These Aughts are a far cry from the Dublin boys' salad days, when their first four albums were recorded and released in as many years. U2's 2000 record All That You Can't Leave Behind was successfully poppy, if less inspired than their best. Adam could still pull off the occasional surprise; Larry had simplified his drumming technique to the point of mass production; the Edge was repeating himself, rather than "coming full circle," and conducting sonic experiments that resulted in sounds more peculiar than inspiring; and Bono's voice was, to put it politely, ready for retirement. Most conversations I've had about the band end with all parties agreeing the four are best off breaking up on a good note, and that another album from the world's most famous Irishmen would not be wise.
So what to make of news about a Fall 2004 release? Bono's penning songs whose titles belong in Praise & Worship hymnals, on melodies written by an "angry Edge," possibly under the direction of the man who produced the Sex Pistols. "Back to the basics," says Edge. They've been using that phrase since Zooropa and Zoo TV finished up ten years ago. But who am I kidding? I'm game.