it was great hearing them put a spin on their classic 80’s sound with the two previous albums, but you can only get away with that for so long. eventually, you have to keep moving forward. all great artists are in a flux. constantly evolving in some way. as long as this doesn’t wind up being another transition from Achtung/Zooropa to Pop, a “new direction” of sorts should be very exciting for both the band and fans alike. if they hit another home run, i don’t see how anyone could argue against them ever again. fingers crossed…

i love U2, but dont believe this.

Disappointing that we have to wait even longer now. Didn’t they say they were done in June? Sheesh.

Oh man, I hate this. I was so psyched about it coming out on November 18 and my anticipation has been really high since I heard about the new album being made and the release date. Now the anticipation level is above high. The 2009 release better make the album their best, since I read online that Steve Lilywhite said this is their best album.

I stopped caring about this washed up band after their last failure, whoops, I mean “album”.

DAMN U2. What is this? I expected a November 08 release and now I’m getting a 09?!!! WHAT THE HELL.

And Jayson. STFU.

It’s actually good news. Get it right. Make it as good as it can be. Thats more important to me than waiting a few extra months.

The Stones had their sucky period after Exile and claimed they had “60 or 70 songs in the can” before Some Girls and then coasted from there. A great album could happen, and while I hope it does, U2 have nothing to prove and could just coast on an every few years $250 a ticket tour just like Mick and Keef. I envy their retirement years.

i am tired and sick of reading reviews that praise U2 when in fact the boys from ireland have long descended into the mire of self-importance and self-indulgence. all bono and his ilk are really interested in is to pad their bank accounts for the retirement years up ahead. i loved U2 before achtung baby. now they’re just dinosaurs who think they still have their turf.

Well if you consider a band still selling relevant music in the CD\ITUNES\LP era washed up then good luck to you sir. Sip you coffee read lame reviews of fab bands and return the blinders to your eyes.

u2 are the greatest band ever and even if they strike out with this album they will still be the best rock band of all time

Never been the biggest U2 fan, their sound is too pop for my taste…but I did love their last 2 albums…the songwriting was mature and poignant and the music was evocative of a myriad of feelings….I hope they can sustain it into the next album..they’ve never released a double album…..maybe they should now since they don’t have much to prove….

i have to give U2 credit for still putting in a huge effort when they could slack off so easily. a U2 double album: that would just be INSANE!!

U2 is beyond having to prove themselves to anybody. The fact that they still want to prove themselves by delivering great albums and tours speaks volumes.

I’m still waiting for U2 to finish “POP”.

Atomic Bomb sold over 8 million copies, was critically loved and won 8 Grammies. Yeah what a failure. Jayson’s an idiot.

Perhaps with all this material, we’ll get a double album, they’ve never done one, why the hell not?

U2 reached their peak during the 2001 Elevation tour. As he nears 50, Bono knows he can only be relevant so much longer, before U2 falls into the 80s nostalgia band category.The new CD will be very safe and calculated,to reach as many grammy voters as possible.

Wasn’t “Rattle and Hum” a double album? At least on vinyl, anyway.

When I read the news that the album release would be delayed to 2009 I felt a bit sad, but this was only a brief moment. U2 have written 60 songs and this is absolutely amazing! Those guys go towards 50 and they still have the energy and ambition to make a record that HAS to be great! And this is the only way to stay relevant for more than 30 years.
I think that fans and mass media shouldn´t put too much pressure on a band, because real art is something that can´t be planned to be finished until a particular date. If U2 still have so many ideas to be realized it´s worth waiting for a longer time. So why should we complain about a band who always gives us 200 percent?
U2, I´m looking forward to 2009!

They should call it “Chinese Democracy” -I get credit if they do!

They now make music to win at award shows only, to stay on the “safe” side of rock and only do what will appeal to the masses. They are no longer edgy, excuse the pun.
Disagree with me if you must, but deep down you know it’s true.

They are winning Grammies with their latest work. However, I doubt very seriously that any artist U2 included can craft work specifically to win awards. They just happen to be AWESOME. Deal with it. No Line on the Horizon–Feb 2009. Deal with THAT, too.

Dan and “God” bring up an interesting point, that U2 makes “safe” music designed to reach Grammy voters. U2’s album “Zooropa” won best alternative album in 1993 and you couldn’t get further from the so-called “mainstream” than some of the songs on that album. “The Joshua Tree” won Album of the Year in 1988. How do you design an album and songs to win a Grammy? Some of the songs on the last two records that are pretty damn edgy include “Peace on Earth”, “Elevation”,”Kite”, “Crumbs from Your Table”, Love and Peace or Else”, “Original of the Species”, “All Because of You”, “Vertigo”. It’s OK, one of the reasons that U2’s songs appeal to the masses is because a lot of themes they touch on are universal. It’s hard to do that on a consistent basis and U2 have done it well for 25 plus years. Looking forward to the next (double?) album. Deep down, I know all of this is true.

I really wish they would keep on the “personal” track that the last 2 albums took. Lyrically they seem to outshine some of the older albums. I really also wish they would revisit the sound from the POP album. Although most people never really enjoyed it I’d have to say that it is their most innovative album today and is my favorite album after All that you can’t leave behind.

U2 can’t “not” hit a home run! Most people don’t get it. U2 is so loved by their loyal fans, like a family member, that no matter what they do, any decisions or directions they take, they will still be loved! I’ve been a “family member” since 1983, and have never felt a moment of disappointment! If anything, the family has grown by the millions, globally, over the years!
Everyone talks about Pop being their lowest point. I saw Popmart live three times! Did you see that show? The only thing that can top that was Zoo TV in my book!
A possible double album? That would be truly insane!
I LOVE U2!!!!

I just can’t wait for this album to come out. I know that ‘09 will be their year, and for the people that just don’t get it. I must say that there have been a lot of bands out there that could be considered legends, but they’ve never stayed on the top of the mountain as long as U2 did. Almost three decades, and all the projects and all the materials they wrote are just classic. U2 is an inspiration to many artists we hear this decade. These four guys are legends, and they didn’t even intend to be so.

I´m really curious for the new record when I consider that U2´s creative work might be similar to the one they did between “The Joshua Tree” and “POP”. I agree with some of you that “POP” is a great album. It´s a pity that some fans and critics have regarded it as the worst part of U2´s career. U2 have always had the courage to allow themselves influences of new musical developments. “Mofo” for instance has a very dense sound and Bono reveals his most personal thoughts. And “Gone” is one of my favourite songs from all songs I know.
I think whatever artistic directions U2 will take in the future, the heart and soul of U2 will always be the most essential thing in their music.

A new direction would be welcome after the last couple of beyond-boring efforts. Enough of the re-hashing of the glory years, please.
for the record, pop was good, rattle and hum was their worst effort, though the last two albums were their laziest works.

one more thing
Zooropa resident… kite, elevation, vertigo are the opposite of edgy! boring as boiled eggs, more like it.

Boiled eggs rock. And Wilko, you mother was way edgy when I gave her a dirty sanchez.

POP was a a terrible album. Acthung and Joshua tree were their masterpiece albums. They will never be topped. I sincerly hope i’m wrong. Every band an artist have their golden peaks.

“Staring at the Sun” “Gone” “Discotheque” “Do You Feel Loved” “Mofo” “Please” “If God Will Send His Angels” and “Wake Up Dead Man” are all great songs. Sure, “The Playboy Mansion” and “Miami” misfire somewhat and are outdated, but its hard to call that album “terrible” based on two songs.

Why don’t they just call the album Chinese Democracy? They just released the three remastered albums (boy, war, october) to buy them time. Looks like I’m listening to Achtung Baby until spring, oh well.

Unforgettable fire is the best album IMO

At the end of the day its U2, its gonna be fucking great! I dont like all this shit im hearing about “washed up”. This band is more relevent now than it was 20 years ago. The songs have more meaning to our world today than any other bands. VIVA U2.

POP is actually one of the best U2 albums if you ask me. There are some really awesome overlooked tunes on that album..The song “Please” is one of the best U2 songs created especially the way they play it live.

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Anonymous | 9/4/2008, 12:33 am EST

Never been the biggest U2 fan, their sound is too pop for my taste…but I did love their last 2 albums…the songwriting was mature and poignant and the music was evocative of a myriad of feelings….I hope they can sustain it into the next album..they’ve never released a double album…..maybe they should now since they don’t have much to prove….
_____________________ ___

Is this person kidding? ATYCLB and HTDAAB were the most pop driven U2 albums to date. If this person isn’t joking they need to go pick up Boy and Zooropa and check out more of their artistic/raw side… that’s just me though.

Adam

Joshua Tree ranks with Atomic Bomb IMO

Concur with comments re. Pop. Very underrated album that was probably 4-5 years ahead of its time. My favourite album of all time is ‘Achtung Baby’ – and Eno and Lanois were the taskmasters behind that album, pushing the band to places they feared to go. What resulted was a musical icon. I hope they get close. Whether you love them, hate them or are impartial, they are still arguably the most influential band in the world today, not bad after nearly 3 decades.

Zooropa and POP have always been underrated……… A song like “Gone” will stand the test of time, and will make it as one of U2’s greatest hits. I am hoping for an Achtung Baby type shift on this new album, as that is what makes U2 great (their ability to keep testing their fans and themselves).

Hello All….My Top U2 albums Boy/War/Unforgettable Fire/Joshua Tree/Achtung Baby…These albums have been PLAYED and U2 IS my #1 band. There is not one album or Ep released by this band that isn’t special to me. This is a band that is special in that they all come together as musicians so BEAUTIFULLY. Each knows their role in the group, and each knows their limitations. I look forward to their new album, and I say make it a DOUBLE ALBUM. For me Rattle and Hum doesn’t necessarily count as one. A full in studio double album would be like the best tasting cherry ever on top of the best sundae you have ever had! I always trust in the direction they take as artists. Some efforts took a few listens, but in the end I love the music and I understand the message they were intending to give. I LOVE THIS BAND>>>KEEP ROCKING BONO EDGE ADAM and LARRY

Wow i can’t wait for this album. I don’t care when its out i will buy it with confidence as i have never been let down before. Rock on boys…. and get back to Australia.

IS COOOOOOOOOOOOOl !!

they suck now. they sucked after zooropa. how green bono, putting a fucking egg on top of a building as your new studio. how humble. how many children could you feed with that obsurd and pompous egg? your arrogance and the delusion that you matter makes me feel sorry for you.

wow! 60 more shitty songs! way to go. ever heard of quality not quanity? that epitomizes music, and even more so U2, of the last decade.

you feel sorry for bono…haha ….haha…..haha…..haha…. ….haha
i honestly dont think he gives a shit mate

I just read 2 ‘anonymous’ negative comments and I just have to wonder what are you doing here if you can’t stand U2 as a band, and Bono as a person? I found the comments laughable enough in their ridiculousness. 1) Bono has probably already fed millions with his U2 pay cheques. So yeah, I think he does sort of matter. He has YOU all fired up right? 2) 60 more shitty songs? Are you deaf? If you haven’t liked U2 since Zooropa then why are you reading upcoming album info? If you’re some kind of masochist, that’s your business. Just keep US out of it. True U2 fans don’t need to hear it. This is OUR turf here.

well i still don’t give a shit about this band..moving on

u2 have changed my life and the way i look at life now. i had a dark side, now i see the light.

I’ll see you guys again soon enough, I can’t wait. The last show I seen in Chicago was other worldly. Maybe you’ll swing into Chicago for Bono’s birthday again. Bono, the next time you pull my girl on stage, let me at least sing party girl with ya man.
Your pal, Tanner

U2 is probably the most influential band of our time. They touch a chord with groups from punk to classical/ religious/political musicians worldwide. They were criticized for being a political band, so they tried albums such as “Pop”/Zooropa and were trashed. Each band tries to focus on their strengths and singing on relative social topics is Bono’s forte. They have always been “current” in their music style and with this new album containing 50-60 songs, they can’t help but win Grammy’s, sell 10 + million CD’s, and have the most profitable tour’s. Too much talent between Bono and The Edge. No band has ever had the influence over world leaders…from Dictators to elected officials. They have delivered Billions of dollars of relief to millions of Africans and others in the form of debt relief and AIDs meds. Don’t like their music? Get an MRI to see if you actually have a brain. U2 rocks and moves people unlike any band in history. They are a God given musical/political/spiritual machine. They can’t help but hit a homerun on their next album. “One” should be the world anthem. Peace out and U2 write another 1000 songs please!

Hi guys, I’m BONEHEAD. I need you to buy my new album because we do a lot of good business with our friends from Apple, you know, the “free software” company. An/d yes, we do donate 0.00000001% of the proceeds to my other good friends at Big Pharma for them to develop a vaccine for HIV and stuff. There is also the Holy Church and my good friend The Pope, who talks to the Almighty daily and then lets me know about it. Also, U2 cashed in $329m with the last tour, but we have been VERY careful to take the money out of our beloved Ireland, because they wanted to tax us. Can you believe that? Tax ME? BONO! So, as I said, BUY the new album, and keep on loving ME, I’m number one, I’n not CRAP!!! See you, you may go in peace, in the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and Me, Bono.

I am laughing my A$$ off reading the negative comments from the U2 haters. It’s like trying to deal with someone who still thinks the Earth is flat. Except with someone like that, you could hit over the head and put them on the next space shuttle. When they come to you could show them that the Earth is spherical. The people posting negative comments here? Maybe their brains just haven’t fully developed, they’re tone deaf or just like to prefer Leonard Skynerd or Britney Spears.

Regardless of negative comments U2 music will be with us long after they are all gone. Most popular bands today speak highley of this Worlds greastet band and only wish they could be as closely knit that these 4 young boys who even today have influenced and Rocked areans to stellar preformance.

good