Malcolm-Edge

U2 Matchbox 20 Pearl Jam

1. Achtung Baby / U2 - Never has a band pulled a complete 180 after releasing one of the greatest albums of all time. Easily one of the best U2 has ever offered, and easily the best of the 90s. 2. Ten / Pearl Jam - Nirvana gets all the credit and mainstream success of the big three Seattle bands. Maybe Kurt would have preferred to have the modest success of Eddie. An album with classic rock influences and the grunge angst. 3. In Utero / Nirvana - May not be as radio friendly as Nevermind, but thats what make's it better. Nirvana sought to make the album they wanted, no over dubs, no tricks to make it radio-friendly. Lyrically is on par with Nevermind, I feel its the most honest Nirvana album. 4. (What's the Story)Morning Glory? / Oasis - On first listen I hated the album. Soon enough I saw the brilliance hidden inside. Oasis up until the end were some of the beat at what they did. Or Noel is, this album is any teenagers soundtrack. 5. Automatic for the People / R.E.M. - An album that ended up nearly the opposite of what was intended, but is 100% honest. Stripe shows his brilliance on this album. 6. The Downward Spiral / Nine Inch Nails - Reznor's concept album about the self-destruction of a man. Capped off with the now famous Cash song Hurt with the ultimate end. What makes Spiral so good is its mix of multiple genres. Trent didn't want a full on metal album and incorporated many different instruments to make it genius. 7. Me Against The World / 2Pac - The Best, and the favourite by most, including him. A blues inspired album, with strong themes. Against the world is the strongest by Tupac. For all those who hate rap, respect it as a huge part of the 90s. 8. Temple of the Dog / Temple of the Dog - A grunge supergroup, all though it wasnt known at the time. With all current members of Pearl Jam (Drummer Matt Cameron joined in the mid 2000s) and two part Soundgarden. A tribute to a lost friend, this one off album band provided some great hooks and Cornell and Vedders duet on Robin Hood inspired track "Hunger Strike" still gets airplay today. 9. Rage Against the Machine / Rage Against the Machine - A metal rock group with a rap inspired front man. Rage took the best of both worlds and used it to deliver a heavy message to the masses. Perhaps one of the most out spoken bands of the 90s (not the way Liam was) they used their debut to send their views about police, racism and corruption. 10. Yourself or Someone Like You / Matchbox 20 - I would be hard pressed to name two musicians that love music and life as much as Rob Thomas and Paul Docette. The breakthrough success for one of the most successful American bands. Features 4 top singles, Thomas provides stellar vocals and lyrics ove simple overdriven guitar riffs that get the listener hooked. 11. Pop / U2 - An album that was rushed to be finished because of sloppy management. Yet U2 still managed to release an amazing album. The rough edge's due to lack of production give it a new type of feel. Pop is U2's effort to stay relevant in the 90s drowned out by what is now Post-Grunge. Pop was by no means a failure, later mixes prove the album just needed a bit more time. 12. Superunknown / Soundgarden - The last of the Seattle 3, Cornell provides strong lyrics, for perhaps the least grunge of the three. They provide a great mood. Cameron provides one of the best drum lines. 13. In My Lifetime, Vol. 1/ Jay-Z - The follow up to Reasonable Doubt Jay-Z starts on his quest to take over the world. Jay-Z provides strong flow and some of the best beats at the time. The best he dropped until The Blueprint oddly enough, he was already talking about retiring at this point. 14. The Chronic / Dr. Dre - The Kanye West of the 90s. By that I mean, a predominate producer decides to rap. Dr. Dre is still the best rap producer out there. Known as a perfectionist, and if you look at the gap between his albums you'll see it. This album is solid from start to finish. 15. MTV Unplugged in New York / Nirvana - An album of lesser known songs and covers the best of which is the Bowie classic "The Man Who Sold the World" is the last album released by the trio. The album soon became the anthem for his death. A moody, but strong album. The best in the unplugged series. 16. The Color and shape / Foo Fighters - The strongest effort of the Foo Fighters since their inception. This was the last album where Grohl did all vocals, guitar and drumming. A straight up rock album, with staples today. "My Hero" a song about ever day hero's, and "Everlong" a break up song that has gained a cult following since 2007s "Skin and Bones". 17. Blood Sugar Sex Magik / Red Hot Chili Peppers - A funky album that produced some mega hits. As well as a deeper meaning. Rubin produces a great album. One I dont like, but respect. 18. Metallica / Metallica - A great metal album, one of the best by the best. Musically one of the best, and vocals are the cherry on top. This album is Metallica meets the radio. 19. Dirt / Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains never met the mainstream success as the Seattle 3. Yet Dirt is probably their best album. "Would?" saves the best for last. 20. Maybe You've All Been Brainwashed Too / New Radicals - Many people people regard them as a one hit wonder. I stand pat that if Gregg hadn't quit, New Radicals would be up there with Coldplay and Matchbox 20 right now. "You Get What You Give" is easily a top 20 song of the decade. I went with what I believed the best. I dont have much to say for some albums but I'd feel weird not saying some about them. I know most of mine wont make it to the end. I love this list, and believe it to be one of the best. Shame the top will be riddled with anything Radiohead released when OK Computer was their only album that beats out a lot of the other stuff from the 90s.

I remember reading that a while ago. Achtung Baby was the first album Chris hear. He then goes on to make commentary about society and fame... The things that Zoo TV poke fun at. The best part of that article is the quote above...took Eno to teach them that.

It hasn't for what I've seen...Most people are giving better responses than I could. I said it as a thought, and most people are disagreeing, but nicely. Its meant for conversation. I can't read another LP5 thread...

I agree with the Muse person. The stage nowadays is very cliche. It was in 1992 as well. U2 did copy the glam rock of Kiss, but for a different reason. They did it mainly to mock them. Zoo TV was a front and U2 admitted it. After Rattle and Hum U2 were so self conscious about themselves, their image. They tried so hard to be themselves in Rattle and Hum they came across as pretentious. It nearly destroyed them. So when designing the show for the music they had written. A dirty, alternative glam album. They decided instead of doing the stage, screen and guitars they'd blow it up. They took the phrase "Go big, or go home" literally. Zoo TV wasn't a concert it was show with a message of its own. To the guy who said he saw Zoo TV live I am envious of you. U2 did not create anything in ways of stage layout with Zoo TV, but they own it now. I saw Viva three times, once to an audience of roughly 60,000. I saw the show while it was young and when it was in full flight. It wasn't until the arena date did I see Zoo TV everywhere. U2 barley changed their set list for Zoo TV, and were criticized for it. They couldn't the music was based around the show. So much like Viva La Vida was. Once again, Im saying I love and respect both, and for different reasons. I can tell you Bono and Chris are influenced by each other. Yet Bono hold an audience from the second he walks onto the stage. Look at the War Child gig for example. When The Killers come out, its pretty loud, when Bono strolls onto stage he stands there and the roof is blown off. His showmanship is something Chris will one day hopefully match, but in a different way. As for musically, Viva La Vida comes nowhere near Achtung Baby. I compare those two because they are the albums up to now that have saved both bands. As for 360, they ripped themselves off. If you look at the layout its the exact same, as the Vertigo arena stage. They wanted to bring that feel to the arenas. And no they arent in the center, they are to one end, 30% is behind them, not 50. Also compare Running to Stand Still into Streets and Hardest Part into Viva La Vida. Two slow moods setters into their super hits. I didn't know Coldplay didn't rip off the set lists either. As for B-sides that alienated their audiences, the largest, and hailed as one of the best of all time.

I know the pattern very well. I also know that most of it fell on me four rows back. My friends three sections form the stage just got one. Go, watch Zoo TV, and you will get what I mean. Sure Coldplay added a bit. Still the fundamental parts are oozing Zoo TV.

Have you ever seen Zoo TV?

U2 did not have confetti fall on 5% of the audience, no. But they were the first to use a B-Stage in the audience, oddly enough used to play an acoustic set on.

Don't get me wrong I love Coldplay. Fun discussion?

Stage layout, outfits, set list construction.

It is very well known that U2 is a huge influence on Coldplay. To the point where I believe that Coldplay strive to have a career like U2. In the sense of being around for 30+ years making relevant music, having a great fan base and putting on some of the best live shows. Now Im not going to go into depth about comparing the music, U2 like any other huge rock band created a sound that cannot be defined as Rock, Alternative, Soft Rock, Arena Rock; but purely as U2. With U2 you can go from 'Boy' to 'Bomb' and hear the band grow, hear the influences and even tell what points in history were written. 'New Year's Day' was the start of the fall of the Eastern Bloc with the Polish solidarity. Right up to the entire 'Achtung Baby' album. Not only do they sport one of the best back catalogue's in the bizz, but they also evolved as one of the best live acts in the world. Another thing any band that achieves longevity hopes to gain, including Coldplay. Like I said, Im not comparing music, my only words on that will be this: Coldplay need to develop an identity of their own. Not to follow others with a Coldplay spin. They tried that with 'Viva La Vida' only thing was they let Brian Eno lose. As much as I heralded that as good, and in a way still do. They created an album that was not for the music, why would they give two of their best songs away? Why would they leave another two off the album completely. When the album dropped we didnt know of these four songs, or what they sounded like at least. 'Lukas' and 'Fun' given to Natalie Imbrugula the first which is unchanged except vocals. Then we got 'Glass of Water' and 'Life in Technicolor ii' from Prospekts March. What was the purpose of 'Viva' then? To create a live show. They tried with 'X&Y' to be an arena rock band, much like the one U2 was at the time. Simple lighting cues, and a set that could be changed on a whim. It worked, and if it wasn;t for the unfair negative reviews, would have likely sent them to super stardom 4 years earlier. But with the Viva La Vida World Tour, Coldplay used a very familiar stage to one Brian Eno. Coldplay's Viva La Vida Tour was a complete utter rip off of the greatest live show in history. The one that changed music forever. Coldplay ripped off U2s Zoo TV tour. The exact same stage layout, ramps and all. Coldplay had one advantage that no one else has though. Exclusive footage of the Zoo TV arena legs. Everything is almost the same. It will take a hardcore U2 fan to see it however. Layout, to the B-Stage, to the Viva outfits. Even the TVs on stage, it is all a rip off. I'd say one or two items can be called a homage. Im even going to go as far to say that the stadium gigs blended Popmart and Zoo TV. Im not the only one who noticed it either. Bono calling Martin a '******' shortly after Zoo T...errrm Viva La Vida went under way.

It is a Coldplay track 100%. The insturments are all Jonny, Guy, Will and Chris. I agree its got a great feel to it. What I would do for the Chris Martin audio for Lukas. When I first listened to it my impressions were: Acoustic Guitar sounds like something Chris would come up with, and the piano is amazing. The lyrics, you can tell Natalie is trying her hardest to sound like Chris. then the electric picking kicks in, anyone who has heard and VLV song knows its Jonny, and the drums...I see will drumming up a storm on this one. Guy even has a good bassline here. The bridge is where it really becomes Coldplay though...I think on the next tour we all need to make endless signs and pester pester and pester.

I was in an awkward place when I found out...Needless to say, made my day.

I might have to settle for U2 down under. Not the same though. Here is to hoping we get Coldplay at Glastonbury in July!

I guess that's why they are our favourite band? If they were playing a show tomorrow, I'd pay anything to be there. I think its a continuation of The Scientist actually.

Perfect day for this to happen. Been having a bad week and this song speaks to how I feel perfectly. There is something about new Coldplay that brings me up. Worked for Viva, LiT ii and now Wedding Bells.

The first 3-4 rows are usually reserved by the band and roadies give them away at the show for the true fans. I myself got upgraded from the stands to 4th row on the ramp last year. I talked to a roadie knowing he could upgrade me, I talked about Phil and Matt and told him of the other shows I had went to. He came back 20 minutes later.

I will have mine tomorrow. I have not forgotten!

I like #3 and #2. I think Magnificent was the best off of the album. It is most defiantly an Edge song and he is really flying on this one. Crazy Tonight is the best off of the new album though. Just Say Yes give me great hope for the next Snow Patrol album. I hope they break their own mold a bit. Good list though!

Well I was very nervous about it. It was right after one of the lesser known songs and it was pretty quite, so I decided to go for it. I knew Coldplay wouldn't hear me since i knew silence would be hard to come by. It worked out well. Up To Now is selling okay, Just Say Yes is getting okay air play in Vancouver. By Okay I mean if you hear it between the pop garbage on the top 40 stations every once in a while, and on the Rock station once a day. Oh what I would give to have a good radio station.

I saw Speed of Sound on leg one and it wasn't as great as Clocks. They are far to similar and Clocks is the better of the two. On the Fix You note, lyrics hit close to home. I get how it means so much to so many. The last two times I saw them I did not like it as much. I think the open air, 90,000 singing made it hard to top. I understand how its hard for the boys to play a different set night in and out. I would like to see some slots where there is a choice and they can change say 5-7 songs for cities close to each other or night one and night two. Like Death Will Never Conquer or Till Kingdom Come. Politik or Square One (what I Would give to hear them back to back) In My Place or Talk Death and All His Friends or Fix You Scientist or Trouble Yellow needs to go. They need it to sit out for awhile and one day they will have passion for it again.

They didn't make it up into Canada on their intimate tour. Probably why they tagged along with Coldplay for all the Canadian cities. Not complaining got to see them very close and got Gary to smile at me. I think it helps screaming "You guys ****ing rock!" as loud as I could. I have a loud voice too. I think they are getting a bit more recognition here in NA. Set Fire To The Third Bar is being used in the Dear John trailers. I have to admit Im not a huuuuge fan, but I know all their stuff, I dont like it all, but I know it. Im more of a fan of the last two outings and Im in love with Up To Now!

Because I cant see them trying to one up the Viva tour so soon. I also cant see them not making an album for another 2-3 years...

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