No Line on the Horizon

All right I know you've all been dying to hear my unbiased thoughts about the new U2 album. Well, tax season has finally ended and I have a moment to sit down and type. This isn't as polished as I would like but I'm going to post it anyway.

No Line on the Horizon

When a band like U2 goes off the radar and into the studio after two smashing albums let's just say expectations are high. When that band takes three years or more - expections are really high. Unlike a lot of acts, taking time is one luxury that U2 has. I mean, they're aren't going away after as long and big as they've been. Fans will wait for U2.

So to open the door to their new album the band released the first single, "Get on Your Boots" in January. My first listen was catching the last half of the song on the radio while driving. I've got to admit - it wasn't really what I had hoped for/expected. After powerful openers like "Beautiful Day" and "Vertigo" from their most recent albums Boots just didn't seem to measure up. For the first time I started getting really nervous about where the new album could be headed. "Is this really the best song from the album?" I thought. Come on, you've got to figure a band that's been out of the scene for a few years is going to want to bring their best on the opening single - right? Fortunately, the answer in this case is no. I've got to think that they picked Boots based on its mainstream appeal. Most of the album, though wonderful, doesn't quite say "mainstream" as much as Boots does. With a few more listens the song grew on me but still lacked depth and remains one of the albums more forgettable songs.

Now - on to the album:

As most of you likely know, the album was leaked on the internet a few weeks before its official release date. Leaks are starting to be the norm it seems these days. With the leak, the band made the decision to go ahead and begin streaming the full album on MySpace. As such, my first listen to the album was streaming over the internet. I believe I was working late and listened at work - big mistake. No, I didn't get in trouble. I've since realized that this album is not an album for a casual listen - you have to sit down and really listen to it to appreciate it. Its like a good symphony - when you sit down and really listen, it comes alive.

I thought about putting together a little bit about each of the tracks on the album - but as I've working on this post for over two weeks now I'll just highlight a few.

1. The album opens with the title track No Line on the Horizon. A powerful but subtle song. A lot of the work on the album was recorded in Morocco. The Moroccan influence is immediately recognizable with Edge's bending notes and Bono's fluctuating falseto on the title track. Unlike the previous two opening tracks (Beautiful Day and Vertigo) this song is not a blast to the face - it's powerful but subtle. Beautiful Day was a right hook that knocked you down and dragged you into "All That You Can't Leave Behind" whereas No Line on the Horizon is an outstretched hand inviting you to take the journey that is the album.

2. Magnificent: You've likely heard this track on the radio as it's the album's second single. This really should have been the first single instead of Boots. The bass line that opens this song is awesome. The music video for this song is transcendant. It comepletely captures the song's mood and beauty. If you haven't seen it go to U2.com (or Youtube) and check it out. You will not be disappointed. Unrelated: the video for Get on Your Boots was aweful.

3. Moment of Surrender: Pretty lengthy clocking in at over seven minutes but it doesn't seem like a seven minute song.

4. Unknown Caller: Interesting Greek chorus.

5. I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight: Kind of a long, lame sounding title but this track is one of my favorites from the album. Not exactly sure why as the lyrics aren't all that profound. "Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit / Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit" or the Bono-esque "The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear." I guess it's the classic U2 optimism that gets me on this one:

Chorus:

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We’re gonna make it all the way to light
But I know I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight

6. Get on Your Boots

7. Stand Up Comedy

8. Fez-Being Born: The intro to this song is a bit strange but the emotion in this song is real. Bono doesn’t actually start singing lyrics until nearly two minutes into the song.

A speeding head, a speeding heart
I'm being born, a bleeding start

9. White As Snow

10. Breathe: This was the first song the band played live on their week with David Letterman. The band really knocked it out of the park with their performance and let everyone know that they could still bring it in a live performance.

11. Cedars of Lebanon: This song too takes a number of listens to really appreciate. U2 has a way of creating a feel for a city. It’s kind of an interesting phrase but most people have been to a city that has a feel – Memphis, Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, New Orleans. U2 captured the feel of the city with songs like Miami and New York. On a similar thread, by the time Cedars of Lebanon wraps up you can feel what Beirut is like.

Overall impression:

I'd have to say that "No Line on the Horizon" when compared to the previous two albums is lyrically weaker but musically stronger. Not to say that the lyrics are bad but they pale in comparison to songs like, Beautiful Day, Walk On, Peace on Earth, Grace, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own, and One Step Closer; to name a few. Of course, if you've never really paid attention to the magnitude of the lyrics of these songs you might not notice. My claim for musical superiority is this: "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb" had all the musical parts perfectly meshed for a quality sound. However, each piece doesn't really have the footing to stand on its own. That's where "No Line on the Horizon" is different; every piece of this masterwork is itself a fully fleshed out solo that can stand on its own is merit.

I'm interested to see how the tour goes. Seems like the last two albums were put together with a mindset on being able to play them live. "No Line on the Horizon" seems to be a departure from that mindset. As mentioned, Breathe sounded great on Letterman but a lot of the songs really stretch Bono's range and that may not translate to the best live vocal performances. Musically, however, the band will sound amazing live on these songs.

Go listen to the album (again) - do it for me.