[Note: see here for Rocks Off's previous prognostications.]
U2 (March)
Best Case Scenario: Armed with the backing of Live Nation, they release their best album in over a decade and Bono shuts his face as they sell out Reliant Stadium in two minutes.
Worst Case Scenario: The recession (finally) hits the touring industry hard; people stay home and listen to The Joshua Tree drinking beer in their garage.
Photos by Eric Sauseda
Far, far away from the group once known for bubbly synth-pop anthems like "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Everything Counts," Depeche Mode circa 2009 has pressed its small army of keyboards and electronics into the service of primal urges and raw sexuality. Not terribly surprising from a band that once sang about playing "Master and Servant," perhaps, but the degree to which the trio (plus another keyboardist and drummer) has infused bleeding-fingernail blues into its once