New U2 Album - given away free on iTunes. Discussion time!

[Greeny]

"U2 released Songs of Innocence - their 13th studio album on Tuesday after playing an event to launch the Apple Watch – making their record immediately available to iTunes customers the world over. Half a billion iTunes customers received the latest U2 album for free"

And there it was, automatically added into my music playlists on my iPhone.

Lots of points for discussion:

1. Is it intrusive for Apple to add albums to your music library uninvited? I thought it was a nice free gift to get, but I haven't listened to it yet  

2. Is this the ultimate sell-out? Are U2 just corporate whores now?

3. Would Steve Jobs have resorted to a stunt like this? I doubt it somehow.

4. Is this a good business model? i.e. get paid a lot of GUARANTEED money from Apple in exchange for losing album sales, and make even more money from touring. Is it just an advertising stunt?

5. Are U2 even relevant anymore? Personally, they are still one of the best live bands I've ever seen. But they seem stuck in a self-tribute act, recording-wise.

What does it all mean?  

[Tangled Wires]

Being a U2 fan I am slightly embarrassed to say that I was unaware of this.

Perhaps the release of new U2 albums over the past 10-20 years has not generated that same excitement and anticipation as it did 20-30 years ago, and for me, their best work is clearly behind them, although I hope to be proved wrong when listening to this new offering.

So...

1. Certainly not intrusive in my case
2. Possibly, or is this a slight act of desperation in light of the gradual decline in their quality of output over the years
3. Probably not
4.The answer to this may never truly be known, and I suspect that they are still a big enough draw in order to have a successful tour, irrespective of how good or bad this album is
5. I still believe that they are relevant to the fans that have followed them for a good number of years, but not so to the current generation of music fans.

[peterp]

1): yes, I won't touch anything apple, don't like the company's attitude, ethics, and methods.
Though big brother Google is getting very intrusive as well.
2): yes
3): no
4): no, it show the real value of music (or rather the artists product in any field) these days.
Similar to Getty recently releasing 37million images for free use.
The photographers get nothing, Getty gets a bazillion links back to their sales site and an waiting interface on millions of websites to activate advertisements on through their embed code.
5): unknown, have not listened to U2 in many years, all their stuff seems to sound very similar.
For me at least the band seems to have lost its creative edge   much like apple.

[thetworegs]

Ill start by saŷing its a Fab album! And can't wait for the tour.....
1. .......it's not just Apple all companies are intrusive  as is the Internet government neighbours friends everyone wants something from you?.Privacy is a thing of the past but it doesn't hurt to try to keep some.....i buy Apple as I like their products but ethics??. Does any company have any?
2. Wouldn't you be a sell out for the size of cheque they must have received
3. I would imagine if his sales were down he would do anything to improve them, just like any other C.E.O would.....
4. Yes yes and yes but not so good for the photographer if all his pictures are on Getty images but if they are giving a few away to sell the rest maybe not so bad it seems Book publishing is going the same way...giving the first one free if its good your gonna be more than willing to pay for pt2.....
5.They are one of the best bands I've seen too...maybe there music isn't relevant but it's still bloody good as this new album proves

[Burtog]

Im not offended by free music but it shows how expensive general downloads are from the internet. Why do I pay more or less the same for a CD posted as a download?

[bruno]

Well it boldly told me it has been purchased and downloaded - except its not in my library on my Mac. And as for the billy-no-mates-iWatch with a battery life of less than 24 hours .... ho-hum

[Blooby]

While brilliant in concept (for U2 anyway) to get the word out, I do find it intrusive.

Perhaps if it were Tom Jones...

Blooby

[Greeny]

Transcript of a funny 'news' article from the brilliant Viz magazine...  

Bono Passes on Twat Crown

U2 front man Bono has finally stepped down as Britain's biggest twat. And, after spending 10 years the countrys premier tit, the pint-sized gobshite has decided to pass on his wanker mantle to fellow dick-head popstar Sting.

"I've had a fantastic decade as the UK's biggest tosspot" he told Radio 4's Jim Naughtie. "I've made cringeworthy speeches at the Labour Pary conference, I've campaigned on green issues while having my hat flown halfway across the world in a jumbo jet and I've used my vast wealth to pursue former employees through the courts for the return of a pair of trousers."

"I've acted like an absolute bellend to the best of my abilities, but now it's time for me to take a backseat" he added.

Bono refused to speculate on who would take over from him as the UK's foremost twat, but analysts belive it is practically certain that the appointment willl go to fellow arsehole Sting.

"Sting's got all the right credentials" an insider told us. "He bangs on about environmental issues while advertising Jaguar cars & Concorde, he says he lives simply but he's got 2 butlers and a private jet, and he reckons cancer is caused by 'undigested dreams'. The man is a an utter tool."

[Tangled Wires]

 

I've been a Viz subscriber for over 20 years now, and Bono (or Boneo as he is often referred to) has always taken a lot of stick, particularly regarding his (lack of) height and the story of him having his favourite hat flown first class on a jumbo jet!

Is he a bigger Wankstain than Sting though?

Perhaps that's a suggestion for a SC Poll.

[Greeny]

I've been a Viz subscriber for over 20 years now, and Bono (or Boneo as he is often referred to) has always taken a lot of stick, particularly regarding his (lack of) height and the story of him having his favourite hat flown first class on a jumbo jet!

Is he a bigger Wankstain than Sting though?

Perhaps that's a suggestion for a SC Poll.

For me, Michael Buble towers above the both of them in twattage terms...