New U2 Album May See Early Release

U2’s latest album may hit stores earlier than expected, in November, according to a BBC interview with the band’s manager, Paul McGuinness. Though the release was tentatively scheduled for spring 2005, Universal Records Italy, Universal France and Universal Records Switzerland all name fall 2004 as the album’s new projected release date.

Veteran producers Steve Lillywhite, Daniel Lanois and Chris Thomas each had a part in the still-unnamed album. "It's full-on, a full-throttle record,” Bono told MTV News. “It's like punk rock made on Venus. It is a mad sound The Edge is making. People are saying, 'Bono, people are sick of you. You've been around, you've been winning all these awards. You have to go away for a while.' This record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2. And by the way, I'm sick of Bono—and I am Bono.”

(photo - Bono and The Edge live at Slane Castle)