To celebrate (and, let’s face it, promote) the release of U2’s ‘Live from Mexico City’ on DVD there a new dedicated site for it. Go check it out at popmart.U2.com and enjoy the 20 minute PopMart Rotterdam audiocast. Registered members can access all areas, including Willie’s diary and U2’s Sarajevo press announcement.
Best dvd yet……….would have loved it to have a remixed pop as a third disc and then convince all those doubters out there that this was indeed the best record …….bye for now
Best dvd yet……….would have loved it to have a remixed pop as a third disc and then convince all those doubters out there that this was indeed the best record …….bye for now
I personally wouldn’t call “Pop” their best album (I know Stanny Boy wasn’t saying it was his favorite – he’s talking about concert DVDs) … but I keep going back to it … and anything in my iPod from this tour keeps appearing in heavy rotation. While ZooTV Tour conveyed irony, PopMart Tour unabashedly swam naked in bombast. I honestly have to say that I enjoyed PopMart concerts more than I did some Vertigo shows … but that’s like saying I favor having $1,000 vs. $999 — I’ll take either!
I personally wouldn’t call “Pop” their best album (I know Stanny Boy wasn’t saying it was his favorite – he’s talking about concert DVDs) … but I keep going back to it … and anything in my iPod from this tour keeps appearing in heavy rotation. While ZooTV Tour conveyed irony, PopMart Tour unabashedly swam naked in bombast. I honestly have to say that I enjoyed PopMart concerts more than I did some Vertigo shows … but that’s like saying I favor having $1,000 vs. $999 — I’ll take either!
As someone a bit younger in years… my first exposure to U2 was a popmart TV’special’… and you know what they say about first impressions! As much as I envy those of you who have watched and listened to the band evolve over the decades, to me, the experience of listening to the entire back catalogue (for the first time) over a few weeks was a spine chilling moment in time that I’ve only felt again when the next U2 album comes out =) But my (eventual) point is that for the casual music fan, the negative reviews, and continual references to ‘FlopMart’ must have made U2 seem like a very ‘uncool’ option (I know, I know.. we like it that way!).. but I think with the benefit of hindsight, even people who aren’t very into U2 can appreciate this tour for the amazing spectacle it was.. an extraordinary experience on so many levels. And the fans who weren’t keen on this tour can perhaps realise that it wasn’t so bad afterall! =P Personally, after experiencing my first U2 concerts last year, I would have to say I would trade that experience to see a Zoo TV or PopMart concert live in person. Oh, and whenever somebody says to me that they like U2 ‘because they’re not doing that 90’s crap anymore’ or they dont like U2 ‘because they’re sell outs’… I like to remind myself of this.. If U2 were not the band that they are, chances are they would’ve kept churning out the same sound year after year, tour after tour.. the fans would have lost interest, the band would have become irrelevant like so many ‘next biggest thing’ bands these days. We would never have had some of the wonderful, extraordinary songs we have today. Variety is the spice of life, and it is never a bad thing to experiment and try different things! Thanks for letting me have my 2 cents!
As someone a bit younger in years… my first exposure to U2 was a popmart TV’special’… and you know what they say about first impressions! As much as I envy those of you who have watched and listened to the band evolve over the decades, to me, the experience of listening to the entire back catalogue (for the first time) over a few weeks was a spine chilling moment in time that I’ve only felt again when the next U2 album comes out =) But my (eventual) point is that for the casual music fan, the negative reviews, and continual references to ‘FlopMart’ must have made U2 seem like a very ‘uncool’ option (I know, I know.. we like it that way!).. but I think with the benefit of hindsight, even people who aren’t very into U2 can appreciate this tour for the amazing spectacle it was.. an extraordinary experience on so many levels. And the fans who weren’t keen on this tour can perhaps realise that it wasn’t so bad afterall! =P Personally, after experiencing my first U2 concerts last year, I would have to say I would trade that experience to see a Zoo TV or PopMart concert live in person. Oh, and whenever somebody says to me that they like U2 ‘because they’re not doing that 90’s crap anymore’ or they dont like U2 ‘because they’re sell outs’… I like to remind myself of this.. If U2 were not the band that they are, chances are they would’ve kept churning out the same sound year after year, tour after tour.. the fans would have lost interest, the band would have become irrelevant like so many ‘next biggest thing’ bands these days. We would never have had some of the wonderful, extraordinary songs we have today. Variety is the spice of life, and it is never a bad thing to experiment and try different things! Thanks for letting me have my 2 cents!
After two very earnest albums and tours, I’m really hoping that U2 reinvent themselves with this next album and show us something we haven’t seen yet.
If the Fly was a response to the heat he got from his “Am I bugging you?” era (no pun intended?), then what will come from the Oprah/Bush/Blair/However-holds-a-seat-somewhere era?
I just hope he leaves the muscle shirt at home this time.
After two very earnest albums and tours, I’m really hoping that U2 reinvent themselves with this next album and show us something we haven’t seen yet.
If the Fly was a response to the heat he got from his “Am I bugging you?” era (no pun intended?), then what will come from the Oprah/Bush/Blair/However-holds-a-seat-somewhere era?
I just hope he leaves the muscle shirt at home this time.
Leprechaun i remember doing the same thing back in ’97. I had heard Discoteque on the radio, and it was unlike anything i had heard before (i was 14 at the time ;)). I bought Pop and was just left speechless after hearing it. Such deep lyrics… Such emotion… and so much courage! I didnt attend Popmart here in Copenhagen, but got the DVD and watched it 1000 times with a friend. I also got the backcatalogue, and i remember clearly how certain songs were like revelations (Streets, Love is Blindness, Lemon etc.). At this time U2 was an entirely different band. There were no best-of records out, and u2 were a lot more alternative than they are now. I loved them for it, and actually at first didnt like the direction they took with ATYCLB (and i still think the best-offs are worthless at best).
Today i listen to ATYCLB more than Pop, because Pop is such a rough record to take in. PopMart is in a very different emotional state than Vertigo and Elevation is. Darker – just look at the closing songs for proof! But also more challenging… You could say that PopMart is about losing your faith, Elevation is about hope and finding your faith again, and Vertigo is about joy.
Leprechaun i remember doing the same thing back in ’97. I had heard Discoteque on the radio, and it was unlike anything i had heard before (i was 14 at the time ;)). I bought Pop and was just left speechless after hearing it. Such deep lyrics… Such emotion… and so much courage! I didnt attend Popmart here in Copenhagen, but got the DVD and watched it 1000 times with a friend. I also got the backcatalogue, and i remember clearly how certain songs were like revelations (Streets, Love is Blindness, Lemon etc.). At this time U2 was an entirely different band. There were no best-of records out, and u2 were a lot more alternative than they are now. I loved them for it, and actually at first didnt like the direction they took with ATYCLB (and i still think the best-offs are worthless at best).
Today i listen to ATYCLB more than Pop, because Pop is such a rough record to take in. PopMart is in a very different emotional state than Vertigo and Elevation is. Darker – just look at the closing songs for proof! But also more challenging… You could say that PopMart is about losing your faith, Elevation is about hope and finding your faith again, and Vertigo is about joy.
I watched the DVD this past weekend and loved it. The work done to improve the images and sound was well worth the DVD. The result – brilliant color and greater sound quality than the VHS tape.
Pop is a great album. The music has always held my interest and I never for one second thought it wasn’t anything but fabulous. It isn’t light and frothy, as the title might otherwise suggest, but how could it be? It is U2. They write lyrics and music for the audience to think and feel, and that is why I am a huge fan.
However, I must admit this is the one concert, since becoming a fan in 1985, I did not get to see live. My daughter was born two weeks before they played at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. I was unable to go. Now I truly understand what I missed and it must have been just spectacular. No DVD could possible capture the size of the screen and the dazzle of the silly but fun accoutrements. Zoo TV was truly groundbreaking and spectacular at Dodger Stadium in 1993, but Popmart, I bet would have amazed me even more. In this DVD, U2 seemed more polished and self-confident than the ZOO TV Tour. I can’t wait until they tour again, and again, and again………
I watched the DVD this past weekend and loved it. The work done to improve the images and sound was well worth the DVD. The result – brilliant color and greater sound quality than the VHS tape.
Pop is a great album. The music has always held my interest and I never for one second thought it wasn’t anything but fabulous. It isn’t light and frothy, as the title might otherwise suggest, but how could it be? It is U2. They write lyrics and music for the audience to think and feel, and that is why I am a huge fan.
However, I must admit this is the one concert, since becoming a fan in 1985, I did not get to see live. My daughter was born two weeks before they played at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. I was unable to go. Now I truly understand what I missed and it must have been just spectacular. No DVD could possible capture the size of the screen and the dazzle of the silly but fun accoutrements. Zoo TV was truly groundbreaking and spectacular at Dodger Stadium in 1993, but Popmart, I bet would have amazed me even more. In this DVD, U2 seemed more polished and self-confident than the ZOO TV Tour. I can’t wait until they tour again, and again, and again………
I watched it for the first time last week when I bought the DVD and I think it doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. I especially understand the use of art from the Pop Art movement after taking an art history class last year. It really is a great concert that has a lot more soul than ZooTV. Go buy it!
I watched it for the first time last week when I bought the DVD and I think it doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. I especially understand the use of art from the Pop Art movement after taking an art history class last year. It really is a great concert that has a lot more soul than ZooTV. Go buy it!
Pearls: I saw PopMart tour 4 times … It did start a little shakey — they had to start-and-stop “Staring at the Sun” many times due to timing issues as a four-piece band and later just went acoustic with Edge & Bono; plus I think fans in attendance (but moreso the media) weren’t quite sure what to make of it. I think that’s when U2 is at their best — keeping us fans and media on its heels, rather than playing it safe. I’ve enjoyed the past two albums and tours, but when I think about a memorable U2 concert over the past decade from a shear performance standpoint, PopMart tour was quite a show. Just needed a little more drums (channeling Larry here). I’m cautiously optimistic about the upcoming album + tour.
Pearls: I saw PopMart tour 4 times … It did start a little shakey — they had to start-and-stop “Staring at the Sun” many times due to timing issues as a four-piece band and later just went acoustic with Edge & Bono; plus I think fans in attendance (but moreso the media) weren’t quite sure what to make of it. I think that’s when U2 is at their best — keeping us fans and media on its heels, rather than playing it safe. I’ve enjoyed the past two albums and tours, but when I think about a memorable U2 concert over the past decade from a shear performance standpoint, PopMart tour was quite a show. Just needed a little more drums (channeling Larry here). I’m cautiously optimistic about the upcoming album + tour.
Pearls total agreement!
Too velvet Elvis Pop is sometimes my fav record……but sometimes its Zooropa but never atomic bomb cos mate boy & October out shines that one.
keep the faith
Pearls total agreement!
Too velvet Elvis Pop is sometimes my fav record……but sometimes its Zooropa but never atomic bomb cos mate boy & October out shines that one.
keep the faith
I love this dvd! And that’s saying a lot since this was my list favorite concert video when it was on vhs. I miss those songs from Pop (my favorite U2 album!) Hopefully a couple will make it into the 3D movie to balance things out.
I love this dvd! And that’s saying a lot since this was my list favorite concert video when it was on vhs. I miss those songs from Pop (my favorite U2 album!) Hopefully a couple will make it into the 3D movie to balance things out.