flaming june said:
Why would they wait until next fall to release an album that everyone says is almost finished??? 
First, just because rumors say the album is done..... doesnt mean it is.
Even if it was done, albums aren't released as soon as an artist finishes them:
A release is timed according to when other artists are releasing or arent releasing, as well as when a marketing plan is developed and set into action, as well as when a supporting tour will be ready to go.
But things that should be considered about THIS album:
Chris Thomas, the original (and experimental) producer for this album hasnt been mentioned in quite awhile.... now they've broght back the big guns 'Danny'. Obviously they weren't happy with how things were going previously.
If rumors are true about a stadium tour, and I'll wager that they are.... I also would wager that this tour will be a bit more 'grand' and rank up there with a large production, somewhere between popmart and zootv. It is also likely that this will be a a real World Tour, which Elevation failed to be. For many places in the world, U2 has been absent for 7-8 years.
Timing.... like the olympics, and US presidential elections, U2 seems to launch a new LP about every 4 yrs.
Timing again, IF this will indeed be a world tour, it will most likely be much longer than the abbreviated Elevation tour. By the end of the tour, this would place the band members in their mid to late 40s.... do you really think they'll do another large scale world tour when their 50something? While I'd love to see it, I think it's doubtful. Stadiums will allow for more peple, for everyone that wants (and can afford) to see the band live, possibly in this venue, for one last time. I'm not saying this will be their last album.... but I wouldnt be at all shocked to not hear of another massive tour again, if this will indeed fill that description.
U2 wants to go out ON TOP, with the most memorable album, with the most amazing tour, they dont want to be around to produce crap, they've said so themselves. Artists always want to do better than they have before, and be remembered for it...
If this album is anything less than absolutely amazing, cutting edge, and socially relevant... I have to be honest and say that I'm sure to lose interest quickly. The same goes for the tour. U2 is a show, and while hearing the music at an Elevation SHOW was amazing, it was a show most of us were paying for and had expected due to expectations set by the previous zootv and popmart tours. Heck, I just saw Simon and Garfunkle and was more entertained by their lighting than Elevation's.
I'm just being realistic.
i agree with Slovenian lady!
