I like "Signs of Love" too, actually, and being a physics geek, "We Are All Made of Stars" tickles me pink. So maybe I'm a bit harsh on Moby... it's tough for artists to follow up on their seminal work with something even close to being as original. Only a handful have done it... Radiohead for instance (and they're even more impressive because I think they pulled it off regardless of whether you consider "The Bends," "OK Computer," or "Kid A" to be their flagship album).
Two totally divergent points:
1) Breifly getting back on topic, I don't think the AI ban on Bruce has anything to do with rights or permissions. I actually think I read that with him and a few others, they frown on the style and lack of "pop"ability of the artist's work. Which, to an extent, is plausible: could you imagine anything off of Nebraska being performed on AI? On the other hand, Bruce has a few radio-friendly ballads ("Glory Days" et al), and I could see someone with a true knack for arrangements coming up with a killer version of, say, "Atlantic City." So if true, the AI blacklist is a bit silly.
2) Back to the Moby/sell-out discussion. I hate saying "sold out," because the behavior we normally describe as "selling out" is seldom exclusively about the money. A lot of artists just hit a creative wall at some point. They're out of ideas, but they have enough of a fan base that they can still make a living for a little while longer by recycling old material. Some are just plain lazy. And some aren't that versatile to begin with, even if they aren't profit-maximizers.
U2's an interesting case... they clearly didn't "sell" out with the last two albums (case in point... money exchanged for iPod commercial: $0). My theory is that they "famed" out, that everything about ATYCLB and HTDAAB -- the themes, the sound, the release dates of the album and singles -- have been meticulously planned to win the band official accolades and catapult them back on top. This isn't exactly an epiphany: U2 have all but said as much in public on many occassions. The salient question is why. Was it for ego? A giant prank to win over the mainstream and then f$%& it up from the inside? Increase the fame assets of the Bank of Bono so he can more effectively lobby for his causes? The last one would be my guess, though I know the alternative fans amongst us are really hoping for the second explanation.
