Can we have a hallelujah on that? Oh, there’s more to it: “Maybe the rock has to get a lot harder.” Hmm.
Rock. Hard place. Stuck? Bono’s talked to Jo Whiley on BBC 1 over Christmas, the audio of which you can listen to on the BBC website. Well, you could, if the damn link to the mp3 was working. Luckily Atu2blog.com’s transcribed the most newsworthy bits of the hour-long show. (update: BBC download is now working.)
“[…] our band has certainly reached the end of where we’ve been at for the last couple of albums. I want to see what else we can do with it, take it to the next level; I think that’s what we’ve got to do.”
We’re pretty sure the next level will sound just like U2.
Adam sure was in great shape this tour, nice to hear it from Bono too…makes up for the ” Edge reinventing his guitar” bullshit that seems to fill the gaps between every album….
Adam sure was in great shape this tour, nice to hear it from Bono too…makes up for the ” Edge reinventing his guitar” bullshit that seems to fill the gaps between every album….
never trust a man wearing shades…
happy holidays! 🙂
never trust a man wearing shades…
happy holidays! 🙂
I wouldn’t mind if they rock a little harder again. I’m tired of my students telling me they’re light rock/adult contemporary.
I wouldn’t mind if they rock a little harder again. I’m tired of my students telling me they’re light rock/adult contemporary.
God knows I love him, but Bono is already on a different level and the rest of the music world, the band included, just trys to figure out where he is and go there with him. Or rather bring him back to their reality. Bono doesn’t really know what the next album will end up sounding like, so we all just wait, for what’s next..
God knows I love him, but Bono is already on a different level and the rest of the music world, the band included, just trys to figure out where he is and go there with him. Or rather bring him back to their reality. Bono doesn’t really know what the next album will end up sounding like, so we all just wait, for what’s next..
Bono talking about a new album?
Somewhere there is a folding chair sitting outside of an arena door with a notepad and marker to keep it company.
Don’t make it wait too long, boys.
Bono talking about a new album?
Somewhere there is a folding chair sitting outside of an arena door with a notepad and marker to keep it company.
Don’t make it wait too long, boys.
How about a Dalton Brothers album?
How about a Dalton Brothers album?
I’d like to see another Passengers album.
I’d like to see another Passengers album.
I’d be all for a new Passengers album….that was one of my favorite albums ever…
I’d be all for a new Passengers album….that was one of my favorite albums ever…
I’d like them to do an Automatic For The People-style acoustic album.
They’re never touched on that sort of stuff before and some of their acoustic material has been wonderful (Slow Dancing etc).
Maybe they could throw in a few Irish influences too…
I’d like them to do an Automatic For The People-style acoustic album.
They’re never touched on that sort of stuff before and some of their acoustic material has been wonderful (Slow Dancing etc).
Maybe they could throw in a few Irish influences too…
I agree Ben, the PopMart acoustic version of Staring At The Sun is fantastic, and I especially love the acoustic version of Stay performed on the Elevation tour (the Toronto performance of Stay recorded for the Secret Policeman’s Ball is incredible, it blows me away each time I listen to it). Walk On sounds great acoustic. But another Achtung Baby/Zooropa/Passengers would also be very welcome. HTDAAB is an album of great singles, but for some strange reason I can never work out, it doesn’t quite gel as a complete album you listen to from A to B; I reckon that’ll be on U2’s mind/s when they’re recording next. I don’t think Larry wants to do another Pop though. 😉
I agree Ben, the PopMart acoustic version of Staring At The Sun is fantastic, and I especially love the acoustic version of Stay performed on the Elevation tour (the Toronto performance of Stay recorded for the Secret Policeman’s Ball is incredible, it blows me away each time I listen to it). Walk On sounds great acoustic. But another Achtung Baby/Zooropa/Passengers would also be very welcome. HTDAAB is an album of great singles, but for some strange reason I can never work out, it doesn’t quite gel as a complete album you listen to from A to B; I reckon that’ll be on U2’s mind/s when they’re recording next. I don’t think Larry wants to do another Pop though. 😉
they should re-do Pop as we hear the random rumors of Larry being interested in doing that every so often. and when they do that they should make the audio from the first 40 seconds of “If You Wear That Velvet Dress” louder. bono’s mumblings and the music is so atmospheric and awesome. but then again, who am i to judge? i’m just a guy who is stone cold sober on new years day while vacationing in bermuda. nothing changes on new years day.
they should re-do Pop as we hear the random rumors of Larry being interested in doing that every so often. and when they do that they should make the audio from the first 40 seconds of “If You Wear That Velvet Dress” louder. bono’s mumblings and the music is so atmospheric and awesome. but then again, who am i to judge? i’m just a guy who is stone cold sober on new years day while vacationing in bermuda. nothing changes on new years day.
I really hope they get more bizarre on this next one. HTDAAB was a little too tame and redundant for me. I enjoyed some songs, like “Vertigo” and “Sometimes”, but on the whole, the record just seemed like rehashed ideas, not just the their own but other people’s as well. I miss the days when something like “Mysterious Ways” would hit the radio – a brilliant, classic tune that still sounds like nothing else to this day. Oh yeah, and lyrics. I dunno, but Bono’s lyrics have been annoying me lately. Just really bland and throw away, IMHO. I know he means it when he sings it, but come on. Not to be harsh, but if I hear the word “Bullet” used randomly in another single, I’ll probably claw my ears off.
Sigh. But, regardless, they’re my favorite band ever and I’ll buy anything they release, even if it’s all armpit fart noises…
I really hope they get more bizarre on this next one. HTDAAB was a little too tame and redundant for me. I enjoyed some songs, like “Vertigo” and “Sometimes”, but on the whole, the record just seemed like rehashed ideas, not just the their own but other people’s as well. I miss the days when something like “Mysterious Ways” would hit the radio – a brilliant, classic tune that still sounds like nothing else to this day. Oh yeah, and lyrics. I dunno, but Bono’s lyrics have been annoying me lately. Just really bland and throw away, IMHO. I know he means it when he sings it, but come on. Not to be harsh, but if I hear the word “Bullet” used randomly in another single, I’ll probably claw my ears off.
Sigh. But, regardless, they’re my favorite band ever and I’ll buy anything they release, even if it’s all armpit fart noises…
ahh, come on… re-do POP?! we had that one far too often by now. why cok up a mind blowing record. in all its unfinished an imperfect ways, POP is such a great snap-shot of its time, the sounds, the lyrics, all that bubblegum, just perfect the way it is. leave it there.
as great as WITS is (certainly one of the best singles they have so far released)the song marks the end of yet another something for the band. I am glad they realize that. where else could they go without pulling off the same thing again that they did for the last two records?
U2 have to re-invent themselves if they want to go on for another 10-15 years. edge has to re-invent himself also. WITS is such a clear cut piece. it’s brilliant, but also so logic somehow. larry needs to get a little more punchy again also in regard to a new record.
if they do a record of great pop songs, then they have to wrap them up in a yet unheard way. maybe a little more electronic and spaced out again, yep cool! back to basics, but not predictable, that would be it imo.
and bono has to get a little more abstract again in his lyrics. there’s so much bs going on in the world, he should find a way of barking that out again, instead of doing BTBS or SBS over and over again to the umpteenth time.
that said, I believe SAINTS and WITS are a good indication of what might come, the punch was there somehow, they just need to wrap it up a little more and take it to another place.
cheers, bernhard
ahh, come on… re-do POP?! we had that one far too often by now. why cok up a mind blowing record. in all its unfinished an imperfect ways, POP is such a great snap-shot of its time, the sounds, the lyrics, all that bubblegum, just perfect the way it is. leave it there.
as great as WITS is (certainly one of the best singles they have so far released)the song marks the end of yet another something for the band. I am glad they realize that. where else could they go without pulling off the same thing again that they did for the last two records?
U2 have to re-invent themselves if they want to go on for another 10-15 years. edge has to re-invent himself also. WITS is such a clear cut piece. it’s brilliant, but also so logic somehow. larry needs to get a little more punchy again also in regard to a new record.
if they do a record of great pop songs, then they have to wrap them up in a yet unheard way. maybe a little more electronic and spaced out again, yep cool! back to basics, but not predictable, that would be it imo.
and bono has to get a little more abstract again in his lyrics. there’s so much bs going on in the world, he should find a way of barking that out again, instead of doing BTBS or SBS over and over again to the umpteenth time.
that said, I believe SAINTS and WITS are a good indication of what might come, the punch was there somehow, they just need to wrap it up a little more and take it to another place.
cheers, bernhard
bust out the wacky U2 again, Bono! enough already with this four on the floor crap.
bust out the wacky U2 again, Bono! enough already with this four on the floor crap.
I second the notion of a new Passengers album!
I second the notion of a new Passengers album!
A Passengers: Original Soundtracks 2 album AND an accoustic, Slow Dancing/ Accoustic Stay-ish album. Released the exact same day. The world sees boths sides of them at once.
Could anything be more perfect?
A Passengers: Original Soundtracks 2 album AND an accoustic, Slow Dancing/ Accoustic Stay-ish album. Released the exact same day. The world sees boths sides of them at once.
Could anything be more perfect?
I’d put in another vote for a Passengers II please, no more dismantling of bombs.
maybe they could write some more with Rushdie, GBHF has stood the test of time… listening to my ATYCLB I always hand on for that bonus trackky goodness.
oh, and how about less production, that Really messed up the last album. and if this remastered POP is going to happen… i’ll bury my head.
I’d put in another vote for a Passengers II please, no more dismantling of bombs.
maybe they could write some more with Rushdie, GBHF has stood the test of time… listening to my ATYCLB I always hand on for that bonus trackky goodness.
oh, and how about less production, that Really messed up the last album. and if this remastered POP is going to happen… i’ll bury my head.
Brian Eno would have to be involved for there to be another Passengers album. I don’t think that will happen. As for the acoustic type of album: What happened to the U2 whose tank had no reverse gears? Just a thought.
Brian Eno would have to be involved for there to be another Passengers album. I don’t think that will happen. As for the acoustic type of album: What happened to the U2 whose tank had no reverse gears? Just a thought.
since acoustic and “maybe the rock will have to get harder” are two concepts being thrown around in the discussion of U2’s potential next direction, maybe they can do what the Foo Fighters did for In Your Honor, which is to have one disc where the rock gets harder, and another acoustic. Foo Fighters know how to rock hard, but so does U2, and at any rate a U2 double album would be interesting!
since acoustic and “maybe the rock will have to get harder” are two concepts being thrown around in the discussion of U2’s potential next direction, maybe they can do what the Foo Fighters did for In Your Honor, which is to have one disc where the rock gets harder, and another acoustic. Foo Fighters know how to rock hard, but so does U2, and at any rate a U2 double album would be interesting!
While we talk about how an acoustic-like album would be a step back, I think it all depends on the end result. I think that the original version I heard of “Electrical Storm” — which was more “organic” in that you could tell its bass guitar and acoustic rhythm guitar took lead, Larry’s drums were farther up front and Edge’s guitar really complemented the rest of the song — is by far the most refreshing song they’ve put out during the Best Of-ATYCLB-HTDAAB string of albums. If they can produce songs like that, I’m all for it. And doing a 180 with regards to their sound: I loved “Pop” for all its foibles. I know that Larry is outspoken on his disdain for and desire to re-do that album, but that spells danger. Let your original visions live as-is for what they are and don’t muck with them 😉 … Remember what happened when they re-did “Sweetest Thing” under the auspices of “improving” it?
While we talk about how an acoustic-like album would be a step back, I think it all depends on the end result. I think that the original version I heard of “Electrical Storm” — which was more “organic” in that you could tell its bass guitar and acoustic rhythm guitar took lead, Larry’s drums were farther up front and Edge’s guitar really complemented the rest of the song — is by far the most refreshing song they’ve put out during the Best Of-ATYCLB-HTDAAB string of albums. If they can produce songs like that, I’m all for it. And doing a 180 with regards to their sound: I loved “Pop” for all its foibles. I know that Larry is outspoken on his disdain for and desire to re-do that album, but that spells danger. Let your original visions live as-is for what they are and don’t muck with them 😉 … Remember what happened when they re-did “Sweetest Thing” under the auspices of “improving” it?
Lock ’em up with Jacknife Lee for three months.
Lock ’em up with Jacknife Lee for three months.
What Sweetest Thing are you talking about, the 1999 single for the Best of album? I love that version, nothing wrong with it at all. As they say in Ireland, it’s “a matter of opinion”. I agree with ya re Electrical Storm, fantastic song. Now that Bono’s wearin’ tight pants again (he hit the notes live for Windows), I’d love to see ES performed live. Hrmm, maybe a studio/live combo ala Rattle & Hum? Heh, I’m joking, I’m joking! 😉 But Bono is right, they need to really turn things upside down again on the next album and take it to the next level. Dream it all up again, as a wise man once said.
What Sweetest Thing are you talking about, the 1999 single for the Best of album? I love that version, nothing wrong with it at all. As they say in Ireland, it’s “a matter of opinion”. I agree with ya re Electrical Storm, fantastic song. Now that Bono’s wearin’ tight pants again (he hit the notes live for Windows), I’d love to see ES performed live. Hrmm, maybe a studio/live combo ala Rattle & Hum? Heh, I’m joking, I’m joking! 😉 But Bono is right, they need to really turn things upside down again on the next album and take it to the next level. Dream it all up again, as a wise man once said.
Something new, something old. No more popsongs please. Something between AB, Zooropa and Pop would be magnificent! Though with an all fresh new sound to it of course. Happy not to be in their shoes… 🙂
Something new, something old. No more popsongs please. Something between AB, Zooropa and Pop would be magnificent! Though with an all fresh new sound to it of course. Happy not to be in their shoes… 🙂
absolutely, been thinking the same recently. I was pondering edge’s playing, and thought where could he take it, what would he do? the only thing I came up with so far is “soloing”. on the eze cuts there was a song with a nice, rather bluesy solo. that is sth. edge has never done so far. carving out a way of a rather bluesy kind of soloing (btbs live being one exception, other one?).
I am also thinking if he would bring back in some more effects again, some really nifty sound contructions. I am sure there will be sth. of it.
mostly I think though he will try and carve out a new kind of playing, something that will still be him, but approach things a little differently again, a different kind of rhytm feel maybe, different melodies….
but yep, don’t want to be in their shoes right now either. they would not pressure themselves I guess, but really take the time to find sth. unique. and that means there maybe is going to be an album only in 2008. hmm.
absolutely, been thinking the same recently. I was pondering edge’s playing, and thought where could he take it, what would he do? the only thing I came up with so far is “soloing”. on the eze cuts there was a song with a nice, rather bluesy solo. that is sth. edge has never done so far. carving out a way of a rather bluesy kind of soloing (btbs live being one exception, other one?).
I am also thinking if he would bring back in some more effects again, some really nifty sound contructions. I am sure there will be sth. of it.
mostly I think though he will try and carve out a new kind of playing, something that will still be him, but approach things a little differently again, a different kind of rhytm feel maybe, different melodies….
but yep, don’t want to be in their shoes right now either. they would not pressure themselves I guess, but really take the time to find sth. unique. and that means there maybe is going to be an album only in 2008. hmm.