U2

A collection of 61 posts

On Songs & Albums

The U2 Elevation Prayer

David Wainscott has just posted some interesting audio: An audio file of the prayer and blessing for U2's 2001 Elevation tour. And when you think about how that tour blessed so many, and about the ministry that the band had for those in New York after the attacks

On Songs & Albums

U2 Album Shaping Up to Be Something Special

NME reports on the progress of U2's next album: He added: "We got this little riad, a small hotel with a courtyard in the middle and set up the band there, with a square of sky over our head. The two great catalysts of U2's

On Songs & Albums

Music bits: U2 Album Progress. Whitman's aves. Hartse on Feist. The Believer.

A quick blitz of music links: * U2's progress on their new album. * Andy Whitman rates the best albums so far this year. * Joel Hartse reviews Feist's The Reminder. * A summary of The Believer's annual Music Issue.

On Movies & Media

Achtung, Spider-man! (I am not making this up.)

What in the world? Bono and The Edge... writing a Spider-man musical... for Julie Taymor. Right. Sure. Why didn't I see that coming?

On Songs & Albums

Window in the Skies: U2's New Video

U2's video for "Window in the Skies" is here, and it's a whole lot of fun. Hint: Watch the magical lip-synching as the various singers flash by. Man... this must have taken some work.

On Songs & Albums

U2's New (Completely Unnecessary) Compilation

U218, which arrives in stores Nov. 21, is a waste of time for anybody who already has the best-of collections that they released a few years ago. There's nothing in these 15 singles that you don't already know by heart, except... * the recent U2/Green Day

On Songs & Albums

More on U2's New Material

Josh Hurst just discovered more on the current activities of U2 at, well, atU2. The other new song is "Windows in the Skies." With soaring strings and a haunting piano melody, the tune is remarkably different to the stadium rock sound of their recent smash hit album, How

On Movies & Media

U2 in 3-D!!!

U2 is coming to a THEATER near you next year... in 3-D. Yep. The Hollywood Reporter has the story. I'll never forget seeing U2: Rattle and Hum in the Eastgate Cinemas in Portland, Oregon, on November 4, 1988. It was an overwhelming big screen experience, and the theater

On Songs & Albums

While U2 prepares to record, Bono is taking piano lessons.

JAM! Showbiz reports that U2 is preparing to go back into the studio this summer. Wondering what might be different? Here's an intriguing detail: "I've got a lot of songs, oddly enough, from taking piano lessons," [Bono] said. "My kid's piano

On Songs & Albums

U2 plus Arcade Fire

Yep, that's Bono kneeling toward the right, smack in the middle of Arcade Fire. U2 and Arcade Fire played together last night, performing Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." For those that were there, it must have been Thanksgiving all over again. For

On Songs & Albums

Bono on the Cover of the New Rolling Stone

Thanks to Josh Hurst for bringing THIS to my attention. As is so often the case, Bono gets in some quotable stuff about his faith. How big an influence is the Bible on your songwriting? How much do you draw on its imagery, its ideas? It sustains me. As a

On Songs & Albums

U2 on Conan O'Brien

I stayed up until the wee hours to see a most bizarre spectacle... U2 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. While it was far from a total success, the bumpy and embarrassing moments were worth it for the highs, which included performances of "All Because of You,

Looking Elsewhere

Specials: Steve Martin's Next Good Movie; Mark Helprin; Cowboy Junkies Sing U2; Steyn on Spielberg

Today's specials: THE REAL STEVE MARTIN ... THE ONE WORTH SEEING... IS BACK Steve Martin's upcoming romantic comedy Shopgirl wasn't very high on my must-see list. Until now. BEHIND THE SCENES OF MARK HELPRIN'S STORYTELLING Harvard Magazine investigates the house of Helprin, my

Looking Elsewhere

Today's specials: U2, Ron Howard, The Simpsons' movie, and... "16 Candles 2"?

Today's specials: * U2 HEARTS ARCADE FIRE In the new issue of Mojo, you'll find a disc featuring songs that Bono and the boys think you should hear. And I hate to say "I told ya so" but there's an Arcade Fire track

On Songs & Albums

For Those Who Are Still Telling Me That Bono Isn't a Christian...

Recently I spoke in church about the "ministry" of U2 through their music and through their involvement in aid for Africa. Afterward, I heard from someone arguing the same thing I've heard for decades... that Bono may use a lot of religious references, but he'

On Songs & Albums

Contactmusic reports U2 to re-record "Pop" album!

Can this be true? Personally, I like Pop the way it is. But you can bet I'd be in line on release-day to hear what the band intended the album to be. UPDATE: This looks more and more like a distortion of the quotes in the Greg Kot

On Songs & Albums

U2 in Church ... A Wonderful Night

I had to fight back some serious surges of emotion tonight as a dream came true for me. I'd always wanted to share with my church what it is about U2 that moves me so much, what it is about their work that has transformed my life and

On Songs & Albums

U2 in Church!

U2 will NOT be playing live at GreenLake Presybterian Church on Sunday night. But their history, art, and ministry will be the focus of my presentation there. Tomorrow night, I'll be talking about the work and testimony of U2 at GreenLake Presbyterian Church. That's Sunday evening,

On Songs & Albums

U2 - Live in Seattle last night: A great show, slightly "dismantled" halfway through

I've seen U2 perform live four times now, and I've seen the film "Rattle and Hum" almost ten times on the big screen, along with countless DVD viewings, so I know what they're capable of. Thus, I had high hopes about what

On Songs & Albums

U2 Fan of the Week

Let's hear it for Coma Guy!!

On Songs & Albums

U2 Update: Larry Mullen Apologizes

(Thanks, Diane, for the link!) Larry Mullen, Jr., in a very classy move, has posted an explanation, and apology, and notes about plans to try and make amends with U2 fans who felt rather betrayed by the ticket fiasco this week. Personally, I have no gripe with the band... just

On Songs & Albums

How to Dismantle a U2 Fan's Enthusiasm

Yes, I got U2 tickets. And yes, I'm going to whine like a kid whose told that the cookies are off limits. Because I paid for those cookies, blast it!! U2.com (not the band, the club) has a lot to answer for. They've apologized already

On Songs & Albums

Bowman's blessed by Bawdy Bono

U2 tickets go on sale tomorrow. And to celebrate, let me direct you to Kate Bowman's article about the way that Bono continues to bewilder his evangelical fans just as U2 continues to bewilder the music world. Good luck getting tickets!

On Songs & Albums

U2 Fan Site Welcomes Guest: Philip Yancey

Bono's got good taste in books. First he becomes a big fan of Eugene Peterson's The Message ... a translation of the Bible that I'm very fond of. Then he starts handing out Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace?, another

On Songs & Albums

How to Dismantle a Misconceived Review

After a false start, I have posted my full review of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Here it is, a song-by-song tour of the new U2 album. Forgive my intial write-up of the album. I'm just one listener out of zillions. But every time I hear U2,