New TOUR [All rumours / news here]

The last time we spoke, you mentioned the possibility of a new U2 album coming out before the end of the year. That's obviously not going to happen, but when can fans expect a new record?

We would like it to be sooner rather than later. We are working on some stuff that sounds amazing, but it's hard to say when it'll actually be done. Well, certainly I don't, and I know Bono doesn't want to leave too long of a gap between the last record and the next one.

What's the feel of the songs you're working on at the moment?

It's too early to say, but because the last record was an experiment writing with Brian [Eno] and Danny [Lanois] in that kind of free-flowing workshop, Bono and I -- we're really kind of songwriting in a much more formal way at the moment. We've got some stuff, more abstract stuff that we could put together as a release, but right now what's really intriguing me is plain, old-fashioned songwriting, and we have some amazing stuff.

How about the Spiderman musical? It's been reported that, thanks to the recession, it's run into problems. Is it going ahead?

Well, it's all ready to go. We're just waiting for the word that we can ... we've pretty much done our job. We're waiting for the word that our director, Julie Taymor, can get back and get into the theatre and start putting the show together. We're told it could be any day. We've got new producers involved: Michael Cohl is coming in, to become an additional producer. So they're busy working on raising finance and getting all that stuff in order. I'm really happy with the music and the script, and the cast that we have are fantastic, so I don't have any concerns, ultimately, but it's kind of frustrating that it's taking so long.

It's too early to say, but because the last record was an experiment writing with Brian [Eno] and Danny [Lanois] in that kind of free-flowing workshop, Bono and I -- we're really kind of songwriting in a much more formal way at the moment. We've got some stuff, more abstract stuff that we could put together as a release, but right now what's really intriguing me is plain, old-fashioned songwriting, and we have some amazing stuff.

Originally posted by drewhiggins:They should not make the same mistake they made with NLOTH.

Release a single little less than a week prior to full release and put it out as two albums but one set. Use Your Illusion did the same thing in 1991 - releasing as two albums but one set. One can be full of the rock songs, the second the ballads and 8+ minute epics - and they hit number one on the day of release in November.



[..]


Quick translation: we're gonna write lyrics that make sense but over-produce the songs.

Originally posted by sonia_lastrega:[..]

Sadly I think you might be right about that one.

Originally posted by drewhiggins:They should not make the same mistake they made with NLOTH.

Release a single little less than a week prior to full release and put it out as two albums but one set. Use Your Illusion did the same thing in 1991 - releasing as two albums but one set. One can be full of the rock songs, the second the ballads and 8+ minute epics - and they hit number one on the day of release in November.



[..]


Quick translation: we're gonna write lyrics that make sense but over-produce the songs.

Originally posted by drewhiggins:[..]

How about rather than trying new sounds, going back to old influences? I would love a U2 blues album. They could create a real hit with it.

When U2 go back to rock and roll give let me know. Until then I won't be interested.

Originally posted by sonia_lastrega:[..]

I'd love it if they'd extend themselves to a blues album, but I just don't see them going that way. But a proper rock album would, well, rock also.

Originally posted by drewhiggins:[..]

Something along the lines of October with little hints of Joshua Tree and Zooropa. Imagine just what combining all those together would produce.

Originally posted by drewhiggins:[..]

Something along the lines of October with little hints of Joshua Tree and Zooropa. Imagine just what combining all those together would produce.

Originally posted by Ali709:Guys stop imagining how it should be, cause that leads to disappointment. I'm not buying the "new album by summer" story, I would be happy if it happens, but I've just come to accept that the guys have lost or long forgotten what they had in them during the ZooTV times, when they would fuck the mainstream and say it proudly...I must say that I saw some hope in the 360 shows and their whole recent behavior, but it wasn't what it could be.

I just won't get excited about this until there is some actual news, a track list, a definite release date...from experience, when Bono says "yea, sure, new album out there soon!" and Edge says"well...umm...you know...Bono likes to have it out soon, and we hope that we can,..." it means that there is no album soon. I would love to be wrong on this tho.