U2 At Their Peak

DevilsShoes · 05-08-2008, 05:57 AM

When do you think U2 were at their creative peak?
Does anyone think it was 1987 with the release of the Joshua Tree? When the band produced some of their greatest and most famous songs. Its certainly some kind of pinnacle, musically, lyrically and vocally the band seemed to vault into a whole other level, they'd never sounded so accomplished and confident in their abilities before.

I should think quite a few forum members will look at 91 with AB as the bands greatest achievement, when they not only produced what many believe to be their finest song ever in One (as well as a handful of other classics), but also managed to totally reinvent themselves and give their career a fresh shot in the arm, securing their survival in the nineties.

Dors anyone think the whole Pop/Popmart campaign was U2's most inspired moment, the album certainly had its share of inventive moments and the tour was ground-breaking n 97.

Anyone think they are riding a high right now, or about to hit an all-time peak with the new album?

What do you think?

U2girl · 05-08-2008, 06:58 AM

Bug · 05-08-2008, 07:11 AM

AB/Zooropa. Especially that tour, totally off the wall.

jacobus · 05-08-2008, 08:45 AM

they were at their creative best between 1991-1997
AB - ZOOROPA - HMTMKMKM - PASSENGERS - POP

gman · 05-08-2008, 09:02 AM

UF - AB

An Cat Gav · 05-08-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gman
UF - AB

Agreed. I would say between UF and the end of the ZOO Tv tour, inc Zooropa. That is quite a long peak!
If I had to choose a specific year, I would be torn between 87 and 91, my personal fave would be 91 because Achtung Baby and ZOO TV are my favurite U2 album/tour. Though I would have to say that The whole Joshua Tree era was probably their most creative time.

chrissybaby · 05-08-2008, 09:23 AM

I've been thinking a lot about this recently due to Coldplay's "new sound". I'm trying to remember what it was like to hear The Fly for the first time on the radio, and i seem to remember that it completely rocked my head off. It's hard to believe that from their last gigs in 1990 to late 91 that this happened. I think for them that was the most creative period. Not the easiest period but something REALLY special happened. Now days when indie bands try and be weird, like Coldplay, it sounds really forced and not that different. Adding strings doesn't make you sound like the Beatles. But what U2 did in that early 90's period was properly creative and they needed that to survive as a band. Sometimes artists just make music that is bigger than the sum of it's parts, AB is that moment for U2. I honestly believe that they probably wouldn't be able to recreate that or even understand it....

MrPryck2U · 05-08-2008, 10:23 AM

So, you're trying to convey to me that U2 were at their creative peak 21 years ago?

I believe that U2 are a group where the term "creative peak" gets thrown out of the window. They're still making relevant music and the creatvity is still flowing. I see no peaks or valleys.

The Sad Punk · 05-08-2008, 10:29 AM

Creatively, definitely the mid 90's. Not my favourite period, but they actually had ideas. Except for Larry.

Irishteen · 05-08-2008, 10:36 AM

The band's 3 best albums all came from different decades, they have no single creative peak

U2girl · 05-08-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by U2girl
JT.

That, and Zoo TV.

bono_212 · 05-08-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Irishteen
The band's 3 best albums all came from different decades, they have no single creative peak

Completely and 100% agree. Eventually this thread is just going to turn into 20 pages of people arguing about how much the other person's opinion sucks

the tourist · 05-08-2008, 11:48 AM

83-89

djerdap · 05-08-2008, 12:03 PM

Achtung Baby

gvox · 05-08-2008, 12:04 PM

05-08-2008, 05:57 AM	#1
DevilsShoes Acrobat Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 492 Local Time: 05:09 AM	U2 At Their Peak When do you think U2 were at their creative peak? Does anyone think it was 1987 with the release of the Joshua Tree? When the band produced some of their greatest and most famous songs. Its certainly some kind of pinnacle, musically, lyrically and vocally the band seemed to vault into a whole other level, they'd never sounded so accomplished and confident in their abilities before. I should think quite a few forum members will look at 91 with AB as the bands greatest achievement, when they not only produced what many believe to be their finest song ever in One (as well as a handful of other classics), but also managed to totally reinvent themselves and give their career a fresh shot in the arm, securing their survival in the nineties. Dors anyone think the whole Pop/Popmart campaign was U2's most inspired moment, the album certainly had its share of inventive moments and the tour was ground-breaking n 97. Anyone think they are riding a high right now, or about to hit an all-time peak with the new album? What do you think?

05-08-2008, 10:23 AM	#8
MrPryck2U Rogue Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Long Island, NY, U.S.A., Earth Posts: 2,960 Local Time: 12:09 AM	So, you're trying to convey to me that U2 were at their creative peak 21 years ago? I believe that U2 are a group where the term "creative peak" gets thrown out of the window. They're still making relevant music and the creatvity is still flowing. I see no peaks or valleys. __________________ The only thing that's for sure is that nothing's for sure.

05-08-2008, 11:48 AM	#13
the tourist I'm A Starflyer Premium Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in the garage of Liam's cardboard box house in Axver's backyard. Posts: 17,038 Local Time: 09:09 PM	83-89 __________________ Starflyer 59: "rocking your world since '93" get into it.

05-08-2008, 12:04 PM	#15
gvox Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Premium Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: lookin for that fence Posts: 5,757 Local Time: 12:09 AM	1995 __________________ ...one..not the same..but one all the same..

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05-08-2008, 06:58 AM	#2
U2girl Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Slovenija Posts: 15,341 Local Time: 06:09 AM	JT.

05-08-2008, 07:11 AM	#3
Bug War Child Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Twisting Nether Posts: 800 Local Time: 09:09 PM	AB/Zooropa. Especially that tour, totally off the wall.

05-08-2008, 08:45 AM	#4
jacobus Refugee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,344 Local Time: 05:09 AM	they were at their creative best between 1991-1997 AB - ZOOROPA - HMTMKMKM - PASSENGERS - POP

05-08-2008, 09:02 AM	#5
gman Refugee Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,453 Local Time: 05:09 AM	UF - AB

05-08-2008, 09:23 AM	#7
chrissybaby War Child Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Derby, UK Posts: 868 Local Time: 05:09 AM	I've been thinking a lot about this recently due to Coldplay's "new sound". I'm trying to remember what it was like to hear The Fly for the first time on the radio, and i seem to remember that it completely rocked my head off. It's hard to believe that from their last gigs in 1990 to late 91 that this happened. I think for them that was the most creative period. Not the easiest period but something REALLY special happened. Now days when indie bands try and be weird, like Coldplay, it sounds really forced and not that different. Adding strings doesn't make you sound like the Beatles. But what U2 did in that early 90's period was properly creative and they needed that to survive as a band. Sometimes artists just make music that is bigger than the sum of it's parts, AB is that moment for U2. I honestly believe that they probably wouldn't be able to recreate that or even understand it....

05-08-2008, 10:36 AM	#10
Irishteen Blue Crack Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 21,050 Local Time: 05:09 AM	The band's 3 best albums all came from different decades, they have no single creative peak

05-08-2008, 12:03 PM	#14
djerdap Refugee Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,498 Local Time: 06:09 AM	Achtung Baby