A Sort of Never-Arriving
Songs of Songs, Books & Fat Puns - New Album Discussion #8
- Thread starter Headache in a Suitcase
- 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
A Sort of Never-Arriving
This cancellation is hardly a reason for alarm. The sales of an audiobook on cd likely don’t justify the cost of production.
OP
OP
it's 2022. almost 2023.
canceling an audiobook on CD is not a big deal.
canceling an audiobook on CD is not a big deal.
OP
OP
it's only my opinion, tho
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
You're quite the sheep when it advancements in technology.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Baa baa bitches
Nate Dogg
Refugee
It’s on the counter at Cracker Barrel right next to the apricot jam…near the register.
The John Tree
War Child
I just can’t comprehend why they wouldn’t put this out in the next two weeks.
This isn’t a standalone project that’s going to garner much interest outside of its connection to Bono’s book. I’d argue it has less appeal to “standard” consumers/casual fans than a Greatest Hits package would.
The one thing it *does* have going for it is Bono’s autobiography. If they split them up, they’re essentially trying to unlink two projects that were conceptually linked from the start, no? Bono’s out promoting now. His autobiography is going to be old news by February. Unless he pulls a Springsteen and takes this thing to Broadway or something (please no) then releasing this any time after the holiday season is just a huge waste of opportunity.
I know, I know “this is U2 we’re talking about…” and blah blah blah, but it’s still annoying as hell. And I’m one of the negative bastards who *doesn’t* care for the idea of an album of re-recorded arrangements. I can’t imagine how annoyed I’d be if this was something I was really looking forward to.
This isn’t a standalone project that’s going to garner much interest outside of its connection to Bono’s book. I’d argue it has less appeal to “standard” consumers/casual fans than a Greatest Hits package would.
The one thing it *does* have going for it is Bono’s autobiography. If they split them up, they’re essentially trying to unlink two projects that were conceptually linked from the start, no? Bono’s out promoting now. His autobiography is going to be old news by February. Unless he pulls a Springsteen and takes this thing to Broadway or something (please no) then releasing this any time after the holiday season is just a huge waste of opportunity.
I know, I know “this is U2 we’re talking about…” and blah blah blah, but it’s still annoying as hell. And I’m one of the negative bastards who *doesn’t* care for the idea of an album of re-recorded arrangements. I can’t imagine how annoyed I’d be if this was something I was really looking forward to.
PopFly
War Child
Releasing it after Xmas also makes no sense, since then they miss out on extra sales.
ascender_RS
Refugee
2023 plans... Achtung Baby/Zoo TV-themed live dates.
Release album of acoustic re-imagined songs.
Yip, sounds about right based on current strategy.
Surely they'll want to hit the Christmas market for this and the buzz with the book and live shows which seem to both be getting incredibly positive reviews even by their standards, let alone something that Bono is fronting up on his own.
Release album of acoustic re-imagined songs.
Yip, sounds about right based on current strategy.
Surely they'll want to hit the Christmas market for this and the buzz with the book and live shows which seem to both be getting incredibly positive reviews even by their standards, let alone something that Bono is fronting up on his own.
pacemaker
Refugee
Management shake-up could have a big part to do with this. The new guys might have come in and seen Guy & Team's roadmap for the release and been like, "Yikes! Nah, brah!" and scooted it back. It wouldn't surprise me if, beyond just SOS, they have to completely clean house and re-right ships here, there and everywhere. I'm not trying to make or justify excuses by any means, but we do like a bit of Oseary pile-on around here.
Since very few things have been officially announced, there's a lot of wiggle room for the future. It seems to make the most sense to release SOS as a companion to the book, but it's also a 12-40 song career retrospective and could maybe be appropriated to a more general release. I can't think of any major artist releases coming up between now and the holidays, but our guys have been really sensitive about competition and avoiding stealing limelight/having limelight stolen. A big, pre-holiday/post-new year announcement featuring SOS, Vegas, odds & ends, and maybe a new album could be cooking to drum up excitement for what will likely be the beginning of the end.
But that's just my opinion.
Since very few things have been officially announced, there's a lot of wiggle room for the future. It seems to make the most sense to release SOS as a companion to the book, but it's also a 12-40 song career retrospective and could maybe be appropriated to a more general release. I can't think of any major artist releases coming up between now and the holidays, but our guys have been really sensitive about competition and avoiding stealing limelight/having limelight stolen. A big, pre-holiday/post-new year announcement featuring SOS, Vegas, odds & ends, and maybe a new album could be cooking to drum up excitement for what will likely be the beginning of the end.
But that's just my opinion.
Registered Dude
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
the management thing is interesting and may be a factor. There's a sense that the band felt under served by Oseary and co. It's interesting how in Surrender Bono quotes Paul McGuinness as saying that U2 is a band that cant be managed from a Blackberry.
That said, they're still officially with Oseary I believe. I wonder if the rumours of signing elsewhere were just scare tactics on the part of the band.
That said, they're still officially with Oseary I believe. I wonder if the rumours of signing elsewhere were just scare tactics on the part of the band.
JamietheEdgefan
Refugee
I think this is a really good shout. It seems bizarre to have an album pressed, ready to go, and not release it for Christmas off the back of a successful solo book tour. Unless things have changed behind the scenes.
It did seem like there was a 'full steam ahead' approach in the summer - the rumour was SoS autumn 2022, new album March 2023, then stadium shows in the summer.
That all seemed to change fairly abruptly; though I wonder if another reason for it might have been the decision to work more on the new album/find a new producer to help turn it into the rock and roll album they're trying to make.
I know Bono said the Vegas Sphere shows would centre around Acting Baby, but it'll be the first live performance from the band since the pandemic, and in 4 years(!). So these shows will be bigger than one album, I think they'll have the theme of reintroducing the band after a hiatus.
So SoS could serve as a general "we're back, here's a reminder of all the hits we made but reimagined" to help promote the Sphere shows.
Any ideas when would be the most likely time for the Vegas tour to be revealed/announced?
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
It's very easy for our judgement to get clouded in regards to what we want vs what's best for the band, but this is definitely one of those cases where it's very puzzling.
And also, hate to say it, but these guys are in their 60's. They will all hopefully live well into their 80's but you never know what can happen. It's not really the best time to sit on things.
And also, hate to say it, but these guys are in their 60's. They will all hopefully live well into their 80's but you never know what can happen. It's not really the best time to sit on things.
This is an interesting thought.
First, I THINK (because we don't really know anything at this point) Bono wasn't lying when he said it'd be out soon. It's just not the date we all had in our heads. So, now it feels like a delay that's really not a delay. Nothing more than a hunch though.
However, I say using it as a reminder before a run of what could be mostly "throwback to Achtung Baby" shows is interesting because there could have been a snap decision to hold it back juuuussst in case the shiny new liquid-hot-magma melt-your-clothes-off record isn't ready by then.
Last edited:
ascender_RS
Refugee
On the other hand, it would be strange to release a largely acoustic album ahead of a run of AB-themed shows. Unless they have plans to tour it, get it released now.
I can't see them having a new album ready by the Vegas shows because, well, we all know what they're like. And you'd think they'd want to have their own staging ready for a new tour in support of the album. The AB-themed show actually sounds like a good fit for a short run of shows in a new state of the art venue.
I can't see them having a new album ready by the Vegas shows because, well, we all know what they're like. And you'd think they'd want to have their own staging ready for a new tour in support of the album. The AB-themed show actually sounds like a good fit for a short run of shows in a new state of the art venue.
ascender_RS
Refugee
That's the thing that I've gone on about for a few years now. I don't understand their reluctance to release more stuff, try new things etc when they are getting on. As is their core audience...
OP
OP
it was already assumed that the physical edition would be pushed to next year due to supply chain issues.
u2songs reported this a while back. they also said the band was debating whether or not to release it digital only in november/december or to just wait until the physical copy is ready.
if it's not released within the next couple of weeks? i think we know which way they decided to go.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
Finally, someone posts an actual fact in this forum.
Everyone else, come back when you've learned the difference!
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
The fact that you think what I posted is a fact is just your opinion.
For a band that went all-in on a digital-only single and then a digital-first album release 8 years ago, the adherence to physical boggles the mind. Would they sell a few more vinyl copies with a simultaneous release? Probably. Enough to justify holding back the digital release? Ehhhh…
OP
OP
there are 5 hipsters in Williamsburg who ironically like U2 and are holding up release of the album.
this is a statement of fact.
this is a statement of fact.
OP
OP
- Status
Similar threads
