Alternative Radio Gods?

U2 could be a winner tonight at the 2003 Radio Music Awards, which recognizes the popularity of musicians on American radio. Nominees are chosen based on the amount of radio airplay they receive nationwide. U2 are nominated in the categories of Artist of the Year/Adult Alternative Radio and Song of the Year/Alternative Radio for “Electrical Storm.” The awards show airs live from Las Vegas at 8 p.m. on NBC.

60 thoughts on “Alternative Radio Gods?

  1. This is not an award to be coveted in that, if they win, their company of fellow winners is not going to be very good or talented. So, (gasp) it would be nice if they didn’t win this one.

  2. This is not an award to be coveted in that, if they win, their company of fellow winners is not going to be very good or talented. So, (gasp) it would be nice if they didn’t win this one.

  3. aww come on, can’t you see the B-man accepting an award from Kid Rock or some other flash in the pan name

    And having U2’s name right next to the stokes or blink182 (or is 195, or 137???–dang I can never remember) would look neato wouldn’t it?

  4. aww come on, can’t you see the B-man accepting an award from Kid Rock or some other flash in the pan name

    And having U2’s name right next to the stokes or blink182 (or is 195, or 137???–dang I can never remember) would look neato wouldn’t it?

  5. With the state of American radio, this award is more an insult than tribute. But it would be a good candidate for keeping the back door from closing shut on a windy day!

  6. With the state of American radio, this award is more an insult than tribute. But it would be a good candidate for keeping the back door from closing shut on a windy day!

  7. U2’s name is next to:
    COLDPLAY
    COUNTING CROWS
    DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
    JACK JOHNSON

    Not bad company. But it’s billed as “music’s most memorable event.” Not likely.

  8. U2’s name is next to:
    COLDPLAY
    COUNTING CROWS
    DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
    JACK JOHNSON

    Not bad company. But it’s billed as “music’s most memorable event.” Not likely.

  9. What’s more is that the song being nominated is “Electrical Storm”. The version that got heavy play on the radio in Atlanta was the Orbit remix version — once vastly *inferior* to the original, more raw version. I’d rather the “alternative” stations play “Electric Co.” instead. 😉

  10. What’s more is that the song being nominated is “Electrical Storm”. The version that got heavy play on the radio in Atlanta was the Orbit remix version — once vastly *inferior* to the original, more raw version. I’d rather the “alternative” stations play “Electric Co.” instead. 😉

  11. Vastly superior? I preferred the Orbit version, but liked the one they played once on Radio 1 even better. Less guitar. Less guitar = good. Well, it is when I’m listening.

  12. Vastly superior? I preferred the Orbit version, but liked the one they played once on Radio 1 even better. Less guitar. Less guitar = good. Well, it is when I’m listening.

  13. The Edge is getting kind of boring???
    That might be the the most ignorant, no offense intended, statement ever made on this log!
    Are you kidding me? He is just getting started!

    Both mixes were nice, however it was supposed to be an alternative rock ballad of sorts so the orbit mix was better suited. I do agree as well the radio one version was sweet~~
    Peace~

  14. The Edge is getting kind of boring???
    That might be the the most ignorant, no offense intended, statement ever made on this log!
    Are you kidding me? He is just getting started!

    Both mixes were nice, however it was supposed to be an alternative rock ballad of sorts so the orbit mix was better suited. I do agree as well the radio one version was sweet~~
    Peace~

  15. What I think is boring is synth pads and ‘ambience’. More guitar the better. I’m glad that Lanois and eno are not producing the new one. Not to detract from their incredible talent; but I think that their extra contributions to the sound and atmosphere cuts the teeth of their music. All that extra gunk takes away from the raw performance. Its not really a bad thing (it worked great up to and including Achtung Baby), but if you want to tear someone’s head off with the rawk, you don’t need all that.

  16. What I think is boring is synth pads and ‘ambience’. More guitar the better. I’m glad that Lanois and eno are not producing the new one. Not to detract from their incredible talent; but I think that their extra contributions to the sound and atmosphere cuts the teeth of their music. All that extra gunk takes away from the raw performance. Its not really a bad thing (it worked great up to and including Achtung Baby), but if you want to tear someone’s head off with the rawk, you don’t need all that.

  17. The essence of rock n roll is attitude. Or maybe that’s punk. We can argue till we’re blue in the face. I’m not a big fan of guitars – I think it’s likely a lot of other U2 fans are. I prefer keyboards, strings, wind instruments, bass. The Edge is not all about guitar. I’d never say he’s ‘boring’. The Edge is also about melody (… and arrangement, etc etc). Which to me is the most important thing in music. The right melody, combined with the right words. And preferably without screaming guitars.

  18. The essence of rock n roll is attitude. Or maybe that’s punk. We can argue till we’re blue in the face. I’m not a big fan of guitars – I think it’s likely a lot of other U2 fans are. I prefer keyboards, strings, wind instruments, bass. The Edge is not all about guitar. I’d never say he’s ‘boring’. The Edge is also about melody (… and arrangement, etc etc). Which to me is the most important thing in music. The right melody, combined with the right words. And preferably without screaming guitars.

  19. Isn’t Edge the same guy who does everything to try and make his instrument not sound like a guitar?
    I agree with vonb… I’d like to see a layered heavy record….

  20. Isn’t Edge the same guy who does everything to try and make his instrument not sound like a guitar?
    I agree with vonb… I’d like to see a layered heavy record….

  21. just joshin’ ya. i always forget how difficult sarcasm is to pick up on the net. plus with americans running loose, you can never tell………

  22. just joshin’ ya. i always forget how difficult sarcasm is to pick up on the net. plus with americans running loose, you can never tell………

  23. Bob…sarcasm one thing, ignorance is another.
    You just proved it with not only the edge comment, but some america bashing as well…
    Bob equals…loo-hoo-hooser!

  24. Bob…sarcasm one thing, ignorance is another.
    You just proved it with not only the edge comment, but some america bashing as well…
    Bob equals…loo-hoo-hooser!

  25. Once again I am ashamed to be a U2 fan. I’m sure ‘bob’ was just making a little joke. Look at how dumb and stupid people react. U2 fans are SO afraid somebody touches ‘their’ band and most of the time ‘life’. Man!

    QUEVE!

  26. Once again I am ashamed to be a U2 fan. I’m sure ‘bob’ was just making a little joke. Look at how dumb and stupid people react. U2 fans are SO afraid somebody touches ‘their’ band and most of the time ‘life’. Man!

    QUEVE!

  27. bot. i’d like the edge to use piano more and for a heavier influence from larry and adam. just dreaming of what the next record might sound like is half the fun

  28. bot. i’d like the edge to use piano more and for a heavier influence from larry and adam. just dreaming of what the next record might sound like is half the fun

  29. I guess, queve, you need nothing back from me…you labeled yourself…

    your quote
    look how dumb and stupid people react, well thought out statement by you…

    Do you not agree that it was an ignorant or at least incorrect statement?
    Do you not agree that we shouldn’t have political or global opinions expressed on this site? and perhaps that is why vonb and the crew ask that we stay on topic?
    My beef is probably more with you than bob, he was being silly. You, as you stated about others, were simply being stupid and dumb.
    So my emotion leads to the best comment in this post, from bob…waiting and wondering for the next album and excited about edges constant evolution as a guitar freak!
    Remember when the hype first hit the stage 25 years ago, edge knew just three chords and of course bono knew the truth~
    peace~

  30. I guess, queve, you need nothing back from me…you labeled yourself…

    your quote
    look how dumb and stupid people react, well thought out statement by you…

    Do you not agree that it was an ignorant or at least incorrect statement?
    Do you not agree that we shouldn’t have political or global opinions expressed on this site? and perhaps that is why vonb and the crew ask that we stay on topic?
    My beef is probably more with you than bob, he was being silly. You, as you stated about others, were simply being stupid and dumb.
    So my emotion leads to the best comment in this post, from bob…waiting and wondering for the next album and excited about edges constant evolution as a guitar freak!
    Remember when the hype first hit the stage 25 years ago, edge knew just three chords and of course bono knew the truth~
    peace~

  31. all those people who were kids when u2 came out, and loved them, still do. And they were alternative. Nothing sounded like them, or attempted to create the same feeling they did. they were alternative, and still are to me. Still against the grain.

  32. all those people who were kids when u2 came out, and loved them, still do. And they were alternative. Nothing sounded like them, or attempted to create the same feeling they did. they were alternative, and still are to me. Still against the grain.

  33. Fan since ’80 – you are the best. You have been a fan for 23 years now. You must be the biggest fan in the world. Fan since ’80 I bet you can’t accept any negative criticism at all about u2. You are a true fan. I salute you.

  34. Fan since ’80 – you are the best. You have been a fan for 23 years now. You must be the biggest fan in the world. Fan since ’80 I bet you can’t accept any negative criticism at all about u2. You are a true fan. I salute you.

  35. The next U2 CD is going to be their most guitar-driven album, ever. At least that’s what Bono told my friend Marie about two weeks back outside the studio. He said words to the effect of, “we’re going after the Strokes, the most exciting new band out there.” I’m psyched about this, because it means more Edge.

  36. The next U2 CD is going to be their most guitar-driven album, ever. At least that’s what Bono told my friend Marie about two weeks back outside the studio. He said words to the effect of, “we’re going after the Strokes, the most exciting new band out there.” I’m psyched about this, because it means more Edge.

  37. vonb, if the king of rock n roll is Elvis, then i understand the attitude thing. so how do you project that attitude? Dancing…or making a lot of noise. I like how edge and his producers make sense out of the noise.

  38. vonb, if the king of rock n roll is Elvis, then i understand the attitude thing. so how do you project that attitude? Dancing…or making a lot of noise. I like how edge and his producers make sense out of the noise.

  39. I’m sorry to disagree with Bono, but I have such a hard time thinking anything outstanding about the Strokes or really any of the “The” bands… Sure for a short time they didn’t sound like anything on modern radio, but the did remind me a little of a 60’s sound… I guess I’m trying to say U2 is so superior in musicianship, songwriting, production value, lyrically, visually, and, hell, in every other way than the Strokes, I don’t think he should go after them, or buy their hype… U2 are the kings of their game… IMHO…

  40. I’m sorry to disagree with Bono, but I have such a hard time thinking anything outstanding about the Strokes or really any of the “The” bands… Sure for a short time they didn’t sound like anything on modern radio, but the did remind me a little of a 60’s sound… I guess I’m trying to say U2 is so superior in musicianship, songwriting, production value, lyrically, visually, and, hell, in every other way than the Strokes, I don’t think he should go after them, or buy their hype… U2 are the kings of their game… IMHO…

  41. Do U2 have to be rock and roll? They’re just U2 to me. Labels are limiting. As for the Strokes… Gimme The Rapture.

  42. Do U2 have to be rock and roll? They’re just U2 to me. Labels are limiting. As for the Strokes… Gimme The Rapture.

  43. No, U2 don’t have to be rock’n’roll, but for me, their best work is when Edge’s guitar is audible….the way Edge’s guitar and Bono’s voice go together is a big part of what makes U2 special, like Plant/Page, Daltrey/Townsend, Presley/Moore, Jagger/Richards. I like the thought of U2 going after guitar-oriented rock. I appreciate all U2’s music (well, except “Hands”….never liked that one!), but I’ve always longed for more rock attitude and sound. Let the Edge be loud this time! (And Larry can pound the drums!)

  44. No, U2 don’t have to be rock’n’roll, but for me, their best work is when Edge’s guitar is audible….the way Edge’s guitar and Bono’s voice go together is a big part of what makes U2 special, like Plant/Page, Daltrey/Townsend, Presley/Moore, Jagger/Richards. I like the thought of U2 going after guitar-oriented rock. I appreciate all U2’s music (well, except “Hands”….never liked that one!), but I’ve always longed for more rock attitude and sound. Let the Edge be loud this time! (And Larry can pound the drums!)

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