U2 reissues The Joshua Tree, plots its own skyscraper

Take that, John Lennon! So what, you're reissuing your discography on iTunes? U2 is repackaging just one of its albums four times over. Oh yeah, and that wussy "Imagine Peace" tower that Yoko Ono unveiled in your honor? U2's getting its own skyscraper in Dublin, chump. So, you know, have fun with all of that posthumous recognition and all. Because the present belongs to Ireland's finest.

On Nov. 20, U2 and its similarly named home label UMe will reissue the group's seminal Joshua Tree album in several different packaged forms to celebrate the album's 20th anniversary. So, U2 fans, pick your delicious poison: a single remastered CD, a double CD set, a 2xCD plus DVD goliath, or a double vinyl version. The various pressings feature new liner notes from the group, with bonus material to be announced in the near future. The DVD, meanwhile, features a live 1987 concert and the U2 documentary Outside It's America.

Now, onto the really crazy U2 news. The group has evidently finalized plans for the "U2 Tower," which will loom over the skyline of Dublin like a giant electric triangle. For those who haven't been following this story, it's a pretty amazing study in progressive architecture: solar panels, wind turbines, 34 "social and affordable flats," all topped off with a free-hanging recording studio "pod," presumably for use by the group. The project should cost about £140 million, and will be spearheaded by designer Lord Foster, who put together this number in London. Better pick up all four reissued copies of The Joshua Tree, just in case finances fall short.