"Things are getting a little rough now:" Bono sounds off on future of U2, America

Because Bono is the only celebrity these days we like equally for his musicianship and philanthropy, we'll take his latest comments on the state of U2 and America more seriously.

Here are some highlights of an interview he gave to the Associated Press as U2's North American tour comes to a close.

ON THE POST-ELECTION OPTIMISM ENDING SO FAST: "I didn't think it could come to this so quickly, after the joyous occasion of that election. I thought America was looking good. ... Things are getting a little rough now."

ON FUNDING TO FIGHT AIDS IN AFRICA: "The Obama administration is just getting going. (He) has promised to double aid over the next years, because even though (President George W.) Bush tripled it, ... the United States is still about half as what European countries give as a percentage, and I think he knows that's not right."

ON THE DISAPPOINTING NEW ALBUM: "We felt that the album was a kind of an almost extinct species, and we should approach it in totality and create a mood and a feeling, and a beginning, middle and an end. And I suppose we've made a work that is a bit challenging for people who have grown up on a diet of pop stars."

Click here to read the full story, which includes some candid remarks from The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. 

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Comments

[AC]

Bono probably has more money than the US does. Let him finance his charity causes - I'll pass. I'm trying not to lose my house right now.

[BrokenArrow]

A great humanitarian, and a talant. Someone must like them, they still sell tickets. The ebb and flow of life is what it's called.

I'd prefer to stay away from crowds in Florida......too many mean, nasty, violent perps.......oh, some commented here.

Power to the peaceful.

[Sammy]

Right pinhead. If the album is failing, it must be because the audience is somehow deficient. Could it be your sound hasn't changed in 20 years?

[Pete]

Does anyone still listen to Bono? And about the USA? Please, another lame "pop star" hectoring people about what they ought to do. Here's a thought: since he thinks he's Jesus (or bigger than), maybe he can give them loaves and fishes. After Modadishu, I find it hard to give a
S--- about starving Africans.

[shuturyap]

Just shut up Bono. As a U2 fan I must say NLOTH is by far one of your suckiest.

[Kay]

Funny comments. Yes, he is irritating to me too. Concert so expensive only the elite can attend. How philanthropic of you! Never liked U2s music anyhow. Their quitarist plays, what, three chords?
Kay

[billyshakes]

In response to Kevy Metal,

Part of the blame for the decline in the album format can just as well be put on the shoulders of the artists themselves. I'm sure you've heard a great lead single from a band (hot new thing or favorite old act) that was just great so you buy the album and there is nothing else on there that is remotely similar. Furthermore, the last half of the album is full of "filler" where it is clear that the band phoned in a few of the songs just to have 8 tunes to present and call an album. Would have been better as a 3-5 song EP release than the watered down "album." For those acts, the downloadable single format is perfect. I can spend .99 for the one song I like and jettison the rest of the filler trash.

I do appreciate and enjoy the tracking of a good album and how it makes your emotions swing through joy to sorrow to excitement. It is just too bad not everyone can deliver on that promise.

I think U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" was their last best example of that great album ideal. I think the most recent two fail to achieve the mark of greatness.

And ditto Bassnote's remarks. Like other political acts such as Midnight Oil or R.E.M. .....shut the F--- up so I can enjoy your music.

[Bassnote]

I put Bono and Bruce Springsteen in the same camp; I like their music, but I don't want to listen to their politics.

[Mike in Austin]

Are you kidding me?? Who cares what Bono has to say about our election and aid to Africa??? This countries' citizens has filled his pockets with Benjamins. What on god's green earth gives Bono any credibility? Do what you do best brother, entertain and make some jack. I applaud his philanthropic efforts, with much love and respect. But as they say "stay in your lane".

All the love,

MinA

[mac]

Bozo has to be one of the most annoying, self-righteous idiots on earth. The US gives and gives and gives, and this moron attempts to twist the numbers to make America look bad. America gives more than all of Europe combined, but bozo uses "as a percentage" to hide that fact. Meanwhile, this idiot runs around babbling about global warming while he hauls 100' tv screens and massive pyrotechnics to all of his lame concerts. It's always what OTHER people should do, but it never applies to him. U2 was a great band back in the late 80's, but now I can't even listen to their music because all I can think of is what a doofus bozo is.

[Kevy Metal]

The opportunity we now have to download single tracks from albums is a good thing, but unfortunately it is endangering the album experience. A new generation of music listeners/consumers will grow up not understanding such a thing except those who make the effort to actually listen to an album from beginning to end in one sitting, but in an increasingly singles oriented environment... Many of the current music buying public already do not appreciate the album as a whole. I'm glad there are bands like U2 willing to make the effort preserve the idea of the album.

[politically incorrect]

Hey Bono, I'll tell you what is a little disappointing. The $100 x 2 I spent to see you at tampa and you had the energy of a senior citizen dinnertime theater. Muse blew you off the stage, brother.
The concert was going well until 15 minutes in when you decided to play larry king and interview that idiot in space with the clown nose on. Talk about a buzz kill. Just shut up and sing.