New U2 Album in 2013?

[Party Marty]

“Our next record sounds like two doves mating in a forest of Joshua Trees. Not only is The Edge’s guitar on fire, but his entire SOUL. Adam and Larry are doing so well as the feet of the band that they’re running for Ireland in the London Olympics. It’s 100% definitely coming out tomorrow.”
  -Bono on every new U2 album

But with the tweet from Mercury Records, I'm thinking this is true

[pfctsqr]

If a new album is indeed on the horizon, I hope U2 break the mold and not go so overboard with shameless self promotion like they did the last two albums.  The impromptu concert in KMart was kinda cool back when Pop was released.  But the week on Letterman and the concert on the Today show was ridiculous, as was the events where U2 invited a bunch of reviewers to a one listen party so they could write reviews and create buzz.  I really look back on the Today show concert with disdain.  Do you remember the students all waiving their new copies of No Line for the camera?  I would not be surprised if they were instructed to waive them visibly as much as possible.  If the music is good (I have my doubts), we will get the message.  We don't need it shoved down our throats.  Just release a good single two months before the album is released.  If the song is good, it will create buzz on its own.

[The Exile]

If a new album is indeed on the horizon, I hope U2 break the mold and not go so overboard with shameless self promotion like they did the last two albums.  The impromptu concert in KMart was kinda cool back when Pop was released.  But the week on Letterman and the concert on the Today show was ridiculous, as was the events where U2 invited a bunch of reviewers to a one listen party so they could write reviews and create buzz.  I really look back on the Today show concert with disdain.  Do you remember the students all waiving their new copies of No Line for the camera?  I would not be surprised if they were instructed to waive them visibly as much as possible.  If the music is good (I have my doubts), we will get the message.  We don't need it shoved down our throats.  Just release a good single two months before the album is released.  If the song is good, it will create buzz on its own.

I'm just waiting for someone to insist that U2's self-promotion has always been the same, even from the early days.

[briscoetheque]

I've read everything in this thread with interest, but I'd have to argue that U2's self promotion has always been the same, even from the early days.

[briscoetheque]

If a new album is indeed on the horizon, I hope U2 break the mold and not go so overboard with shameless self promotion like they did the last two albums.  The impromptu concert in KMart was kinda cool back when Pop was released.  But the week on Letterman and the concert on the Today show was ridiculous, as was the events where U2 invited a bunch of reviewers to a one listen party so they could write reviews and create buzz.  I really look back on the Today show concert with disdain.  Do you remember the students all waiving their new copies of No Line for the camera?  I would not be surprised if they were instructed to waive them visibly as much as possible.  If the music is good (I have my doubts), we will get the message.  We don't need it shoved down our throats.  Just release a good single two months before the album is released.  If the song is good, it will create buzz on its own.

Totally agree - I'd love to see the album just released... no publicity campaign (they don't need it) and back the music in to get them out there.

[DGordon1]

Did y'all object to their publicity campaigns for POP and ZooTV? I'm all for cutting back on the promotion (NLOTH was a bit too much), but U2 are never going to release an album without hyping it to some degree. Just not going to happen.

[pfctsqr]

Did y'all object to their publicity campaigns for POP and ZooTV? I'm all for cutting back on the promotion (NLOTH was a bit too much), but U2 are never going to release an album without hyping it to some degree. Just not going to happen.

I agree, they have always done it.  But NLOTH went too far.  It went so far that it seemed desperate.

[DGordon1]

They also pretty much took over BBC Radio 2 for an entire week. Got criticized for it because licence fee funded broadcasting was favouring one band so much.

[Johnny Feathers]

I whole-heartedly endorse U2 using the same media campaign they used for the release of Achtung Baby.

There wasn't one.

[codeguy]

I whole-heartedly endorse U2 using the same media campaign they used for the release of Achtung Baby.

There wasn't one.

Oh yes, there was, it was just clever 'non-marketing' marketing. First, there was the crazy video of Bono directing traffic outside Island studios in London. Then there was the Doctor Ruth quotes. When the tour started, U2 started hanging out with Bill Clinton, and when that drew the ire of President Bush I, they used his response to promote the tour. That's the kind of marketing i'd like to see again!!!! If they can draw Mitt Romney's ire by telephoning Barack Obama, i'd be happy!!!

[Johnny Feathers]

I whole-heartedly endorse U2 using the same media campaign they used for the release of Achtung Baby.

There wasn't one.

Oh yes, there was, it was just clever 'non-marketing' marketing. First, there was the crazy video of Bono directing traffic outside Island studios in London. Then there was the Doctor Ruth quotes. When the tour started, U2 started hanging out with Bill Clinton, and when that drew the ire of President Bush I, they used his response to promote the tour. That's the kind of marketing i'd like to see again!!!! If they can draw Mitt Romney's ire by telephoning Barack Obama, i'd be happy!!!

"Non-marketing marketing" sounds an awful lot like "not marketing" to me.  The Bono directing traffic thing was part of the Fly video.  I don't remember the Dr. Ruth quotes, but everything else was for the Zoo TV tour.  They effectively had a media blackout going before the album, so that even the obligatory Rolling Stone cover story featured no actual interviews with the band.  They also didn't do any other interviews until after its release.

You're pretty much assured a band their size will have SOME kind of marketing to coincide with an album release: posters, videos, whatever.  But the release of AB mainly let the music speak for itself, rather than another hyperbolic Bono quote or chat on Late Night or something.

[Izzy]

Or maybe they can take over Late Night for 2 weeks this time.

[Passenger84]

Did y'all object to their publicity campaigns for POP and ZooTV? I'm all for cutting back on the promotion (NLOTH was a bit too much), but U2 are never going to release an album without hyping it to some degree. Just not going to happen.

I agree, they have always done it.  But NLOTH went too far.  It went so far that it seemed desperate.

Ya, I agree that it was desperate. They seemed insecure about the songs and the lackluster reception for the single, so they got desperate and went overboard.

[Boom Cha!]

Releasing the album in 2013 sound reasonable since NLOTH came out in '09. Bands these days seem to take around 4 years to release new music.

[PopMartfan]

I think that early 2013 is spot on. With regards to the music, I'd be eager for something a little more rockish or fun, like Achtung or Pop. NLOTH was just a little too spiritual and artistic for me. I want U2 to be daring again!