Should U2 break up? Simple answer: no. They may not be particularly "experimental" or different, their lead may be an utter twat-head, and so they pander to the masses on occassion. They're still a solid band who have created some solid music over the years, and probably have more in them. No band should split up just because they've been around a while, or the timing is write. Keep making music as long as you are physically able, and for as long as you can tolerate each other. That's what it's all about really, isn't it?

Bono is getting a fair old bashing isn't he? Yes, talks rubbish all the time, but he still is one of the most charismatic frontmen ever. So the question is, should they split up? At first I thought yeah, definitely, its horrible to watch a great band slowly descend into mediocrity. Its not a question of being around a while, its case of creativity running a bit dry. I think they need an extended break. Bono, needs to get the whole politiking and saving the world gubbins out of his system, Edge can do a few more soundtracks and interesting weird stuff, maybe open up another club. Adam can continue being the coolest dude in the known universe and Larry can ride harleys and write soccer anthems, maybe hook up with Adam to do some more remixes and stuff. It worked for New Order, they went they're seperate ways in 93 and came back in 2001 with their best album since "Low-Life". Not suggesting U2 should take THAT long a break, definitely not a My Bloody Valentine type career break anyway!

Reagrding hte Bono bashing, not matter how much of a Twat he comes accross as for his politicing surely the good that he does is worth it?

I have to say, Kierry hit the nail on the head with his post. But MOST important of all is his criticism of their lack of experimentation. I know the old addage goes, "if it aint broke dont fix it" but jesus h. christ, they've not changed their sound in what, a decade? Just under? AND THAT BLOODY ECHO EFFECT FROM THE EDGE...WHATS HE ON THE EDGE OF? A COMA... Anyway, Kierry, good post.

I thought Kierry's post was almost spot on, but missed the point that u2 seem to be hanging on specifically for those special exclusives - they've released 2 Best Ofs, which in typical u2 fashion, they d**ked around with, missing out some singles and adding millions of remixes, but more importantly, they've just released that complete digital collection, which, true to form, only has about 25 new songs. They've been around for 25 years for chrissakes, they patently have more songs in the vault than that. Oh that's right, they prolly have a contractal obligation to their record company to release more compilation albums. Back to the current album, and then the question of whether they should split up. I was looking forward to this album, having bought all the hype about it being a rock album, a guitar album, and I loved Vertigo - but instead we get more shimmery echo guitar from Edge, lightweight pseudo philosophical lyrics and soulful vocals from Bono, and bugger all new in sounds from Larry and Adam. And this is an album with no fewer than 5 producers! It sounds like a bunch of middle aged men who want to be top of the pile but don't want to step outside the customary, and are beginning to make middleaged music - Man and a Woman follows on from the lightweight wallowing in jazzwannabe land of the Million Dollar Hotel. And Larry in particular in interviews sounds like he is just along for the ride and doesnt give a s**te any more, he used to be funny but now he is just that cranky old f**ker in the corner of your local. Its not new nor exciting and therefore, for a group who have such strong beliefs in allowing the excluded a chance - well why don't they apply that to themselves and step aside to let younger groups have a crack at world domination? I'd still love to hear a real solo album from the Edge though, along the lines of the electronica of Captive.

25 New songs? Is that alternate versions of existing material or completely unheard before material? In fairness that is pretty good for what is basically a career restrospective box set that makes no claims of being a rarerities compilation. The iTunes "box" set is a pricey compilation at 150 US dollars (aboout 112 euro) but then again it does contain 449 songs. I wonder who is going to buy it though? Its hard to justify if you are a longtime fan and have all the albums on CD. I can only see two groups of people buying this, new fans who want to get the entire back catalogue in one go and really old fans who probably have vinyl copies and can't be arsed to hook their turnatable to their PC through a pre-amp and the recording and converting the audio to MP3.