U2 interview: Bono on death, taxes and their new album Songs of Experience

Two heterosexual Irish men marry to avoid inheritance tax on property

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The Cause of Death

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It's hardly an exaggeration to say he's been through the wars over the past few years.

There was a bicycle accident in New York that necessitated five hours of surgery and the fear he would never play guitar again as well as the kerfuffle over the decision to 'gift' half a billion iTunes customers with their last album, Songs Of Innocence. And then there was the small matter of Bono's tax avoidance, highlighted in the Paradise Papers. Having to read a Guardian headline "Tax rogues like Bono are harming the world's poorest people" will have caused anguish for a man who is as much defined for his Third World campaign work as he is for his music.

Furthermore, he will be under no illusion that many people back home have regarded him and his band in a less favourable light since it was first revealed - 11 years ago - that U2 had moved part of their business from Ireland to the Netherlands to minimise their tax bill. Perfectly legal it may be, but accusations of "hypocrisy" from influential Irish broadsheet columnists will have stung.

U2 interview: Bono on death, taxes and their new album Songs of Experience

This 14th studio album offers him a chance to speak to a hostile world, and the image portrayed is a man wracked with anxiety for himself, his loved ones and the globe at large. As with all U2 albums this century, Songs Of Experience did not come easily into the world. Various producers came and went and the election of Donald Trump last November apparently caused Bono to rethink, rework and re-record the songs.

Tim Campbell. Death, Taxes, & A Two-Song Set Tlm L Campbell DEATH, TAXES, ANDA TWOSONG SET –or– Moments of Clarity – also. Front Cover. U2's Songs of Experience - Songs of death and taxes It's a stark opening line from Songs Of Experience's second track, 'Lights Of Home', It's the song U2 chose to finish their triumphant Joshua Tree Tour set at Croke Park.

A conversation with the veteran poet Brendan Kennelly was pivotal, Bono has claimed, not least when the Kerryman urged him to write from the point of view of one who was deceased. The result is a batch of songs that can be seen as benignly instructional to those, such as his children, who mean most to him.

Relentlessly catchy it may be, but it's the weakest U2 single since the throwaway 'Get On Your Boots' in But even here, on this love letter to his childhood sweetheart and mother of his four children, he shows vulnerability.

The Sun Never Sets - Stephen Wright - MEIOU and Taxes Full Soundtrack

Several songs from the album have been made available in advance, including a classic U2 stadium belter 'Get Out Of Your Own Way' and a state-of-the-union anthem, 'American Soul', featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar right offering his own, singular take on Christ's Beatitudes. The acclaimed new LP from Mt. Joy combines oaky Americana with an undeniable pop sensibility. Mostly Taxes by Get Set Go. Purchasable with gift card.

The Cause of Death

Subscribe now to receive all the new music Get Set Go creates, including 21 back-catalog releases, delivered instantly to you via the Bandcamp app for iOS and Android. We Used To Be Friends Everybody's Right Walk Away Drive Me Home Say It With A Bullet We're Both Fucked Up And it's on the second half of the album that the riches are to be found, including the aforementioned 'The Little Things That Give You Away'. It's hard not to be seduced by the carpe diem, optimistic sentiments of 'Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way' with its beguiling arrangements and sumptuous production.

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Various producers came and went and the election of Donald Trump last November apparently caused Bono to rethink, rework and re-record the songs. Bandcamp Album of the Day Aug 1, Accessibility Links Skip to content. Perfectly legal it may be, but accusations of "hypocrisy" from influential Irish broadsheet columnists will have stung. On his latest LP, Michael Nau offers unassuming, straightforward, and quietly subversive pop music. Irish newlyweds stun guests with the most elaborate wedding There is a glut of producers too - including long-term collaborator, pop specialist Ryan Tedder and, most intriguingly of all, Lou Barlow from cult electro-indie outfit, Lamb.

A few listens in and one can visualise the mobile phones held aloft whenever it's played live. Songs Of Experience has been billed as a companion album to Songs Of Innocence both titles are inspired by the poetry of William Blake but while the album was rooted in specifics like the death of his mother 'Iris' and adolescence 'Cedarwood Road' , the 13 tracks on this latest offering are more abstract. Some are eminently skippable, but most are bound to hit the mark.

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U2's Songs of Experience - Songs of death and taxes - donnsboatshop.com;
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It's an album fans will have little problem in embracing, but those keen to toast the end of U2's relevancy are not going to be able to pop those champagne corks just yet. Aoife Kelly It takes more than a crying child to stop Bono singing.

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From great gigs to film reviews and listings, entertainment has you covered. U2's Songs of Experience - Songs of death and taxes Following accusations of Bono's 'hypocrisy', U2's 14th studio album gives the band a chance to speak to a hostile world, writes John Meagher On Song: John Meagher Twitter Email November 25 7: Songs Of Experience is released on December 1.

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