[standard U2 reference] I'd like to nominate U2 as a band that, sales wise, at least, isn't washed up yet [/standard U2 reference]


But seriously, I think it's easier for rock bands than it is for R&B/Pop acts. Using U2 as an example: U2 formed in 1976, released their first album in 1980, had their first U2 #1 LP in 1987. Their last album hit #1, sold over 800,000 copies first week in the US alone, spawned a huge hit (would've been bigger if Billboard had counted download sales into the charts at the time), and spawned the biggest tour of the year.

It may not be "cool" to like U2 at the moment, and they have gotten sappier with age, but they are at one of the pinnacles of their career, IMO. Look around the rock acts of the moment: Coldplay, Keane, The Killers all have had success with songs that had obvious U2 influence.

It's been about 2 years since their last album, and they are in the studio with Rick Rubin at the moment, so I'm hoping that the next disc they drop continues the winning streak.

Anx said:

...except death

NoTime2Hate said:

are you saying that the concepts of imagination and art are finite and that both have an expiration date? art can literally die? all of it? forever?

that's kinda deep.

This may be a disease isolated to certain segments of the Pop community.

It seems as though established Jazz/Blues/Classical (and maybe even traditional Country) musicians continue to play until they physical can't do it anymore or they die.

Maybe because their fanbase is not as fickle?

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

But are the last few U2 cds as good as say 3121 is in relation to older Prince ?

theAudience said:

You are not implying, though, that musicians play simply for market (fanbase) demand. One would like to think it is all about the art, however realistically we all know for some musicians it is all about the money.


Can you think of anyone that has stayed at the top? I can't....

origmnd said:

Actually, I haven't really loved a new Prince album since TGE in 1995. I think that How to Dismantle is U2's best album since 1991; that's misleading for two reasons, however. First, I don't think U2 has released a sub-standard product as of yet. And secondly, U2 only release an album every 3 or 4 years; Prince, obviously releases albums at a much faster rate.

To me, U2's output has been steady since 1983, whereas Prince has been in a steady decline since 1988. This is coming from a hardcore U2 fan, and a recovering hardcore Prince fan.