U2 - No Line On The Horizon
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Free Music Notes for No Line On The Horizon
Free Music Review: U2 Reboots
Hit: 5 Stars
U2's third consecutive millennial masterpiece is more musically adventurous and conceptually intriguing than the previous two, and features two distinctly different versions of U2: classic U2 and what I call U2 Plus (U2+). The latter is a six-man U2, featuring long-time collaborators, and legendary producers/musicians, Brian Eno and Danny Lanois. The seven U2+ tracks vary quite a bit sonically, and each represent fresh new approaches for the veteran band.
The opening title track and "Magnificent" kick off the record with a bang, featuring Bono and Edge at their most fiery and adrenalized, topped off with pulsating Adam-and-Larry rythyms and multi-layered washes of synth-work by Eno and co. The next two, "Moment of Surrender" and "Unknown Caller", are complex and moving tracks, featuring exapansive and atypical musical arrangements. The main theme of NO LINE is spiritual rebirth, and these two epic numbers are the best examples of what Bono is getting at. By the time Edge's staggering solo at the end of "Unknown Caller" is finished, you might find yourself amazed that this is a band 30 years into their career. I know I did. Compare this to the formulaic and safe records that the Stones were putting out 30 years on, and I think you'll see what I mean...
The next three tracks, "I'll Go Crazy", "Get On Your Boots", and "Stand Up Comedy", as well as the tenth rack, "Breathe", are the "Classic U2" efforts, and they are notable for their immediate impact and high-energy arrangements. "Crazy" is catchy, dramatic, silly, and clever; "Boots" is a frenetic and fun sort of "Vertigo"/"Discotheque" mash-up; "Stand Up" is an overtly anthemic art-rocker; and "Breathe" is a cathartic powerhouse, capped off with one of Edge's finest solos ever. All of these are instantly appealing on a surface level, but also contain depths of meaning for serious fans and attentive listeners.
The remaining U2+ offerings are the most "experimental" or atypical tracks, and, more than any others, demand and reward repeated listens. "FEZ-Being Born" could almost have fit in on Eno and U2's obscure '95 Passengers album (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS VOL. 1), especially "FEZ", which is a gorgeous little slab of "Enossified" electronica. "Being Born" is more uptempo, but also feels more abstract and leftfield than U2 have sounded since their Passengers/POP era. "White Snow" and "Cedars of Lebanon" both show us the more folksy and lyric-heavy side of U2, akin to 2000's "Peace on Earth" and 2004's "One Step Closer." These songs are cinematic and cerebral, yet musically restrained; their power lies mostly in Bono's moving lyrics, and in the band's hushed, delicate delivery. Lanois' inspired songwriting sensibilities come to the forefront here, with his distinctive vocal melodies and understated, atmospheric guitars.
So while this compelling and occasionally difficult new record may be a tale of two U2's, it is broken down into three distinct parts: the intoxicating magesty of the first four U2+ anthems, the crunch-rock quartet of "Classic U2" efforts, and the more sophisticated and challenging sound of the remaining three U2+ experiments. And if this album really is all about our need and our desire to sometimes "reboot" ourselves, then U2 certainly practice what they preach - NO LINE ON THE HORIZON is the glorious and challenging sound of U2 rebooted.
Free Music Review: Think about the lyrics
Hit: 5 Stars
I agree with all those who say this CD is musically brilliant. With every listen I hear something new and fascinating in the complex soundscape they have created. It is clearly U2 but yet also clearly something completely fresh. I understand the people who don't like "Get on Your Boots", but honestly cannot understand those who complain that this CD is not first rate U2. I say to the naysayers: you hate them without cause.
One thing that is missing from the reviews so far, however, is an appreciation for the lyrics. Some reviewers get it, but most don't. U2 have never made a secret of their Christianity, but this CD goes beyond anything they have ever done before in expressing their Christian worldview. The song "Magnificent" is so obviously a prayer to God, The Magnificent. And "Unknown Caller" actually has the voice of God in the chorus! Every song on the CD is a protest song of sorts: they are protesting despair, cynicism, ennui, hatred, spiritual lassitude. They are fighting for joy (a word that comes up repeatedly) and hope and spiritual depth. These guys are religious, and their message is bluntly optimistic: there is a God, God is magnificent, our lives are a gift from God, we ought to celebrate being alive with joy.
This is rebellious stuff. This is risky stuff. Taking this kind of thing into the pop culture mainstream takes real guts. U2 are the anti-Radiohead, the anti-Rush--two bands with incredible musical talent but they use it to whine and wallow in despair, death, and sadness.
Is this the REAL reason so many people hate this CD? They don't genuflect to the high culture intelligentsia's gods of cynicism. U2 gives a middle finger to the chic-bleak mentality of Radiohead ("... ice age coming" "... infrastructure will collapse", etc. etc.) Faith and joy are just not chic or cool, I guess.
Undoubtedly musically the worst song on the CD is "Get on Your Boots". But lyrically it fits (aside from the "sexy boots"--???) It is the only song to mention "Satan", who "loves a bomb scare". There are several other lines about fear, yet Bono sings "but the ghosts aren't real." I am not sure what is going on with this one, but lyrically it fits into the overall theme of the CD: fear and anxiety are evil, and even the work of the devil, while "laughter" and "joy" (that is that word again!) are the way to eternity.
U2 have always been been spiritual, optimistic, joyful, and Christian. Yet they are not morons about it: they are sophisticated, intelligent Christians. Yes, there really are such things, even if they are rare. U2 know the world is a mess and finding God is incredibly difficult and spiritual life is fragile. It is true that their music has not always been as complex as their message. (This is particularly true with "October", and with the song "All Because of You" on HTDAB.) But on NLOH the music is extremely complex (yes, you have to listen several times with good speakers or headphones to hear all the layers) and finally the music matches the complexity of the message. This CD is a triumph of U2-ness at its best. Enjoy it!
Free Music Review: U2 Become 1
Hit: 5 Stars
After being the undisputed main rock act in the world late 80s/early 90s U2 somewhat lost the plot. Pop was a disaster, influenced by the sound of Prodigy (of all groups) and the then current techno meets rock trend. All That You Can't Leave Behind was a step towards the right direction but despite some great songs the album was still uneven. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was similar but yet less gratifying, a few superb songs but too many bland songs gave one the feeling that U2 were drifting into a becoming a singles band, something that has occurred to many groups in the past.
Maybe even more worrisome, U2 seemed to be putting a more emphasis on the past with re-issues and compilations, some basically milking long die hard fans, like me.
Expectations of No Line on the Horizon were thus subdued. Hearing the lead off single, Get on Your Boots, certainly didn't promise a reverse in such a trend, expect now the question became; can U2 no longer even provide fantastic singles. The song is a bit clunky and by no means radio friendly.
What struck me during the first listen was the cohesive feel of the songs. By the time Unknown Caller (track 4) was half way through, I sensed for the first time in ages that this was an U2 album as a group as opposed to Bono and the rest of the bunch. This is before even the surely stadium favorite I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight reveals itself, followed by Boots, which is about as good an album track as it is a lousy single.
As usual among U2 albums, the latter part is slower and more reflective. FEZ-Being Born is my favorite among those songs but unlike most U2 albums, none of the closing songs can be considered filler tunes (unusual for even the better U2 albums), they are all good, White as Snow and Breathe also being outstanding.
Unlike previous U2 albums, this album lacks, however, pure singles. Magnificent is the obvious choice as a single but for some reason that song went nowhere when released (an excruciating boring video certainly didn't help). NLOTH is, however, a very solid set. Although the sound is very much U2, not as experimental as had been suggested prior to its release, it yet differs from their albums in recent years. If it were to be compared to their back catalogue, The Unforgettable Fire comes mainly to mind, with a Moroccan flavor added.
Those who have yet to buy this album due to the lack of popular singles and/or uneven recent releases should give this album a try. This is not another Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby but it is their finest work in at least a decade, on the U2 scale 0-10 being at 8. NLOTH is a grower and proves that U2 have again Become 1.
U2 Catalogue - Best 2 Worst
The Joshua Tree 10
Achtung Baby 9
Under a Blood Red Sky 9
No Line on the Horizon 8
The Unforgettable Fire 7
All You Can't Leave Behind 6
October 5
Rattle & Hum 4
War 4
Zooropa 4
How Dismantle an Atomic Bomb 3
Boy 2
Pop 1
Free Music Review: The Second Coming
Hit: 5 Stars
Since "Zooropa" I have waited for U2 to produce something like this. Although it's not quite at the level of their golden period ("Unforgettable Fire" through "Zooropa"), I'm giving it 5 stars because of the improvement it shows over the last 3 albums, each of which had one outstanding track ("Discoteque", "Elevation", "Vertigo"), and because of the degree of risk involved by favoring experimentation over safe, mainstream ballads. Even the album's title hints at what is coming, indicating boundlessness and openness. A good omen. To be sure, echoes of the past are present, and there are "borrowed" elements, but they are used to create, not to repeat.
In general, the music is much more inventive and varied than that of the previous 2 albums. (Although "POP" was highly experimental, I don't consider it a real success.) There are lots of striking chord shifts and more minor key tracks or sections of tracks. Minor key is important to me because life is not always played out in bright, happy major keys. Many of the tracks combine the trademark U2 ringing guitar with other guitar sounds, especially standard classic rock and some 60's psychedelic. Most of the songs are concerned with love, sex and relationships, but "Unknown Caller" and "FEZ-Being Born" have lyrics that are Impressionist. Bono's voice, somewhat ragged as on the previous 2 albums, also manages to sound rejuvenated and joyous, younger in spirit if not in fact. The harmonies and backing vocals are the best I have heard from a rock band in quite a while.
Now for some particulars. The title song is a loud, driving high-energy track, perfect U2 opener. "Magnificent" is classic inspirational U2, a track that really is magnificent. "Moment of Surrender" is a strong ballad which has layered, chantlike vocals resembling those on "Lemon" from "Zooropa", as do "Unknown Caller" and "FEZ". Those latter 2 tracks are also similar in that their opening lines remind me of the "Unforgettable Fire" sound - light and fragile guitar on one, dreamy and atmospheric synths on the other. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is upbeat and rather tame, but it does have a great lyric: "The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear." I totally agree. "Get On Your Boots" has buzz-saw rock sounds combined with the talking vocal style of Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues". "Stand Up Comedy" is an anthem with a good, basic guitar riff and, do I hear a little Franz Ferdinand influence in there? "White As Snow" is a folky song, a very poetic remembrance of bygone wintertime days. The classic rock sound and vocal style of "Breathe" make me think of REM's "Monster" period. And "Cedars of Lebanon" wraps it up with a sobering, conversational vocal: "Choose your enemies carefully 'cos they will define you...gonna last with you longer than your friends." Words to live by.
My summarized opinion is that this is a fresh, modern well-produced album. It probably could be a little better, but it sure could be a lot worse, as we know from past years. I salute the band for this multi-hued creation.
Free Music Review: U2 "Make it all the way to the light" with No Line on the Horizon
Hit: 5 Stars
So, I'll get this out of the way -- I've been a massive U2 fan since 1981 when I was 11 years old. I have to admit that I listened to several of the tracks online before the album was released and was a bit nervous. however, as others have said, once I had the CD and could put the songs on my Zune and put the Bose headphones on, everything changed. This album shows once again why U2 are incomparable. From their amazing debut of "Boy" to "NLOTH", no band has put out a such an amazing and consistently remarkable body of work over such an extended amount of time.
"NLOTH" rockets out of the gate with the title track. Upon listening to the song "NLOTH", I was immediately reminiscing about the first time I listened to "Achtung Baby" and hear "Zoo Station". This songs sets the tone for the remainder of the album, offering a hint of the type of epic stadium songs to come. "Magnificient" keeps the momentum rolling and judging by their performances on Letterman and GMA, this song will become a concert staple. "Moment of Surrender" and "Unknown Caller" slow the pace down but the quality remains high. I've read some people compare "Moment of Surrender" to "Stuck in a Moment". While I can understand the comparison, for my money "Moment of Surrender" is far superior -- a little less commercial.
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is the absolute gem of the album. This is already an instant U2 classic -- amazing and uplifting music and a song that grabs you and doesn't let you go. I've probably played this about 20 times today. While I originally wasn't all that fond of "Get on your Boots" the first couple times I heard it on the radio, the song works so well as part of this album. As a result it has grown on me and is another song that is going to get the crowds going. "Stand Up Comedy" is a risk that works. I read someone comparing the song to a Led Zeppelin tune and I sort of agree. "Breathe" is another risk Bono pulls off with some lyrics that are a bit of self-reflection in a time of turmoil and chaos. "Cedars of Lebanon" is a fitting close to the album -- a beautiful lyrical song about the Middle East and war without an overtly political tone to it.
After a week of non-stop listening to this album, "NLOTH" definitely grows on you. In fact, I also think that this album is far riskier than HTDAAB and superior both musically and lyrically. Unfortunately for U2, everyone wants to compare them against themselves. Given the risks that they take and their inability to stay static very long, certain people are going to be disappointed. However, when compared against their peers of each of the last three decades, they have put out albums that have stood the test of time -- "Joshua Tree" in the 80s, "Acthung Baby" in the 90s and "ATYCLB" and "NLOTH" in the 00's. There is no other band that can even come close to the body of timeless music that they have created. In their fourth decade of making music, U2 is still relevant, dynamic and at the top of mountain.