IMAGI-BLOG
On U2 and iPod Roulette: Does a woman really need a man like a fish needs a bicycle?
Submitted by imaginary dana on April 4, 2007.iPod Roulette is a new column on TIG, one where imaginary writer Erik Gonzalez writes about the first song that his iPod chooses for him each morning. We like to think of it as your daily imaginary affirmation.
This morning's song was "Trying to Put Your Arms Around the World" off U2's Achtung Baby. In the write-up, Erik proclaims, "Secretary General Bono and the lads haven't really made a good song in quite a few years..." and continued on to say that, "many people I knew hated it (Achtung Baby) when it came out."
I expect that for some, those are fighting words. I'm of the belief that anything post-Joshua Tree is a waste of my eardrums (but that Joshua Tree and earlier is some of my favorite music of all time). As I mentioned earlier this week, I also particularly dislike the song "One," which only exacerbates my dislike for Achtung Baby. And isn't this the song where Bono's lyrics plummet to the level of 1970s feminist slogans when he sings, "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"? I expect more from Bono.
What are your thoughts on U2? What are your thoughts on feminist propaganda? What are your thoughts on iPod Roulette? Inquiring imaginary minds want to know.
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Erik Gonzalez said on April 4, 2007:
I really do wish I understood why people dislike Achtung Baby so much. Maybe I just heard it at the right time, but listening to "Love is Blindness" or "Mysterious Ways" or "Acrobat" will still give me chills. Or maybe it was the whole big Fly sunglasses I wore all through high school. Or maybe I'm just lame. Achtung just had edge (no pun intended) and irony. *sigh*
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imaginary ash said on April 4, 2007:
As I told Erik (who called me out in this morning's roulette), I don't hate hate hate everything they've ever done. I'm with you, Dana — most everything since Joshua Tree has grated on my very last nerves, esp. "Mysterious Ways" and "Vertigo" and most things between. However, I did really love the Rattle and Hum music, esp. "Love Rescue Me", and I also may be the only person not to totally hate these two: "Lemon" and "Numb". I guess the conclusion I can draw is that I like U2 most when they're not being all U2-y.
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imaginary dana said on April 4, 2007:
Yeah, I'm just not into it, Erik. But the Kenny Rogers and the PIL -- NOW we're talkin'!
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Reviews
El Jefe said on April 4, 2007:
Alright, fine - I will conceed that most (but not all) of the newer songs might lack some of the urgency of the older material. BUT! It must be said that they are far better musicians now than at any time in the past and when they play "The Electric Co." and "Elevation" to a bunch of wigged out Italians in Milan, they fucking bring it.
Also, they have better clothes and hair (or hats) now.