Why is this so far fetched? To be honest I've been expecting it since the end of the Elevation tour. I mean think about this...
1. The new studio, it's a penthouse, more of an office space than a studio, which if you recall they originally putting up quite a fight to keep the old one, then as if over-night put the gloves down. And it couldn?t have been the fact that they were getting a new one either, they were always getting a new one, they just wanted the old one. I think it?s because the Dublin Docks Development agreed to work around it, and if I?m correct it?s gonna be another 4 years before they take that baby down, giving the band plenty of time to put a nail in the coffin
2. The contract they last signed, well if I did the math correctly, with this album it's up, they might be obligated to a 3rd Best Of, but that's no big deal they can just make a Best of All Times and this would NOT be considered a major album
3. There's also the matter of all the band members seeming to invest in real state (Edge's new house, Bono's extension, restaurant and new apt, gosh knows what Larry's been up to) isn?t this wise retirement planning?
4. Let's not forget the ticket prices of the last tour, it was pretty obvious they were taking care of debts and trying to save up some cash, small venues high prices, playing it very safe in the financial end
5. The band?s philosophy, relevancy. On how many different occasions have we heard Bono going on and on about this? Relevancy takes a shit load of work, cause you can put the music out there but if people don?t listen, if you as an artist are not accessible, if you don?t tour, don?t do the press circuit, blah blah blah it just doesn?t have the impact?you become the Stones and they don?t want to be the Stones. Plus I remember an interview in which Bono said something to the effect that they could never put out an album and not tour behind it because the songs come alive when they?re played live. Well I?m sorry but they?re not young boys anymore, have we forgotten what a struggle that last tour was? Bono?s voice and Larry?s back for starters.
I personally think it makes perfect sense that this be their last major effort, go out on a bang, and never look back. I could see them putting out a b-sides compilations which they neglected in the last Best Of and maybe a Best of All Times afterwards just let us down softly. But I would be surprised if they tried for one more major album. In any case, it's just my opinion, like you, I wish they were energizer bunnies.
Don't worry I don't care what anyone thinks I'm just reporting.
