IMHO, U2 is too pretentious and not really as talented as many other bands. More ego and sales-based. Fergie on the other hand, while I don't really listen to her music, I caught her in the chintzy movie Poseidon and was surprised to discover that she really can sing. She also has a long list of writing credits that surprised me... I agree with you on U2. They've cut a few nice hits (the very early stuff from the album that had "Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day", the track "Beautiful Day" and the "Hold Me, Thrill me" song from the Batman Forever movie), but I really find much of their work to be overrated.
