RUSSIA: Lawmaker Accuses Apple Of Gay Propaganda With Free U2 Album Artwork

Last year Apple annoyed some of its customers when it included an automated free download of the latest U2 album as part of the launch of the iPhone 6. Now a Russian lawmaker is accusing Apple of distributing gay propaganda because of the album's artwork. Via Gay Star News:

Alexander Starovoitov, a member of the right-wing LDPR party, said youths were "corrupted" after they received U2's new album Songs Of Innocence in September 2014. The album, which was distributed to 500 million iTunes customers worldwide, featured the band's drummer Larry Mullen Jr with his 18-year-old son Elvis. Both were shirtless. The group said it was a metaphor, how "holding on to your own innocence is a lot harder than holding on to someone else's." Starovoitov claims the U2 album art promotes gay sex and is reportedly ready to sue Apple for compensation for moral damages on behalf of his own son. "I, like many Russian citizens, own an iPhone. In 2014, the band U2 forced my phone to download their new album. Their cover album depicts two men, which in my view, depicts the expression of a non-traditional sexual relationship to each other. It should be noted these songs could not be removed from the phone."

Apple reacted to the U2 backlash by issuing special instructions on how to delete the album. The company has not responded to the latest flap in Russia.

U2 - Every Breaking Wave

Clip description:

From U2's latest album Songs Of Innocence, the video for 'Every Breaking Wave’ is directed by Belfast-born Aoife McArdle and drawn from her 13-minute short film of the same name. Set against the social and political turmoil of early 1980s Northern Ireland where McArdle grew up, the film ‘Every Breaking Wave’ is built around themes of emotional abandon and the uncertainty of romantic relationships. The story follows two teenagers, one Catholic and the other Protestant, who fall in love amidst ongoing violence. The short film's emotional core is centered around ‘Every Breaking Wave’ and ‘The Troubles’, two tracks drawn from U2's most recent album Songs of Innocence.

In October, U2 issued an apology after the album was automatically downloaded into every iPhone in the world as part of the marketing for the launch of the iPhone 6.  Apple then published instructions on how to delete the album.

CORRECTION: Readers point out that the album only downloaded automatically if users had enabled that function.

U2 - The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)

The band debuted this track at yesterday's Apple launch event. Via the Telegraph:

On first impressions, Songs of Innocence is not an attempt to create a grand masterpiece that redefines the band, but rather, as the title suggests, to reconnect them with an elusive pop elixir of youthful energy and passion. Lyrically, it reflects on the past, on their origins as a band and as individuals, which is unusual territory for the usually forward-looking Bono and the Edge (who share lyrical duties). Lead single and opening track, The Miracle (of Joey Ramone) sets the confident tone, with its “oh-way-oh” choral chant, glam rock stomping rhythm and surges of grungy guitar.

RELATED: As a free download for now, Songs Of Innocence isn't eligible for next year's Grammys. Via Billboard:

The source explained, "All entries -- singles, tracks, albums -- must be commercially released, nationally distributed and available from any date within the eligibility period." With iTunes' exclusive rights to the release for more than a month, U2 has received an undisclosed sum as part of the deal and two sources familiar with deal terms told Billboard that Apple will spend in excess of $100 million on an ad campaign supporting the project that will include lead single "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)." A source close to the band reached by Billboard Tuesday was unaware of the Grammy detail, and hoped to start a dialogue with the Academy on Wednesday. "We’re celebrating this moment, and tomorrow we’ll figure out what this means," said the source.

The World's Highest Paid Musicians

Forbes has posted its annual ranking of the estimated 2012 incomes for the world's highest-paid musicians. Here's their top ten.

1. Dr Dre - $110M
2. Roger Waters - $88M
3. Elton John - $80M
4. U2 - $78M
5. Take That - $68M
6. Bon Jovi - $60M
7. Britney Spears - $58M
8. Paul McCartney - $57M
9. Taylor Swift - $57M
10. Justin Bieber - $55M

Forbes notes that the revenue comes from music sales, merchandising, touring, and (especially in Dr Dre's case) from businesses owned by the performers. (Via Andrew Sullivan)

Bono Shills For Bloomberg

At last night's U2 concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Bono praised Mayor Bloomberg and urged the crowd to "give it up" for him. Bloomberg's campaign rushed the clip onto their website, noting without irony that the next song was I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

Where The Streets Have No A Name

The section of W.53nd Street outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in Times Square was temporarily renamed "U2 Way" yesterday. Bono: "The Beatles had Penny Lane, Elvis lived on the end of Lonely Street. We're here somewhere between 10th Avenue and funky, funky Broadway, somewhere south of Duke Ellington Way and north of Joey Ramone Place, we find ourselves ... where the streets have no name." Bloomberg: 'It's a beautiful day." Oy. Anyway, I give those street signs exactly one day before they get ripped off.

(Via - Gothamist)