1. And wasn't SOA already announced before sales started for NLOTH? So it had nothing to do with poor sales I think.

    Agree with the kind of songs mentioned here before. I also want a new One Tree Hill or So Cruel. If I listen to NLOTH these days, I'm skipping Boots (since the live version kicks the studio versions ass), Stand Up Comedy, I'll Go Crazy and even Magnificent now and then. Why? Because they're simple or standard singles, songs without a real heart (not talking about Magnificent now). All based on personal taste though.

    I want SOA to be soaring..to be anthemic. An album to dream away with.


  2. If we can go by recent articles Bono says there are 12 songs for the Songs of Ascent. But we don't know whether they're bits and pieces or proper songs needing finetuning which can be done in a month or two. It needs to be truly innovative and have some real ideas and inspiration and not-so-obvious songs.

    The best thing here would be realising their albums just don't sell as much anymore and still releasing it is a good idea maybe digitally-only (giving it away for free at shows or like Coldplay's live album recently) but realise there could be a major financial loss as compared to their last two albums and that's the nature of the record business and buying habits.



    Tripoli (2007 - 2008)
    Every Breaking Wave (2007 - 2009)
    If I Could Live My Life Again (2005)
    Love Is All We Have Left (2006)
    North Star (2003 - 2004)
    Lead Me In The Way I Should Go (2002 - 2003)
    You Can't Give Away Your Heart (2002 - 2003)
    The Pilgrim And His Lack Of Progress (1998 - 2009)
    Grunge Beatstorm Gate (2007 - 2009)
    Velvet Hours (2007 - 2009)
    House of Abraham (2007 - 2009)

    I wonder how many of those if any will make it on to any future albums let alone SoA.


  3. Coolest song name ever?
    I hope the album is slightly under-cooked, like Kingdom. NLOTH gestated a bit too long for my tastes.
  4. Originally posted by gwiz:[..]

    Coolest song name ever?
    I hope the album is slightly under-cooked, like Kingdom. NLOTH gestated a bit too long for my tastes.


    It won't happen. After Pop, U2 went ultra-polished even on NLOTH, even though I do like it a lot.
  5. Originally posted by MWSAH:And wasn't SOA already announced before sales started for NLOTH? So it had nothing to do with poor sales I think.


    I want SOA to be soaring..to be anthemic. An album to dream away with.


    Exactly! It was announced even before NLOTH was released, so there you have it...

    Is it possible by the way to use a different abbreviation for the new album?
    Can we use just "Songs" for instance? The abbreviation "SOA" is a bit strange for a Dutchman like me....

    Just kiddin', of course!

  6. Originally posted by Rob1965:[..]

    Exactly! It was announced even before NLOTH was released, so there you have it...

    Is it possible by the way to use a different abbreviation for the new album?
    Can we use just "Songs" for instance? The abbreviation "SOA" is a bit strange for a Dutchman like me....

    Just kiddin', of course!




    I'm not bothered with a SOA luckily so I don't mind lol


  7. *googles*

    "sexueel overdraagbare aandoening"

    Ohh....LOL.
  8. Originally posted by drewhiggins:[..]

    If we can go by recent articles Bono says there are 12 songs for the Songs of Ascent. But we don't know whether they're bits and pieces or proper songs needing finetuning which can be done in a month or two. It needs to be truly innovative and have some real ideas and inspiration and not-so-obvious songs.

    The best thing here would be realising their albums just don't sell as much anymore and still releasing it is a good idea maybe digitally-only (giving it away for free at shows or like Coldplay's live album recently) but realise there could be a major financial loss as compared to their last two albums and that's the nature of the record business and buying habits.



    Tripoli (2007 - 2008)
    Every Breaking Wave (2007 - 2009)
    If I Could Live My Life Again (2005)
    Love Is All We Have Left (2006)
    North Star (2003 - 2004)
    Lead Me In The Way I Should Go (2002 - 2003)
    You Can't Give Away Your Heart (2002 - 2003)
    The Pilgrim And His Lack Of Progress (1998 - 2009)
    Grunge Beatstorm Gate (2007 - 2009)
    Velvet Hours (2007 - 2009)
    House of Abraham (2007 - 2009)

    I wonder how many of those if any will make it on to any future albums let alone SoA.


    It's my understanding the track 'Tripoli' ended up being 'Fez/Being Born'.
  9. Originally posted by gwiz:[..]

    Coolest song name ever?
    I hope the album is slightly under-cooked, like Kingdom. NLOTH gestated a bit too long for my tastes.


    If it sounds a bit like NLOTH, I wouldn't mind at all, actually. But I've read somewhere it would be a cool, relaxed, almost lounge-like album, so...?

  10. Originally posted by Rob1965:

    If it sounds a bit like NLOTH, I wouldn't mind at all, actually. But I've read somewhere it would be a cool, relaxed, almost lounge-like album, so...?




    I think Songs Of Ascent must open a new trilogy because in U2's history you can see four big trilogies:

    I/1. Boy
    I/2. October
    I/3. War
    II/1. The Unforgettable Fire
    II/2. The Joshua Tree
    II/3. Rattle And Hum
    III/1. Achtung Baby
    III/2. Zooropa
    III/3. Pop
    IV/1. All That You Can't Leave Behind
    IV/2. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
    IV/3. No Line On The Horizon

    Anybody can feel the changes between them. The first trilogy was the pure U2, the second was the meeting of the electronics, synthezisers etc and the American music. The third was the most experimental and I think that's the favourite of most people. The fourth is the "back to roots" era where we are now.
    So I think they could open the new trilogy now with Songs Of Ascent. Bring us something new!
  11. I doubt they will open a new trilogy with the new album.

    If I get it right that's what they tried with the last one.

    Alex