In particular, the release of Discotheque as a leadoff single deflated curiosity and momentum and this led to spotty concert ticket sales.
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The band sure does make some curious decisions. I hope this song doesn't drive people away from the album.
So, my question is, did the band miscalculate the song's appeal? Or did they know it would elicit a mixed reaction?
As the post immediately after yours says, it's too early to tell at this moment. But you raise an interesting point, though my opinion of it is probably opposite yours.
The release of Discothèque might've deflated momentum in the album (I still don't like it that much). This was not only because it wasn't the best song to be used as a lead-off singly, but because it became this huge success. Yes, I believe the band miscalculated the song's appeal; they underestimated it. They probably were betting on a decent chart position, some initial airplay as a message that U2 was back in the picture and then follow up with a radio-friendly 'big hit'. They figured that, since they were so big, radio would play anything they offered as lead single.
Keep in mind, this wasn't anything new for U2. They've done this before (you can argue it even goes back to The Joshua Tree, where they released a slow very un-U2 sounding dirge as lead-off single). The Fly was played everywhere upon its release as it was a new release by the biggest band of the Eighties. It didn't got very high in the charts (#61 in the US) and was followed quickly by Mysterious Ways (which reached #10 in the US).
And U2 weren't the only band to do this, as their contemporaries at that time, R.E.M. did the same. And also they were surprised by the popularity of a lead-off single they released just because they could, completely overwhelming the release of the 'commercially sounding big hit'. I'm talking about Losing My Religion here. They repeated the pattern for their next albums (Drive followed by Man On The Moon, What's The Frequency Kenneth? followed by Bang And Blame, etc.).
So with Discothèque U2 were maybe surprised by the unintended success of the single (and subsequent backlash against the album). What their actual plan is this time, nobody knows for now. But I wouldn't be surprised if they figured "Well, we got quite a bit of commercial goodwill with the past few records, why not use it again? Release something interesting which will be played anyway. It might become a mid-sized hit. Then, when the album is released, let's release a big song, to sustain/increase the momentum."
It did work for them in the past...
about it. Also, the fact that they've been tight-lipped leads me to believe they're going to make some big, very clear, very well-handled announcements regarding the tour, tickets, presales, etc. I'd rather have a longer wait for a redesigned version of U2.com, because it's making me hold out at least a little hope that they've hired a company that knows what the hell they're doing and can make the site more functional and reorganize the fan club to prepare for the onslaught of new members who want presale codes. 
Sell outs.
oh yeeeeah...CRIPS. oops! 
