This. I thought they were both great for the most part through Green and Achtung Baby, respectively. After that, there's not much that I like.
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Bono Vs Michael Stipe
- Thread starter MAJOR METAL
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Stick_Player
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- Nov 13, 2009
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Ugh, it's like picking execution by fire or electricity. Either way, you're still gonna die a horrible death.
For me the issue is "as front men". I can tolerate, and even enjoy, some of their music when taken as a whole. As performers though? They are both far too aware and impressed with themselves to be anything approaching a good "front man". To give another example, Diamond Dave is also aware and impressed with himself, but you're invited to his party. Bono and Stipe want to be seen as human art or as living martyrs. There is no room for anyone else. It just wears thin.
For me the issue is "as front men". I can tolerate, and even enjoy, some of their music when taken as a whole. As performers though? They are both far too aware and impressed with themselves to be anything approaching a good "front man". To give another example, Diamond Dave is also aware and impressed with himself, but you're invited to his party. Bono and Stipe want to be seen as human art or as living martyrs. There is no room for anyone else. It just wears thin.
Another vote for Fred!
Since there seems to be some Fred Schneider love going on, here's his cover of "Wishbone" by Clutch.
wmhill
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Although I disagree with most of Stipes &Co views, he really sings well. Bono? only one letter from bozo...
I can't take much of either. From Stipe/R.E.M., my two favorites are "Everybody Hurts" and "Strange Currencies". And they're almost like the same song in different keys (D & C)... 
But I understand what Thick McRunfast means when he said Stipe's vocals are like "...sucking all the light, life and joy out of the world". Pretty depressing dude. And yet I still somehow prefer him over Bono. Go figure...
But I understand what Thick McRunfast means when he said Stipe's vocals are like "...sucking all the light, life and joy out of the world". Pretty depressing dude. And yet I still somehow prefer him over Bono. Go figure...
- Jan 27, 2010
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Never got into Stipe all that much, so can't comment. Bono - I think is very talented and a great front man, but I think he's kind of painted himself into a corner. Young U2 was all extremely earnest and idealistic and wanted to address real issues of social justice and peace, and I think that's great. The problem is that it's not very often a band like that becomes a long-term commercial success. Now you've got them 50 years old or whatever, raking in cash by the fistful and still going out on enormous stages to emote that same earnestness. It can get pretty easy to roll your eyes at. But economically, they don't have any incentive to change their formula, and morally, I don't think they particularly want to. If they tried to turn into Aerosmith or something it would fall pretty flat. The fans LIKE Bono the Prophet.
Bono by a country mile.... Says the man from Dublin.
He actually lives a few miles from me.. His kids all went/go to the local school, he and his wife Ali can be seen on the school run in the mornings/evenings, take part in school and local communities like anyone else. Seen them in the audience at gigs, nowhere special, not up on stage as a guest, just in the audience.
The image that so many people seem to dislike is just that, an image, I also find it kind of annoying at times.
However, in terms of being a front man and a quality vocalist, for me, Bono is way ahead.
I have seen U2 live, superb, haven't seen REM, so can't compare there, but, have had the opportunity to see them and wasn't interested, so that maybe says enough.
Different styles, different music, comparisons odious etc etc....
He actually lives a few miles from me.. His kids all went/go to the local school, he and his wife Ali can be seen on the school run in the mornings/evenings, take part in school and local communities like anyone else. Seen them in the audience at gigs, nowhere special, not up on stage as a guest, just in the audience.
The image that so many people seem to dislike is just that, an image, I also find it kind of annoying at times.
However, in terms of being a front man and a quality vocalist, for me, Bono is way ahead.
I have seen U2 live, superb, haven't seen REM, so can't compare there, but, have had the opportunity to see them and wasn't interested, so that maybe says enough.
Different styles, different music, comparisons odious etc etc....
- Oct 18, 2012
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I can't stand Stipe's voice and don't like anything by R.E.M. I'm not a big U2 fan either but I can tolerate listening to them. I would pick Bono.
I definitely preferred Bono before he "learned" to sing. Which was about 1984. After that it depends. He can be too bombastic for my taste.
As for Stipe, i'm ok with his singing, i just never could get much into REM. Musically aside form the first two records i don't like it very much.
My votE? I don't know. Probably early Bono.
As for Stipe, i'm ok with his singing, i just never could get much into REM. Musically aside form the first two records i don't like it very much.
My votE? I don't know. Probably early Bono.
Stipe is the best vocalist for REM, and Bono is the best vocalist for U2. That's how it works, isn't it? I mean, imagine rotating drummers between the Beatles, the Stones, and Zeppelin. Horrifying thought, yes?
I saw REM between their 2nd and 3rd albums, and that was a quite good- dare I say, rockin'- show. Never saw U2. For what it's worth, my dad met both of them back before they attained mega-stardom, and he thought they were both nice enough fellas. But I suspect he'd agree that the whole "who's best" routine is kinda silly.
So I'll have to go Joan Jett!
I saw REM between their 2nd and 3rd albums, and that was a quite good- dare I say, rockin'- show. Never saw U2. For what it's worth, my dad met both of them back before they attained mega-stardom, and he thought they were both nice enough fellas. But I suspect he'd agree that the whole "who's best" routine is kinda silly.
So I'll have to go Joan Jett!
