I did actually listen to the whole album in full this afternoon.God knows why, i think maybe because it was sitting there (uninvited) in my iTunes looking very sorry for itself.I dunno, i mean its not unlistenable but the 11 songs seem all a bit b side at best but for one or two nice moments.


I always get the impression with U2 these days that they are always struggling to come up with ideas for their albums, struggling for inspiration, struggling to find a new direction, struggling to find a reason to carry on making music. So why not just call it a day?I mean, ever thought about knocking it all on the head, lads? It's not like they're ever going to struggle to pay the rent for the rest of their lives.I guess Bono and his stoopid ego just can't let it go though.

Having said that i did like Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own from whatever album it was on from about 10 years ago.That's the only song of theirs in the last 10 years that's done anything for me though.


And getting all snug and friendly with Apple? That's just yuk

Wellll... they were a weird band.They admittedly had some good songs IMHO like Where The Streets Have No Name and Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For ( both those actually are off The Joshua Tree which probably wouldn't have been half the album it was without Brian Eno's production) but they always had this over theatricality and over-drama that might have worked for other bands but with U2 it always felt like you were being conned, patronised, condescended to .You watch the video for something like Where The Streets Have No Name and it is actually a good song but there's just something about the whole thing with that video.You kind of feel swept along with it but at the same time you're thinking, no, i feel like a fake here.Some feeling rises up that you're being steamrollered,conned, brainwashed and swept along into this U2 world.I mean, U2 were very clever at doing that ( and still are) and sadly millions fell for it in the 80s and still do.

Well admittedly I was already signed up, as I imagine quite a few people are.
I'm not a big fan of Apple and all their bullshit. Who are these sad bastards who queue up outside the shop when a new product is launched?

But it's worth it for the occasional freebies they offer. For instance the itunes festival taking place during September at London's Roundhouse.
Elbow was last night, and I was there. Hadn't seen em live before and I have to say I really enjoyed it. So a reluctant thank you to itunes for my free tix on this occasion.