Please forgive me for the next two and a bit months. I am about to become obsessively unbearable.
1993, 1997, 2000, 2004.
These four years have something in common. Since I became a ‘fan’ around the autumn of 1992, these are the years in which the popular rock combo known as U2 have released studio albums. Each occasion has involved a protracted build-up, with rumours, counter-rumours and tension contributing to a swirl of conflicting excitement and nerves. Every time, I have been relieved to discover that, no, the latest album was not rubbish, but generally brilliant in fact. Yes, even Pop.
Last Thursday, a momentous day to serve as the prologue to the next chapter of this particular brand of fanaticism was written. The band, the boys, my boys, the lads, the dudes, Bono, Edge, Larry, Adam. Announced that the new album was ready for release.
No Line On The Horizon will be revealed to the waiting world on Monday 2nd March 2009, and next year will be added to the noble list above.
Q magazine have already provided some details, albeit a little unofficially, and quite frankly, I’m excited. When I say excited, of course what I mean, is that a particular form of frenzy has already entered the frontal lobe of my mind. I’ve been going through a self-declared U2-free period – absence makes the heart grow fonder after all – but my gaze turned earlier to the large U2-only section of my CD collection in preparation for what’s to come.
This is only stage one, of course. The next step will come when I begin to frantically worry about the tour. Which shows am I going to go to? How will I get tickets? Whose credit card will I need to borrow in order to get around the methods they use to try and prevent people doing too many shows (as if that could be stopped)? How many days will I need to get off work? How will I get there? Should I go to Dublin? (Previously decided not to). Should I go to the continent? Which shows will I get seats for and which ones will I start queuing up for in the early dawn?
Next year is a U2 year. You have been warned.
