U2 makes music that no other band would dare to make. Ever since their landmark Joshua Tree Album (which produced hits such as With Or Without You and Where the Streets Have No Name), U2 have not been afraid to change directions as a band. They changed for the better by taking their music and their image to the limits.

They had established themselves in the eighties as a politically-motivated band who were activists as they joined every benefit concert for human rights and other charitable causes. U2 did it for free. However, bands eventually followed the lead of U2 in participating in these shows but these bands just did it for publicity. Ever since, U2 went out of the limelight and toned down their participation in such benefit concerts. This time, they did things as privately as they could.

Music-wise, U2 was not afraid to try new things and to push the limits of their success. The music industry of today is characterized by one-hit-wonder artists and bands who don't last for long. The key to U2's longevity and success is that they are not afraid to evolve. Had they just decided to rest on their laurels and do ten more Joshua Tree-like albums, they could have sold millions of more records but they would not be faithful to their vow of creativity and openness to music. Most of the music today is simply rehash of the old that has come before. You hear shades of Alanis when you listen to Natalie or Meredith, you get the Beatles when you hear Oasis, and every new Bon Jovi album seems to sound the same. However, U2 decided to change.

We hear many people ask what has happened to U2. They say that U2 is no longer the Christian, political band they was strong and not afraid to voice out their opinions. They say that U2 have turned their backs on them. While other bands come and go, U2 stayed. All four members have stayed in the band for twenty years. They have not changed managers and record labels since they started out as a band. There must be something that they are doing right. Maybe we are the ones who have turned our backs on them. While they made more music, we had been stuck in the Joshua Tree album. It has been a fixation. U2 have fought the tide of consumerism and idealism by refusing to rehash old ideas. They would never sell-out on their fans. They would never do songs just to satisfy radio DJs. They make their own music even if they feel they are going against tide. That is why I like them.