Music Review: No Line On the Horizon by U2
3 out of 5 stars
Ronny Dosanjh
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U2 return with their twelfth studio outing “No Line On the Horizon” once more enlisting the help of producer Brian Eno. After the commercial success of “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” and “How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb” critics and fans alike could not be blamed for thinking U2 were playing it safe. Most of the songs were of a radio-friendly tilt without much pushing of the envelope. This won them a legion of new fans who adored hits such as “Beautiful Day” and “Stuck in a Moment.” It is possible that U2 followed this path after the much maligned and misunderstood release of “Pop” in 1997. So no one would have begrudged them for continuing this formula of commercial-driven success with “No Line On the Horizon.” Yet this album is another beast entirely.
I have to be honest when I say that I did not believe U2 were capable of making such an album anymore. The opening title track is truly a breath of fresh air. Gone is the in-your-face chorus of “whoa’s” so reminiscent of U2 hits of late to be replaced by a much more subtle yet effective sound. “Magnificent” contains a guitar riff that is quintessentially U2 and has Edge’s fingerprints all over it. “Moment of Surrender” brings the early pace of the album to a shuddering halt and at first listen is a bit of a slog at over 7 minutes in length. But after repeated listens it’s definitely a grower but would have been better placed later in the album.
“Unknown Caller” would not be amiss in an album like “Zooropa”. Other highlights include the catchy “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” and the super-funky “Get On Your Boots” which should not really work but somehow does.
It is after this point, at around track 7 to track 10 that the album fails for me. The songs here are a little forgettable and one-paced. However the album finishes strongly with the eerie yet seductive “Cedars of Lebanon.”
“No Line on the Horizon” is an experimental outing for U2 and certainly won’t suit everyone’s taste. However, with a little patience and repeated listens it reveals some worthwhile gems.