes to my favorite U2 record from the '80s, I'd have to go with Boy. It has a more raw sound to it than later releases, and I adore the energy and excitement coming from the baby U2. While I like the other '80s material (and became a fan between October and War), after Boy, I prefer listening to their '90s material more. I always wonder whether it's because I pretty much overdosed on them during the first decade in the early stage of fandom where my universe revolved around U2. I kept scrapbooks filled with the most trivial of things like Billboard charts they were listed on or the little blurbs in the Columbia House record and tape club catalogs. I still can't bring myself to throw them out after all this time! In the last year, though, I kind of find myself wishing for those days again. I'm in the category of fans who didn't really care for NLOTH. I keep thinking there's something wrong with me because I haven't listened to it in months. I really liked it at first, but after about a month, became somewhat bored with it. Usually, it's the opposite, like in the case of Zooropa, which changed from an "eh, not nuts about it," to being one of my favorites. Add to this totally disliking The Claw/stadium extravaganza and having a horrid time at the one show I've seen so far (admittedly not because of U2, though), and I found myself not that disappointed when the Seattle show was postponed. I worry at times that I'm having some sort of crisis of U2 faith. Although I loved Zoo TV, I didn't care for PopMart, and kind of got spoiled after the more intimate nature of the last two tours, which I really enjoyed. I'm pretty sure I'd be my normal, completely giddy and excited self if the stage were a lot less ostentatious, were smaller and didn't feel so distant. A close friend turned 30 this week (happy birthday, M.!). I met her back in 2000 at a local album release party a few of us fans put together for ATYCLB. In the room of about 25 people, she was the only person who hadn't listened to an unauthorized advance copy, so one of the most entertaining highlights of the evening for everyone was watching her reactions to hearing the album for the first time. Since then, we've become close friends and even work together now. I'm sure it's safe to say that for the majority of us, the greatest gift besides music that U2 have given us is the gift of countless friendships. While I'm still looking for the elusive single 40-something male U2 fan, I'm so grateful for the close and long-term friendships I've made that initially started from just one shared interest. Half the fun of going to U2 shows is meeting up with a bunch of people you haven't seen in awhile or are finally getting to meet. Getting to watch the show together, then, is just icing on the cake. In celebration of the Boy milestone, this is my all-time favorite live performance of "The Electric Co." I love all the fill-ins Edge does to extend the song length while Bono's risking his neck. I still kick myself for not going to this show when I had the chance!
Until next time! (c) @U2, 2010.
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