They single handedly ruined new wave music when I was growing up, when starting off as a romantic sci fi genre U2 came on the scene & shit all over it with politics.

I grew up in the 80s and was there for the whole U2 ride. You got some things right- a lot of albums with forgettable songs,  they're pretentious at times, etc.  Their infusion of politics into music is pretty bad and as of the last 5 years has pushed me far from the fan I once was.

But you missed some things. While Edge is not a technical player, he is inventive with effects- that is his thing. Especially using the delay effect in a uniquely rhythmic way that had not been done before.  His tone and effects are unique on almost every song.  If you didn't grow up in the 80s you wouldn't know how the U2 sound affected songs created for commercials, TV shows, bumper music.  

They did make a massive shift in sound and style between Rattle and Hum, and Achtung Baby.  They vastly expanded their fan base at that time too. Prior to that their image was earthy, earnest and a little heroin chic. After they were slick and cool, but at the same time mocking themselves and the whole rockstar image.  Early fans may say Joshua Tree was their pinnacle, where later fans like me would say Achtung Baby.   Pop was quirky and weird but hardcore fans loved it.  2001's All That You Can't Leave Behind was sensational as well where almost every song was great.  All albums following that came out once every five years and left a lot to be desired.

In the end they are a love em or hate em type band- I get it.

Sadly, U2 are creatively finished as a group and their best years are way behind them.  Their best albums were their 1980s catalogue.  The Joshua Tree is a good album but not great.  In 1987 which was a very competitive year for music with better released albums then the Johsua Tree such as Bruce Springsteen's Tunnel of Love, Def Leppard Hysteria, Michael Jackson's BAD, Prince Sign of The Times, John Mellencamp Lonesome Jubilee, INXS Kick, Midnight Oil Diesel & Dust, Fleetwood Mac Tango in the Night, George Michael's Faith, Guns & Roses Appetite for Destruction, Whitney Houston Whitney, Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

Furthermore, U2 were not the biggest band or music act in the world in 1987.  Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson world tours from 1987 to 1989 outgrossed U2's Joshua Tree tour.

Also, the 3 biggest selling music album acts in the 1980s were Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Phil Collins solo and together when he was singing with Genesis.

He used to do a good solo for “Bullet The Blue Sky” - check out from the year 1993, blues-y as fuck man

'U2 aren't a Band.
They're a Buisness Convention with guitars'

I saw your U2 play in 1981 in a provincial city in the U.K small venue, and then saw them play and fill a stadium in 1993…….
Some of your comments are right on the money, live the whole experience is entertaining and it’s that momentum which has boosted their popularity. I agree there is a lot of dross, and for the past 20 or so years it’s been dire. Having said that I still listen to them periodically, probably because they remind me of when I was younger man and life was good!

Fair assessment guys, tho
overrated & overhyped* band
not worst imo.

Bono pretty much invented rock n roll

Actung Baby in 1993 was damn good... European and techno driven.

Big fan of them in the 1990s. Now they S U C K A S S

The Pop album was my favorite, the Bono & Edge names are phony, I agree.

It's like saying Beatles is the worst band ever

U2 has lost it's potential nowadays. But amazed a lot of people in the 80's. You can critisize them now. But Achtung Baby; The Joshua Tree and..( their last great one)All That You Can't Leave Behind are classics! You cannot deny that. I think Bono is the one who is to blame now... for all his weird political statements and his involvement with WEF or Davos if you like. Worst band is unlikely. If you hear some"artists" now with their horrible Auto Tune...

I dont hate them. But it seems they do suck. { Boy, October, even Rattle & Hum are amazing...when I heard Pop I was like, who is this watered down s###...} 🕛 to dock the ship, drop anchor and port. Cuz...yer times up.

U2 😂     SELL OUT SOUL

Bono killed Rock 'n' Roll by standing with Bush and Blair after the Iraq invasion.
Rock stars were OUR spokespersons against politicians up to that point. Bono sold that out for the gratification of his own meszianic

This is the typical discussion of 2 people who have done nothing, have not created anything, have not contributed anything and want to criticize those who do take risks. "I don't like his nickname, it seems pretentious to me" its a nickname!...pretentious is criticizing art without putting anything on the table. sad. Go, create something and be proud about it.

I don't know about their other albums but U2's Pop album is amazing, best thing they ever did.

No mention of their religion,  makes me think of this pod.....

Bet the band are losing sleep over this pair of bell ends . U2 live are up there with anyone