U2 No Line on the Horizon
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
After 12 studio releases and an embarrassment of success — based on nothing but pure talent and omnipresent relevance — U2 calls the shots. Should they want to rock the house, they shall. Should they decide to write something eclectic and keenly indigestible, like their new single “Get On Your Boots,” it’s up to the band, period. They give you a little of both on the uneven new studio album No Line on the Horizon.
The title track begins the new release, and it’s one of the best songs on the CD. “No Line on the Horizon” encapsulates U2’s brilliance over the decades, from the Edge’s quirky and innovative guitar sound to Bono’s unique ability to sing pop music that doesn’t sound poppy. Lyrically, few bands can pull of lines like, “I know a girl with a hole in her heart, she said infinity is a great place to start,” without sounding forced. It makes sense in the U2 arena, though.
“Magnificent” almost sounds like “Black Betty” before the extremely English keys come into play. This probably should have been their first single, not the aforementioned car wreck “Get On Your Boots.” While most of the CD sounds updated, “Magnificent” brings you back to “Where the Streets Have No Name,” that kind of glorious Rock anthem.
By far, the most surprisingly carefree composition is “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.” If they choose to release this as a single, they won’t have to worry about getting knocked off the charts any time soon. When Bono goes into his somewhat shaky falsetto, it makes everything more “real.” Maybe the fact will.i.am added some production content makes everything a little more catchy and pop-focused.
So, the first single is the noisy and irritating “Get On Your Boots.” During the verses, it sounds like a rip off of The Escape Club’s “Wild Wild West.” Typically, it’s not a good thing to be compared to that band. At least the bass line is cool …
“Stand Up Comedy” gets things flowing again. This track is bluesy, soulful and smart. It’s also one of the grooviest songs they’ve recorded in a while. All kidding aside, there is a palpable “edge” to the song that makes it ornery yet something you want to embrace.
It’s probably in their contract that U2 has to record something self-indulgent like “Cedars of Lebanon” on each release. This song closes No Line on the Horizon, and it’s part Lou Reed, especially with Bono’s talk-singing during the verses. The important facet of this song is the lyrics, with lines like “This shitty world sometimes produces a rose,” “Child drinking dirty water from the river bank,” and “Choose your enemies carefully ‘cos they will define you.” U2 is a global gift in regards to fighting poverty in third-world countries, and after this song, you’ll see in the CD liner information how to join Amnesty International and Greenpeace, free Burma, and fight AIDS and poverty.
No Line on the Horizon had a chance to be produced by Rick Rubin, but those sessions were cast aside as the personalities didn’t quite gel. That’s one reason why it’s been so long between studio albums. Rubin would have had the band going back to a more raw, honest and garage-y sound, and probably wouldn’t have accepted “Get On Your Boots” in any form. It’s going to take fans a little longer to find the gems among the toadstools this time around, but like any gem, once you find it, it’s exponentially worth your time searching.
Label: Universal
Track listing:
1. No Line On The Horizon
2. Magnificent
3. Moment Of Surrender
4. Unknown Caller
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
6. Get On Your Boots
7. Stand Up Comedy
8. FEZ-Being Born
9. White As Snow
10. Breathe
11. Cedars Of Lebanon
HRH Rating: 6.7/10