Just as we were beginning to wonder what on earth was going on with U2’s new album and the deafening silence surrounding the project, Billboard comes with the surprising news that Steve Lillywhite will be producing the album.
Such is the power of U2 that they can pull Lillywhite from semi-retirement. Steve will leave his job as Mercury U.K. joint managing director and start work on production next week.
But wait a minute… what about the work U2 had done with producer Chris Thomas? Does this mean Bono wasn’t kidding when he told RTE presenter Pat Kenny “the band had just spent time in London working on three new songs with a lavish fifty piece orchestra, only to find that the songs were ‘shite'”.
At the time, The Edge added that it was merely ‘back to the drawing board’ on the songs in question. Now it seems that was too optimistic an outlook. One might speculate somewhere along the line the project derailed and that Lillywhite’s there to put it back on track.
Lillywhite’s comments in the article (“this will be the first time I’ve really set up the mikes and done everything for a long time”) suggest the band will start a completely new recording session, which is surprising, to say the least.
This is, however, not the first time the band have switched producers during the recording process. U2 initially went into the studio with Nellee Hooper to record what would eventually become their album Pop, but the work was later overseen by Flood and Howie B.
Update: official news at U2.com in which Paul McGuinness states: ‘There are various producers involved in this album. 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.’
Mercury U.K. joint managing director Steve Lillywhite has left his role with the label to return to his roots in record production. Lillywhite tells Billboard.biz he will take no time off and will begin producing an album by U2 next week. The as-yet-untitled set is due from Interscope/Island later this year.
“It’s the first time I’ll have gone in to actually start a record with them in 20 years,” says Lillywhite. “I worked on ‘The Joshua Tree,’ ‘Achtung Baby’ and ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind,’ but this will be the first time I’ve really set up the mikes and done everything for a long time.”
Lillywhite also oversaw the band’s first two albums, 1980’s “Boy” and 1981’s “October.” He adds, “I’ve heard some great songs. The Edge is playing some really great guitar.”
The new U2 album will be the follow-up to 2000’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 4.1 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set was named best rock album at the 2001 Grammys and placed three tracks in the top-10 of Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks airplay chart: “Beautiful Day” (No. 5), “Elevation” (No. 8) and “Walk On” (No. 10).
Lillywhite, one of Britain’s top rock producers, has a list of credits that includes the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Morrissey and the Dave Matthews Band. In 2002, he was brought to Universal U.K. by chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge.
“I’ve had two great years, and I’ve loved a lot of it,” says Lillywhite, “but really I wasn’t that made out for getting up early in the morning. That’s 25 years of producing records. I got more and more of an urge to be in the studio, so Lucian and I had a chat and decided it was best that I return to that.”
— Paul Sexton, London
Oh brother.
Oh brother.
hmmm… not sure what to make of this. lillywhite has past form with u2, but what of the work done already with chris thomas? there must be a story to tell here. i was looking forward to hearing what a new producer could get out of u2. thomas i thought was a good thing!
hmmm… not sure what to make of this. lillywhite has past form with u2, but what of the work done already with chris thomas? there must be a story to tell here. i was looking forward to hearing what a new producer could get out of u2. thomas i thought was a good thing!
Wow..this is actually quite big news. And I’m sure it’s for the better. I am quite interested to hear what Steve can come up with these days. Chris Thomas’s work on the song will somehow sound through it I’m sure, so we can speak of an interesting combination. Yeah
Wow..this is actually quite big news. And I’m sure it’s for the better. I am quite interested to hear what Steve can come up with these days. Chris Thomas’s work on the song will somehow sound through it I’m sure, so we can speak of an interesting combination. Yeah
i love lillywhite!!
i love lillywhite!!
Steve Lillywhite has a passion for music, and for U2. He has been mates with them since almost day 1, he produced the sound for the Boston Live DVD. I am very excited about this man working with the boys. When I read Chris Thomas has done some of McCartneys recent work I got very worried.
Something tells me the boys will use alot of the material already worked on for this album and might keep a few already mixed songs from Thomas for ‘movie projects’ so the work dosn’t go to waste.
Lillywhites blip about Edge doing some great guitar stuff excites me, with Adam shining on POP and ATYCLB and Larry really pulling out the stops in ATYCLB in the likes of Walk On, BD and New York, and Bono’s voice sounding great on ATYCLB I am excited about this stage of their career, it seems not only are they mates, can play well live but the musicianship has got alot better. Put in Lillywhite direct approach of rock and I think we might see a real U2 rock album at last.
JB
JB
Steve Lillywhite has a passion for music, and for U2. He has been mates with them since almost day 1, he produced the sound for the Boston Live DVD. I am very excited about this man working with the boys. When I read Chris Thomas has done some of McCartneys recent work I got very worried.
Something tells me the boys will use alot of the material already worked on for this album and might keep a few already mixed songs from Thomas for ‘movie projects’ so the work dosn’t go to waste.
Lillywhites blip about Edge doing some great guitar stuff excites me, with Adam shining on POP and ATYCLB and Larry really pulling out the stops in ATYCLB in the likes of Walk On, BD and New York, and Bono’s voice sounding great on ATYCLB I am excited about this stage of their career, it seems not only are they mates, can play well live but the musicianship has got alot better. Put in Lillywhite direct approach of rock and I think we might see a real U2 rock album at last.
JB
JB
I’ve just read that article again and Lillywhite’s words suggest they are starting a completely new recording session, rather than just work with the material they already had. Which clicks with the report sent in by U2star.com’s Germana yesterday which said Joe O’Herlihy had said U2 would be going into the studio to record new material, possibly in Barcelona.
We also got word from a Belgian fan holidaying in Dublin who says Bono told fans outside the studio there would definitely be a new single in September.
Curioser and curioser…
I’ve just read that article again and Lillywhite’s words suggest they are starting a completely new recording session, rather than just work with the material they already had. Which clicks with the report sent in by U2star.com’s Germana yesterday which said Joe O’Herlihy had said U2 would be going into the studio to record new material, possibly in Barcelona.
We also got word from a Belgian fan holidaying in Dublin who says Bono told fans outside the studio there would definitely be a new single in September.
Curioser and curioser…
pffff…. take your time, but don’t wait too long. If they are starting over then it won’t be a 2004 release.
pffff…. take your time, but don’t wait too long. If they are starting over then it won’t be a 2004 release.
I was one of those lucky fans in Dublin.
We did meet Bono. After allowing us to take photos with him, and signing our cd
I was one of those lucky fans in Dublin.
We did meet Bono. After allowing us to take photos with him, and signing our cd
Steve is the man! I have total confidence in his abilities… September it is then!
Steve is the man! I have total confidence in his abilities… September it is then!
First off, congrats to Steve for getting out of the office and back into the studio where he belongs. I can only imagine what happened with Chris Thomas — the boys decided to work with someone new as a way, in their eyes, of meeting new challenges and going where they’ve never been before, and he went in and tried to change things that shouldn’t be changed under the banner of musical adventure, and they realized before it was too late, thank God, that they can get to the new places in their own way, without losing who they are — they always have before. For me, that was the problem with Pop, and there were problems with Pop. Howie B is useless and an angle boy, if U2 weren’t so naive about a lot of music, they wouldn’t have fallen for his line, but he interfered with that indescribable thing that goes on among the four of them. They’d choke before they’d admit they made that kind of mistake, but that’s where all that, what can happen with just the four of us in the room, stuff came from with ATYCLB. There are a handful of special people who have proven they can work with U2 without getting in the way of U2, and Steve is one of them. And so we look to September. What was it Bono’s father said to him in the beginning when Bono had just spent hours in the studio: “How long is this album?” “About forty minutes.” “Have you not got it right, then?”
First off, congrats to Steve for getting out of the office and back into the studio where he belongs. I can only imagine what happened with Chris Thomas — the boys decided to work with someone new as a way, in their eyes, of meeting new challenges and going where they’ve never been before, and he went in and tried to change things that shouldn’t be changed under the banner of musical adventure, and they realized before it was too late, thank God, that they can get to the new places in their own way, without losing who they are — they always have before. For me, that was the problem with Pop, and there were problems with Pop. Howie B is useless and an angle boy, if U2 weren’t so naive about a lot of music, they wouldn’t have fallen for his line, but he interfered with that indescribable thing that goes on among the four of them. They’d choke before they’d admit they made that kind of mistake, but that’s where all that, what can happen with just the four of us in the room, stuff came from with ATYCLB. There are a handful of special people who have proven they can work with U2 without getting in the way of U2, and Steve is one of them. And so we look to September. What was it Bono’s father said to him in the beginning when Bono had just spent hours in the studio: “How long is this album?” “About forty minutes.” “Have you not got it right, then?”
lillywhite has always done great things with u2, not to mention a slew of other great bands. i think this isn’t setback, but rather a step forward. i’m concerned that a lot of people here are only worried that u2 will lose it’s momentum starting with ATYCLB, with the worldwide recognition and all that. at this point in their careers, i really don’t think it matters. remember the ‘failure’ PopMart? i’d kill for something like that again.
lillywhite has always done great things with u2, not to mention a slew of other great bands. i think this isn’t setback, but rather a step forward. i’m concerned that a lot of people here are only worried that u2 will lose it’s momentum starting with ATYCLB, with the worldwide recognition and all that. at this point in their careers, i really don’t think it matters. remember the ‘failure’ PopMart? i’d kill for something like that again.
Say hello to spring 2005, say good-bye to autumn 2004.
Say hello to spring 2005, say good-bye to autumn 2004.
Spring 2005??? Ha! Try Winter 2006! What on earth HAPPENED with Chris Thomas?? Where is the new direction?? Don’t sugar-coat it….this sucks!
Spring 2005??? Ha! Try Winter 2006! What on earth HAPPENED with Chris Thomas?? Where is the new direction?? Don’t sugar-coat it….this sucks!
the world turns and we get dizzy
the world turns and we get dizzy
Now THIS is new album news! One day I hope we’ll hear the complete story behind all this. I was looking for good things from Chris Thomas, but the “strings” fiasco followed by the Lanois consultation had me wondering. That and the fact that about the last 10 albums he’s produced have been for over-the-hill, past-their-prime acts like Sir Paul and Sir Elton.
Now, Mr. Lillywhite at the helm is something I’ve hoped for since UF!! He knows U2 as well as anyone and will make it a definitive U2 album, with Edge’s guitar _right there_.
My advice? Make it quickly, in the “loud” room.
Now THIS is new album news! One day I hope we’ll hear the complete story behind all this. I was looking for good things from Chris Thomas, but the “strings” fiasco followed by the Lanois consultation had me wondering. That and the fact that about the last 10 albums he’s produced have been for over-the-hill, past-their-prime acts like Sir Paul and Sir Elton.
Now, Mr. Lillywhite at the helm is something I’ve hoped for since UF!! He knows U2 as well as anyone and will make it a definitive U2 album, with Edge’s guitar _right there_.
My advice? Make it quickly, in the “loud” room.
I think u2.com should give us some
information of what’s going on in the studio!!!
I think u2.com should give us some
information of what’s going on in the studio!!!
What happened to this being a real cracker of an album that everyone involved in the making of had been confidently and enthusiastically raving about? We’ll all have to wait a bit longer for our first love to return… until then, back to James Walsh and the boys….
What happened to this being a real cracker of an album that everyone involved in the making of had been confidently and enthusiastically raving about? We’ll all have to wait a bit longer for our first love to return… until then, back to James Walsh and the boys….
Didn’t Lillywhite produce Dave Mathews Band’s infamous unreleased album, which just about everyone says is their best work?
Can’t wait!!!!
Didn’t Lillywhite produce Dave Mathews Band’s infamous unreleased album, which just about everyone says is their best work?
Can’t wait!!!!
Wow, that is news… Sounds like they realized something was horribly wrong really late in the process last year. Bringing Lillywhite in there is encouraging though for what they’ve said they *wanted* the album to sound like. With him in there they might be able to bang it out pretty quickly, I’ll keep holding my breath. (g)
Wow, that is news… Sounds like they realized something was horribly wrong really late in the process last year. Bringing Lillywhite in there is encouraging though for what they’ve said they *wanted* the album to sound like. With him in there they might be able to bang it out pretty quickly, I’ll keep holding my breath. (g)
On the balance, Lillywhite producing this album is good news, because once an album is put out, it’s permanent. However, I’d recommend to everyone to take this time to really explore new bands, to see what else is out there. U2 is my favorite band but there’s at least 50 other bands I love listening to. Because my gut tells me that this next album will be a “nice” album with a couple decent songs, but the days where they shock and surprise us are, sadly, over. What gives me that impression is even *thinking* about using a 50-piece orchestra for not one, not two, but THREE songs. That smacks of desperation to me, of running out of tunes. When you don’t have the tunes, you do things like use a 50-piece orchestra to cover it up.
Let’s hope Lillywhite brings back a return to form, and to basics, and especially to the understanding that without good tunes, a U2 album is destined to be average at best. And really at this point in their career, what’s the point?
On the balance, Lillywhite producing this album is good news, because once an album is put out, it’s permanent. However, I’d recommend to everyone to take this time to really explore new bands, to see what else is out there. U2 is my favorite band but there’s at least 50 other bands I love listening to. Because my gut tells me that this next album will be a “nice” album with a couple decent songs, but the days where they shock and surprise us are, sadly, over. What gives me that impression is even *thinking* about using a 50-piece orchestra for not one, not two, but THREE songs. That smacks of desperation to me, of running out of tunes. When you don’t have the tunes, you do things like use a 50-piece orchestra to cover it up.
Let’s hope Lillywhite brings back a return to form, and to basics, and especially to the understanding that without good tunes, a U2 album is destined to be average at best. And really at this point in their career, what’s the point?
Good news methinks—and Lillywhite did produce that unrelaeased DMB album that many DMB fans consider to be their best.
Funny–I initially thought they’d end up working with Lillywhite on the next album after the way Bono & Edge talked about the ‘rawk’ direction.
If they are just re-recording the songs it shouldn’t take as long one hopes–the songs are written after all. It would be interesting if they put out a double album–the Lillywhite sessions & the Thomas sessions…naw!
Maybe they’d have enough material to quickly put out a second album..one this fall & another one spring 2005 (right when they start to tour) like Radiohead did with Kid A & Amnesiac…just dreaming! [out loud].
Good news methinks—and Lillywhite did produce that unrelaeased DMB album that many DMB fans consider to be their best.
Funny–I initially thought they’d end up working with Lillywhite on the next album after the way Bono & Edge talked about the ‘rawk’ direction.
If they are just re-recording the songs it shouldn’t take as long one hopes–the songs are written after all. It would be interesting if they put out a double album–the Lillywhite sessions & the Thomas sessions…naw!
Maybe they’d have enough material to quickly put out a second album..one this fall & another one spring 2005 (right when they start to tour) like Radiohead did with Kid A & Amnesiac…just dreaming! [out loud].
An orchestra isn’t a bad thing!
HMTMKMKM, All I want is You, One, Beautiful Day, Lemon, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and many, many others have strings in the foreground or background that you often don’t even notice right away! Other than that, I think I’ll panic now. Who wants to join me?
An orchestra isn’t a bad thing!
HMTMKMKM, All I want is You, One, Beautiful Day, Lemon, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and many, many others have strings in the foreground or background that you often don’t even notice right away! Other than that, I think I’ll panic now. Who wants to join me?
An orchestra *is* a bad thing, however, when you’re writing songs like Hands That Built America, or whatever that Gangs of New York song was called. I just suspect that the string section was going to be front and center in those songs, as opposed to a keyboard string sound in One, etc.
Bono’s head is elsewhere and I worry the songs will suffer. I will say this though – this album for me will come with the lowest expectations I’ve had for them in 20 years, so I’ll probably end up loving it.
Lillywhite also produced the La’s one and only album. Now that album had an embarrassment of tunes.
An orchestra *is* a bad thing, however, when you’re writing songs like Hands That Built America, or whatever that Gangs of New York song was called. I just suspect that the string section was going to be front and center in those songs, as opposed to a keyboard string sound in One, etc.
Bono’s head is elsewhere and I worry the songs will suffer. I will say this though – this album for me will come with the lowest expectations I’ve had for them in 20 years, so I’ll probably end up loving it.
Lillywhite also produced the La’s one and only album. Now that album had an embarrassment of tunes.
We had the orchestra argument already, and it looks like U2 decided it was a bad idea. The question is:
Was it Chris Thomas’ bad idea? One of the reasons he was canned?
I’ll bet it wasn’t Larry’s idea 😉
I have a lot of faith in Lillywhite, that’s almost like U2 producing themselves and that’s a good thing. Pure U2.
We had the orchestra argument already, and it looks like U2 decided it was a bad idea. The question is:
Was it Chris Thomas’ bad idea? One of the reasons he was canned?
I’ll bet it wasn’t Larry’s idea 😉
I have a lot of faith in Lillywhite, that’s almost like U2 producing themselves and that’s a good thing. Pure U2.
This is the MOST worried I’ve been about a U2 album ever, I’m not really excited for the album anymore, it seems like it’s been the most laborious album they’ve ever done. So many setbacks and changes? I’ll have to look forward to new albums by R.E.M., Interpol, Coldplay & others later this year.
This is the MOST worried I’ve been about a U2 album ever, I’m not really excited for the album anymore, it seems like it’s been the most laborious album they’ve ever done. So many setbacks and changes? I’ll have to look forward to new albums by R.E.M., Interpol, Coldplay & others later this year.
Now there’s got to be some highly desirable outtake tapes floating about in a few months. Either a cult hit or we’ll see how close to the chasm they came..:)
Now there’s got to be some highly desirable outtake tapes floating about in a few months. Either a cult hit or we’ll see how close to the chasm they came..:)
Wow again, there is an official statement of sorts up at u2.com – imagine that: http://www.u2.com/homepage/news100204_1.html Says it’s not from scratch…
Wow again, there is an official statement of sorts up at u2.com – imagine that: http://www.u2.com/homepage/news100204_1.html Says it’s not from scratch…
I will remind y’all of “Where the Streets Have No Name.” The song that Eno nearly erased has become — unquestionably — their best song to perform live. Fifteen years after its release, it was performed live during the halftime for both an NBA Finals game and the Super Bowl. What happened? THEY BROUGHT IN LILLYWHITE.
I will remind y’all of “Where the Streets Have No Name.” The song that Eno nearly erased has become — unquestionably — their best song to perform live. Fifteen years after its release, it was performed live during the halftime for both an NBA Finals game and the Super Bowl. What happened? THEY BROUGHT IN LILLYWHITE.
lots of reasonable postings here. i think i agree with most of them. all in all i think they chose lillywhite to be something like a guiding hand for them right now, after they lost ground in the last couple of weeks or months. somehow i can guess, they are on fire right now, they wanna get this thing out. i believe they are very determined about the direction they wanna go in, they simply need somebody they trust to keep the overall view on things. and because they are determined, they are on fire, they know what to do and mostly how to do it. so why not starting from scratch with the recording (even if i do have some doubts about that, they certainly won
lots of reasonable postings here. i think i agree with most of them. all in all i think they chose lillywhite to be something like a guiding hand for them right now, after they lost ground in the last couple of weeks or months. somehow i can guess, they are on fire right now, they wanna get this thing out. i believe they are very determined about the direction they wanna go in, they simply need somebody they trust to keep the overall view on things. and because they are determined, they are on fire, they know what to do and mostly how to do it. so why not starting from scratch with the recording (even if i do have some doubts about that, they certainly won
Another thing about all of Bono’s great humanitarian work is that he surely needs a break from the frustrations it must bring to him. Perhaps a couple months of studio devotion will seem like an emotional outlet for him.
Another thing about all of Bono’s great humanitarian work is that he surely needs a break from the frustrations it must bring to him. Perhaps a couple months of studio devotion will seem like an emotional outlet for him.
If you want the thing to kick like “War”, and I do, you can’t ask for a better man than Lillywhite!!! I have always had faith in the boys, and now there’s not even nervous energy, i have total faith that the new album will be great!!!
If you want the thing to kick like “War”, and I do, you can’t ask for a better man than Lillywhite!!! I have always had faith in the boys, and now there’s not even nervous energy, i have total faith that the new album will be great!!!
Well the good news is, I suspect that with all the time they’ve spent, they’ve actually got some SONGS written by now; so hopefully they can walk into the studio and play them, and Lillywhite can just get the mixing right. Here’s hoping anyway. I was telling some friends the other day, I’m worried that U2 are turning into Peter Gabriel — the long down-time between albums just convinces them to tweak and re-tweak everything they do until it’s “perfect” — and they’re probably wrong when it is…
Well the good news is, I suspect that with all the time they’ve spent, they’ve actually got some SONGS written by now; so hopefully they can walk into the studio and play them, and Lillywhite can just get the mixing right. Here’s hoping anyway. I was telling some friends the other day, I’m worried that U2 are turning into Peter Gabriel — the long down-time between albums just convinces them to tweak and re-tweak everything they do until it’s “perfect” — and they’re probably wrong when it is…
Chris, U2 will always need tweaking :o)
That’s what all these producers are for, right? Don’t they go in and make the music match the emotion (or lack of)in Bono/Edges lyrics? Is not their varied technical expertices essential for laying the final grooves down to make an album that will be imbedded in our souls for years to come? I don’t believe for a minute that U2 can go into a studio for the first time in a year or two and cut a song in one take ( even 2 or 3 or 4 takes). I think the orchestras were brought in to test the songs…because orchestras break it all down to the core and blow up the ‘mistakes’ (if you want to call them that) so you can’t miss them…especially if you’re not a session musician *wink*. U2.com made a point in informing us of things happening to more than just U2 as a band but also their producers, Eno, Lanois and Lillywhite. They have lives and they just can’t be in a studio doing other peoples songs forever. I hope that Lillywhite’s experiences over the past couple of years has given him more compassion and wisdom…and has not jaded him or caused him bitterness. What keeps one young, I think, is looking to the future and learning from the past and not letting life’s ‘shite’ get you down. Celebrating life and the good memories is what makes rock n roll great.
Chris, U2 will always need tweaking :o)
That’s what all these producers are for, right? Don’t they go in and make the music match the emotion (or lack of)in Bono/Edges lyrics? Is not their varied technical expertices essential for laying the final grooves down to make an album that will be imbedded in our souls for years to come? I don’t believe for a minute that U2 can go into a studio for the first time in a year or two and cut a song in one take ( even 2 or 3 or 4 takes). I think the orchestras were brought in to test the songs…because orchestras break it all down to the core and blow up the ‘mistakes’ (if you want to call them that) so you can’t miss them…especially if you’re not a session musician *wink*. U2.com made a point in informing us of things happening to more than just U2 as a band but also their producers, Eno, Lanois and Lillywhite. They have lives and they just can’t be in a studio doing other peoples songs forever. I hope that Lillywhite’s experiences over the past couple of years has given him more compassion and wisdom…and has not jaded him or caused him bitterness. What keeps one young, I think, is looking to the future and learning from the past and not letting life’s ‘shite’ get you down. Celebrating life and the good memories is what makes rock n roll great.
Hey Slug, I’m with you. That “failure” that was Pop was, as far as I’m concerned, some of the best, most WAY ahead of it’s time music U2 have ever done. If the new album is that kind of “disaster” I’ll see you at the show of the century!
Hey Slug, I’m with you. That “failure” that was Pop was, as far as I’m concerned, some of the best, most WAY ahead of it’s time music U2 have ever done. If the new album is that kind of “disaster” I’ll see you at the show of the century!
I also feel better reading the update… Not starting from scratch is the last peice of news I want till I can hear something or get an album name and release date!!!
I also feel better reading the update… Not starting from scratch is the last peice of news I want till I can hear something or get an album name and release date!!!
There seems to be a distinct split on opinion of U2 changing producers. I was excited when Chris Thomas was announced initially. But I’m lukewarm about Lillywhite. It seems less like a return to basics than sheer panic. Jeez, it took them 2 years to choose a producer. And now it wasn’t the right one??? It doesn’t make sense. All judgement should be reserved for the album, but I sense desperation on the part of the band.
There seems to be a distinct split on opinion of U2 changing producers. I was excited when Chris Thomas was announced initially. But I’m lukewarm about Lillywhite. It seems less like a return to basics than sheer panic. Jeez, it took them 2 years to choose a producer. And now it wasn’t the right one??? It doesn’t make sense. All judgement should be reserved for the album, but I sense desperation on the part of the band.
I finally feel some confidence about U2 getting an album out this year now. Bringing Lillywhite on board should be great, and I think it was recently reported that Bono turned down an offer to do “American Prayer” at the NBA All-Star game because he was going to be in the studio…
I finally feel some confidence about U2 getting an album out this year now. Bringing Lillywhite on board should be great, and I think it was recently reported that Bono turned down an offer to do “American Prayer” at the NBA All-Star game because he was going to be in the studio…
They are bringing in Lillywhite to “shore” up what they have and take some new songs into “overdrive”. C’mon, read the story on U2.com, short and to the point. It’s time to finish the album, and every ‘popular’ U2 album since 1987 has seen Steve Lillywhite at the helm at some point in the production. The recording of this album reminds me of ATYCLB more and more.
They are bringing in Lillywhite to “shore” up what they have and take some new songs into “overdrive”. C’mon, read the story on U2.com, short and to the point. It’s time to finish the album, and every ‘popular’ U2 album since 1987 has seen Steve Lillywhite at the helm at some point in the production. The recording of this album reminds me of ATYCLB more and more.
if it’s a guitar album, Lillywhite is perfect. They prolly messed with the original versions too much or something and Lillywhite suggested to rerecord. This is about the same as what happened with Pop, scrapped it to fix or redo songs when triphop influences weren’t working.
I don’t see it as desperation cuz they don’t have a deadline. Could be as simple as Chris Thomas was obligated to produce someone else.
Lillywhite has had his hands on 3(?) U2 albums since he moved on.
Eno’s erasing streets was to get the band to rerecord it instead of doing endless repairs. We’da still had the song.
All U2 albums are fraught with drama and at least a year’s delay after Unf. Fire, save Zooropa/Passengers.
if it’s a guitar album, Lillywhite is perfect. They prolly messed with the original versions too much or something and Lillywhite suggested to rerecord. This is about the same as what happened with Pop, scrapped it to fix or redo songs when triphop influences weren’t working.
I don’t see it as desperation cuz they don’t have a deadline. Could be as simple as Chris Thomas was obligated to produce someone else.
Lillywhite has had his hands on 3(?) U2 albums since he moved on.
Eno’s erasing streets was to get the band to rerecord it instead of doing endless repairs. We’da still had the song.
All U2 albums are fraught with drama and at least a year’s delay after Unf. Fire, save Zooropa/Passengers.
It seems fairly obvious to me that Steve Lillywhite is being used again to perform the final mixes of the album. Alot of discussion has been stated about Steve mixing Joshua Tree and ATYCLB, but he produced the Elevation Boston Live DVD sound as well in 2001 – it’s not as if Steve has been resurrected! Steve is an amazing producer, and his portfolio of work is truly astounding – even if you ignore U2.
It seems fairly obvious to me that Steve Lillywhite is being used again to perform the final mixes of the album. Alot of discussion has been stated about Steve mixing Joshua Tree and ATYCLB, but he produced the Elevation Boston Live DVD sound as well in 2001 – it’s not as if Steve has been resurrected! Steve is an amazing producer, and his portfolio of work is truly astounding – even if you ignore U2.
yes, yes, yes, but what about Bono’s hair??
Seriously… I am pleased Lillywhite is coming on board, but it does concern me that the band has been spewing what we basically know to be bullsh*t for the last 6 months – the album is a monster, the album is almost finished, the album is the greatest thing we’ve ever done. It makes me feel deceived, although it really shouldn’t. I’m happy that the band can recognize they were headed in the wrong direction. I do hope they get the album out this year.
yes, yes, yes, but what about Bono’s hair??
Seriously… I am pleased Lillywhite is coming on board, but it does concern me that the band has been spewing what we basically know to be bullsh*t for the last 6 months – the album is a monster, the album is almost finished, the album is the greatest thing we’ve ever done. It makes me feel deceived, although it really shouldn’t. I’m happy that the band can recognize they were headed in the wrong direction. I do hope they get the album out this year.
Lillywhite will finish it off….no delay. Hey produced 3 LP’s in 3 i/2 for U2.
Lillywhite will finish it off….no delay. Hey produced 3 LP’s in 3 i/2 for U2.