Larry, Ringo and Phil Collins
I did a search for “Larry Mullen” and “drum kit,” and I caome across a thread on the Phil Collins Forum. Of course my first thought is: “There’s a Phil Collins forum?” Apparently so, and they were debating the merits of our favorite drummer. I just found it interesting to see what perhaps less biased music fans (OK, less U2-obsessive fans) think. Although of course I think the second guy is WAY off base.
Some of the comments (unedited):
- You have to check out U2 early work to fully appreciate the guys talent. He’s from the “Ringo” school, imo….. He plays for the song. Very musical and locks in superbly with Adam Clayton.
- Bloody Sunday… listen out for the Hats and snare work… very shaky, timing all over the shop…and dynamics between snare and hats are terrible…
- Larry Mullen plays what the song needs, no more, no less. His timekeeping is rock solid, and his drum parts, while not being flashy or particularly technical are always inventive, interesting and perfect for the song.
- I agree Larry Mullen Jr is a good drummer and very creative. I put him with the greats of drumming …
- I must say I was never impressed by his playing, sorry guys! As apposed to you know who…… (***I can only assume they’re comparing him with Phil. -SM)
- Larry Rocks - if we could all be so creative. He is one of Steve Gadd’s favourite drummers, that’s good enough for me!
- Larry has a feel and sense of time nobody can match. I dont think you guys understand how much talent it takes to play with sequencing and click tracks and still sound fresh. You cant judge this guy by his chops because he could careless about chops. He is a musician not just THE DRUMMER. It all sounds simple until you sit down behind his kit and try to duplicate the drum parts yourself. I bet every one of you would sound like crap !!
Last 4 posts by SisterMoon
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Disclaimer: I honestly like the old Genesis songs “That’s All” and “Land of Confusion” and I truly appreciate Mr. Collins as a gifted drummer and fellow Beatles freak.
That said, I would put him in a completely different category than a rock drummer like Mr. Mullen.
It’s nice to see all of the props given to Larry by some obvious U2 fans, but the mean comments make me want to jump in and add my 2 cents.
But that would mean ‘registering’ on a Phil Collins forum, and that I just cannot bring myself to do.
“But that would mean ‘registering’ on a Phil Collins forum, and that I just cannot bring myself to do.”
Good one
Phil was huge, he is talented and seems like a nice fella, but registering at his forum would cross the line for me, too. That said, I cannot let a critique of Larry’s drumming on “SBS” go by without saying that the intro to “SBS” and the intro to “Bullet the Blue Sky” are the most recognizable drum sounds of our generation. Technically correct or not.
Ok, I admit, that run in “In the Air Tonight” might be #3, but still…
Definitely Phil Collins is a superb drummer and musician. But Larry is a diffrent thing(also take my U2 obsession in account for this statement). Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride are two which I think are true reflection of his talent. His loops and perfection of beats are too good.
I used to be a Phil Collins fan in my younger days, I still respect him and can’t believe there are people who don’t.
And I def. agree with the person who wrote the last comment about Larry.
Absolutely agree with the last comment as well. Larry is amazing. Recently I’ve been listening to “Boy”, and his drumming on their very first record is simply awesome.