Haters, Stop Hatin'

If you're a loyal U2 fan, such as myself, you may have noticed that there are a lot of U2 haters out there these days.  Their primary complaints are two-fold: 1) U2 hasn't released a good album since Achtung Baby, and 2) Bono thinks he's Jesus.  I will strive today to dispel both of those myths.

Many "U2-Hater" blogs recently have lodged the complaint that, while U2 has some great songs, they have not released any "classic" albums other than Achtung Baby and The Joshua Tree.  Let me attempt to counter that argument by using a food analogy.  Most people like pizza. Unless you are lactose-intolerant and can't take the cheese, you like pizza. Admit it.  What kind of pizza is your favorite?  Survey says... Pepperoni.  News flash, some people HATE pepperoni and only want straight cheese, or veggie, or sausage.  U2 has always given us a buffet of many choices.  They have re-invented themselves so many times, experimenting with new sounds and new genres, from Punk to Americana to Alternative to Pop, and so on.  That tends to alienate some people who are not willing to broaden their music landscapes.  My point is this, any "U2-Hater" blog that you might read which suggests that certain U2 albums are "classics" and others are not is invariably biased by the personal preferences of the writer.  One person's opinion or, dare I say, even popular opinion (Billboard sales figures), do not dictate whether an album is good, great or a classic.  That distinction remains in the ear & mind of the beholder.

Secondly, many U2 haters are getting tired of Bono acting as the World's Saviour.  They claim that he is just pretending to care about the poor and downtrodden of the world, AIDS in Africa, the indebtedness of poor nations, and all manner of injustices, while he sips expensive champagne on the Riviera.  My response to those criticisms is pretty simple.  Get over it, you jealous fools.  Because Bono is rich and a celebrity, he can command the attention of the fellow rich, financiers and world leaders.  He is using his celebrity for good.  Instead of merely raking in the bucks and sipping champagne on the Riviera, he is also spending his time and effort championing worthwhile causes.  He also knows that his multitudes of fans will listen, learn and perhaps also care about the plight of the sick and the poor.  While that does not make him Jesus, it makes him a decent fellow who is not afraid of wearing his compassion on his sleeve.

If will tell the U2-haters this, instead of envying the band and hating Bono's alleged God Complex, you should stop hating and start doing something to make the world a better place.  If you feel that Bono is no better than yourself, then prove it, and you go change the world.