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New U2 Album : All The Info We Can Find
New U2 Album Info
Welcome to Interference.com's up-to-date coverage of the new U2 album! Below you will find the Latest News, Rumors, Press and Quotes - straight out of Dublin! Everything is organized in chronological order by category to show you the history and progression of the new album. Remember to check back often and stay tuned! Also, feel free to contact us if you wish to add something below: carrie@interference.com. Enjoy!
The Very Latest News
*Despite the appearance of the entire "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" album online, U2 has not yet made definite plans to either push up the release date of the album or release the entire album early on iTunes, per several media outlets including E! Online and MacWorld UK. (11.09.2004)
*U2.com anounces that "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" will be released in four formatsa deluxe limited edition with CD, DVD and book; a double disc release with CD and DVD; a single disc release; and an LP release. The DVD included in some versions will include the documentary "U2 and 3 Songs" including interview footage with the band, and performances of new songs from the studio in Dublin. (10.24.2004)
*To promote first single "Vertigo," the site www.u2vertigo.com has a game of the same name. High scorers are eligible for prizes, including the limited edition "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" box set. (10.22.2004)
*U2.com announces the official tracklisting for HTDAAB. (09.27.2004)
*U2.com and Radio1 DJ Zane Lowe simultaneoulsy reveal that the album will be called "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." Lowe also confirmed to Interference.com that the album will be released (in Europe/ROW) Nov. 22 and first single "Vertigo" will be released Nov. 8. (09.13.2004)
*U2.com finally releases its first detailed comments on the new album: http://www.interference.com/u296072/index.html (09.09.04)
*U2.com announces full details of "Vertigo" - the first single from the new album. To read more, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295918/index.html (09.07.04)
*In an upcoming issue of Q Magazine, six song titles from the still as-yet-untitled U2 album are listed; Interference.com takes it best guess as to what the final tracklisting of the new U2 album will be:
Crumbs From Your Table
City of Blinding Lights
Man & Woman
Yahweh
Vertigo
Sometimes You Cant Make It On Your Own
All Because of You
Tough
Miracle Drug
Full Metal Jacket/Native Son
Love, Peace or Else
To read the full article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295431/index.html 08.27.04
*Rolling Stone offers a preview of the new U2 album: "The stripped-down songs on U2's new release rely on little more than guitar, bass and drums, to epic effect. The still untitled disc is lean and loud, with the heaviest guitars the band has put on record since The Joshua Tree in 1987." To read the entire preview, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295429/index.html (08.27.04)
*TIME Magazine offers a sneak peak of the new U2 album, stating: "this as-yet-untitled album is just full of confident, expansive guitar rock from the masters of the form." To read the short blurb, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295265/index.html (08.23.04)
*An article on Billboard.com states that along with other confirmed details, a music video will follow shortly after "Vertigo" debuts in late September. To read the full article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295137/index.html (08.20.04)
*In a postcard to Q Magazine, Edge says of the new song "All Because of You," "You need just the right amount of sweet, sour and salt to get it right and when you do you only notice the balance of flavours, not the ingredients." (08.19.04)
*Interference.com has received the following information today. The first single from the as-of-yet-titled new U2 album is to be called "Vertigo" and will be officially released on Friday, September 24th to radio. The album will be released in the United States on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004.
(08.17.04)
*Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting the new U2 album is to be called "Solaris." More info here: http://www.interference.com/u295037/index.html (08.17.04)
*A new song leak has sprung up on the internet rumored to have been taped outside Bono's house near the beach. Fans are certain the music is U2, despite chatter and waves crashing in the background. For more on this story, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295034/index.html (08.17.04)
*Borders, a popular book and music retailer, is showing in its computer database a release date of "10/--/2004 - Pending" for the new single, also as-of-yet untitled. Curiously, the database also shows "TBA 2004/2005" as the release date of the new album. Also in the Borders database is a U2 DVD item with a release date of "12/--/2004" and title TBA. (08.16.04)
*The Eire edition of The Mirror is reporting that "U2 will splash out an incredible /10million promoting their new album as they bid to make it their biggest ever," and will be followed by a massive world tour. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u294845/index.html (08.11.04)
*The Herald Sun is reporting, "U2 has reportedly agreed to do Australian dates in December 2005." (08.06.04)
*Despite reports to the contrary and the appearance of an allegedly-leaked album cover on the Net, according to hotpress.com, U2's new album is yet to be named. "A lot of work appears to have gone into it," a U2 source told the site, "but it doesn't have anything to do with the band or the people who do their artwork, Four 5 One. The fact of the matter is that neither the title nor the cover has been decided on yet." (07.30.04)
*At Ted Kennedy's honor ceremony in Boston, Bono announces to the audience that U2 would be starting their tour in Boston in 2005 instead of the previously reported Miami in 2005. (07.28.04)
*Bono tells British Telegraph journalist Neil McCormick of the stolen/missing CD situation, "If it is on the internet this week, we will release it immediately as a legal download on iTunes, and get hard copies into the shops by the end of the month," he told me. "It would be a real pity. It would screw up years of work and months of planning, not to mention fucking up our holidays. But once it's out, it's out." (07.22.04)
*Reports circulate in the media that U2's newest album has been stolen or lost in Nice, France. Manager Paul McGuinness tells NME: "The recording of this album has been going so well. The band is so excited about its release. It would be a shame if unfinished work fell into the wrong hands." Speaking to U2.Com, Edge said, 'A large slice of two years work lifted via a piece of round plastic. It doesn't seem credible but that's what's just happened to us...and it was my CD.' For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293934/index.html and http://www.interference.com/u293939/index.html (07.15.04)
*Interference.com received the following e-mail from Universal France: "Release date is confirmed for Europe on Nov 22nd. I've had absolutely no information or whatsoever regarding the us release date." The 22nd is a Monday and US releases are typically on Tuesdays so the 23rd looks like a possibility stateside. Per previous release rumors, that is also Thanksgiving week.(07.12.04)
*According to sources involved with planning U2's next world tour, a new version of U2's fan club, Propaganda, will be run by Signatures Network (fanfire.com), the company that operates U2's official online store. For a membership fee, fan club members will be able to participate in an exclusive 3-4 week pre-sale that is scheduled to begin around the Thanksgiving Holiday (US) in November 2004. No word yet on whether previously registered Propaganda members will have to pay this new membership fee to Signatures Network. U2's next tour is still rumored to start in Miami, Florida in March 2005. For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293566/index.html (07.05.04)
*According to an onsite report from Dublin, the new U2 album is rumored to be finished with 12 songs on it. To read the entire report, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293556/index.html (07.05.04)
*According to the Belfast Telegraph, U2 are currently in "secret negotiations" to play Ireland's Croke Park in May 2005. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293536/index.html (07.05.04)
*A 53 second clip of a new U2 song "All Because of You" has started making the rounds online. To download the clip and read a snippet of the song's lyrics, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293512/index.html (07.04.04)
*According to an article in the Boston Herald,, fans can expect the new U2 single "the third week of September with an album to follow at Thanksgiving." (06.30.04)
*If registered domain names are anything to go by, the next U2 album could be called "Vertigo" or "Hanover Quay" - although both seem like possible song or tour names. More information here: http://www.interference.com/u293373/index.html (06.30.04)
*An Interference reader was lucky enough to meet Bono and Edge at the U2 studio in Dublin yesterday and got a taste of the upcoming U2 album. Of the new album, Bono stated, "I still don't know if it's a boy or a girl or an elephant which is always a difficult birth!" as [it] only becomes clear what the record is about in the last few weeks. The singer also said regarding touring "thinking alot about taking these songs on the road," which is where they "really find out what the tunes are about."
Edge stated that only a couple of ballads on the record.
Regarding actual song titles on the album, previously mentioned 'Love and Peace or Else' and 'All Because Of You' are reportedly on the album, and "Full Metal Jacket" and the rumored song from the Jude Law film "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" are [reportedly] not. 'American Prayer' will also not appear on the album. Please keep in mind that song titles do change in the recording process. The song previously referred to as "Full Metal Jacket" could very well be called something else at present. (06.08.04)
*According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, long-rumoured songs "Tough" and "Full Metal Jacket" are mentioned again. Within the article, Bono notes: '"The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."'(05.29.04)
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Name: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Updated: August 19th: Journalist Neil McCormick tells Hot Press of the album title: "Its an interesting title, an interesting philosophical idea as a title, and quite a difficult title." To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295102/index.html
Updated August 17: Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting the new U2 album is to be called "Solaris."
Updated June 30: (Rumor) If registered domain names are anything to go by, the next U2 album could be called "Vertigo" or "Hanover Quay" - although both seem like possible song or tour names. More information here: http://www.interference.com/u293373/index.html
Updated May 5: (Rumor) LA DJ Uncle Joe Benson is reporting that the next U2 album may be called "Winter."
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ETA: European Release Date: November 22nd, 2004, November 23, 2004 for the USA.
(Updated June 11th: U2 manager Paul McGuinness tells U2.com: "Well I know Bono has been mentioning this year, and it would be great to have it out by the end of the year but I've no idea really, I am just reminding everyone that we must learn from past mistakes and not release it before it is finished.")
Rumor November: A fan on German Depeche Mode forum Exciter reports speaking with Anton Corbijn who is currently at work on art for the forthcoming album and expects the disc to come out in May 2004. "Anton war sehr nett und gespr䣨ig, momentan arbeitet er am artwork f??????as neue U2 album,was vorrausichtlich im mai 2004 erscheint." (Thanks Larry)
Updated Dec. 8: The January issue of Q magazine is reporting the new U2 album will be released in March 2004. Of the forthcoming release, the magazine writes, "Sounds like: The Edge is angry according to Bono. 'Its filled with big tunes and its driven by a guitar player whos sick of the sight of me shaking hands with politicians' says the singer. 'The anger is unbelivable'. Sex Pistols and Roxy Music producer Chris Thomas is at the controls." (Thanks DigitalLove)
Updated Dec. 12: The current issue of Uncut reports: "U2 have completed the main recording sessions for their next album, scheduled for release early in 2004, at a secret studio on the French Riveira." (Thanks Chris)
Updated Dec. 22: Rumor: German music site CDstarts.de is reporting that the album will be released June 14 (and probably June 15 in the US) and be called "Solar."
Updated Dec. 27: Rumor: Dutch e-tailer Media Markt (www.mediamarkt.nl) is listing the forthcoming U2 album for a March 8 release (Thanks Wouter)
Updated Jan. 12: Rumor: Canadian entertainment site Jam! is reporting U2's as-yet-untitled album will be released on March 9
http://rapids.canoe.ca/cgi-bin/jmr/rel_info?rid=16347 (Thanks Dorian Gray)
Updated Jan. 14: Exclusive: Regine Moylett of RMP London, U2's PR agency, told Interference.com the following, "There are no announcements planned for the immediate future."
Update Jan. 16: Entertainment Weekly reports in its 2004 preview issue, "U2-as yet untitled
Will they sustain the momentum of 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'--or will they once again lead themselves astray? We'll know later this year with the arrival of U2's 10th studio album." (Thanks TiaraGurl)
Updated Jan. 22: According to a source with Universal France, that label has gotten no official word on the release date or title of U2's next album.
Updated Jan. 29: Canadian entertainment site JAM! is now listing the next U2 album with a release date of Sept. 7 http://rapids.canoe.ca/cgi-bin/jmr/rel_info?rid=16347 (Thanks Sacha)
Updated Feb. 2: Interference.com has received confirmation from a source with Universal France that a U2 Achtung report (http://www.u2achtung.com/01/news) that the next U2 album will be coming out in September or October is accurate.
Updated Feb. 9: The current issue of Entertainment Weekly lists U2's next release, "Solar," with a March 9th release date and says, "On hiatus from saving the world, the Dubliners look to resuscitate rock with their 11th studio album." This information does conflict with what Interference.com has heard officially and unofficially from inside sources. (Thanks John)
Updated Feb. 20: Exclusive: Interference.com received the following from Universal Italy: "We regret to inform that at the time we wrote a general news on international releases we had the info of the new U2 album release in May. Right after we were informed that the album has been postponed to next fall. At the moment we don't have more specific info."
Updated Apr. 21: Bono tells German U2 fansite that fans can expect the first single to be released in September 2004 and the album in October 2004.
Updated May 7: Longtime U2 manager Paul McGuinness states on BBC Radio 5 that a record would be out in November and a tour would start in March next year (2005) in Miami, Florida.
Updated May 13: U2.com finally addresses the New Album in its News section, quoting Paul McGuinness' "November" release comments as something that 'could' happen. More here: http://forum.interference.com/t91741.html
Updated June 30: According to an article in the Boston Herald,, fans can expect the new U2 single "the third week of September with an album to follow at Thanksgiving."
Updated July 12:Interference.com received the following e-mail from Universal France: "Release date is confirmed for Europe on Nov 22nd. I've had absolutely no information or whatsoever regarding the us release date." The 22nd is a Monday and US releases are typically on Tuesdays so the 23rd looks like a possibility stateside. Per previous release rumors, that is also Thanksgiving week.
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First Single: "Vertigo" - Radio: September 24th, 2004. Retail: November 8th, 2004. Video for "Vertigo" expected in early October.
U2.com has announced full details of the "Vertigo" single. To read more, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295918/index.html
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Producer: Chris Thomas, Steve Lillywhite and Daniel Lanois (who has been spotted leaving the U2 studio in Dublin as of November 2003). Remixer: Jacknife Lee. Rumored assistant production by Interscope president and "Rattle and Hum" producer Jimmy Iovine in May 2004.
Updated May 26: Bono is spotted with Interscope president Jimmy Iovine in Dublin and in France lending to speculation that not only is U2 finishing up the album in the South of France, but "Rattle and Hum" producer Iovine is sitting in at the boards too.
Updated Mar. 17: Remix Artist Jacknife Lee has been hired to work on the new U2 Album, per XFM.
Updated Feb. 10: According to Billboard and U2.com, Steve Lillywhite has come on board as producer of the next U2 album. "Producer Steve Lillywhite has joined the production team as the band hit the final stretch in recording the new album.
During 2003, Chris Thomas worked closely with U2 on new material, while in the autumn, in between his own shows, Daniel Lanois also popped in to the studio.
'There are various producers involved in this album,' Paul McGuinness told U2.Com, emphasising the organic nature of the recording process. 'Chris Thomas has done some great work. It's good to work with Steve again but it's not as if we're starting from scratch,'" U2.com reports.
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Recorded at: Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland
Updated: Week of May 4th: We have been told the band might finish the album in France
Updated: May 26: Bono and Edge are spotted in the South of France with Jimmy Iovine. Rumors circulate that Iovine is lending a hand to the finishes touches of the album.
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Sound: With Thomas, Lillywhite and Lanois on board, it's anyone's guess. However, Bono has been quick to say in the press that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a current favorite, and that he has been quite into the new "garage rock" phenomenon. The band have described the forthcoming release as their "first guitar album," and "very visceral...very direct."
(Updated May27th: One radio station has called the sound "techno-Mozart.")
Updated Dec. 2 From Fox News, "Bono tells me the new U2 album is 'our Who album. The Edge has really gone crazy writing guitar stuff.' A terrific new Bono song is featured in Jim Sheridan's wonderful film 'In America.' A guaranteed Oscar nominee for Best Song." Thanks Curt!
Updated Dec. 12 The current issue of Uncut reports: "Guitarist The Edge summed up the new record, as yet untitled, as 'raw rock'n'roll....a band in its primary colours of guitar, bass, drums, voice and a lot of vitality and energy.'"
"Speaking exclusively to Uncut, Bono goes a step further, describing the album as 'punk rock made on Venus,' dominated by guitars that go up to 'Number 11.' He confirms the album will continue in the classic-rock vein of 2000's Grammy-winning 'All That You Can't Leave Behind.'"
"According to Bono, the new album will be dominated by The Edge's guitar. 'It's made by a man who is really sick of the sight of his singer shaking hands with dodgy politicians,' he quips. 'When you've got as much spleen and suffused rage as The Edge has, I think Number 11 was the only way to go.' (Thanks Chris)
Updated May 29: *According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, Bono notes: '"The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."'
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Upcoming U2 performances - confirmed and rumoured (full band):
Miami 2005 (world tour launch in late February or March)
Croke Park 2005 (May or summer)
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Tour: Rumor: February 2005 - 06, Tour starting March 2005 in Miami, Florida, according to U2 manager Paul McGuinness.
Confirmed via Bono and The Edge on May 27th to Italy's La Stampa newspaper and XFM respectively: U2 will tour behind the new album in 2004.
"Will we tour the album? I'm sure we will," Edge told XFM.
(Updated August 24th: According to The Irish Mirror, U2 are rumored to play the 100,000 capacity Phoenix Park in Dublin sometime during Summer 2004. Please see for the whole story: http://forum.interference.com/t81070.html)
(Updated June 7th: The planned start date will be either May or September 2004, if the release of the album shifts, according O'Herlihy. It is not yet known if the tour will be in closed arenas or in open air stadiums. The very successful Elevation Tour played to smaller, closed arenas in most cities.)
Updated Dec. 24: According to Reuters a U2 tour is on the horizon for 2004.
Updated Jan. 12: According to Variety, U2 "is planning a summertime go-round."
Updated Feb. 6: Rumor: A source with the inside track on the next U2 album and tour has told Interference.com, "The next album is not finished, so now they're looking at a fall CD release (I'm hearing late Sept. or early Oct.). They'll back it up with a fast-and-furious round of promotional performances around the globe through Christmas, followed by a roughly year-long tour in 2005. I
have no idea if they will stick with arenas or return to stadiums for the tour. I expect they don't know yet either."
Updated Mar 10:A source currently involved with the planning of the next U2 world tour has told Interference.com that the tour is currently planned to start in February 2005 and last for 18 months. The tour will start with arenas, and then move into stadiums. No word yet on where the tour will commence.
Updated May 7: Longtime U2 manager Paul McGuinness states on BBC Radio 5 that a record would be out in November and a tour would start in March next year (2005) in Miami, Florida.
Updated May 13: On U2.com, Paul McGuinness states: The tour "will be defined by the character of the new album and the new production.
In the case of U2, it's more a function of what kind of music they want to do, rather than what kind of box-office gross they want to achieve.
'Certainly playing indoors is much easier, and the logistics are much more controlled,' he added. 'Now that high ticket prices indoors are accepted, if you're going to take the audience to a big outdoor event, you'd really have to be doing something very, very good, and we would take that responsibility very seriously. If we decide to go outdoors, it will be because it's worth doing something on a grand scale.' "
Updated July 5: According to sources involved with planning U2's next world tour, a new version of U2's fan club, Propaganda, will be run by Signatures Network (fanfire.com), the company that operates U2's official online store. For a membership fee, fan club members will be able to participate in an exclusive 3-4 week pre-sale that is scheduled to begin around the Thanksgiving Holiday (US) in November 2004. No word yet on whether previously registered Propaganda members will have to pay this new membership fee to Signatures Network. For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293566/index.html
Updated: July 28: At Ted Kennedy's honor ceremony in Boston, Bono announces to the audience that U2 would be starting their tour in Boston in 2005 instead of the previously reported Miami in 2005.
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Rumoured Songs/Tracklisting:
Official Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
4. Love And Peace Or Else
5. City Of Blinding Lights
6. All Because Of You
7. A Man And A Woman
8. Crumbs From Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original Of The Species
11. Yahweh
*In an upcoming issue of Q Magazine, six song titles from the still as-yet-untitled U2 album are listed; Interference.com takes it best guess as to what the final tracklisting of the new U2 album will be:
Crumbs From Your Table
City of Burning Lights
Man & Woman
Yahweh
Vertigo
Sometimes You Cant Make It On Your Own
All Because of You
Tough
Miracle Drug
Full Metal Jacket/Native Son
Love, Peace or Else
*Update July 6th: We have learned from a post on the forum that the new U2 album will possibly have 12 songs.
*A man's a man - Bono had mentioned this song in the past when talking about the Gangs of New York soundtrack. It is not yet known if "A Man's A Man" became the Golden Globe winning "Hands That Built America," or if this was a completely different song, and simply left off of the soundtrack, for use on the new U2 album)
*Update: 7/14/03 (rumor) Xanax and Wine (features one of Bono's best lyrics of memory, and very strong guitars from Edge)
*Update: 7/14/03 (rumor) Jahweh "a tune with the title of a God as he/she is known in another religion" Thanks to Surge
*Sometimes you can't make it on your own
*You can't give your heart away
*Bulldozer (leftover from the ATYCLB sessions)
*Tough
*All because of you
A 53 second clip of a new U2 song "All Because of You" has started making the rounds online. To download the clip and read a snippet of the song's lyrics, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293512/index.html (07.04.04)
*One step closer to knowing
*Origin of the species (leftover from the ATYCLB sessions)
*Full Metal Jacket - Update: 7/14/03 We have been told that Full Metal Jacket turned into Native Son.
Bono to BBC Radio: "Edge brought around a CD of a new tune. It's just a provision title, "Full Metal Jacket." It's the roughest, it's the mother of all rock and roll tunes. I don't know where it came from, but it's a remarkable guitar thing. You want to hear it. It's a reason to make a record. This song is that good."
*An American Prayer (performed during Bono's Heart of American tour (w/DATA) - December 2002)
*Native Son - Bono to Entertainment Weekly: "We've got a song up on the burner called 'Native Son.' The best way I think we can celebrate is to just finish out what we're doing: Make this song a scorching 45. The molecules in the air are vibrating quite nicely as a result of that phone call."
*Lead Me in the Way I Should Go
Updated Jan. 29: The following new song titles are currently floating around the Web, "Skyhawk," "Love and Peace (or else)" (leftover from the "Behind" Sessions) and "Jahweh."
Updated May 29: According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, long-rumoured songs "Tough" and "Full Metal Jacket" are mentioned again.
(Thanks to Swan269 and The_acrobat for the song titles)
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Soundtrack Appearances?
Updated Jan. 29: "Out of Control" is the song appearing on the "interMission" soundtrack, not a new song. There is no new U2 song on the "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" soundtrack due in the fall.
Updated Mar 10: the Edge is recording the theme song for the new animated series, The Batman.
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Album sounds like...:
Rolling Stone offers a preview of the new U2 album: "The stripped-down songs on U2's new release rely on little more than guitar, bass and drums, to epic effect. The still untitled disc is lean and loud, with the heaviest guitars the band has put on record since The Joshua Tree in 1987." To read the entire preview, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295429/index.html
Bono tells the Boston Herald: "the CD is ``the best ever,'' ... And he is ``over the moon'' about the new single."
Bono tells Rolling Stone: "The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."' (May 2004)
Bono tells Ireland's Sunday Independent (July 2003): "We are getting closer to making the music we have always wanted to make. There is a difference between the music that you hear in your head and what you put on a CD. Your grasp is sometimes further than your reach, and right now this band is on fire and about to do its best work. That excites me."
U2 graphic designer Steve Averill of the Four5One Collective tells Cleveland's Plain Dealer (June 2003): "We're really excited about it," Averill said. "We got to hear eight songs in the studio. They were very rocking, very guitar- oriented."
Paul McGuinness tells U2.com (June 2003): "I have heard a lot of new stuff, they seem to have about twenty tunes on board at moment. I always say I'm no judge in the early stages. I'm better at hearing it when it's nearly finished. That said, it sounds very exciting to me, very rock and roll, very direct as you would expect with Chris Thomas producing. The band keep making him tell them Beatle stories! Every now and again Bono goes off to do political work which provides a natural break. He and Edge have also just spend a week in France writing lyrics. Our studio set-up in Dublin has worked very well over the years and although we are sanguine about moving on, we would have been happy to stay there for ever."
The Edge to XFM Radio: (May 2003) "It's going really well. And we're writing some of the best songs we've ever written. It's encouraging to get an award like this, it's encouraging to kick even harder and make sure that the next batch of songs are as good as anything we've ever done. It's hard to describe it, other than its just a very raw rock n' roll album. A band in its primary colours of guitar, bass, drums, voice and a lot of vitality and energy...so far anyway. By the time it comes out it could be a country and western album. For me the last record and tour was just a return to the basic sound of the electric guitar and how amazing that can sound. The simplicity of it. And this new record follows on from that, but even more extreme."
Bono to La Stampa: (May 2003/loose translation): "A job is exiting much fort, full load of guitars, The Edge is indeed prodigando: easiest it is never made, is music rock. We will exit around to Been born them, we will go in tour the next year."
(Note: We take this to mean that the recording process has not been easy, but that Edge is indeed a mad genius and that the album is going to be a rock record.)
Bono to Grammy Magazine, "It's just ridiculous what's going on (in the studio). Edge is just on fire--he's making the most extraordinary things come out of his guitar. It's astonishing...I'm very excited about what we're doing."
Bono to The New York Times: (April 2003) "It's a very visceral album, The songs are very direct. They're big songs, big melodies and really, some full-on guitar playing by a very frustrated man. [The Edge] is so gifted. If this is a great record, and I really think it will be, it will have a lot to do with him."
Edge to LAUNCH (April 2003): "My guitar playing has been fairly minimalist over the years; I like to try and make as few notes as I can get away with," he explains, adding that now he wants to "create as big an effect as I can, to really explore what guitar could be, and really push the boundaries of what guitar in a rock 'n' roll band can sound like."
Bono to MTVNews (February 2003): "It's full-on, a full-throttle record. It's like punk rock made on Venus. It is a mad sound The Edge is making. People are saying, 'Bono, people are sick of you. You've been around, you've been winning all these awards. You have to go away for a while.' This record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2. And by the way, I'm sick of Bono - and I am Bono."
Bono to MTVNews (January 2003): "We're banging the dustbin lids back home in Dublin. We've got a rehearsal studio/recording studio type of deal," the Irish singer said at the Golden Globes on Sunday, where he was a presenter. He and the Edge also accepted Best Original Song for "The Hands That Built America," U2's contribution to Gangs of New York. "Edge, I must say, is really doing some extraordinary stuff," Bono added. "It's a guitar record. Which is, I think, our first."
Bono to SPIN (December 2001): "So I just started writing down five or six songs, mostly lyrics. I worked on a song about my dad that Noel Gallagher and I had started, called "One Step Closer to Knowing," and I think that's going to be very special. Another one is called "Electrical Storm," and another is called "You Can't Give Your Heart Away," and there's this thing called "A Man's a Man," for a movie called Gangs of New York, which Martin Scorsese is directing. "
Know of info I should post here? Email me carrie@interference.com!
Stay tuned!
New U2 Album Info
Welcome to Interference.com's up-to-date coverage of the new U2 album! Below you will find the Latest News, Rumors, Press and Quotes - straight out of Dublin! Everything is organized in chronological order by category to show you the history and progression of the new album. Remember to check back often and stay tuned! Also, feel free to contact us if you wish to add something below: carrie@interference.com. Enjoy!
The Very Latest News
*Despite the appearance of the entire "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" album online, U2 has not yet made definite plans to either push up the release date of the album or release the entire album early on iTunes, per several media outlets including E! Online and MacWorld UK. (11.09.2004)
*U2.com anounces that "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" will be released in four formatsa deluxe limited edition with CD, DVD and book; a double disc release with CD and DVD; a single disc release; and an LP release. The DVD included in some versions will include the documentary "U2 and 3 Songs" including interview footage with the band, and performances of new songs from the studio in Dublin. (10.24.2004)
*To promote first single "Vertigo," the site www.u2vertigo.com has a game of the same name. High scorers are eligible for prizes, including the limited edition "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" box set. (10.22.2004)
*U2.com announces the official tracklisting for HTDAAB. (09.27.2004)
*U2.com and Radio1 DJ Zane Lowe simultaneoulsy reveal that the album will be called "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." Lowe also confirmed to Interference.com that the album will be released (in Europe/ROW) Nov. 22 and first single "Vertigo" will be released Nov. 8. (09.13.2004)
*U2.com finally releases its first detailed comments on the new album: http://www.interference.com/u296072/index.html (09.09.04)
*U2.com announces full details of "Vertigo" - the first single from the new album. To read more, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295918/index.html (09.07.04)
*In an upcoming issue of Q Magazine, six song titles from the still as-yet-untitled U2 album are listed; Interference.com takes it best guess as to what the final tracklisting of the new U2 album will be:
Crumbs From Your Table
City of Blinding Lights
Man & Woman
Yahweh
Vertigo
Sometimes You Cant Make It On Your Own
All Because of You
Tough
Miracle Drug
Full Metal Jacket/Native Son
Love, Peace or Else
To read the full article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295431/index.html 08.27.04
*Rolling Stone offers a preview of the new U2 album: "The stripped-down songs on U2's new release rely on little more than guitar, bass and drums, to epic effect. The still untitled disc is lean and loud, with the heaviest guitars the band has put on record since The Joshua Tree in 1987." To read the entire preview, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295429/index.html (08.27.04)
*TIME Magazine offers a sneak peak of the new U2 album, stating: "this as-yet-untitled album is just full of confident, expansive guitar rock from the masters of the form." To read the short blurb, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295265/index.html (08.23.04)
*An article on Billboard.com states that along with other confirmed details, a music video will follow shortly after "Vertigo" debuts in late September. To read the full article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295137/index.html (08.20.04)
*In a postcard to Q Magazine, Edge says of the new song "All Because of You," "You need just the right amount of sweet, sour and salt to get it right and when you do you only notice the balance of flavours, not the ingredients." (08.19.04)
*Interference.com has received the following information today. The first single from the as-of-yet-titled new U2 album is to be called "Vertigo" and will be officially released on Friday, September 24th to radio. The album will be released in the United States on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004.
(08.17.04)
*Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting the new U2 album is to be called "Solaris." More info here: http://www.interference.com/u295037/index.html (08.17.04)
*A new song leak has sprung up on the internet rumored to have been taped outside Bono's house near the beach. Fans are certain the music is U2, despite chatter and waves crashing in the background. For more on this story, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295034/index.html (08.17.04)
*Borders, a popular book and music retailer, is showing in its computer database a release date of "10/--/2004 - Pending" for the new single, also as-of-yet untitled. Curiously, the database also shows "TBA 2004/2005" as the release date of the new album. Also in the Borders database is a U2 DVD item with a release date of "12/--/2004" and title TBA. (08.16.04)
*The Eire edition of The Mirror is reporting that "U2 will splash out an incredible /10million promoting their new album as they bid to make it their biggest ever," and will be followed by a massive world tour. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u294845/index.html (08.11.04)
*The Herald Sun is reporting, "U2 has reportedly agreed to do Australian dates in December 2005." (08.06.04)
*Despite reports to the contrary and the appearance of an allegedly-leaked album cover on the Net, according to hotpress.com, U2's new album is yet to be named. "A lot of work appears to have gone into it," a U2 source told the site, "but it doesn't have anything to do with the band or the people who do their artwork, Four 5 One. The fact of the matter is that neither the title nor the cover has been decided on yet." (07.30.04)
*At Ted Kennedy's honor ceremony in Boston, Bono announces to the audience that U2 would be starting their tour in Boston in 2005 instead of the previously reported Miami in 2005. (07.28.04)
*Bono tells British Telegraph journalist Neil McCormick of the stolen/missing CD situation, "If it is on the internet this week, we will release it immediately as a legal download on iTunes, and get hard copies into the shops by the end of the month," he told me. "It would be a real pity. It would screw up years of work and months of planning, not to mention fucking up our holidays. But once it's out, it's out." (07.22.04)
*Reports circulate in the media that U2's newest album has been stolen or lost in Nice, France. Manager Paul McGuinness tells NME: "The recording of this album has been going so well. The band is so excited about its release. It would be a shame if unfinished work fell into the wrong hands." Speaking to U2.Com, Edge said, 'A large slice of two years work lifted via a piece of round plastic. It doesn't seem credible but that's what's just happened to us...and it was my CD.' For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293934/index.html and http://www.interference.com/u293939/index.html (07.15.04)
*Interference.com received the following e-mail from Universal France: "Release date is confirmed for Europe on Nov 22nd. I've had absolutely no information or whatsoever regarding the us release date." The 22nd is a Monday and US releases are typically on Tuesdays so the 23rd looks like a possibility stateside. Per previous release rumors, that is also Thanksgiving week.(07.12.04)
*According to sources involved with planning U2's next world tour, a new version of U2's fan club, Propaganda, will be run by Signatures Network (fanfire.com), the company that operates U2's official online store. For a membership fee, fan club members will be able to participate in an exclusive 3-4 week pre-sale that is scheduled to begin around the Thanksgiving Holiday (US) in November 2004. No word yet on whether previously registered Propaganda members will have to pay this new membership fee to Signatures Network. U2's next tour is still rumored to start in Miami, Florida in March 2005. For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293566/index.html (07.05.04)
*According to an onsite report from Dublin, the new U2 album is rumored to be finished with 12 songs on it. To read the entire report, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293556/index.html (07.05.04)
*According to the Belfast Telegraph, U2 are currently in "secret negotiations" to play Ireland's Croke Park in May 2005. To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293536/index.html (07.05.04)
*A 53 second clip of a new U2 song "All Because of You" has started making the rounds online. To download the clip and read a snippet of the song's lyrics, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293512/index.html (07.04.04)
*According to an article in the Boston Herald,, fans can expect the new U2 single "the third week of September with an album to follow at Thanksgiving." (06.30.04)
*If registered domain names are anything to go by, the next U2 album could be called "Vertigo" or "Hanover Quay" - although both seem like possible song or tour names. More information here: http://www.interference.com/u293373/index.html (06.30.04)
*An Interference reader was lucky enough to meet Bono and Edge at the U2 studio in Dublin yesterday and got a taste of the upcoming U2 album. Of the new album, Bono stated, "I still don't know if it's a boy or a girl or an elephant which is always a difficult birth!" as [it] only becomes clear what the record is about in the last few weeks. The singer also said regarding touring "thinking alot about taking these songs on the road," which is where they "really find out what the tunes are about."
Edge stated that only a couple of ballads on the record.
Regarding actual song titles on the album, previously mentioned 'Love and Peace or Else' and 'All Because Of You' are reportedly on the album, and "Full Metal Jacket" and the rumored song from the Jude Law film "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" are [reportedly] not. 'American Prayer' will also not appear on the album. Please keep in mind that song titles do change in the recording process. The song previously referred to as "Full Metal Jacket" could very well be called something else at present. (06.08.04)
*According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, long-rumoured songs "Tough" and "Full Metal Jacket" are mentioned again. Within the article, Bono notes: '"The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."'(05.29.04)
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Name: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Updated: August 19th: Journalist Neil McCormick tells Hot Press of the album title: "Its an interesting title, an interesting philosophical idea as a title, and quite a difficult title." To read the entire article, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295102/index.html
Updated August 17: Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting the new U2 album is to be called "Solaris."
Updated June 30: (Rumor) If registered domain names are anything to go by, the next U2 album could be called "Vertigo" or "Hanover Quay" - although both seem like possible song or tour names. More information here: http://www.interference.com/u293373/index.html
Updated May 5: (Rumor) LA DJ Uncle Joe Benson is reporting that the next U2 album may be called "Winter."
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ETA: European Release Date: November 22nd, 2004, November 23, 2004 for the USA.
(Updated June 11th: U2 manager Paul McGuinness tells U2.com: "Well I know Bono has been mentioning this year, and it would be great to have it out by the end of the year but I've no idea really, I am just reminding everyone that we must learn from past mistakes and not release it before it is finished.")
Rumor November: A fan on German Depeche Mode forum Exciter reports speaking with Anton Corbijn who is currently at work on art for the forthcoming album and expects the disc to come out in May 2004. "Anton war sehr nett und gespr䣨ig, momentan arbeitet er am artwork f??????as neue U2 album,was vorrausichtlich im mai 2004 erscheint." (Thanks Larry)
Updated Dec. 8: The January issue of Q magazine is reporting the new U2 album will be released in March 2004. Of the forthcoming release, the magazine writes, "Sounds like: The Edge is angry according to Bono. 'Its filled with big tunes and its driven by a guitar player whos sick of the sight of me shaking hands with politicians' says the singer. 'The anger is unbelivable'. Sex Pistols and Roxy Music producer Chris Thomas is at the controls." (Thanks DigitalLove)
Updated Dec. 12: The current issue of Uncut reports: "U2 have completed the main recording sessions for their next album, scheduled for release early in 2004, at a secret studio on the French Riveira." (Thanks Chris)
Updated Dec. 22: Rumor: German music site CDstarts.de is reporting that the album will be released June 14 (and probably June 15 in the US) and be called "Solar."
Updated Dec. 27: Rumor: Dutch e-tailer Media Markt (www.mediamarkt.nl) is listing the forthcoming U2 album for a March 8 release (Thanks Wouter)
Updated Jan. 12: Rumor: Canadian entertainment site Jam! is reporting U2's as-yet-untitled album will be released on March 9
http://rapids.canoe.ca/cgi-bin/jmr/rel_info?rid=16347 (Thanks Dorian Gray)
Updated Jan. 14: Exclusive: Regine Moylett of RMP London, U2's PR agency, told Interference.com the following, "There are no announcements planned for the immediate future."
Update Jan. 16: Entertainment Weekly reports in its 2004 preview issue, "U2-as yet untitled
Will they sustain the momentum of 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'--or will they once again lead themselves astray? We'll know later this year with the arrival of U2's 10th studio album." (Thanks TiaraGurl)
Updated Jan. 22: According to a source with Universal France, that label has gotten no official word on the release date or title of U2's next album.
Updated Jan. 29: Canadian entertainment site JAM! is now listing the next U2 album with a release date of Sept. 7 http://rapids.canoe.ca/cgi-bin/jmr/rel_info?rid=16347 (Thanks Sacha)
Updated Feb. 2: Interference.com has received confirmation from a source with Universal France that a U2 Achtung report (http://www.u2achtung.com/01/news) that the next U2 album will be coming out in September or October is accurate.
Updated Feb. 9: The current issue of Entertainment Weekly lists U2's next release, "Solar," with a March 9th release date and says, "On hiatus from saving the world, the Dubliners look to resuscitate rock with their 11th studio album." This information does conflict with what Interference.com has heard officially and unofficially from inside sources. (Thanks John)
Updated Feb. 20: Exclusive: Interference.com received the following from Universal Italy: "We regret to inform that at the time we wrote a general news on international releases we had the info of the new U2 album release in May. Right after we were informed that the album has been postponed to next fall. At the moment we don't have more specific info."
Updated Apr. 21: Bono tells German U2 fansite that fans can expect the first single to be released in September 2004 and the album in October 2004.
Updated May 7: Longtime U2 manager Paul McGuinness states on BBC Radio 5 that a record would be out in November and a tour would start in March next year (2005) in Miami, Florida.
Updated May 13: U2.com finally addresses the New Album in its News section, quoting Paul McGuinness' "November" release comments as something that 'could' happen. More here: http://forum.interference.com/t91741.html
Updated June 30: According to an article in the Boston Herald,, fans can expect the new U2 single "the third week of September with an album to follow at Thanksgiving."
Updated July 12:Interference.com received the following e-mail from Universal France: "Release date is confirmed for Europe on Nov 22nd. I've had absolutely no information or whatsoever regarding the us release date." The 22nd is a Monday and US releases are typically on Tuesdays so the 23rd looks like a possibility stateside. Per previous release rumors, that is also Thanksgiving week.
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First Single: "Vertigo" - Radio: September 24th, 2004. Retail: November 8th, 2004. Video for "Vertigo" expected in early October.
U2.com has announced full details of the "Vertigo" single. To read more, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295918/index.html
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Producer: Chris Thomas, Steve Lillywhite and Daniel Lanois (who has been spotted leaving the U2 studio in Dublin as of November 2003). Remixer: Jacknife Lee. Rumored assistant production by Interscope president and "Rattle and Hum" producer Jimmy Iovine in May 2004.
Updated May 26: Bono is spotted with Interscope president Jimmy Iovine in Dublin and in France lending to speculation that not only is U2 finishing up the album in the South of France, but "Rattle and Hum" producer Iovine is sitting in at the boards too.
Updated Mar. 17: Remix Artist Jacknife Lee has been hired to work on the new U2 Album, per XFM.
Updated Feb. 10: According to Billboard and U2.com, Steve Lillywhite has come on board as producer of the next U2 album. "Producer Steve Lillywhite has joined the production team as the band hit the final stretch in recording the new album.
During 2003, Chris Thomas worked closely with U2 on new material, while in the autumn, in between his own shows, Daniel Lanois also popped in to the studio.
'There are various producers involved in this album,' Paul McGuinness told U2.Com, emphasising the organic nature of the recording process. 'Chris Thomas has done some great work. It's good to work with Steve again but it's not as if we're starting from scratch,'" U2.com reports.
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Recorded at: Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland
Updated: Week of May 4th: We have been told the band might finish the album in France
Updated: May 26: Bono and Edge are spotted in the South of France with Jimmy Iovine. Rumors circulate that Iovine is lending a hand to the finishes touches of the album.
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Sound: With Thomas, Lillywhite and Lanois on board, it's anyone's guess. However, Bono has been quick to say in the press that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a current favorite, and that he has been quite into the new "garage rock" phenomenon. The band have described the forthcoming release as their "first guitar album," and "very visceral...very direct."
(Updated May27th: One radio station has called the sound "techno-Mozart.")
Updated Dec. 2 From Fox News, "Bono tells me the new U2 album is 'our Who album. The Edge has really gone crazy writing guitar stuff.' A terrific new Bono song is featured in Jim Sheridan's wonderful film 'In America.' A guaranteed Oscar nominee for Best Song." Thanks Curt!
Updated Dec. 12 The current issue of Uncut reports: "Guitarist The Edge summed up the new record, as yet untitled, as 'raw rock'n'roll....a band in its primary colours of guitar, bass, drums, voice and a lot of vitality and energy.'"
"Speaking exclusively to Uncut, Bono goes a step further, describing the album as 'punk rock made on Venus,' dominated by guitars that go up to 'Number 11.' He confirms the album will continue in the classic-rock vein of 2000's Grammy-winning 'All That You Can't Leave Behind.'"
"According to Bono, the new album will be dominated by The Edge's guitar. 'It's made by a man who is really sick of the sight of his singer shaking hands with dodgy politicians,' he quips. 'When you've got as much spleen and suffused rage as The Edge has, I think Number 11 was the only way to go.' (Thanks Chris)
Updated May 29: *According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, Bono notes: '"The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."'
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Upcoming U2 performances - confirmed and rumoured (full band):
Miami 2005 (world tour launch in late February or March)
Croke Park 2005 (May or summer)
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Tour: Rumor: February 2005 - 06, Tour starting March 2005 in Miami, Florida, according to U2 manager Paul McGuinness.
Confirmed via Bono and The Edge on May 27th to Italy's La Stampa newspaper and XFM respectively: U2 will tour behind the new album in 2004.
"Will we tour the album? I'm sure we will," Edge told XFM.
(Updated August 24th: According to The Irish Mirror, U2 are rumored to play the 100,000 capacity Phoenix Park in Dublin sometime during Summer 2004. Please see for the whole story: http://forum.interference.com/t81070.html)
(Updated June 7th: The planned start date will be either May or September 2004, if the release of the album shifts, according O'Herlihy. It is not yet known if the tour will be in closed arenas or in open air stadiums. The very successful Elevation Tour played to smaller, closed arenas in most cities.)
Updated Dec. 24: According to Reuters a U2 tour is on the horizon for 2004.
Updated Jan. 12: According to Variety, U2 "is planning a summertime go-round."
Updated Feb. 6: Rumor: A source with the inside track on the next U2 album and tour has told Interference.com, "The next album is not finished, so now they're looking at a fall CD release (I'm hearing late Sept. or early Oct.). They'll back it up with a fast-and-furious round of promotional performances around the globe through Christmas, followed by a roughly year-long tour in 2005. I
have no idea if they will stick with arenas or return to stadiums for the tour. I expect they don't know yet either."
Updated Mar 10:A source currently involved with the planning of the next U2 world tour has told Interference.com that the tour is currently planned to start in February 2005 and last for 18 months. The tour will start with arenas, and then move into stadiums. No word yet on where the tour will commence.
Updated May 7: Longtime U2 manager Paul McGuinness states on BBC Radio 5 that a record would be out in November and a tour would start in March next year (2005) in Miami, Florida.
Updated May 13: On U2.com, Paul McGuinness states: The tour "will be defined by the character of the new album and the new production.
In the case of U2, it's more a function of what kind of music they want to do, rather than what kind of box-office gross they want to achieve.
'Certainly playing indoors is much easier, and the logistics are much more controlled,' he added. 'Now that high ticket prices indoors are accepted, if you're going to take the audience to a big outdoor event, you'd really have to be doing something very, very good, and we would take that responsibility very seriously. If we decide to go outdoors, it will be because it's worth doing something on a grand scale.' "
Updated July 5: According to sources involved with planning U2's next world tour, a new version of U2's fan club, Propaganda, will be run by Signatures Network (fanfire.com), the company that operates U2's official online store. For a membership fee, fan club members will be able to participate in an exclusive 3-4 week pre-sale that is scheduled to begin around the Thanksgiving Holiday (US) in November 2004. No word yet on whether previously registered Propaganda members will have to pay this new membership fee to Signatures Network. For more information, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293566/index.html
Updated: July 28: At Ted Kennedy's honor ceremony in Boston, Bono announces to the audience that U2 would be starting their tour in Boston in 2005 instead of the previously reported Miami in 2005.
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Rumoured Songs/Tracklisting:
Official Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
4. Love And Peace Or Else
5. City Of Blinding Lights
6. All Because Of You
7. A Man And A Woman
8. Crumbs From Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original Of The Species
11. Yahweh
*In an upcoming issue of Q Magazine, six song titles from the still as-yet-untitled U2 album are listed; Interference.com takes it best guess as to what the final tracklisting of the new U2 album will be:
Crumbs From Your Table
City of Burning Lights
Man & Woman
Yahweh
Vertigo
Sometimes You Cant Make It On Your Own
All Because of You
Tough
Miracle Drug
Full Metal Jacket/Native Son
Love, Peace or Else
*Update July 6th: We have learned from a post on the forum that the new U2 album will possibly have 12 songs.
*A man's a man - Bono had mentioned this song in the past when talking about the Gangs of New York soundtrack. It is not yet known if "A Man's A Man" became the Golden Globe winning "Hands That Built America," or if this was a completely different song, and simply left off of the soundtrack, for use on the new U2 album)
*Update: 7/14/03 (rumor) Xanax and Wine (features one of Bono's best lyrics of memory, and very strong guitars from Edge)
*Update: 7/14/03 (rumor) Jahweh "a tune with the title of a God as he/she is known in another religion" Thanks to Surge
*Sometimes you can't make it on your own
*You can't give your heart away
*Bulldozer (leftover from the ATYCLB sessions)
*Tough
*All because of you
A 53 second clip of a new U2 song "All Because of You" has started making the rounds online. To download the clip and read a snippet of the song's lyrics, visit: http://www.interference.com/u293512/index.html (07.04.04)
*One step closer to knowing
*Origin of the species (leftover from the ATYCLB sessions)
*Full Metal Jacket - Update: 7/14/03 We have been told that Full Metal Jacket turned into Native Son.
Bono to BBC Radio: "Edge brought around a CD of a new tune. It's just a provision title, "Full Metal Jacket." It's the roughest, it's the mother of all rock and roll tunes. I don't know where it came from, but it's a remarkable guitar thing. You want to hear it. It's a reason to make a record. This song is that good."
*An American Prayer (performed during Bono's Heart of American tour (w/DATA) - December 2002)
*Native Son - Bono to Entertainment Weekly: "We've got a song up on the burner called 'Native Son.' The best way I think we can celebrate is to just finish out what we're doing: Make this song a scorching 45. The molecules in the air are vibrating quite nicely as a result of that phone call."
*Lead Me in the Way I Should Go
Updated Jan. 29: The following new song titles are currently floating around the Web, "Skyhawk," "Love and Peace (or else)" (leftover from the "Behind" Sessions) and "Jahweh."
Updated May 29: According to an article in the June 10th issue of Rolling Stone with D12 on the cover, long-rumoured songs "Tough" and "Full Metal Jacket" are mentioned again.
(Thanks to Swan269 and The_acrobat for the song titles)
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Soundtrack Appearances?
Updated Jan. 29: "Out of Control" is the song appearing on the "interMission" soundtrack, not a new song. There is no new U2 song on the "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" soundtrack due in the fall.
Updated Mar 10: the Edge is recording the theme song for the new animated series, The Batman.
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Album sounds like...:
Rolling Stone offers a preview of the new U2 album: "The stripped-down songs on U2's new release rely on little more than guitar, bass and drums, to epic effect. The still untitled disc is lean and loud, with the heaviest guitars the band has put on record since The Joshua Tree in 1987." To read the entire preview, visit: http://www.interference.com/u295429/index.html
Bono tells the Boston Herald: "the CD is ``the best ever,'' ... And he is ``over the moon'' about the new single."
Bono tells Rolling Stone: "The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."' (May 2004)
Bono tells Ireland's Sunday Independent (July 2003): "We are getting closer to making the music we have always wanted to make. There is a difference between the music that you hear in your head and what you put on a CD. Your grasp is sometimes further than your reach, and right now this band is on fire and about to do its best work. That excites me."
U2 graphic designer Steve Averill of the Four5One Collective tells Cleveland's Plain Dealer (June 2003): "We're really excited about it," Averill said. "We got to hear eight songs in the studio. They were very rocking, very guitar- oriented."
Paul McGuinness tells U2.com (June 2003): "I have heard a lot of new stuff, they seem to have about twenty tunes on board at moment. I always say I'm no judge in the early stages. I'm better at hearing it when it's nearly finished. That said, it sounds very exciting to me, very rock and roll, very direct as you would expect with Chris Thomas producing. The band keep making him tell them Beatle stories! Every now and again Bono goes off to do political work which provides a natural break. He and Edge have also just spend a week in France writing lyrics. Our studio set-up in Dublin has worked very well over the years and although we are sanguine about moving on, we would have been happy to stay there for ever."
The Edge to XFM Radio: (May 2003) "It's going really well. And we're writing some of the best songs we've ever written. It's encouraging to get an award like this, it's encouraging to kick even harder and make sure that the next batch of songs are as good as anything we've ever done. It's hard to describe it, other than its just a very raw rock n' roll album. A band in its primary colours of guitar, bass, drums, voice and a lot of vitality and energy...so far anyway. By the time it comes out it could be a country and western album. For me the last record and tour was just a return to the basic sound of the electric guitar and how amazing that can sound. The simplicity of it. And this new record follows on from that, but even more extreme."
Bono to La Stampa: (May 2003/loose translation): "A job is exiting much fort, full load of guitars, The Edge is indeed prodigando: easiest it is never made, is music rock. We will exit around to Been born them, we will go in tour the next year."
(Note: We take this to mean that the recording process has not been easy, but that Edge is indeed a mad genius and that the album is going to be a rock record.)
Bono to Grammy Magazine, "It's just ridiculous what's going on (in the studio). Edge is just on fire--he's making the most extraordinary things come out of his guitar. It's astonishing...I'm very excited about what we're doing."
Bono to The New York Times: (April 2003) "It's a very visceral album, The songs are very direct. They're big songs, big melodies and really, some full-on guitar playing by a very frustrated man. [The Edge] is so gifted. If this is a great record, and I really think it will be, it will have a lot to do with him."
Edge to LAUNCH (April 2003): "My guitar playing has been fairly minimalist over the years; I like to try and make as few notes as I can get away with," he explains, adding that now he wants to "create as big an effect as I can, to really explore what guitar could be, and really push the boundaries of what guitar in a rock 'n' roll band can sound like."
Bono to MTVNews (February 2003): "It's full-on, a full-throttle record. It's like punk rock made on Venus. It is a mad sound The Edge is making. People are saying, 'Bono, people are sick of you. You've been around, you've been winning all these awards. You have to go away for a while.' This record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2. And by the way, I'm sick of Bono - and I am Bono."
Bono to MTVNews (January 2003): "We're banging the dustbin lids back home in Dublin. We've got a rehearsal studio/recording studio type of deal," the Irish singer said at the Golden Globes on Sunday, where he was a presenter. He and the Edge also accepted Best Original Song for "The Hands That Built America," U2's contribution to Gangs of New York. "Edge, I must say, is really doing some extraordinary stuff," Bono added. "It's a guitar record. Which is, I think, our first."
Bono to SPIN (December 2001): "So I just started writing down five or six songs, mostly lyrics. I worked on a song about my dad that Noel Gallagher and I had started, called "One Step Closer to Knowing," and I think that's going to be very special. Another one is called "Electrical Storm," and another is called "You Can't Give Your Heart Away," and there's this thing called "A Man's a Man," for a movie called Gangs of New York, which Martin Scorsese is directing. "
Know of info I should post here? Email me carrie@interference.com!
Stay tuned!
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Neat to see song titles tho, eh? That's a funny name for a song!
Be sure to email me if you find out any new info that I might not have!
