100 Words On… U2 – No Line On The Horizon

u2

It’s flawed, like everything.

The title track, Magnificent, Unknown Caller and Fez – Being Born, while all cracking, wouldn’t be out of place in the Joshua Tree era which you’ll either see as a great look back to glory or a wasted opportunity to try something new.

Moment Of Surrender just wanders, Stand-up Comedy sounds like it belongs as a track 7.

Then there’s White As Snow and Cedars Of Lebanon; both brilliant but I can’t help but wonder what Rick Rubin would have made of them. I think Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois are great producers, but comfort blankets.

Nonetheless, it will be huge.

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I should point out that I heard the album this morning in Principle Management’s offices in Dublin, a first for me. They’re almost worth reviewing themselves and look quite like the coolest place on Earth to work.

Myself, the lovely Tony Fenton and Ian Dempsey all heard it sitting around a 40 foot long boardroom table in a room resembling a small church adorned with dozens of U2 gold and platinum discs from down the ages, oh and even a Grammy or two.

Surreal.

5 thoughts on “100 Words On… U2 – No Line On The Horizon

  1. rick, thank you for this. i would like to post this review on U2.com fan forum, but totally understand if you dont want me to, or if you want me to leave your name off it -i’m not concerned in the least what the ‘powers that be’ at u2.com think about it – i know that the ‘lads’ like honest critique more than sycophancy – but i do think the fans will be hard pressed to agree – mind you… they think the boys walk on water no matter what.

    i’d also like to quote this and add it to my own blog with a link back here? let me know thanks

  2. Hmmmm…, guess I liked No Line on the Horizon better than you did. Gotta say “Get on Your Boots” is rockin’ and bizarro – a fantastic blend of the raw energy of “Vertigo” and the weird instrumentation of a Zooropa or Pop track. That “Let Me in the Sound” breakdown and the careening riff is a thrill. I agree “Magnificent”, “Unknown Caller” and “Moment of Surrender” are highlights that are consistent with the U2 canon, but disagree that the record is trapped in time. You have a point about the producing team, but frankly, for U2 to be on a three album run some thirty years into their career is remarkable and, depending on taste, unprecedented. Thanks for the good conversation starter!

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