Polygram - Business as usual.

Tina Rhoades ([email protected])
Sat, 07 Nov 1998 18:00:43 -0500

I hope y'all had a chance to read Deseree's post on the "no longer limited
GH addition"-- because she is right on the money. Polygram knew that its
press release (which had been repeated in music mags., radio stations, and
newspapers all over the world) would send fans rushing to stores in its
first week of release and would push Polygram's sales figures off of the
charts. If they hadn't had planned to mislead the public, then they would
have just released the "Best of..." with a bonus CD of B-sides, instead of
playing the game of two different products on two different release dates.
 The criticism coming from fans is not because "collectors" and "freak (?!)
fans" feel that only THEY should be privy to U2's music (U2 and Polygram
SHOULD have released BOTH CD's at a special price for everyone
--considering that it only costs $2.00 to make a single CD!), but because
Polygram's marketing strategy was INTENDED to deceive. (It would be
interesting to get Chris Blackwell's, former president of Island records,
opinion. I believe he may be a few steps higher-up on the integrity ladder.)

It must be my age (34), but I'm amazed when someone (ANOTHER U2 fan, since
I assume that only U2ers would post to this list) criticizes the band or
its company, that so many folks (OTHER U2 fans) take it so PERSONALLY and
come back with lines like "we should not criticize U2 and support whatever
they do" or "he/she must not be a REAL fan". (Similarly, I'm just as
displeased when "older" fans blatantly kick "younger" or "newer" fans
because they "weren't around to experience early U2"--before their
integrity came into question, etc.) Critical thinking is not a horrible
thing. Its a perceptive way at looking at the world in which we live and
increases awareness ("Critical Thinking" is a course offered at
universities in which more people should enroll).

Speaking of integrity...would anyone like to comment on the most recent
issue (#28 and #29) of Propaganda being listed as a, er, uh, "double (?!!)
issue"? (Bless Peter "Willie" Williams for his compassion, charm, and wit,
for without him...)

I criticize because I care... I care, therefore I am (or something like that)!
Tina

P.S. "...Nurture them carefully and learn to share in their heart and
soul. Care about them, because they deserve your care and attention.
Don't elevate them, talk to them. Don't admire them, like them. U2 is a
very, very special group."
                                        -Neil McCormick, Hot Press

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