The Perfectionist Paradox: U2's Struggle with Artistic Expectations and the Fallout from No Line on the Horizon
U2 is a band known for their struggle to meet their own high expectations, believing that art is never truly finished but just due. This mindset has led to internal conflicts and the need for hard resets. Despite their reputation as rock legends, they have faced criticism for their experimental and marketing choices, as seen with the divisive album, No Line on the Horizon. The band members themselves admitted that the album fell short of their vision and was a challenging experience. Producer Steve Lillywhite suggested that they had lost their spark, while Brian Eno pointed out that their pursuit of perfection hindered their creativity. Ultimately, U2's quest for an unattainable ideal may have been their downfall, leading to a lack of the intangible qualities that made their earlier work successful.