U2 – No Line On The Horizon
The truth be told, I’ve never been a huge fan of U2. I like their music and have a couple of their albums, but I have always felt that there was a lot of hype surrounding U2. In fact, I would say that their best album was 18 which was a collection of some of their best, and most loved songs.
I was a little apprehensive to listen to this CD. For the last few studio releases U2 have been very hit and miss – the last U2 album I really liked was their excellent album from 2000 All That You Can’t Leave Behind , a stellar example of U2 at their best. Well, I’m so glad to say that No Line… is another U2 classic.
In many ways U2 have returned to their “glory days” by incorporating their original sound in many of the songs including the Edge’s signature jangly guitars, Bono’s heartfelt vocals, and songs that make the listener think. Oh and there’s a wonderful praise song (yes praise song!) on this album called Magnificent. Check out these lyrics…
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
As with every U2 albums there’s a couple of songs which can only be described as fillers; I didn’t love Get On Your Boots which is quite monotonous and I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight is okay at best. However, there are some amazing songs on this CD including the afore mentioned Magnificent, the haunting and challenging White As Snow, and the title track No Line… all which justify a purchase.
As you would expect the production is top notch and the album has a big sound. But it’s not the sound that makes this album stand out. What makes this album great is that it has a definite faith aspect running throughout – No Line… is a concept album of sorts which examines the state of the planet from the viewpoint of victims and witnesses. There is a lot of powerful imagery on this CD as exampled in the song Cedars Of Lebanon which is a beautifully weary tale told from the viewpoint of a journalist in the Middle East. In Stand Up Comedy, a rowdy, crowd pleasing song Bono urges the listener to ”stand up for your love” while declaring that “God is love.” This song also contains one of Bono’s greatest lines, “stop helping God across the road like an little old lady.”
All in all this an excellent album. I can’t say it’s their best but it is definitely one of their better ones. It may take a couple of listens to get into it but it’s worth it. There’s a great payoff to this album in that it reveals that U2 is still a band that can bring it whilst holding strongly onto the faith that has no doubt kept them going this long. Should this be U2′s final album they can rest assured that they went out on top leaving the world with yet another U2 classic. However, I think the best is yet to come, the one album in which they (and we) finally find what they are looking for!
Christian St John
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