U2 - No Line on the Horizon...thoughts

[Ernest Rister]

At first listen, this is U2 operating in Zooropa, Pop and October territory -- this is another spiritual album, with experimentation taking precedent over easy hooks and melodies. It's a complicated album, one that will take multiple passes to come to terms with - as a first, you'll hear faint reminders of one song in other songs, almost as if the album was one of those affected rock operas from the 70's.

This isn't a commercial album. At all. I haven't heard one top 10 song in the bunch...nothing here is going to be playing underneath an NFL highlight reel, or used for a cell phone commercial...however I expect all of it to underscore and fuel the nights of many a college student as they experiment with myriad ways to get high.

If there's any disappointment, its that even Zooropa had the earthquaking ballad "Faraway So Close", Pop had "The Playboy Mansion", and October had "Gloria", "I Threw A Brick", and the title track. There's really no breakout track on No Line on the Horizon. This is a non-commercial experiment with no safety net. I'm not sure it will be revisited with the same joy as previous efforts.

[petenad]

Saw them on David Letterman last night(TV) wasn't sure on the beginning of the song but by the end of it I was sold. I can't wait to see these guys I have been following them for 20yrs but have never seen them live. We are to small a venue so they'll never come here. I guess they are touring this summer I guess that means road trip!

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by petenad

Saw them on David Letterman last night(TV) wasn't sure on the beginning of the song but by the end of it I was sold. I can't wait to see these guys I have been following them for 20yrs but have never seen them live. We are to small a venue so they'll never come here. I guess they are touring this summer I guess that means road trip!

They are great live! I've seen them twice and they usually play for a good two hours. It seems their next tour will go back to the Pop days, from what I heard, which means big spectacle kind of stuff. So, it should be interesting to see what they come up with.

[Offender_Mullet]

I thought it was extremely dull. I'm curious to hear how different the tracks they recorded (then scrapped) with Rick Rubin sound. This is by far the weakest release in their entire catalog, then followed by the last 2 albums.

They're also releasing another full-length album within a year. Bono said: "Songs Of Ascent will be quieter than No Line On The Horizon in many ways. It's that ghost album of hymns and Sufi singing. We're making a kind of heartbreaker, a meditative, reflexive piece of work, but not indulgent."

Most likely throw-away tracks from this album. Not a good sign..........

[hardcore_canadian]

I feel that this was a very Weak and Dull album, lacking in the passion and energy I've come to associate with U2.

[toef]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

This is by far the weakest release in their entire catalog, then followed by the last 2 albums.

I don't know. I think Pop is as bad as it gets.

[Offender_Mullet]

Everytime U2 releases an album, you hear them say: "We've done something totally different." And although Pop wasn't good, it was the last time they truly delved into uncharted territory.

Bono's quote about their next one kinda scares me. I think they'll be pulling a Sting-solo-weird-world-music-type-thing here.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by hardcore_canadian

I feel that this was a very Weak and Dull album, lacking in the passion and energy I've come to associate with U2.

I think you need to give the album more time to breathe. U2 has always been like a fine wine for me, each CD cannot be taken at face value. You have to give it multiple listens in order to fully determine on what level the CD is on. Personally, No Line On The Horizon reminds me of Achtung Baby, it is on that level. They took elements from '80's' U2 and added elements from new U2 and made an experimental album in my eyes. I definitely think it's some of their best work in a long time, and I'm not knocking their previous albums (I love them all), but this one is really good in my opinion.

[Codywan24]

Originally Posted by Downhere

I think you need to give the album more time to breathe. U2 has always been like a fine wine for me, each CD cannot be taken at face value. You have to give it multiple listens in order to fully determine on what level the CD is on. Personally, No Line On The Horizon reminds me of Achtung Baby, it is on that level. They took elements from '80's' U2 and added elements from new U2 and made an experimental album in my eyes. I definitely think it's some of their best work in a long time, and I'm not knocking their previous albums (I love them all), but this one is really good in my opinion.

Agreed. U2 albums in general, but especially this one, are complicated beasts. U2 have always been more about the album than the single. I really like this album, but I've heard it a bunch of times now (over 50 easily). I can't imagine anybody who has ever been a fan of U2 on any level giving this one pass-through and trying to declare...well, anything about it.

Oh well, anybody this popular is going to attract tons of negative attention to go along with any praise. I myself am just happy and grateful to still have this band playing at such a high level and still pushing themselves. It may not be to everyone's tastes, but it never has been nor will be.

As far as the live experience, I've seen them four times. If anyone here hasn't but wants to, I say RUN DON'T WALK! U2 live are nothing short of amazing!

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

At first listen, this is U2 operating in Zooropa, Pop and October territory -- this is another spiritual album, with experimentation taking precedent over easy hooks and melodies. It's a complicated album, one that will take multiple passes to come to terms with - as a first, you'll hear faint reminders of one song in other songs, almost as if the album was one of those affected rock operas from the 70's.

This isn't a commercial album. At all. I haven't heard one top 10 song in the bunch...nothing here is going to be playing underneath an NFL highlight reel, or used for a cell phone commercial...however I expect all of it to underscore and fuel the nights of many a college student as they experiment with myriad ways to get high.

If there's any disappointment, its that even Zooropa had the earthquaking ballad "Faraway So Close", Pop had "The Playboy Mansion", and October had "Gloria", "I Threw A Brick", and the title track. There's really no breakout track on No Line on the Horizon. This is a non-commercial experiment with no safety net. I'm not sure it will be revisited with the same joy as previous efforts.

i agree with all of that except for the last part. no line on the horizon is easily the most standout track they've done in years. probably since desire. i agree though that this isn't a commercial album. it's what makes it work though. u2 albums that aren't played at football stadiums are always better.

[petenad]

Originally Posted by hardcore_canadian

I feel that this was a very Weak and Dull album, lacking in the passion and energy I've come to associate with U2.

This coming from someone who likes MJ?? Don't mean to be rude but that is self explanatory.

[indianajdp]

Originally Posted by Codywan24

As far as the live experience, I've seen them four times. If anyone here hasn't but wants to, I say RUN DON'T WALK! U2 live are nothing short of amazing!

Saw them on the Elevation tour, first show they played after 9/11 (at Joyce Center, Notre Dame Campus- opening act: Garbage) and it was far-and-away the best show I have ever seen. The energy they bring to the stage is amazing, to say the least.