New Wave Outpost Forum

I've always wondered why U2 got so popular while The Alarm just disappeared with time. The bands were pretty similar in ways when they started and I always lumped them together when I made cd's. Is it their record companies? Their live shows? What made these bands take off in different directions?

I liked the Alarm a lot but always had it in my mind that U2 were the first of these types of bands who had these cool anthemic and soaring songs. Rain in the Summertime could have easily been a Joshua Tree era U2 song. But besides coming after U2, I don't know that their music ever had the variety that U2 developed throughout the 80s. They also certainly didn't have the individual charisma that each U2 band member has.

But Alarm fans should definately ignore the harsher criticisms that they were just a me-too band. We're certainly not talking about something like Camoflage as to Depeche Mode for example.

I think U2 has just always had this extraordinary savvy in approaching the music business in addition to having amazing chemistry between the band members. They really are unstoppable and their drive has just always been in overdrive. Of course a very supportive label and marketing plan is essential as well for longevity and success. I really have no clue as to what the politics were behind the scenes or within the Alarm but they certainly had the material which could have served as a great foundation for a hypothetical U2 type of stardom. I wish they were still making music even if they were only half as popular as U2.

I loved the Alarm and only loved some of U2's songs. It is a shame the Alarm didn't find big sucess here, but they served their purpose and made some great music.
When making mix cds I usually mix U2, Alarm, Big Country & Chameleons songs together.

Of the big anthemic groups, I'm much more fond of Big Country by a mile.

The Alarm actually toured with U2 for a bit, and Mike Peters claims to have taught U2 how to play Dylan's "Knockin On Heavens Door".

Personally I'm more of an Alarm fan, and then only up thru Strength.

I think the Alarm came off as trying too hard and shouting "Hey, look at us" to anyone who would listen, whereas U2 just kind of did their thing without overtly trying to draw attention to themselves.

The Alarm had much better boots than U2 ever did.

Count me as a bigger Alarm fan.

I think the fact that U2's manager is a full member of the band (meaning that non-royalty profits are split 5 equal ways and not 4) sums up why U2 was bigger. They had a better business model.

For some odd reason, I have never really been into U2, their songs are great and I do enjoy them when they're played on the radio, but they have never hit me hard deep down inside for me to rush out to get one of their CDs. I do, however, own some Alarm CDs and their style is actually similiar to U2's but the songs have a bit more punch, so I do prefer the Alarm over U2.

People keep starting these "U2 vs ..." threads. Face it, they are a great band, a force to be reconed with.

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U2 are a GREAT band! That's the very reason why so many people post these "U2 vs..." topics, they are sort of like the benchmark for their type of music which most others are judged by. I just never really got into them for some reason.

The Alarm get my vote. I liked the first 2 U2 records, but they lost me after that. Still think New Model Army is a way better band that never got their due though.