For real.

In this article from The Herald, it is noted that recent brain tests found that listening to music can indeed make us smarter (or at least better at taking intelligence tests).

Although U2 is specifically cited, the author implies that listening to any music will somehow do the trick.

Thinking of some recent hits by the younger crop of pop stars, I find that hard to believe.

There’s another item of note today…

We’ve confirmed from one of U2’s representatives that there are no plans to release a soundtrack when U23D comes out. Pity really - the music’s there and already fully produced for the film…wouldn’t take too much to release a live CD commercially. Excluding the fanclub/U2.com exclusive releases, there hasn’t been a commercial recording of nothing but live material released by U2 since Live at Red Rocks! Sure, Rattle and Hum included some live material, as well as scattered b-sides. Looking back, even Red Rocks wasn’t a complete show. So, in reality - out of U2’s entire discography, they’re missing a full commercially available live concert CD. (And, I’m not counting the live shows they made available to FM radio stations during LoveTown and the Outside Broadcast shows as you can’t buy them). Anyway - what an opportunity missed as the music is already produced and ready for pressing. I wonder how many people are going to try to bring in audio recording equipment to the movie theater to get the audio from the film?

At least they’re returning to Eze in November for new recording sessions

Anyone getting excited at the new material yet?

Earlier this month, U2log pointed us towards R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe’s photo site, on which he posts a picture each day, including earlier shots of Edge and Bono (also wearing the glasses). Today it’s the bass man.

I’m pretty sure I was about to post something else here today, but then I saw this photo of Adam and I think my memory got erased. Or something. I can’t remember!

This post brought to you by Scatter O’ Light.

No, not for cavorting in The Riviera with any more actresses.

Today’s New York Post speculates that he’s leaving his Central Park West digs at the San Remo for the Julian Schnabel tower, which is further south.

Considering that Bono and Ali have made the papers recently complaining about smoke entering their current apartment from neighbors’ fireplaces, this rumor just may be true.

Well, not exactly—but it seems that at least one member of the band (Joe Perry) pitched in on a recent rendition of “Seconds,” with the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars.

According to Greg Haymes of the Cape Cod Times, the song will be used on an upcoming album to feature African artists performing U2 songs. Unfortunately he offers no title or release date for this project.

My interest is officially piqued.

In this article in today’s Daily Mail, supermodel Helena Christensen discusses her career and mentions how being friends with Ali and Bono helped shape her humanitarian side.

She also talks about how the young U2 offspring and her son (who play together) have all become “lizard hunters.”

Isn’t that sweet?

Above: Bono’s dream of Edge actually catching on fire nearly comes true at Edge’s birthday bash in St. Tropez, August 7. (Photo via.)

Below: A few weeks later, Bono, still wearing the same outfit from the birthday party (?) on the move with fellow Dublin troublemakers in St. Tropez, August 18. (Photo via.)

Also, according to this article (photo included), Bono, Ali and some friends were in Italy in the past few days. Apparently Bono impressed the locals with his friendliness, despite the fact that he is TOTALLY GANGSTA (see above photo).

Meanwhile, Larry has plans to write a movie score (read the second-to-last- paragraph of this article). Like, woah.

—This post brought to you by Scatter O’ Light

Edun Live will be starting a programme at OSU similar to the kind operating at Miami University. Here’s hoping the students at OSU also get a visit from Mrs. Hewson…..

Read the full story in the OSU student paper.

Party Girl, the day before Edge’s birthday, August 7, 2005, Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Futbol fans take note: Edge dons a Barcelona jersey. Teleprompter fans take note: does Bono even read the words coming across that thing? Ever?

There’s a little Bob Marley thrown in at the end of this one. And some champagne poured down the guitarist’s throat by the singer during the guitar solo. As if Edge doesn’t already have enough trouble with that part! Hee.

Happy birthday Mr. Evans.

—This post brought to you by Scatter O’ Light.

I was gonna put this on the U2Diary.com blog, since I’m working on the book at the moment, but it’s kinda misplaced there since the info. doesn’t belong in the book.

I’m re-reading BP Fallon’s Faraway, So Close book and there’s a little story where Edge reveals that the original inspiration for “Desire” is not a Bo Diddley song, as the press reported and assumed, but was a song called “1969″ by Iggy Pop and the Stooges.

You can hear for yourself on iTunes.

If you’re into this kind of stuff, you might also check out this recent post I did put on the book blog about the original inspiration for “With or Without You” –a 1977 punk/electronica song you probably never heard of before.

Alright … back to the book for me.