Which would you prefer?

[Johnny Feathers]

The second choice for U2. Because even if it's not critically acclaimed, at least the fans might like it. I don't care if it's popular as long as I like it. The first might be cool, though, because I'd love to hear those songs reworked and released AT LAST... and besides, it would be great hearing U2 on the radio more often. At least they'd get their wish for relevancy.

The only "reworked songs" album worth listening to is Kate Bush's The Director's Cut.

U2 wouldn't make the second, so new songs all the way! 

It's hit or miss, but I do mostly enjoy Peter Gabriel's New Blood album.  The symphonic version of Rhythm of the Heat is undoubtedly a worthy addition to his catalog.

I've been listening to that a lot recently. Oh my God, that version of Rhythm of the Heat is amazing.

Yeah.  The idea of a "symphonic greatest hits" album would seem like a mostly bad idea, but he pulled it off well, with that track in particular.  On the other hand, I had zero interest in Sting's Symphonicities--maybe I'm missing something great, but I highly doubt it.  And no, I would not encourage U2 to do a symphonic album.

[EnduringChill]

The second choice for U2. Because even if it's not critically acclaimed, at least the fans might like it. I don't care if it's popular as long as I like it. The first might be cool, though, because I'd love to hear those songs reworked and released AT LAST... and besides, it would be great hearing U2 on the radio more often. At least they'd get their wish for relevancy.

The only "reworked songs" album worth listening to is Kate Bush's The Director's Cut.

U2 wouldn't make the second, so new songs all the way! 

It's hit or miss, but I do mostly enjoy Peter Gabriel's New Blood album.  The symphonic version of Rhythm of the Heat is undoubtedly a worthy addition to his catalog.

I've been listening to that a lot recently. Oh my God, that version of Rhythm of the Heat is amazing.

Yeah.  The idea of a "symphonic greatest hits" album would seem like a mostly bad idea, but he pulled it off well, with that track in particular.  On the other hand, I had zero interest in Sting's Symphonicities--maybe I'm missing something great, but I highly doubt it.  And no, I would not encourage U2 to do a symphonic album.

Oh, I didn't know that's what Symphonicities is... I'd be interested in that. I always used the word "orchestral." Yeah, that would be a bad idea for U2... it's an okay thing to do as a solo artist, but with U2 the other band members would have to play symphonic instruments, and that wouldn't work too well Besides, their music doesn't translate in that way.

[Johnny Feathers]

The second choice for U2. Because even if it's not critically acclaimed, at least the fans might like it. I don't care if it's popular as long as I like it. The first might be cool, though, because I'd love to hear those songs reworked and released AT LAST... and besides, it would be great hearing U2 on the radio more often. At least they'd get their wish for relevancy.

The only "reworked songs" album worth listening to is Kate Bush's The Director's Cut.

U2 wouldn't make the second, so new songs all the way! 

It's hit or miss, but I do mostly enjoy Peter Gabriel's New Blood album.  The symphonic version of Rhythm of the Heat is undoubtedly a worthy addition to his catalog.

I've been listening to that a lot recently. Oh my God, that version of Rhythm of the Heat is amazing.

Yeah.  The idea of a "symphonic greatest hits" album would seem like a mostly bad idea, but he pulled it off well, with that track in particular.  On the other hand, I had zero interest in Sting's Symphonicities--maybe I'm missing something great, but I highly doubt it.  And no, I would not encourage U2 to do a symphonic album.

Oh, I didn't know that's what Symphonicities is... I'd be interested in that. I always used the word "orchestral." Yeah, that would be a bad idea for U2... it's an okay thing to do as a solo artist, but with U2 the other band members would have to play symphonic instruments, and that wouldn't work too well Besides, their music doesn't translate in that way.

Symphonic or orchestral--they're synonymous in this context.

If you're into them, then maybe check out Symphonicities--I honestly have no idea what it's like.  I know Sting did concerts for the album as well, but the cringe-worthy title and my impression of it as a quick and easy cash-in (maybe it's not) did not entice me to try it.  I'm afraid my appreciation for Sting is mostly in the context of the Police these days, and mostly from before their breakup.  (I'm glad I saw it, but that reunion tour left me cold.)

[EnduringChill]

The second choice for U2. Because even if it's not critically acclaimed, at least the fans might like it. I don't care if it's popular as long as I like it. The first might be cool, though, because I'd love to hear those songs reworked and released AT LAST... and besides, it would be great hearing U2 on the radio more often. At least they'd get their wish for relevancy.

The only "reworked songs" album worth listening to is Kate Bush's The Director's Cut.

U2 wouldn't make the second, so new songs all the way! 

It's hit or miss, but I do mostly enjoy Peter Gabriel's New Blood album.  The symphonic version of Rhythm of the Heat is undoubtedly a worthy addition to his catalog.

I've been listening to that a lot recently. Oh my God, that version of Rhythm of the Heat is amazing.

Yeah.  The idea of a "symphonic greatest hits" album would seem like a mostly bad idea, but he pulled it off well, with that track in particular.  On the other hand, I had zero interest in Sting's Symphonicities--maybe I'm missing something great, but I highly doubt it.  And no, I would not encourage U2 to do a symphonic album.

Oh, I didn't know that's what Symphonicities is... I'd be interested in that. I always used the word "orchestral." Yeah, that would be a bad idea for U2... it's an okay thing to do as a solo artist, but with U2 the other band members would have to play symphonic instruments, and that wouldn't work too well Besides, their music doesn't translate in that way.

Symphonic or orchestral--they're synonymous in this context.

If you're into them, then maybe check out Symphonicities--I honestly have no idea what it's like.  I know Sting did concerts for the album as well, but the cringe-worthy title and my impression of it as a quick and easy cash-in (maybe it's not) did not entice me to try it.  I'm afraid my appreciation for Sting is mostly in the context of the Police these days, and mostly from before their breakup.  (I'm glad I saw it, but that reunion tour left me cold.)

I like the title. I think it's cute, hehe. And I haven't really listened much to his solo music, but everything The Police did is awesome in my opinion. I would have loved to see the reunion tour, but I would have been too young to appreciate it (like, ten or so years old...).

[YeahNoYeah]

New album. I think switching producers will help with creating something new and fresh...
that being said, I'm not a NLOTH hater. Wasn't perfect but it's got a lot of great stuff on it.

[hrsan]

IMO, when a band ceases to make new music and more importantly ceases to play new music in favor of their back catalogue, they become a nostalgia act.

I'm always going to go with new music.

[Nanda360]

a new album made up of new, unheard and relevant material would work. I have faith that this will happen.

[Chargedvt]

I want to hear the 360-tested songs, but do they belong on a new album?  Probably not.  They would seem dated.  Remember these songs are over 3 years old now, and will be over 4 years old by the time the next album comes out.  Glastonbury will never see the light of day outside of being a B-side, I'm sure of that.  Mercy has already been released, in a way.  Boy Falls From The Sky was on Spiderman.  The quite amazing "All My Life/Moment I'm In" seems to have been shelved for no apparent reason.  North Star is a good song and would make a good single, but it seems like it's already had it's day with its brief appearance in the last Transformers film.  That leaves Every Breaking Wave, and... any others?
I believe the next album will be completely new songs and that's the way I'd rather.  There's something not quite right about putting on a brand new album to listen for the first time and being able to sing along word for word with it.