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Description
Being the biggest band in the world is a tough job, which is why U2 have sloughed it off now and then: Periods of arena-scale romance have been followed by bursts of odder experimentation, including a less-than-stellar Nineties stretch when the band were mired in irony, postmodernism and orange goggles. But for much of their career, U2 have committed to grabbing and holding that Biggest Band title the way they commit to everything — completely and passionately.

With Bono's soulful, grandiose cry, The Edge's intricately textured guitar parts, and the steady propulsion of bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., U2's sound is instantly recognizable and much-imitated. Inspired equally by the Ramones' punk thrust and Bob Dylan's insightful punditry, the four Irishmen went from Dublin dives to the Top Forty by applying Brian Eno's ambient concepts to three-chord transcendence. They went on to influence the global political agenda while continually tweaking — and sometimes completely making over — their sound. They have their critics: Some claim U2 confuses bluster for earnestness, egomania for importance. But hordes of longtime fans believe differently, and live for each U2 gig.

Description
Being the biggest band in the world is a tough job, which is why U2 have sloughed it off now and then: Periods of arena-scale romance have been followed by bursts of odder experimentation, including a less-than-stellar Nineties stretch when the band were mired in irony, postmodernism and orange goggles. But for much of their career, U2 have committed to grabbing and holding that Biggest Band title the way they commit to everything — completely and passionately.

With Bono's soulful, grandiose cry, The Edge's intricately textured guitar parts, and the steady propulsion of bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., U2's sound is instantly recognizable and much-imitated. Inspired equally by the Ramones' punk thrust and Bob Dylan's insightful punditry, the four Irishmen went from Dublin dives to the Top Forty by applying Brian Eno's ambient concepts to three-chord transcendence. They went on to influence the global political agenda while continually tweaking — and sometimes completely making over — their sound. They have their critics: Some claim U2 confuses bluster for earnestness, egomania for importance. But hordes of longtime fans believe differently, and live for each U2 gig.