No Line on the Horizon is the 12th studio album by U2. After twelve albums and over 30 years as a band one might wonder whether or not U2 still has any relevance, musically and commercially or if they, like many other bands of equalled success are simply trying to cash in.
The band's recent success has had some critics suggesting that the band has lost it's edge, relevance and thirst for making important music. U2 before 2000 was if anything an adventure in music. The journey beginning with the youthful exuberance and simplicity of their debut, Boy. It would continue with the post punk sound and social relevance brought upon by War and the Unforgettable Fire. To some the journey would reach it's peak when the band explored America, classic rock and definitions of spirituality in The Joshua Tree. For others, the peak of the mountain would be Achtung Baby, the album that saved the band from internal turmoil. It was an album covered in layers of fuzzy guitars and dance grooves, along with Zooropa, the two albums explored the bands more intimate conflicts such as the sacrifices of faith, devotion, love as well as the idea of solitude in a digital age. Pop (a personal favorite, despite poor reviews) would be the bands confession on commercialism and the guilt brought upon excess and ignorance presented in techno-color and techno music. After Pop and the Popmart tour received mixed reviews, U2 would emerge triumphantly in 2000 with All That You Can't Leave Behind. It was a back to basics return for U2, an album comprised of pop songs reminding many fans of the inspired and hopeful U2 of the 80's. U2 would continue this rejuvenation with How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in 2004. Both albums would have some of the personal touches of their 90's work as Bono would explore themes brought upon by his father's death but many would find the music as well as the lyrics complacent. The two previous efforts were comprised of well crafted, signature pop songs that did nothing to challenge the band but simply staple their legacy.
Since 2000 some have wondered whether or not U2 could push the envelope once again. Some forget or casually dismiss that 15 - 20 years ago U2 was one of the great and innovating bands of their time. Before Nirvana or Radiohead, before Coldplay and TV On the Radio, U2 was a leading force in creating new sights and sounds for the musical landscape. Much of that innovation seems to have been lost on their previous two records but...No More!
No Line On the Horizon is a welcomed return of a band wanting to shake things up. It no longer plays on the successful sounds of their previous records. Instead U2 have chosen a path somewhat reminiscent of their Zooropa era sound. Zooropa which is clearly the bands darkest album filled with dance hooks, keyboards and pulsing bass lines is the younger brother to this new record. Or if you will the album you got drunk to the evening prior. No Line On the Horizon could easily be seen as a follow up, or the hang over cure. 3 of 4 best (and absolutely fantastic) tracks, "Magnificent," "Fez-Being Born" and the title track all have a familiarity to them that jump start where Zooropa left off. There is a drive, a punch and a reach to the sky on these new recordings that was missing from Zooropa. The synth on the title track reminiscent of some of the U2 b-sides of the early 90's, while "Magnificent" starts off like a New Order track, only to be broken by Bono's soaring vocal. "Fez-Being Born" begins with a Bono shouting from a distance, "let me in the sound," a theme repeated throughout the album. As if Bono and company have been left off the guest list. If you are yearning for the U2 of the early 90's but crave their current optimism then these tracks are for you.
"Moment of Surrender" is an absolutely beautiful song. It is a soulful harmony with musical touches that might remind some of the U2/Eno collaboration, Passengers: Original Soundtrack 1. It is also a reminder, like the track "White As Snow" that U2 can write a decent ballad while trying to reach for the stars or a warm blanket instead of the top 40 charts. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is really the only pure single on the record and it is the most catchy U2 song since, "Beautiful Day."
"Unknown Caller" is an interesting concept but falls a little flat at times, due to some vague lyrics. It is a song in which a dazed figure receives messages from his phone via caller or text to push forward. The song never achieves the darkness or the heroic rise that it should call for. "Breathe" is a frantic song that is quite solid as well as the the confessional, "Cedars of Lebanon."
The albums two weakest moments are the tracks, "Get On Your Boots" and "Stand Up Comedy." Why, "Get On Your Boots" would serves as the first single is beyond me. Both songs try to promote opposition to those who oppress and open arms to love but Bono has written many lines that don't make sense or do not correlate with one another. If getting on your boots is the one thing we must do, to take charge then why don't we know how beautiful you are, as the music suggests in "Get On Your Boots." Not to mention the other occasional lyrical missteps. "Stand Up Comedy" references the Twin Towers and Napoleon and with each reference comes the "what?" response. It is a shame because both songs have a great sound. "Boots" is the most theatrical and glam song that the band has written since, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me."
Is it the definitive U2 record? Absolutely not. Is it their best record ever? Absolutely not but if anything it could have been. After making two of the best albums in the past 30 years, (The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby) it is a delight and honor to suggest that U2, can still make volatile music. With many doubters spitting in their face, while those they have inspired copycatting their way to musical supremacy (yes, you Coldplay) U2 does not seem ready or happy to simply coast into the sunset. It is an album that displays many of the bands musical strengths like the simplicity and muscular drive of the Edge's guitar work. Larry Mullen Jr. (drums) and Adam Clayton (bass) understand their roles as time keeper and hip shaker but there is such a clean precision to their craft that one must deaf not to appreciate their craft. Inspired, concerned, informed, romantic, questions with one answer, love.
The title of this new record, No Line on The Horizon might suggest that U2's music and personality are not easily defined. Like the photo by Hiroshi Sugimoto used as the album cover may suggest, U2's music follows a diverse path in which the sky and the ocean collide into one, where the depths of the ocean and the limitless sky fade into one another and we become lost, not knowing where the journey truly ends or begins.
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