Thanks gnfnraxl. That's exactly my stance. Believe me when I say this everyone,  I wanted to buy this album with all my heart. I wanted the limited editions, I wanted the LP's I would've bought it on cassette just to have it. I tried to see them live in 2002(Vancouver) I saw them 3 times in 2006(NY Hammerstien, Calgary and Edmonton). I supported the shit out of this band but over the course of 2006 and to a degree the last 6 years I came to the realization that a guy who disrespects his fans, disregards them so blatantly and to a large extent seems to really resent them at times no longer deserves my support at least in terms of dollars. If the music is great I'll support that and spread the word but I will NEVER see this lineup again live, I will NEVER purchase one of their albums. To each their own but for me it comes down to my own personal integrity. I'm a fan of so many bands who reach out to their fans in ways unimaginable and they go above and beyond to show their appreciation. Axl for the most part flips us the finger and then puts on a fascade when it's convenient for him and serves his needs.  I buy albums all the time. EVERYTIME if it's a band I believe in and support. I do support new Gn'R but only via word of mouth anymore. My decision on this has to do with MUCH MORE than this isolated inncident. Those of you who know me, know this.  I respect a person's decision to buy the album. I respect people's opinion if they feel I'm going to steal the album. It is what it is. I waited forever to hear this so I'm gonna hear it one way or another. I'm just not paying for it. Axl made that decision for me. I'm not bitter about it. Like I said it is what it is. Axl is Axl.  Maybe I won't download it for free. Maybe I'll simple burn a buddy's copy. The band seemed fine with that when it was the era of cassettes so why not cd's?

U2009: 2009 will be U2's Year

From U2.com, 3rd September 2008.

'We've hit a rich songwriting vein and we don't want to stop.' Bono has been talking to U2.Com about how the songs are shaping up for the new record and plans for 2009 to be their year.

'˜This is our chance for us to defy gravity once again, '˜ explains Bono, calling in from a break in recording sessions in the south of France. '˜ We have what it takes, we have the songs, new rhythms and a guitar player who is not ready to re-enter earth's atmosphere until he's taken a slice of the moon!
'It's been fun, it's been maddening... there have been injuries and recoveries, no babies born that I know of, but this one is nearly ready for the new year of 2009.'

The band have been writing and recording the follow-up to '˜How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' since last year, and the feeling is that they've hit a creative groove so there are no plans to stop. Everyone, he says, is excited about where the recording is taking them.

'˜When we set out on this record it was Larry who came up with the plan not to have a plan. He put up this idea that wouldn't it be great just to make music for its own sake, not for the purpose of a live show or on album but just to see what we're capable of'¦'

It's an idea that's paid off. Following sessions in Morocco, in Dublin and through the summer in France, the band have written '˜fifty or sixty' tracks. And counting.

'˜We've hit a rich songwriting vein,' he explains. '˜It gets a bit dark down here but looks like we've found diamonds not coal. I thought a while back we might have the album wrapped by now, but why come up above ground now if there's more priceless stuff to be found?

For now, they're keeping a promise they made to themselves when they started writing: '˜We said to each other that if we got to the great place then we wouldn't stop'¦'

So the writing and recording continues and while they now know what shape most of the album will take, they're not leaving the studio just yet.

'˜We know we have to emerge soon but we also know that people don't want another U2 album unless it is our best ever album. It has to be our most innovative, our most challenging '¦ or what's the point ?'

They have no doubts that it will be as important a release for U2 as any. '˜It's a brand new chapter for us, and everyone we've played the tracks to has said that musically it feels like another departure.

'˜The last two records were very personal, with a kind of three piece at their heart, the primary colours of rock - bass, guitars and drum. But what we're about now is of the same order as the transition that took us from The Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby.'

He also mentions that the recording in Morocco was the first time the band have worked in a studio open to the sky: '˜On that track you can hear the sound of a swallows nest close to the building - it's beautiful.'

Longtime collaborators Danny Lanois and Brian Eno have joined the band at different times, and, more recently, Steve Lillywhite - usually a tell-tale sign that a record is nearly done. '˜Steve has that ear for a top line melody and a good hook.'

But while Bono is itching to get the music out he says it's going to be early 2009 when we first get to hear the songs.

'˜I'm always the one who underestimates how easy it is to simply 'put out the songs now', if it was just up to me they'd be out already! But early next year people will be able to start hearing what we've been doing. We want 2009 to be our year, so we're going to start making an impression very early on '¦'

Totally right CC. You dont' need to be a fan to enjoy a NIN show. My buddy isn't a fan at all and his eyes were glued to the stage. he loved it. Also you're bang on about  the pinion/wish "comeback" such a  wicked way to relaunch the show after what was basically the interlude. Almost an encore break without taking an actual break. They didn't play The Greater Good or Piggy in that slot at my show but I'm sure the impact was the same when the pinion chords started kicking in.

I'm curious to know how this is a "re-release"? I bought this thing brand spanken new from HMV about 4 years ago. Placed a specific order for it and had it within 6 weeks.  It's never been hard to get. You could order from HMV any time you wanted.

That's what I've been saying all along. Mark this day down. We agree on something CC :haha:

If he goes to Vancouver he's a sell out. If he stays in Tornonto we know he has no desire to win. If he goes to Montreal he'll be smart. I actually see people having more respect for him if he goes to Montreal than staying in Toronto. Staying in Toronto puts his whole competive spirit in question if you ask me.