back to article Bono apologises for iTunes album dump

Bono has apologised for sending U2's latest album into every iTunes library in the world. The singer's apology came, ironically, in a video to promote the album to those who didn't get it for free in iTunes. That video, posted to Facebook features a Q&A session in which a fan asked U2 never to release an auto-downloading album …

  1. Khaptain Silver badge

    Vote

    I would suggest that in a vote for the world's most disliked, cheesiest, unbelievable, most pretentious music person, Bono would fill in the top 10 positions.

    1. LarsG

      Apologise

      For the awful album

      1. gnasher729 Silver badge

        Re: Apologise

        There's nothing wrong with that album. If you don't like it, don't download it for free. Or don't buy it, if you don't have an iTunes account. It's worth more than I paid for it.

    2. BongoJoe

      Re: Vote

      You're making me waste most of this glofious morning trying to figure who these other nine could be.

      Well, after hearing Bryan Adams interviewed on Radio 2 the other week that's perhaps one slot filled and perhaps another with that bloke from the Manics who turned up stoned to the station.

      And now it's getting difficult.

      So come on, suggestions. I think we have a new game...

      1. Mattjimf

        Re: Vote

        William (still refuse to put the dots in), James Blunt, Cheryl Cole, Bob Geldolf makes 7 of the top ten, although the original poster did state Bono would take all ten spots.

        1. BongoJoe

          Re: Vote

          Good point.

          That's the second mistake I have made this morning. I suspect that the wife has put something soft and organic in the coffee machine this morning as my brain synapses aren't firing right.

          1. Fungus Bob
            Joke

            Re: something soft and organic in the coffee machine

            A kitten, perhaps...

            1. veeguy

              Re: something soft and organic in the coffee machine

              I just *love* hot wet pussy.

        2. Obitim

          Re: Vote

          Got to disagree on the James Blunt Card since this happened:

          http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/james-blunt-has-a-black-belt-in-shutting-down-twitter-trolls/

          Although one of my favourites was:

          'pretentious twitter arsehole':

          Oh my god, they;re playing James Blunt again, could things get any worse????'

          James Blunt:

          'James Blunt could start following you and tweeting at you as well?'

          (the above may be paraphrased)

          Well, I quite liked the idea of it

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Vote

        that bloke, what's his name, encamped in the Peruvian (Bolivian?) embassy or consulate in London, clearly. Yes, he's not as widely known a musical genius as Bono, but still ticks all other boxes, and then some.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Vote

          that bloke, what's his name, encamped in the Peruvian (Bolivian?) embassy or consulate in London, clearly. Yes, he's not as widely known a musical genius as Bono, but still ticks all other boxes, and then some.

          If you're going that route I would hope a certain T Blair plays some sort of instrument too so I can include him. Air guitar, I think - can't see this man touch anything with real substance..

          1. This post has been deleted by its author

          2. BongoJoe

            Re: Vote

            If you're going that route I would hope a certain T Blair plays some sort of instrument too so I can include him. Air guitar, I think - can't see this man touch anything with real substance..

            He has let a few pictures of himself with a Stratocaster be released. No doubt to show that he's cool and one of the people.

            No dobut he'll soon claim that he played along with Jimi Hendrix in much the same way he used to watch Milburn play.

            Oh, I have thought of another name: Lars Ulrich.

            1. Shasta McNasty

              Re: Vote

              I'd be surprised if Bono has heard any negative feedback about this song or this album seeing as his head is firmly up his own arse.

              1. This post has been deleted by its author

          3. Mattjimf

            Re: Vote

            T Blair was in a band in the 70's - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/apr/27/labour2001to2005.tonyblair2

            1. Darryl

              Re: Vote

              Jack White and Dave Grohl have to make the list.

    3. dogged

      Re: Vote

      Sting, surely?

    4. Wade Burchette

      Re: Vote

      Morrissey would have to be any list. I saw a concert of his in New York and every other song he would say "look at my beautiful body", even taking his shirt off one time.

    5. Sarah Balfour

      Re: Vote

      Aren't we forgetting someone…? As much as I loathe Bono, I don't believe he's ever declared that "People who eat meat are worse than those who rape children" or "if Jamie Oliver loves meat so much, why doesn't he roast his kids…?!"

      I don't think I need name names for the reason that even typing his initials makes me want to commit acts of extreme violence against inanimate objects. As far as I'm concerned, he's been an irrelevance since at least 1984 (if not earlier).

      He's threatening another album this year - he needs to be stopped! Beginning to think the cancer was just a rouse to get the world to feel sorry for him (though he's Veganist. Jobs was Veganist. I believe that disease only occurs when you fuck around with your genetic dietary blueprint (the fact the UK is world's second fattest nation should be testament to that). Jobs had pancreatic cancer, the spread of which was likely aided and abetted by his 100% carb diet. Vegans have lowered immunity, and a compromised immune system, due to the lack of distinct lack of nutrition ins vegan diet (humans can survive without plants, but we CANNOT survive without meat, or at least not in good health)).

  2. dan1980

    Just a drop?

    "I had this beautiful idea. We got carried away with ourselves. Artists are prone to that kind of thing. Drop of megalomania. Twitch of generosity. Dash of self promotion. And deep fear that the songs that we poured out life into over the last few years mightn't be heard. There's a lot of noise out there. I guess we we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it."

    Just a drop?

    What it is is either a massive dose of arrogance or an amazing disconnect between what they think people are cool with and what they actually are cool with.

    Or both.

    It's a free gift - why wouldn't anyone want that? After all, they can always throw it away but you're opening them up to something that you think they might like and otherwise might be ignorant of.

    It seems to me the same kind of attitude of those who proselytise their religious beliefs, dropping pamphlets through mailboxes and onto windscreens or knocking on doors in pairs or handing out booklets in the street.

    It's the idea that the thing they are offering is a fundamentally good thing that is relevant and valuable to people and they should be given the opportunity to see this thing because it would be unfortunate if they missed out through not knowing.

    Actually, comparing U2 to religion is not that much of a stretch . . .

    What's that one about the difference between God and Bono being that God doesn't walk down the street thinking he's Bono?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Just a drop?

      "What's that one about the difference between God and Bono being that God doesn't walk down the street thinking he's Bono?"

      Show a little sympathy. It ain't easy trying to save the whole friggin' world, y'know.

      1. Fred Flintstone Gold badge

        Re: Just a drop?

        Show a little sympathy. It ain't easy trying to save the whole friggin' world, y'know.

        Well, I got to give it to him - he DID stop clapping.. :)

    2. dogged

      Re: Just a drop?

      > Actually, comparing U2 to religion is not that much of a stretch . . .

      It's interesting that they chose to join up with the Apple cultists, then.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Just a drop?

      >After all, they can always throw it away

      Unless it's been changed I'm pretty sure earlier articles mentioned that it couldn't be deleted from the iPhone 6..

      1. mrfill
        Happy

        Re: Just a drop?

        "Unless it's been changed I'm pretty sure earlier articles mentioned that it couldn't be deleted from the iPhone 6.."

        Another good reason not to buy one....

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    In the name of dull

    I listened to the album. I thought it sounded like Snow Patrol, only with a worse singer, and worse songs. If U2 poured their life into this, at least it sounds like their cup is nearly empty.

    I deleted the album; my own small effort to aid noise reduction across the world. U2 have become the new AOL, and Songs of Innocence is their digital coaster.

    1. Squander Two

      Be fair

      I thought a lot of the backing was rather good -- special mention to Adam for playing some interesting bass for the first time in his life. Where it all went wrong was every time Bono opened his mouth. The melodies are just so twee.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    WTF?

    Have to laugh

    Only a few years ago the pretentious little lepricorn was harping on about the fact that their latest album was plastered all over the intertubes via torrent and how he wanted torrent BANNED, Banned then burned...

    So it's probably the fact that their latest digital pile of aural excrement HAD to be pushed all over the sodding world, only this time via I-Tunes to get any bugger to listen to it...

    Hmm.....

    1. Ross K Silver badge
      WTF?

      Re: Have to laugh

      little lepricorn

      What's a lepricorn?

      1. hplasm
        Happy

        Re: Have to laugh

        "What's a lepricorn?"

        One of the new Astrological signs for left handed people.

        1. DropBear
          Joke

          Re: Have to laugh

          "What's a lepricorn?"

          Well, ummm, you see, when a unicorn and a leprechaun love each other very much... I mean, where did you think centaurs came from?!?

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Have to laugh

            ""What's a lepricorn?"

            Well, ummm, you see, when a unicorn and a leprechaun love each other very much... I mean, where did you think centaurs came from?!?

            that's CEN-TURION, not cen-taur, you... you... repli-cant!

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              Re: Have to laugh

              "What's a lepricorn?

              About 10 bob an hour

              Sorry, wrong joke.

      2. NogginTheNog
        Coat

        Re: Have to laugh

        "What's a lepricorn?"

        A unicorn with a nasty disease..?

      3. Wade Burchette
        Joke

        Re: Have to laugh

        "What's a lepricorn?"

        It is what Ralph Wiggum saw on the rock in his back yard. He told Ralph to burn things.

      4. Fungus Bob

        Re: Have to laugh

        "What's a lepricorn?"

        Its a new genetically modified food thing - scientists combined DNA from corn and lepers to make a type of corn that needs no preservatives as it rots too quickly.

        Where's the Bad Taste icon?

    2. Valeyard

      Re: Have to laugh

      could we maybe not resort to a bit of casual racism?

      Us Irish people don't much like being called Leprichauns, or even "lepricorns" really.

      It's just ironic, considering I've never even heard of a leprechaun outside of:

      1-US cartoons

      2-English people on St. Patrick's Day

      1. Squander Two

        Where the leprechauns are

        > I've never even heard of a leprechaun outside of:

        > 1-US cartoons

        > 2-English people on St. Patrick's Day

        Clearly never been to Dublin Airport, then.

      2. Martin-73 Silver badge

        Re: Have to laugh

        I agree with you re: casual racism. Bono's just an arsemonkey, no matter what his nationality. But my primary reason for replying is to ask "seriously? You've not heard of Leprechauns outside of those 2 (admittedly full of leprecorny references) situations?

        1. Valeyard

          Re: Have to laugh

          yeah seriously. if the cartoons hadn't associated them with ireland, i wouldn't otherwise be aware ireland apparently had some kinda leprechaun "thing". If there's an actual legend it's based on i haven't heard of it :/

      3. veeguy

        Re: Have to laugh

        Wait one moment-

        Now you are trying to tell me Irish folks *don't* chase leprechauns around trying to get them to tell where their Pot O' Gold is hidden?

        I'm not buying it. I've *seen* enough "Lucky Charms" advertisements to know it's true.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I saw a brilliant tweet

    "Someone hacked into my apple account and bought a whole U2 album.on iTunes"

  6. sad_loser

    compensation

    apology is all well and good but I have been sick with worry as my friends thought I had spent money on a U2 album.

    I am setting up a class action to address the reputational damage caused to many people like myself who have been harmed by this thoughtless and unnecessary self-indulgent noise pollution.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: compensation

      Given that this landed you with data on your computer you didn't authorise, there could even be a shade of Computer Misuse Act in this ..

      Probably not, but I must admit I would love to throw a legal brick at them for this if I had the money.

      1. Elmer Phud

        Re: compensation

        "Given that this landed you with data on your computer you didn't authorise, there could even be a shade of Computer Misuse Act in this .."

        But it's Apple -- it's not your device.

      2. zen1

        Re: compensation

        I have to wonder how many people who may have gone over their monthly data plan, and were charged because of that little stunt? I know I'd be rather irate about it.

  7. SuperTim

    Lucky me

    I managed to avoid the whole U2 enforced love-in despite having iTunes and iDevices....Not sure how I managed that. Still, Bono is a self-righteous nobend.

    1. stucs201

      Re: Lucky me

      Lack of current payment info will do the trick. For some reason if all they have on file is an expired card they won't let you have the "free" thing.

  8. Zippy's Sausage Factory
    Devil

    Am I the only person in the world who went "ooh, cute idea, never seen that done before." Then listened to it and thought "meh, not bad.I'll keep it around for a change now and then."

    Seriously... it's just a freebie. And if Apple want to give me free albums, paid for out of the huge amount of money I've spent with them over the years, then fine. Let's look on the bright side though - it could have been Coldplay. Or Take That.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Am I the only person in the world who went "ooh, cute idea, never seen that done before." Then listened to it and thought "meh, not bad.I'll keep it around for a change now and then."

      Seriously... it's just a freebie. And if Apple want to give me free albums, paid for out of the huge amount of money I've spent with them over the years, then fine. Let's look on the bright side though - it could have been Coldplay. Or Take That.

      No. Absolutely not. They could have set the price to zero in iTunes and allowed people the choice. Those that wanted it could take it, those that rather have an airport cavity search by someone with really big hands followed be y detailed IRS audit than listen to U2 could have ignored it.

      By making this happen automatically they removed choice, and they removed control and U2 as well as Apple deserve a serious amount of stick for that. It still is my equipment, and *I* determine what data lives on that, not a 3rd party. Not to mention that I also intensely dislike people so keen on self promotion, but that's just my personal opinion.

  9. jake Silver badge

    Spam, by any other name, is still spam.

    Nice to see Apple approves of spam. One more reason to ignore Apple.

    U2 has always been ignorable.

    ::shrugs::

  10. Stephen Wilkinson

    Not got iTunes (preferring Android and Amazon) but the wife has being a Apple fan (iPad and iPhone) so we listened to the album on iTunes.

    It's really poor, let's face it if it had been on the quality of the Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum or Achtung Baby nobody would be moaning about a free copy but sadly it's not.

  11. ukgnome

    Dear Bonio I demand a refund

    I would like the retail cost of the album refunded, some cash for my time, some cash for my bandwidth used and some sausages be cause I'm hungry!

  12. Arachnoid

    Can I sue..........

    For the presumption of such a "techy minded" media guru for unauthorized use of my bandwidth and subjecting my audio input channels [otherwise known as ears] to such abusive music......

  13. chivo243 Silver badge

    Rock and Roll is a young man's game

    U2 is now irrelevant. I'm sure the music is nice and layered, polished up etc, but as I've said on many forums here relating to U2, they somehow lost something very real in their music. Maybe most rockers run into this as the money makes the angst go away. I guess the Rolling Stones fall into this category too... 20+ years of music production and not much to show for it. Rock and Roll is a young man's game.

    1. Arachnoid

      Re: Rock and Roll is a young man's game

      I guess they lose the double edge of actually wanting to please the audience rather than themselves and the hunger for money for which they now have much of.

    2. Jess

      Re: Rock and Roll is a young man's game

      Gary Numan and John Foxx are now both producing the best music of their careers. So I disagree.

      (But to be fair both produced a really rank album about ten years after they started, Numan followed with an even worse one before getting back on track, whereas Foxx did gave up music and took up digital art for a few years, before coming back on form)

      Also Johnny Cash's version of Hurt was pretty damn good.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Rock and Roll is a young man's game

        Gary Numan and John Foxx are now both producing the best music of their careers. So I disagree.

        Eh???

        Cars, Are Friends Electric, Down in the Park to name a few of Numans frankly, fucking seminal bits of music. Although he went of the rails with the likes of radio heart and a few other odditys, i cant imagine he could ever top the quality of music he was pumping out in the 80's. But i will now open my archives up and have a listen to his newer stuff..

        As for Foxx, "Underpass" HAS to be the tune i think of when i hear his name.

  14. Jess

    Worth Every Penny

    It wasn't automatically downloaded to me, I had to actually choose to get it.

    It isn't dreadful. I have certainly paid full price for much worse.

    It will be staying in my library.

    However, it is wrong to download it without asking.

    (Presumably it was added to some as a purchase, rather than offered to purchase for free.)

  15. Smiles
    Facepalm

    Just a thought....

    Apologies if this has already been said, no real interest in trawling through all of the comments so far, but:

    I use iTunes due to having an old iPod and being too lazy to investigate alternatives, I have in the past (don't shoot me) enjoyed the occasional track from them so opened it up to give it a listen and see if there was anything worth keeping. With my setup it hadn't downloaded at all, I had to go into the list of purchased items and select to download it before it synced, without investigating at all I'm wondering if most iTunes users have their account set to sync everything without confirmation?

    Still haven't bothered to listen to it though, but was it really worth all this fuss? They gave something away for free, if you don't want it just delete it. I can't help but wonder if the same level of fuss would have been made if the artist in question was a bit more popular.

    1. John H Woods Silver badge

      Re: Just a thought....

      "... no real interest in trawling through all of the comments so far, but:"

      Isn't that a bit rude? If you can't be bothered to read what other people think, why do you think they'll care what you have to say?

  16. Spiz

    Erm...

    They had to be *prompted* to "apologise"?

    They really are up their own arses....

  17. Anonymoist Cowyard
    FAIL

    X Factor season is upon us soon

    I hear tim cook has a deal witg Simon Cowell to install all the x factor finalists onto every apple device on the planet, and then enforce a 20 listens rule before they can be removed.

    He also has a deal with the record companies to insert tracks from Ricky Martin & Conwey Twittey's xmas duets album randomly into everyones playlists.

    Enjoy your Apple marketing devices plebs. Couldn't have happened to a nicer demographic. I didn't think i could laugh any harder at them, but each year the apple car crash gets funnier, with thrir fanboys getting even more delusional and defensive over their premium priced hipster trash.

    1. gnasher729 Silver badge

      Re: X Factor season is upon us soon

      You can actually buy each song of the first finalist round, or a compilation of all 16 songs, if you like to do so. Actually, I think making the songs available for sale and then using the sales numbers to figure out into the next round wouldn't be a bad thing; at least people would have to put their money where their mouth is, and I think you can't buy the same song multiple times, so the results would be fairer.

  18. stringyfloppy

    They should have offered all iTunes users (I mean iTunes enslaved people) the opportunity to download any album on iTunes for free (up to the price of the U2 album) and suggested they choose the U2 album. I'll bet no one would have complained about that!

    1. Anonymoist Cowyard

      Google offer up a 99p album each week and plenty of free tracks on their play music. Nothing forced, but a great way to legally build your music collection for little money, and a nice way to discover music you wouldnt have perhaps bought.

  19. xyz Silver badge

    Is that who...

    ... those pensioners are! I've been watching that ad on telly and could not work out what those grizzly binmen doing an Apple stylee were up to.

  20. Gis Bun

    Errr

    Nobody blaming Apple? They are the ones that have final approval. It was their scr?w up.

  21. Will Godfrey Silver badge
    Meh

    My thought.

    Doesn't he look old

    P.S. ... and that from someone more than 0x40

    1. jake Silver badge

      @ Will Godfrey (was: Re: My thought.)

      So you are in your mid sixties?

  22. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    And in Breaking News

    iWits around the globe found that something Apple gave them for free was... a little bit shit. Yawn Yawn Yawn

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