The release date for U2's 11th album has been apparently pushed back yet again. Early last year, reports circulated of a Christmas release. That pushed back into March 2004, then May, and then September/October. Now, a November drop date is being discussed, with some pessimistic (realistic?) reports talking Spring 2005.

What's taking so long?

The revolving door of producers who have worked on the project seems to indicate that either nothing is getting done, or that the band is not happy with the material that they already have. Chris Thomas, producer of the Sex Pistols's Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols, worked on material for what was billed as U2's "rock" record. Thomas is now gone. Longtime U2 collaborator Daniel Lanois dropped by the studio for a short period. Steve Lillywhite, who produced U2's first three albums, is now working on material.

Another reason for the delay centers around the band's most conspicuous member. Bono seems to have forgotten that his profession is rock star and not professional whiner. While Bono has been fighting against AIDS, hunger, Third-World debt, and other maladies, nearly four years have passed since the band's last album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. "The simple fact is they haven't recorded enough songs for the new album," a source told The Mirror in Great Britain. "Bono's been away a lot and that's caused a few delays."