by Been quiet too long...

Well what can I say? I drove all the way from Vancouver to Portland to see U2 put on a pretty lack luster performance. This was the 4th show on this tour I have seen and I walked out dissapointed. I knew the setlist wasn't going to change. I mean heck, Bono is to busy trying to save the planet that rehearse new tunes. The U2 cover band I saw the night before at Kell's had more variety in their set. How many times do we need to hear SBS, BTBS, Pride? The same tired blindfold routine, Americans that think its cool that he sings "Outside is America!" (note: American's, this is not a good thing, El Salvador, check your history books!).

There were some higlights though. As always the show looked great. But is it just me or is the ellipse just a bit too much like the heart? Where is the disco lemon? The phonecalls to the UN? The trabants as spotlights? Bono in the fly glasses, larger than life? U2 were cooler when Bono was drinking his face off and putting on the horns. There is none of that in the show anymore. Bono is slowly becoming a picture of himself. I mean, he does a great Bono impression, but it is getting old. It is great he wants to be a humanitarian, but I paid to see a rock star. For two hours, please be a rock star.

In Portland U2 came out of the gates hard and fast. I Will Follow was stunning! But how to kill a high? OOTS into SYCMIOYO. People these are not done well live. Yes he hits the "SING" part but it is a good time to go grab another beer. People sit down. And Miss Sarajevo? Please... Again he hits a few good notes but is that song a better pick than 50 other U2 greats? No it is not.

So now we wait for a new album and a new tour. Perhaps they can set up a website where we the fans, that read every night's setlist, get to pick the set list. That would be the best Christmas present this year.

I am still a huge fan, but I have given so much to U2 that I believe it is time they give something back.

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