U2 lead charge of new Irish releases

2009 promises to be another maniacally busy year for Irish acts with U2 leading the charge on February 27 with the release here of their twelfth studio album, No Line On The Horizon.
Along with the standard CD and vinyl, there will be three limited-edition formats – a digi-pack that comes with a 36-page booklet, poster and downloadable Anton Corbijn film; a 60-page soft cover ‘magazine’ which also features Corbijn’s, if you will, rockumentary; and a ‘deluxe limited-edition collectors item’ 60-page book containing all of the aforementioned plus an extra high art poster.
No Irish prices have been confirmed yet, but the last on the list will retail in the States for $95.98.
Tracks definitely on the opus include ‘Magnificent’, ‘Crazy Tonight’, ‘Stand Up’, ‘Get Your Boots On’, ‘Winter’, ‘Unknown Caller’, ‘Moment Of Surrender’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Every Breaking Wave’ and the ‘Vertigo’-style lead track.
There’s also much excitement surrounding the March 6 unleashing of Laura Izibor’s Atlantic Records debut, Let The Truth Be Told.
Already well known in the States courtesy of her soundtracking of major movies like the Nanny Diaries, Seven Pounds and P.S. I Love You, the Dubliner has been afforded ‘one to watch’ status by Rolling Stone, Vibe and HMV who’ve likened her to both Corinne Bailey-Rae and Stevie Wonder.
Along with the UK releases this month of Fight Like Apes and Lisa Hannigan’s Fight Like Apes And The Mystery Of The Golden Medallion and Sea-Sew albums, Hot Press is also looking forward to:
The Answer – Everyday Demons (February 13) [pictured]. Sophomore collection from the Downpatrick rockers who did such a good job on the US leg that they’ve now been confirmed as AC/DC’s European tour support up until the end of April.
Iain Archer – To The Pine Roots (March 20). The former Snow Patrol man gives a full release to the album that sold like hot cakes last year on the internet.
Arkitekt – Title TBA (summer). Lightning might just strike in the same place twice as ex-Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan teams up with Oxford singer-songwriter Richard Walters on an album that’s trailed on March 1 by ‘14 Waves’, a song that packs the most potent of pop punches. The duo are planning to spend a goodly part of 2009 on the road which, laughs Hogan, “will surprise my three kids who are too young to remember The Cranberries and think their dad’s job is hanging around at home. We’re both excited about playing these songs live and building things from the ground up. It really does feel like a new beginning.” He also has a compilation of Limerick acts ready to go on his own Gohan Records label.