John J. Hlavaty ([email protected])
Sun, 30 Aug 1998 16:04:27 +0000
Defense: Selfish, yes, but that is the definition of a "fanatic".
A fanatic wants to "milk" the object of his/her fanaticism for all that
he/she/they can provide. A fan appreciates the past/present,
but is always anxious for the future. This is doubly true
if the present release (movie, film, book, etc.) is not quite
as "inspiring" as past releases. Fans who were disappointed in
"POP", may be anxiously looking forward to U2's new release.
A traditional "Greatest Hits" album full of old releases would
not satiate that desire.
Also, what's wrong with wanting something new? Could you
go to your boss and present last year's work as this
year's and then ask that your boss pay you?
> 2) You guys think that releasing a greatest hits album will mark the
> end of U2's effective musical dominance.
>
> VERDICT: You guys have no faith in U2 and are paranoid.
Defense: While some artists have continued to have great
careers after the release of their "Greatest Hits" albums, there
are also many examples of the artist not being as inspired after
the release. This has prompted some fans to fear
U2 are not as motivated. There have also been examples of
a "Greatest Hits" album being the "final" album from an artist,
giving reasons for fans to be paranoid. Combine this with
the fact that U2 themselves have stated their disdain for
"Greatest Hits" albums and one can see why fans would be worried.
> 3)You argue saying releasing a greatest hits album is selling out.
>
> VERDICT: Guilty of principal crime misunderstanding, with acessory
> crimes of selfishness.
Defense: All albums are "selling out" by definition. Any time
any of us sells a part of our talents for money, we are "selling out".
Therefore, let's remove that part from the argument.
When an artist tries to gain additional income from past successes, that
also
is a definition of "selling-out". The artist has no new material,
but is living off of past glory or trying to make fans pay for
an item they may very well have in their collections in other formats.
That said...
Now that I presented the opposing view, I must say that I really
am ambivalent on this topic. If U2 released a very traditional
"Greatest
Hits" album (i.e., one full of previously-released studio songs),
I may still get it as I feel it would be a great compilation CD.
However, from an artistic point of view, I would be disappointed in U2.
And I *know* we U2 fans would have to defend against those who
feel U2 have "sold out" or are "uninspired" by releasing such an album.
In contrast, if U2's version of a "Greatest Hits" CD consisted
of remixed versions of past studio tracks (by that I do not mean
remixes per se, but slightly altered or different versions
of past songs) or live versions of past hits, then I would be
most delighted.
As of now, *IF* this album is to come to fruition, I would highly
suspect that it would be the CD companion release to the "POPMart"
video. Note that U2 did not release a CD companion to their
"ZOO TV: Live in Sydney" video, which was disappointing. If
U2 toss in a few new songs to help promote the CD (ala "Rattle & Hum")
then I would be most delighted. We'd get to hear some live U2
along with some new U2.
Furthermore, *if* this live/studio album was released,
I think it would sell better than "POP". Keep in mind that
"POPMart" was a very successful tour in the U.S. and the world.
Toss in a few new U2 songs and this album is a "sure thing".
Regardless of what happens, we U2 fans will still find ways to complain
about it! LOL! We are such a demanding bunch, aren't we?
We complain when U2 changes musical styles, yetcomplain if any of
U2's new music is too similar to the past. We complain about
having concerts in large venues, but complain when we can't
get tickets to the smaller venue shows. We complain when
U2 doesn't release live material, but when they do, we complain
that it's not enough or that another show should have been
chosen. We complain about which songs are chosen as singles,
yet complain when the next single takes too long to be released.
We complain about Bono's ever-changing hairstyle, yet complain
that Larry's hairstyle has remained the same for the past decade.
We complain when U2 are "too popular", yet complain when they
aren't "popular enough". We complain that U2 don't release
albums fast enough, but then complain when about the albums when
they are released.
Verdict: U2 fans are a royal pain in the arse! :-D
Ciao,
John
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