dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
if only that were U2 - I like it
Album 13 Talk: Insert cori .gif Here
- Thread starter Diemen
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
- Status
if only that were U2 - I like it
allbecauseofme
The Fly
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2004
- Messages
- 275
Was in a Hess gas station yesterday and heard Ordinary love. Not sure if it was regular radio or some sort of satellite station.
U2DMfan
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
maybe we're truly in for a record where the songs are as much about performance as they are about craft! when was the last time that happened? AB? Joshua Tree?
I'm not aiming any expectations that high or much at all. I'll be appreciative if they even put the fucking thing out at all at this point. Bono was right. We don't need another U2 album unless it's worth it.
But while I can fill up a whole rant on why long studio sessions are a bad thing, I can also think of several reasons that this long session could have an upside.
The more songs you write, the odds are better you're going to get it right.
Said another way, if you write 20 songs to get 10 for an album and you write 40 songs to get 10 for an album, the latter is probably going to be a better route. The key here, to this strategy, is that you don't spend too much time on one idea. If it isn't working, write another song from the ground up. Why not? U2 have never been that precious with their material...at least not since Achtung but maybe even before. I think the problem with some previous album sessions, in hindsight, is that they clearly focused in on 15-20 songs
and kept trying to hammer them into shape. My hope here is that if something wasn't working after a week or two, move on to a new idea. Then the issue becomes generating ideas...and Eno isn't around. Maybe this is the main reason they needed new lifeblood in terms of producers that actually write music and not just "hey let's get Lillywhite".
Should be interesting to read what has been going on for the last 4 years in terms of writing material.
aMansAman
War Child
Taking the long recording time into account, they could have easily 60+ songs up their sleeves ... enough material to mess around with ... in some interviews they said they want to let the songs evolve during their recording process .. they want to "try these songs in different settings" .. i.e. how do they work in a live surrounding etc ...
Basically all these years they were not releasing an album, every additional month/year raises the level of expectation to their potential audience (myself excluded, I have no expectations anymore whatsoever) ... But maybe the media will go crazy , if the album is "just solid" .. and it took them that long to put out something mediocre like ... say .. Invisible ..(ähem..)
it's A for me- hard to stay interested in a band who don't release music....I liked NLOTH but it was a long time ago now...OL and Invisible did nothing for me at all
Given that they've been working on this album on/off for what now- 3 years??? and it's still not finished doesn't suggest a band overflowing with ideas
hey ho...there's plenty of other music to listen to, I can't claim that I'm pining away for a U2 album
last unicorn
Blue Crack Addict
I'm so tired of the band members saying the same thing about the album over and over again for years now 
I have kind of come to term with the fact that we won't get another U2 album ever. I've really started to focus on other stuff to distract myself because the whole waiting game is annoying. U2 had such a great chance to release an album after all the hype they generated with Ordinary Love and Invisible and they just went off and got into hiding. What a waste of opportunity, time, money, energy, everything.
I have kind of come to term with the fact that we won't get another U2 album ever. I've really started to focus on other stuff to distract myself because the whole waiting game is annoying. U2 had such a great chance to release an album after all the hype they generated with Ordinary Love and Invisible and they just went off and got into hiding. What a waste of opportunity, time, money, energy, everything.
aMansAman
War Child
I'm so tired of the band members saying the same thing about the album over and over again for years now
Hey, I did not expect to read something like that coming from your lips! I remember your optimism in the wake of the Invisible performance - you were quite sure of an imminent release .... I kept my (hard earned) scepticism .. and it looks like my gut feeling did not let me down ... as they hope to finish recording before the end of summer - which translates into a late fall release.
Fatboy Slim - You've Come A Long Way Baby
"The songs just keep getting better and better. The work we did with Epworth was massively exciting, and we're looking forward to some more experimentation with new producers. We're very close now, we're aiming to finish by the end of the year." Bono/Larry/Adam/Edge, September 2014. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Registered Dude
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
bad day?
of course they'll be back.. occupy yourself with other bands in the meantime.. or rare U2 stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYI2SHsE-K0
I'm so tired of the band members saying the same thing about the album over and over again for years now
write this date down........... I actually agree 100% with uni's post!
The other thing all of the wasted opportunity, time and what not, personally alienated myself to them. I can't believe I'd ever say this but I'm to the point where I REALLY don't give a shit if they ever put anything else out. I have the memories of the thirty something shows spanning War to 360 and I will dust off some bootlegs here and there but as time is passing I'm just moving on. While there's a lot of shitty music/bands out there, I'm finding some great new bands. I wonder how many diehards like I was are finally getting to the point I'm at?
I find the "we are never getting a new U2 album" sentiment to be really melodramatic. Unless Adam is flat-out lying, which I suppose is possible, the band are working on the album right now. It's been forever since No Line, yeah. But, if there's an album out late this year, that's one year behind the regular post-Pop pattern of releasing an album, touring, and then releasing the next album roughly two years after the end of touring. That schedule does not seem panic-worthy to me.
Maybe the band are in a tight place right now. We really can only speculate. But I think that it is wildly premature to declare that no album is coming out, unless you have inside information.
Maybe the band are in a tight place right now. We really can only speculate. But I think that it is wildly premature to declare that no album is coming out, unless you have inside information.
popacrobat
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
Yeah, pretty much this.
My excitement was extremely high in January/February, and I like both Invisible and Ordinary Love. I don't think they're anything groundbreaking, but they're solid songs. I've said it before -- I don't care about getting another Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby, or even another Zooropa or Unforgettable Fire. It's unlikely. How many bands would kill for their current discography as is?
I just want a handful of good songs that I enjoy. I really don't give a shit if it adds up to a masterpiece of an album. The chances are that they're pretty good songs, whatever they're sitting on. Is Invisible better than anything on JT or AB? Dubious, but I still enjoy it whenever I hear it come on.
That said, my excitement has waned and hit pretty much an all-time low. Will I get jazzed up once we get real concrete news, titles, album release date, etc? Yeah, I'm sure. But who knows when that'll actually be. Sometime this year, hopefully.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Reg McGowan
War Child
Most likely fake...but it rocks ! If they would put this on the album with amazing vocal melodies I would be very satisfied.
Sounds a bit like a mesh between "All Because Of You" And "Even Better Than The Real Thing"
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
My view is not melodramatic, it's a prediction that the band will continue to struggle to find the magic that they have been searching for over the last 3 years and ultimately decide to call it a day.
So while that contradicts what Adam is saying in interviews, it's what I think is going to happen.
ClaytonsKitten
ONE love, blood, life
And you'll be one of the first to kiss the band's collective arses as soon as new material is released. Just like 99% of the posters in this board who are all running around with doomsday predictions.
Bono gives interviews and everyone says he's lying.
Edge gives interviews and everyone says he's being evasive.
Adam gives interviews and everyone ignores 99% of what he says.
Larry gives interviews and everyone obsesses over his attitude.
You people are never fucking happy, are you?
If the band DIDNT give interviews you'd cry about lack of news. No wonder the band is sitting on their arses. I would too if this is how my core fanbase reacted.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
And you'll be one of the first to kiss the band's collective arses as soon as new material is released. Just like 99% of the posters in this board who are all running around with doomsday predictions.
Bono gives interviews and everyone says he's lying.
Edge gives interviews and everyone says he's being evasive.
Adam gives interviews and everyone ignores 99% of what he says.
Larry gives interviews and everyone obsesses over his attitude.
You people are never fucking happy, are you?
If the band DIDNT give interviews you'd cry about lack of news. No wonder the band is sitting on their arses. I would too if this is how my core fanbase reacted.
No.
We're not happy cause we're tired of the band just spouting off shit.
Every year or album cycle it's the same thing "so many songs, want to do a quick release, two albums....finish before summer, finish before holidays"
Eventually you start to wear out the fans hopes with each push back or lack of news.
Every year or album cycle it's the same thing "so many songs, want to do a quick release, two albums....finish before summer, finish before holidays"
Eventually you start to wear out the fans hopes with each push back or lack of news.
What are the songs we've heard since NLOTH?
Mercy
Every Breaking Wave
North Star
Glastonbury
Winter
Ordinary Love
Invisible
I can't think of any others...and it's hard to say when these tunes originated. Isn't Mercy from the HTDAAB sessions?
At any rate, if you take these songs into account, the current songwriting style seems to match the ATYCLB/HTDAAB template: Straightforward U2 style pop/rock tunes, but nothing groundbreaking, and nothing as strong as their biggest hits from those previous albums.
That's 7 tunes; what if that WAS the album with 3 lesser tunes added? Would everyone love it? Hate it?
I don't know, but unless they really decided to "dream it all up again" AGAIN, I wouldn't expect anything different than the previews they've given us. After all, they've been working with producers that are known for current hit songs, not experimental guys like Eno. Plus, Edge's comment about "the songs have to get across on just an acoustic guitar" comment was very revealing.
I really have no problem with any of this, as some of their best tunes are also "non-experimental" and "top 40" and have been hits. Meaning things like
One
Beautiful Day
ISHFWILF
On the other hand, some of their best tunes and big hits, such as
Streets
Pride
WOWY
have come from a place when Edge was capturing his signature sound that no one else was doing. Is it possible that Edge can come up with a new signature kind of sound that will propel the new material? My opinion is no, based on what he's been doing since ATYCLB.
But of course, it's all speculation until the damn thing comes out.
Mercy
Every Breaking Wave
North Star
Glastonbury
Winter
Ordinary Love
Invisible
I can't think of any others...and it's hard to say when these tunes originated. Isn't Mercy from the HTDAAB sessions?
At any rate, if you take these songs into account, the current songwriting style seems to match the ATYCLB/HTDAAB template: Straightforward U2 style pop/rock tunes, but nothing groundbreaking, and nothing as strong as their biggest hits from those previous albums.
That's 7 tunes; what if that WAS the album with 3 lesser tunes added? Would everyone love it? Hate it?
I don't know, but unless they really decided to "dream it all up again" AGAIN, I wouldn't expect anything different than the previews they've given us. After all, they've been working with producers that are known for current hit songs, not experimental guys like Eno. Plus, Edge's comment about "the songs have to get across on just an acoustic guitar" comment was very revealing.
I really have no problem with any of this, as some of their best tunes are also "non-experimental" and "top 40" and have been hits. Meaning things like
One
Beautiful Day
ISHFWILF
On the other hand, some of their best tunes and big hits, such as
Streets
Pride
WOWY
have come from a place when Edge was capturing his signature sound that no one else was doing. Is it possible that Edge can come up with a new signature kind of sound that will propel the new material? My opinion is no, based on what he's been doing since ATYCLB.
But of course, it's all speculation until the damn thing comes out.
Blue Room
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
I understand the point of view, but I think you are going to be wrong. U2 will definately be releasing an album or albums of new material in the future. I think they have one more flat out new album/world tour cycle left at least and it is upcoming. When that will happen is the guess right now. I would guess next year 2015 and most info currently seems to be pointing to that. But even if they do "retire" there will still be "new" material released eventually. U2 have A LOT of leftovers they have never used that will get released at some point down the road. Edge has eluded to this in past interviews. So there will be "new" U2 down the road at a minimum from material we have never heard before perspective. Even though that is not as good as a full blown new album and world tour, it is at least something to sort of look forward to. That is IF U2 did hang it up. Which no one knows at this point including probably U2 themselves. So I understand your proclamation but it seems to be rooted in pure frustration as there is obviously no way you can know for sure when the band themselves probably does not.
I mean... I know that band doesn't frequent message boards and the such... at least not on the regular. I'm sure they've stopped by once or twice (wouldn't you?). But, alas, I do know that people in the band's camp do go out and check the temperature, so to speak...those moments where a public announcement seems to almost be a response to something that fans had their panties in a bunch over? Yea, those aren't coincidences.
So long story short... I certainly hope some intern/staffer who's lurked over the past few days or so has taken note that, with one obvious and looney exception, their whole "album marketing campaign without an album" thing has sapped all the life out of a rabid fan base, to the point where the most loyal of fans have reached the ",meh I don't give a shit, wake me when they actually do something" phase.
Perhaps that'll light a fire under some asses.
Probably not, though.
So long story short... I certainly hope some intern/staffer who's lurked over the past few days or so has taken note that, with one obvious and looney exception, their whole "album marketing campaign without an album" thing has sapped all the life out of a rabid fan base, to the point where the most loyal of fans have reached the ",meh I don't give a shit, wake me when they actually do something" phase.
Perhaps that'll light a fire under some asses.
Probably not, though.
ClaytonsKitten
ONE love, blood, life
This actually makes sense. Even more so when you figure U2 has been pushing social media (FB, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, etc). The fanbase isn't just posting HERE on interference. So clearly someone, somewhere, is paying attention.
Trouble is, does that "meh" attitude light the fire under the arses, as you put it, or does it cause the band to say "Fuck it, no one gives a shit so why should we?"
There are people in the U2 organization who I'm sure follow the social media trends regarding U2, but to be honest I think that Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam really don't worry over such things. I mean, they all have pretty big egos. And that doesn't bother me.
RockNRollDawgie
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Thoughts on Coldplay...
They sound to me like a whiny second-rate version of Pink Floyd.
Maybe it's just the songs I've heard?
They sound to me like a whiny second-rate version of Pink Floyd.
Maybe it's just the songs I've heard?
RockNRollDawgie
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Yes....I have reached the point of "I just don't care anymore. If U2 does release a new
album, great. If not, there's other music out there to listen to."
album, great. If not, there's other music out there to listen to."
ClaytonsKitten
ONE love, blood, life
That's an insult to Pink Floyd. Coldplay isnt' even in the same ballpark as Pink Floyd.
RockNRollDawgie
Rock n' Roll Doggie
That's an insult to Pink Floyd. Coldplay isnt' even in the same ballpark as Pink Floyd.
Oops. Very true. I shouldn't have mentioned Coldplay and
Pink Floyd in the same sentence. My bad. And I totally agree.
Pink Floyd is light years ahead of Coldplay.
Artistically speaking, their massive ego benefitted them a great deal in the past. 22 years ago, Bono proudly declared that it didn't matter if U2 lost the "pop kids" because they didn't need them. Sublime. Sadly, their ego has now become more of a hindrance than a help. Bono circa 2014 would probably want to say "It doesn't matter if we lose some or our loyal fanbase, we don't need them. We have the POP KIDS!" Sigh.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
