by jj

I saw both shows at the Garden so far (on Wed and last night). Its getting lazy as far as Im concerned. I remember when U2 held their press conference in KMART in lower Manhattan in February of 97 - announcing their POPMART tour. I remember one reporter asked the band what songs they planned to cover during the tour, and the band responded that they planned to really dive into the Pop album. I think it was the Edge that said, this is NOT going to be a greatest hits tour and that the band really wanted to have some fun with the new material. Well, as great as the band's performance was on both Wed and Thurs, this Elevation tour has obviously become a freakin greatest hits tour. Look at these unchanging, short set lists. I could have just as easily throw in disc one from their greatest hits album if I wanted to hear these radio songs. Im not even going to get into what Id like to hear... Im just curious.. isnt the band tired of playing these same songs for more than a decade? Dont THEY want to spice it up? Or have they just gotten lazy. Sure the greatist hits tour gets fans on their feet and crazy. Everyone knows the words and loves these songs. But true fans are sick of them. C'mon with pride, sunday bloody, new years day, i will follow, even streets, bad and one have been played ad nauseaum. Change the shit up or admit its a greatest hits tour. And what's up with dumping "In a Little While" during this 3rd leg. Couldn't let the show cruise past the 2 hour mark? Why hasn't Grace or When I look at the World EVER made its way onto the stage by now? Im as hardcore as you get for this band, and Im bored and annoyed.

Nonetheless, Bono looks as passionate as ever out there, the Edge is psycho incredible to watch EVERY TIME, and Clayton's just the coolest guy on the planet. Larry's nice too.

Here's my last point.. my overall description of this Third Leg can be summed up in 2 words -- waisted talent. This band has so much talent that they can make me jump and scream to songs that I know are coming and songs that I dont want to hear. Their live ability is through the roof. Case-in-point, no real fan wants to ever hear Angel of Harlem again. Yet the version the band played, with that crazy Edge intro that lifts your heart through your throat made even that tune incredible live. Think about what would happen if they decided to scratch the surface. I wouldn't survive it.

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