New U2 album in June 2010

[Dali]

I don't want to be cynical, but if they just need a product to go to stores before they tour, why not just crank out another compilation album like they have done in between every two new albums since 1998?

Call it "u2 - ballads 2u", put on 8 or 9 of their most popular slow songs plus 4 or 5 of the finished songs from the aborted Rick Rubin sessions and the aborted "Songs Of Ascent" sessions (which were reportedly consisting of slow songs anyway). And then bring in David Guetta to produce a new single that consists almost solely of one vocal line of an auto-tuned chorus (such as his production of "I've got a feeling that tonight will be a good night") maybe even feature prominent backing vocals by Fergie. That one could be called "I Know How To Kneel (Baby Baby Baby)" and it would be certain that it would be all over corporate radio...

;-)

Yet, that David Guetta collaboration would be so much more interesting than riding in the slipstream of Nickelback, Linkin Park and Coldplay.

[bw]

Tumbling Dice - you vastly underestimate Mullen's influence, especially recently. On HTDAAB, he was the one who pulled the plug on "Mercy", which in my view is one of U2's great pieces of music for this millenium. Whether you agree with my assesment of "Mercy" or not, the decision to eliminate the song was driven by Mullen. Bono, if you recall, thought "Mercy" was pure, classic U2 and seemed displeased by that decision. In the musical session leading up to NLOTH, Mullen was the vanguard who soured on Ruben and pushed for reuniting with U2 stalwarts Lanois and Eno. If that doesn't meet the defintion of influential, then it seems we have different interpretations of what that word means...

[Tumbling Dice]

Tumbling Dice - you vastly underestimate Mullen's influence, especially recently. On HTDAAB, he was the one who pulled the plug on "Mercy", which in my view is one of U2's great pieces of music for this millenium. Whether you agree with my assesment of "Mercy" or not, the decision to eliminate the song was driven by Mullen. Bono, if you recall, thought "Mercy" was pure, classic U2 and seemed displeased by that decision. In the musical session leading up to NLOTH, Mullen was the vanguard who soured on Ruben and pushed for reuniting with U2 stalwarts Lanois and Eno. If that doesn't meet the defintion of influential, then it seems we have different interpretations of what that word means...

I think Larry growls a lot but in reality he's basically a pussycat who does as he's told with a scowl on his face.  Without Bono's full commitment to a project U2 are sunk.

[Utwoed]

Tumbling Dice - you vastly underestimate Mullen's influence, especially recently. On HTDAAB, he was the one who pulled the plug on "Mercy", which in my view is one of U2's great pieces of music for this millenium. Whether you agree with my assesment of "Mercy" or not, the decision to eliminate the song was driven by Mullen. Bono, if you recall, thought "Mercy" was pure, classic U2 and seemed displeased by that decision. In the musical session leading up to NLOTH, Mullen was the vanguard who soured on Ruben and pushed for reuniting with U2 stalwarts Lanois and Eno. If that doesn't meet the defintion of influential, then it seems we have different interpretations of what that word means...

If that is all true, Larry needs to loosen up and realize when U2 goes outside the box that is when some of their best work is done.  His instincts are definitely more conservative then Bono and Edge's.  But it was Edge who insisted Get On Your Boots should be the first single from NLOTH and that did not bode well.  Even though I like GOYB live, that was not the song to release to promote the album.  U2's democracy is like our U.S. Congress, no one can agree so nothing gets done for a long time.  I hope they also realize some of their fans from day one aren't getting any younger either.  I certainly don't want to wait every 4 years or a new album.  I'll be wheeling myself to the store in a wheelchair to buy their albums if that's the case.

[Utwoed]

I did read somewhere that Larry actually liked the work they'd done with Rick Ruben and he'd like to revisit it.  That said, all 4 members have expressed they like working with Rick.  They need to move on from Eno and Lanois, just like when they moved on from Lillywhite.  New blood is a good thing.

[JSab]

Hmm, I just like any U2 stuff, so the sooner the better I'd like any of it so I dont mind, so long as something new is released as promised

They cant just back out haha

[Springbok]

I think it will be great if they can just use different producers for the next two or three albums - or even if they can find another producer that works for them and use him for the next upcoming albums - and then they can use Eno / Lanois again after that. Just get a break from working with them and use some fresh new ideas and approaches, and after that collaborate with them again. I won't mind them making another album with Eno / Lanois, but for now I really think they should part ways.

[jick]

I am willing to bet my house nothing will be out by June.

Cheers,

J

You're on, jick. 

So when will you pay up? After June or do you concede defeat to this bet already?

Cheers,

J

[StrongGirl]

Hi jick! I hope you are well. I haven't seen you around these parts! Take care.

Back to the topic!

[Joe G (Love You Like Mad Magazine)]

I am willing to bet my house nothing will be out by June.

Cheers,

J

You're on, jick. 

So when will you pay up? After June or do you concede defeat to this bet already?

Cheers,

J

I don't think Vlad wagered anything other than your house. 

Does "Stranded" count as a new release?  It's something other than nothing. 

[nolinehere]

Is it june in the philippines  ?

However SOA will never see the light of day

[Tumbling Dice]

Is it june in the philippines  ?

However SOA will never see the light of day

SOA might not but U2 album #13 will sometime next year.

[pfctsqr]

I am willing to bet my house nothing will be out by June.

Cheers,

J

You're on, jick. 

So when will you pay up? After June or do you concede defeat to this bet already?

Cheers,

J

I don't think Vlad wagered anything other than your house. 

Does "Stranded" count as a new release?  It's something other than nothing. 

If I have the choice between "Stranded" and nothing...I'll take nothing

[TheFlyingLemon]

I am willing to bet my house nothing will be out by June.

Cheers,

J

You're on, jick. 

So when will you pay up? After June or do you concede defeat to this bet already?

Cheers,

J

I don't think Vlad wagered anything other than your house. 

Does "Stranded" count as a new release?  It's something other than nothing. 

Correct, so it's either a win or loss for jick. I won't be losing anything my dear friend.

[miami]

i don't believe we'll see a new u2 album this year either. i think u2 will collect the dollars from the tour and retreat to their holiday homes again. i personally believe they are in a state of reflection musically, and will take a while (1-2 years) to dream it all up again.