U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

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With new album out, U2 planning a quick sequel

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – U2 just released its first album since 2004 this week, but the Irish rock band is already planning a quickie follow-up for next year.

The new disc will be called "Songs of Ascent," and it will be more mellow than the current album, "No Line on the Horizon," singer Bono says in a cover story in the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

"We're making a kind of heartbreaker, a meditative, reflective piece of work, but not indulgent," the magazine quoted him as saying.

Bono likened the new project to jazz icon John Coltrane's 1964 tour de force "A Love Supreme" -- "which is to say, with that album, I almost take my shoes off to listen to it."

The first single will be called "Every Breaking Wave," a track pulled at the last minute from "No Line on the Horizon," U2's 12th album since 1980.

As with many of it previous recordings, "No Line" was a challenging project, with the quartet spending two years on scattered sessions in five countries with four producers.

"It is now easier and more affordable to record a song than at any other time in the history of recorded music," U2 bass player Adam Clayton told Rolling Stone. "Unless you're U2."

In proclaiming the importance of composing strong hit singles, Bono inadvertently took aim at a legendary rock 'n' roll forerunner by saying U2 has a meandering "Pink Floyd side" that "has to be balanced by fine songwriting."

But the first single, "Get On Your Boots," was roundly derided, and failed to make much of an impression on the charts.

Mainstream critics have generally warmed to the album, although influential music Web site Pitchfork (http://www.pitchfork.com) described it as "rather pitiful."

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Because NLotH is so yesterday. :D

Call me crazy, but this sounds kind of cool to me.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

I'm a U2 whore. I'm there.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Woo hoo!

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

rotfl

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

:up:

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

The last time they did such a quick followup was with Zooropa, still one of my favorite U2 albums. I'm looking forward to this.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Quick followups and double albums are typically self-indulgent, with maybe one album's worth or good music between the two LPs. I'm wary.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Ditto. Looking forward to this.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Very true. Remember when Led Zeppelin came out with four self-titled albums in three years? And then there was that hack band in the '60s that churned out 13(!) albums in eight years -- you know, the ones named after a bug; their drummer had some silly name like Dingo.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Yeah, it used to be the norm for bands to put out an album every year.

That said, I hope this one isn't a stain on their catalog like Zooropa was.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

"Not indulgent", U2 and Bono all in the same article. Someting's not right here, mon.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

This probably isn't "new" material. Even though it's material that hasn't been released yet. U2 started working with Rick Rubin in 2006 and recorded a good number of songs, one of which was "window to the skies" that was used for the 18 comp. Add these songs and whatever cuts were made from Horizon and you have this "new" album. Edge stated last year that the Rubin material would be "released sooner rather than later". I only mention this because Zooropa was brought up, which was recorded during the zootv tour, this album will most likely be cuts that have already been finished. So even though it's going to have a similar back to back release, it's not really a quickie album like Zooropa was.

Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into Edge's comments.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Let's not forget those crappy albums made up of leftovers because they had too much material left over for single albums. Tattoo You.
The Stones release Some Girls in 1978. In 1980 they release Emotional Rescue which is all Some Girls leftovers. Then in 1982 release Tattoo You which is all leftovers from previous sessions. Go in the studio once every 5-6 years, record a ton of songs, release on different albums, between trips to the bank, over the next 5-6 years. Not a bad way to make a living.

And that hack 60's band had enough top ten non-LP singles to make up another couple albums.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Tattoo You is a great album, even if it is comprised of leftovers.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

You prefer Pop to Zooropa?

Different strokes I suppose, but I love Zooropa. In fact it's really the last great U2 album IMO.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

I prefer neither.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

how much more mellow can it be? with the exception of "Get on Your Boots" this is a pretty mellow album.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

Ever heard Yanni?

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

So with the new one just out and the announcement that there is another new one next year, has anyone heard anything about additional reissues of the old ones? I was looking forward to having The Unforgettable Fire and Achtung Baby 2 disc set

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

You are in luck as I have heard on the U2 sites that TUF and AB are slated for Joshua Tree Like reissues this year 2 discs plus dvd

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

From your lips to god's ears my friend. Actung Baby continues to be my favorite album of all time. It sat in my 5 disc changer for eight years until I replaced it since I listned to it so much. The changer that is! The CD is still in immaculate condition.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

:lol: i'm in a pretty similar situation, and i am with you 100% about it being my all time favorite.

the cardboard packaging has fallen apart. the only reason i won't replace it is because i'm holding out for a reissue.

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

They released a 2 disc deluxe edition of the Joshua Tree in Nov 2007

Are they that greedy they have to release another one?

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

?

Re: U2: Songs of Ascent - 2010
 

No, they aren't. What gave you that impression?