03.12.09
No Line on the Horizon by U2
The previous two albums by U2, as well as the “best of” compilations in the post-“Pop” era, have represented something of a return to a more straightforward rock approach. Both albums are an amalgam of “War”, “Joshua Tree”, and “Achtung Baby”, and as such, they touch on all the things that fans love about U2. At the same time, the past several years have delivered some truly horrible lyrics. Bono’s writing can go from poetic to clunky in a matter of seconds. So the question going into this album was twofold: 1) will U2 continue to deliver more of the same, and 2) will the lyrics be more inspired?
1) No Line on the Horizon – This song gets the album off to a decent start. It sounds a lot like the more rousing anthems from recent albums, with a bit more atmosphere. One thing that I did notice, of course, is the continued degradation of Bono’s upper register. He struggles a lot in this song. (7/10)
2) Magnificent – This is easily one of the highlights of the entire album, and even transcends much of the material from the past decade. There are immediate comparisons to “The Unforgettable Fire” and its more experimental “European” sound. This would be great live! (10/10)
3) Moment of Surrender – The experimental tone continues here, with a gorgeous and meditative epic. The music here is wonderful, and while the lyrics are a bit pretentious here and there, they fit the tone of the piece. (9/10)
4) Unknown Caller – The song starts out well, continuing pseudo-“Unforgettable Fire” vibe. The music is particularly strong. The chorus, however, is weak and fails to match the excellence of the musical landscape. The unfortunate thing is that the song would work perfectly without it! (7/10)
5) I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – This song is a bit of a step backwards, and sounds like it would fit better on “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”. It’s the kind of song that would never be missed if it was absent. Distressingly average. And that opening falsetto is just plain awful. (7/10)
6) Get On Your Boots – Easily the weakest song on the album, and tonally, it doesn’t really fit. I have no idea why they would have chosen this song as the first single; it doesn’t really represent the album very well! It makes the band sound unfocused and out of touch. (5/10)
7) Stand Up Comedy – This brings things back in the right direction. This is often a standard rocker, but moments soar, and this is going to be a great song live, particularly during the chorus. (8/10)
FEZ – Being Born – This is quite unusual for a U2 album, but it works beautifully. It fits the overall experimental tone of the album, and it highlights the musical ability of everyone involved. This is the kind of song that works within the context of an album. (8/10)
9) White as Snow – This song starts out in the same vein, and continues with a maudlin tone that is reminiscent of certain songs from “Rattle and Hum”. It never quite soars, never quite touches that next level, but it is a solid track for the album. (7/10)
10) Breathe – Starting with a roar, this is another song that will be incredible live. There are some lyrical issues along the way, but nothing too horrible, and the structure of the vocal lines is different in a good way. It’s the last major statement for the album, and in that capacity, it’s a strong one. (9/10)
11) Cedars of Lebanon – This is a relatively quiet coda to the album, touching more on the atmospheric elements of the album and tying them together, beginning to end. The lyrics are a bit hokey, to be honest, but this is more about mood and message, so the preachy tone is to be expected. The ending, however, is a bit abrupt, leaving the album feeling unfinished. (7/10)
With this album, U2 avoided the temptation of repeating themselves again, and for the most part, took the better elements of the past few albums and incorporated them into material closer to their artistic and experimental leanings. While the music certainly continues to be excellent, in some ways expanding on the established sound, the lyrics remain a weak link, continuing the trend that began in the wake of “Rattle and Hum”. Interestingly, the band has noted that they have more than enough material for a second album, closer to their usual sound, and they may be releasing that in the near future.
Final Rating: 7.6/10 (above average)
