No Line On The Horizon Review

Released: Mar 3, 2009
Genre: Rock
Label: Interscope Records
Number Of Tracks: 11
The Irish legends return with thee sweeping and shimmering brand of rock you have come to expect from them. But are there any classic singles to be found on the album?

Sound:	6
Lyrics:	6.5
Impression:	5.5
Overall rating:	6
Users rating:	7.7
Comments:	108

overall: 5.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on march 09, 2009

Sound: U2 may only be comprised of four musicians but their prodigious body of work tells another story altogether. Their material has always had a majestic quality running through it and a lot of this has to do with The Edge. His guitar performances have a cinematic breadth and scope to them lending their songs an expansiveness most bands only dream of achieving. Other guitarists use their effects pedals to color their parts; The Edge treats his pedal board like an extension of himself. On No Line On The Horizon he doesn’t stray from his winning formula. The glistening layers of guitars that course throughout the opening title track hint at what’s to come. On songs like “Unknown Caller” and “Stand Up Comedy” he shows off a penchant for direct and simpler lines, all the while he dressing them up with gorgeous reverb and delay. He busts out the bigger guns on “Get On Your Boots” and “Breathe, ” which both feature ample amounts of distortion. His restraint is also to be commended here. Instead of enveloping the songs in guitar effect overkill, he holds back when the moments call for it and kicks everything into overdrive when it counts. Sadly the songs just don’t live up to all of the grandeur his guitar work suggests. In U2’s best work The Edge’s forward-thinking guitar parts have complimented the songs but here they sometimes outshine them. It’s no fault to The Edge though. It just seems like the band was too worried about creating atmosphere and didn’t really flesh out the melodies and nuances enough. Which goes to show you, sometimes even a guy with monster chops like The Edge can’t even save lackluster songwriting. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: What can we say about Bono that hasn’t already been said before a million times over? The guy is the quintessential frontman in every sense of the definition. Here he croons, chants, and purrs with an assuredness very few singers possess. During the verses of “Magnificent” his vocals glide along with a pulsating rhythm, and at the chorus comes he opens everything up with a honeyed melody that is sure to translate well when they perform the song in arenas. On “Get On Your Boots” he shows off his famous swagger with a glam-rock twist to his vocal performance. So yes, Bono delivers in the vocal department but for the most part, the songwriting doesn’t deliver here. His lyrics have often had a spiritual bend to them but there’s never an excuse for lines like, “I was born to sing for you/I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up." He shows us that he can laugh at himself in “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” when he sings, “The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear,” but it still comes off sounding pretentious. Outside of a handful of tracks, his choruses fall flat. This is the guy who sang “New Year’s Day” so we know he can conjure up classic sing-along moments. For the most part, he fails us here. // 6

Impression: Produced by heavyweights Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite, No Line On The Horizon certainly is sonically huge. The rhythm section of Adam Clayton (bass) and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums) particularly sounds massive. Their throbbing presence on the title track and “FEZ-Being Born” is captured expertly with each instrument given enough room to breathe in the mix. Clayton and Mullen don’t get anywhere near the critical praise their performances deserve. The producers obviously agree with us. So with all of the individual and collective strengths the record has, why won’t it be regarded as one of U2’s better albums? The answer is in the songwriting. They have rarely been a straight-forward rock band but even in their most expansive moments, they’ve usually had the undeniable hooks beneath it all. Like the lyrics on the album, the songwriting comes off heavy-handed and ultimately, unmemorable. How a legendary group with the gifts that U2 have hand in a record this uninspired is beyond us. When U2’s history is written, No Line On The Horizon will be a mere footnote. // 5

- Carlos Ramirez (c) 2009

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 09, 2009

Sound: If there's anybody out there that thought "Get On Your Boots" was a little lacking for the premiere single of the album, you may want to sit down. No Line On The Horizon is most definitely disappointing for all the hype it's carried. It's as though it's abstract and I just can't make out what it's supposed to be. Every track on the album is long and drawn out, and seems to miss the mark creatively. I hate to say the band's lost their touch, but if you stumble across it could you send it their way? // 6

Lyrics and Singing: Overall, I'd say the lyrics aren't bad. U2's always been a band with mostly original lyrics that stray from other bands. I can't say they're the most compelling, the most moving, or the catchiest, but they do carry a certain mystique and are something to look in to. Songs like Cedars of Lebanon and White As Snow are among my personal favorites as far as lyrics go. Get On Your Boots is something else as well. // 7

Impression: The album altogether is a loss for U2, and a disappointment for fans. In comparison to other albums, it's something new, but that's nothing to get excited about. I don't see much potential for the charts on this one, and while I sometimes prefer albums that are more secretive, this is a definite exception. If you want to give it a listen, be sure to try on "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy", "Stand Up Comedy", and "No Line On The Horizon" for the best impression. // 6

Comments

[MrFunkNasty]

it is an awful album, the best song on there is get on ya boots!

[sir strumalot00]

this albums a biiiggg disappointment..

[Brasseye81]

A classic example of a band who were absolutely awesome back in the day churning out weak, bland shite for the masses in the asda and tesco shopping queues. Tiresome. Can't wait for them to branch out into charity and heavily publicized statements that smack of hypocrisy, blissfully unaware of the *******s they have become. Rant over.

[yonmwar]

good album, bad reviews.

[Brasseye81]

yonmwar :
good album, bad reviews.

err 3 against 1. you lose.

Bad album. fact. Listen to Joshua Tree or Boy instead.

[-tempest-]

Brasseye81

fact. Listen to Joshua Tree.

opinion backed

[jor_guitar]

Good album, but U2 has much better albums.

[HagstromSpeed]

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

[MoshMaster101]

Absolute toss. After hitting form for the previous two albums, I thought they might rediscover that special something that died with Achtung Baby. Unfortunately they've made an atrocious album full of the same old pretentious rubbish. Why they're still judged to be so important today I don't know.

[TheEsupremacy]

This cd is on par for disappointment of the year thus far. Nothing memorable about it.

[Kastöm]

TheEsupremacy wrote:

This cd is on par for disappointment of the year thus far. Nothing memorable about it.

Nah, frankly I don't find this album disappointing at the least, that is of course because I knew beforehand that it was going to suck.

[tilinmyowngrave]

You all need to open your ears and open your mind.

This is one of the best albums to come out in years.
and yeah, it isn't the joshua tree, doesn't sound anything like it, but if you WANT the Joshua Tree, go ****ing listen to the Joshua Tree...

If you want U2 doing something no-one else has done, experimenting and making music that they want to make, listen to this.

i would say to you, get the album, a good quality version not some shit torrent, pump out through a decent set of speakers or headphones, and just get lost in it... there is so much more than you realise to this album.

[MasterExploder0]

The Edge sucks

[Peres.T.Peanut]

From what I've heard of this album, it sucks. Unless your a great fan of U2, DON'T buy this...

[TwistedLogic]

From the review provided by Ramirez I get the impression that Edge, Langlois and Lillywhite were trying to recreate "The Unforgettable Fire," which was an atmospheric gem. The difference between No line and Unnforgettable fire might be that TUF was made a statement partly because it was sort of an experiment in how to present songs; whereas No Line might fail because the desire to experiment and allow the band to retain some level of avant guarde mystique may have overtaken the songwriting part of the equation. Nice observation Carlos.

[RGshred88]

MasterExploder0 wrote:

The Edge sucks

why because he doesnt shred aimlessly and actually puts feeling into his riffs?

[RGshred88]

btw...the album is ok. I still like U2 no matter what anyone says.

[Bgoodman]

I wouldn't say this album as a whole is for the casual "oh i like beautiful day" u2 listener, and if i was one of them I'd only buy certain songs but it definateley deserves better than about a six. Definateley for someone who just wants to turn shredding off, and listen to an amazing range of music. I have to say there aren't any moments in the album that I was like, wow this is going to look amazing on stage, but then again Until the End of the World doesn't sound amazing till you've seen it live anyway so I'm looking forward to the tour anyway!

[Gord@k]

Yeah, it sucks.

[Rob E]

I love U2, but i found this really boring. It just didn't have any hooks to keep me interested. It's a shame, and what makes it worse is that they are gonna release another album this year. If all the songs were written while they were in the same headspace it could be another disappointment.

Won't stop me buying it though :-p

[criminalcop]

I have to say, when "Get On Your Boots" is the best song on an album, that album isn't great. But bands like U2 generate such unreasonable expectations from fans that they are criticized for music that, had it been released by an unknown group, would be praised as "a promising first effort".

[metaltolliver]

sir strumalot00 wrote:

this albums a biiiggg disappointment..

Amen. It's complete crap.

[CarlosRamirez]

TwistedLogic wrote:

From the review provided by Ramirez I get the impression that Edge, Langlois and Lillywhite were trying to recreate "The Unforgettable Fire," which was an atmospheric gem. The difference between No line and Unnforgettable fire might be that TUF was made a statement partly because it was sort of an experiment in how to present songs; whereas No Line might fail because the desire to experiment and allow the band to retain some level of avant guarde mystique may have overtaken the songwriting part of the equation. Nice observation Carlos.

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, it has all of the sonic atmosphere of those early records but they just don't have the songs to back it up.

[pproguitar20]

U2 seems like a limp noodle lately

[MrFunkNasty]

MasterExploder0 wrote:

The Edge sucks

you sir, are retarded

[kjb]

Ah. I'm still gon na go see them in Croker. Always a great gig

[Kastöm]

tilinmyowngrave wrote:

You all need to open your ears and open your mind.

This is one of the best albums to come out in years.
and yeah, it isn't the joshua tree, doesn't sound anything like it, but if you WANT the Joshua Tree, go ****ing listen to the Joshua Tree...

If you want U2 doing something no-one else has done, experimenting and making music that they want to make, listen to this.

i would say to you, get the album, a good quality version not some shit torrent, pump out through a decent set of speakers or headphones, and just get lost in it... there is so much more than you realise to this album.

No line on the horizon is most certainly not experimenting.

[The_String_Man]

not heard the album yet, but get on your boots is a good song!especially in the let me in the sound part.

[Genghis_khan]

Bgoodman wrote:

I wouldn't say this album as a whole is for the casual "oh i like beautiful day" u2 listener, and if i was one of them I'd only buy certain songs but it definateley deserves better than about a six. Definateley for someone who just wants to turn shredding off, and listen to an amazing range of music. I have to say there aren't any moments in the album that I was like, wow this is going to look amazing on stage, but then again Until the End of the World doesn't sound amazing till you've seen it live anyway so I'm looking forward to the tour anyway!

Agreed in a 100%.

[JimmyC8277]

they went downhill after "all that you can't leave behind" IMO

[AngryGoldfish]

"When U2’s history is written, No Line On The Horizon will be a mere footnote." - An excellent line in the review.

[jacobbirdy128]

The Edge's playing abillity is so hyped up... All he does it use a hell of a lot of delay...

[CrabSoldier X]

this album is good and i think everyone is hating on it too much simply because they don't like bono. but i do have to agree the vocals are the weakest part of this album

[Soundwash22]

jacobbirdy128 :
The Edge's playing abillity is so hyped up... All he does it use a hell of a lot of delay

AMEN!!

[XjWoRk17]

First of all, u2 is one of the only good bands left in this time of rap and stupid death metal that noone can understand. This album is an amazing album that really does have alot of depth to the lyrics. Granted, it isnt their best at all, but nevertheless it is amazing. Another thing, who are you to critisize them when u could never hope to come up with anything as amazing as this album.

[XjWoRk17]

criminalcop wrote:

I have to say, when "Get On Your Boots" is the best song on an album, that album isn't great. But bands like U2 generate such unreasonable expectations from fans that they are criticized for music that, had it been released by an unknown group, would be praised as "a promising first effort".

get on ur boots is the worsts song, magnificent is the best! and this album would make an unknown band go to the top 100 sales chart as soon as they were discovered.

[JayLacelle]

i agree with the UG team review. the guitar riffs are the best thing on the album since their is little to no melody. U2 tried something different and fell a little short but their still one of the top 10 bands of all time.

[GnikNus]

XjWoRk17 wrote:

First of all, u2 is one of the only good bands left in this time of rap and stupid death metal that noone can understand. This album is an amazing album that really does have alot of depth to the lyrics. Granted, it isnt their best at all, but nevertheless it is amazing. Another thing, who are you to critisize them when u could never hope to come up with anything as amazing as this album.

why don't you shut your face? just because you don't like rap and death metal doesn't mean you need to bash them for no reason at all.
The album isn't bad, i actually think it's probably the best since achtung baby, i enjoy the little electronic bits they throw in at time. that said, it's not anything that gets me too excited to be listening to. i'd give it a 7.5ish

[HagstromSpeed]

Kastöm wrote:

tilinmyowngrave wrote:

You all need to open your ears and open your mind.

This is one of the best albums to come out in years.
and yeah, it isn't the joshua tree, doesn't sound anything like it, but if you WANT the Joshua Tree, go ****ing listen to the Joshua Tree...

If you want U2 doing something no-one else has done, experimenting and making music that they want to make, listen to this.

i would say to you, get the album, a good quality version not some shit torrent, pump out through a decent set of speakers or headphones, and just get lost in it... there is so much more than you realise to this album.

No line on the horizon is most certainly not experimenting.

lol, exactly...this is the furthest you can get from, "Experimental Music," Im sure thats what Bono would say too, "O why does it suck?, o yea man we were just experimenting KEEP ROCKIN' ON!" (puts on sunglasses like a typical tool with tight pants) You obviously are on acid if you are enjoying this, so let me go call my guy..and Ill give it another listen

[jchitty]

hmm...I think it's definitely not their best album, but its very solid and may be right behind Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. It deserves more credit than a lot of these reviews and comments are giving.

[Kastöm]

XjWoRk17 wrote:

First of all, u2 is one of the only good bands left in this time of rap and stupid death metal that noone can understand. This album is an amazing album that really does have alot of depth to the lyrics. Granted, it isnt their best at all, but nevertheless it is amazing. Another thing, who are you to critisize them when u could never hope to come up with anything as amazing as this album.

really now? who are we to criticize them? Really? you ask that question? you seriously dont understand why? really? Well lemme explain then.

You know what U2s job as musicians is? Its to make music, if they make bad music, it means they're sucking at their job, and if we buy their albums, it means we're paying for something that sucks.

Wow, that was such a hard concept to grasp. Of course we cant write music up there with U2. Unfortunately enough, we don't have multi billion dollar record deals, recording sessions or arena concerts, all of which make it harder to write famous music.

Personally, I have a good 12 tracks under my belt, and although I feel they could be alot better, they certainly sound better than NLOTH. This is of course coming from a guy who records all instruments and mixes his music with crappy equipment at home.

[tands]

i honestly dont know what they were thinking when they did this

[MasterExploder0]

/truth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EDuK46ZqFM

[Lick_Soloist]

yonmwar wrote:

good album, bad reviews.

Pretty much agree with this to be honest, I like it, simple as that.

[HagstromSpeed]

Not just that, at least death metal has a lot of talent involved in playing it, esp. when it comes to todays technical death genre, but im sure you wouldnt know much about talent buddy, go listen to U2 and hey, why not listen to coldplays new album too you tool...and btw I can understand it...sorry its too technical for your infant ears, but mainly dm is about the musicianship and the intense practice needed to create what they do

[LeadSalad182]

Peres.T.Peanut wrote:

From what I've heard of this album, it sucks. Unless your a great fan of U2, DON'T buy this...

I'm a great fan of U2, and unfortuneatly i wasted ten dollars on this garbage. Rolling stone gave this album 5 stars and called it "Their Greatest Since Actung Baby". Ok that's total bull. People think just because its U2 we have to like it and give it five star reviews no matter how godawful it is. So my advise to Rolling Stone is grow some balls and tell it like it is, because this cd plain and simple just SUCKED

[mckraf99]

Didn't Rolling Stone give this 5 stars or something like that?

[mckraf99]

^my bad didn't read the post above me

[ncl1994]

mckraf99 wrote:

Didn't Rolling Stone give this 5 stars or something like that?

They did which is strange.
Love it or hate it... Like Marmite.
Carlos Ramirez's review says it all. I actually like this weird departure album because I think the Edge and the backing was pretty great. I can't really understand why they left departing from the winning formulas of HTDAAB. Truly weird

[b_flo]

Work in the live audio industry, and worked with numerous national acts from all kinds of genre...from death metal to rap. All of them respect each others talents. U2 is a live band...better sounding than studio. What people don't know these days is the amount of tracks used for live shows. Some bands can't even stand playing their own music for more than an hour, coz it gives them headaches! A lot of people who are hating U2 don't realize that the bands they listen to are not as talented as they think they are. Yes, U2 is still one of those bands that play 100% live. This new album will take time to grow on....the live versions would probably be better. Triggers, ducking, tracks, pitch correction are tools of the trade these days. Heck, that DJ spinning in the background may just have an iPod playing...I've seen it! Hint: next time you go to see your favorite band play, take a look at the FOH console labels....if the right channels aren't receiving signals then you know that your so-called favorite band ripped you off.

[Smithsc]

good band but do people still take em seriously?

[moonatblack]

HagstromSpeed wrote:

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

LOL ya seriously

[guitaringnathan]

LeadSalad182 wrote:

Peres.T.Peanut wrote:

From what I've heard of this album, it sucks. Unless your a great fan of U2, DON'T buy this...

I'm a great fan of U2, and unfortuneatly i wasted ten dollars on this garbage. Rolling stone gave this album 5 stars and called it "Their Greatest Since Actung Baby". Ok that's total bull. People think just because its U2 we have to like it and give it five star reviews no matter how godawful it is. So my advise to Rolling Stone is grow some balls and tell it like it is, because this cd plain and simple just SUCKED

your fault for listening to rolling stone, i keep a copy though in the bathroom just in case i run out of toilet paper

[boostjosephm]

magnificent brings back the u2 of old. (the good one.)

[samuelsmeloc]

That album is all that Viva La Vida wanted to be, a great album. That's obviously not the best U2 album, but it is a good effort, a lot better than HTDAAB and ATYCLB. At least it's better than the crap Pink Floyd released at the end of their career, and I'm a huge PF fan.

[boostjosephm]

Magnificent really brought back the U2 of old. Ya know, the good one.

[twat]

Personally, I have a good 12 tracks under my belt, and although I feel they could be alot better, they certainly sound better than NLOTH. This is of course coming from a guy who records all instruments and mixes his music with crappy equipment at home.

They really don't.

[goodwing]

to be honest I quite like it, some people just don't like change

[Bigshoutout]

Pretty much love it, when I listen it seems to exist in its own space. (if the last 2 albums felt like they were made in the image of New York)

The big hit in waiting here is Breathe, quite possibly one of the best song's they've ever done musically. With Bono writing a nonesense but profound Stipe like lyric.

Bono's got some nice lyrics here (moment of surrender, breathe, No line on the horizon and some even nicer vocal hooks Stand up comedy, Ill go crazy) but some of it does came across as self obsessed... (Magnificent)

Still the best one since Achtung Baby, the Edge feels like hes actually evolving as a musician rather than playing it safe and some of his riffs I haven't heard before.

Most of the comments here are ridiculous.

[Lion_Slicer]

I lol'd at the phrase "stupid death metal" beacuse after playing Obscura's new Cosmogenesis the last 24 hours, that statement is downright HILARIOUS. It's not about the shredding anymore. It's about the SONGWRITING! And if U2 can't do that well anymore, maybe it's time for you to give death metal a chance.

Also, some are talking about how if this album was by a newer band it would be "a promising first effort"... no, and understand why: a promising first effort would imply that the band in question definitely has the promise of refining their sound to make a new statement, only being held back by the difficulties of being new. U2 has already made their statement, and this album has nothing new to offer.

[flame_mc]

MasterExploder0 wrote:

The Edge sucks

No, you do.

The album itself it's actually pretty dissapointing, but it's a fine album. Anyway, it's not at the level that U2 showed on joshua tree or atchung baby. Despite all this, I still love U2 a lot

[Don_Leno]

HagstromSpeed wrote:

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

What? obviously some 12 year old whos mommy let him on the computer to play runescape.
1. That episode was horrible and unfunny. I love south park, but that was just terrible and wrong.
2. This album was great. Mind you, earlier U2 was better, but this holds true to their standards.

[crankycactus]

It is pointless to listen to an artist who you are sick f hearing any ways...am i wrong??? the man insists upon himself

[b_flo]

flame_mc wrote:

MasterExploder0 wrote:

The Edge sucks

No, you do.

The album itself it's actually pretty dissapointing, but it's a fine album. Anyway, it's not at the level that U2 showed on joshua tree or atchung baby. Despite all this, I still love U2 a lot

lol I couldn't agree more. A lot of 1 sided musicians forget that guitar is not all about shredding. I see a lot of these amateurs forget to play to the song. You have the virtuoso's, the rhythm player, the bluesman, the FX genius...and so on. The Edge just happens to come from the lines of Tom Morello, John Frusciante, Johnny Greenwood and Ed o'Brien (give songs different angles)...Vai & Hendrix are the exception....they do both...they kick ass!

[joshjosh667]

this band was never good... PERIOD!

[b_flo]

Soundwash22 wrote:

jacobbirdy128 :
The Edge's playing abillity is so hyped up... All he does it use a hell of a lot of delay

lol....check your facts. Last time I heard, David Gilmour uses a lot of delay too...Hendrix, Vai, Satch, Frusciante... should I go on? I know and work w/a lot of guitar techs out there who've worked with top notch guitarists. I'm thinking you're the type of musician that only hears your guitar through your own monitors, but not over the P.A....lol. Those type crack me up...there's a lot of guitarist like you out there!

AMEN!!

[sidvicious_91]

U2 is a great band. Yeah, this album is no Joshua Tree, but we're not reviewing that album.
Even so, a band that lasted through the 80s and 90s and is still around might not be as good as they once were, but considering they still make music, and still make good songs, I'd say U2 have to have something special in them. And, by the way, to respond to an earlier comment, death metal does, in fact, suck.

[HagstromSpeed]

Don_Leno wrote:

HagstromSpeed wrote:

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

What? obviously some 12 year old whos mommy let him on the computer to play runescape.
1. That episode was horrible and unfunny. I love south park, but that was just terrible and wrong.
2. This album was great. Mind you, earlier U2 was better, but this holds true to their standards.

lol, 19 by the way boss, but hey im only 19 and obviously have better tastes in music than you...listen to obscura's new album, THAT IS TALENT..the garbage you call music is far from entertaining, sure some old U2 is decent, but lamb of god, obscura, and god forbid which are listed in this month in metal is far superior in talent than that crap your ears decide is, "Music." You and the 5 other twats that like bono's garbage can go watch the grammys while listening to your mainstream crap ...and btw, it was one of the best south parks in recent seasons, sorry it bashed your tool of an idol, sorry the stuff I listen to actually has songs that sound diverse and progressive compared to," YEA YEA YEA YEA," you and your, "great new 5 star album," can go rock out to that coldplay tool rock, Ill listen to my metal and im sure many will agree who have listened to Obscura's recent album...

[HagstromSpeed]

crankycactus wrote:

It is pointless to listen to an artist who you are sick f hearing any ways...am i wrong??? the man insists upon himself

hell yea, see don leno? others agree, FACE IT, you wasted your money on this piece of garbage and so you're just supporting your fault...when you shouldve spent that money on an ear plunger so you can get the $hit out of your ears and begin to understand what non-washed out music sounds like...gnight old man

[XxRustInPeacexX]

ive always hated U2. they suck. i dont like them.

[b_flo]

The key to death metal are triggers on the kick drums w/delays. Trust me...I've worked with the best of them...and a lot of them can't stand their own music. Just a fact.

[Ranting Thespia]

I got the album, and I will say it's not U2's best work by far. It's not the Joshua Tree, it's not War, It's not How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, or All That You Can Leave Behind.

However, I still enjoyed the album. It's not their greatest work, but it's still a good solid album. I am happy with it. However I didn't get my hopes up, and just expect another U2 album, and that's what I got.

So, I am happy.

[fbombsaway]

Lots of haters out there!! few bands have stood on this stage ..... 1:10 in check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F20BlDir1V8&feature=related

[vans1170]

http://music.unrealitytv.co.uk/oops-u2s-album-cover-is-a-cop y-of-a-taylor-dupree-album/
nothing is original.

i still hate u2.

[the5thhorseman]

U2 was only the second best Irish band to release an album March 3. As badly as Thin Lizzy's "Still Dangerous" was messed up, I'd rather listen to that than U2 pretentious garbage.

[the5thhorseman]

U2's...excuse me.

[fretsonfire74]

Really didn't dig this album at all.

[b_flo]

vans1170 wrote:

http://music.unrealitytv.co.uk/oops-u2s-album-cove r-is-a-cop y-of-a-taylor-dupree-album/
nothing is original.

i still hate u2.

It's funny you said that...why is Taylor Dupree not doing anything about it?
That's right the picture was taken and developed by Bono's close friend (Japanese artist/photographer)...who gave him permission to use it.
Now, how did Taylor Dupree steal it?

[FiveStarMotel]

Yeah I agree pretty much with everyone here. U2 is amazing and "Atomic bomb" was a masterpiece, this album was just meh. I mean for such a huge band, it really wasn't that great. Best song on the album is "Breathe" and the last 3 songs are great. "Get on your boots" is the worst song on here, its just bizarre and mediocre. This album was not worth the wait and really nothing special, I gave it a 76.

[acetherockstar]

i thought this album was great
what i love about u2 is as im listening there never comes a moment where i want to skip to the next song
im always hooked by whatever is playing at that moment and this album just like all their other albums does just that

[SOADriff]

Fuck U2, their music is crap and they just do it for the money.

[Lowie18]

I reckon too many people were waiting for another How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. No Line On The Horizon is just an example of U2 changing their sound, looking for something different, and a lot of people don't like that.
I wasn't overly thrilled the first time i listened, but its one of those albums that grow on you, and i love it now.

[b_flo]

SOADriff wrote:

Fuck U2, their music is crap and they just do it for the money.

U2 was the one who exposed Kings Of Leon to the world on their last tour.
I'll be working w/Disturbed in a couple of months...I've worked w/their sound guy before. Great band, but I'm suspecting some backing tracks.
Those haters out their don't really know much about the music business or production...us production crew really get a kick out of them. What, were just born yesterday?
You'd be lying if you were in a band, and not doing it for the money. Did you think they have a part-time job flippin' burgers to support their families? If that was the case no band out there would be selling merch...coz that's how they make the money. That's right, you don't get it...coz it's all about the music! We keep people like you from going backstage. I'll do you a favor and tell Disturbed that you think they're crap, coz they're doing it for the money.
As far as music goes, I haven't heard or seen any publications of your musicianship from legendary artists...from all across the music spectrum. I guess you got sooo bored of your music, that you had to come on hear to talk sh*t.
Btw, Serj was cool to work with...it's ashame to have fans like you!

[Guitarjan]

To everyone:

everyone has a different taste. Some people may like this album, some don't. don't hate people for liking this album.

I think U2 is a pretty good band, but I don't really like this album. so what, I just don't listen to it very much.

and those who are complaining about the new Coldplay: I like that album, because of many great melodies. The single 'Viva la Vida' is actually a more worse song of the album, but it has other great moments, like Life in Technicolor, Lovers in Japan and Strawberry Swing.

What I miss in metal, mostly, is that the songs aren't lasting. What I mean: these songs won't probably enjoy you for your whole life (they won't enjoy me for that long). But much of U2's stuff is timeless, and the new Coldplay in my opinion also.

[Concrete_Breeze]

I think U2 tried to make an album without any hooks whatsoever.

[jason white]

HagstromSpeed wrote:

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

no one cares huh? obviously some ppl care since these people took the time to write out these reviews and all these other people took time to write out their views

not to meantion the millions of people who buy their albums go to their massive staduim shows but hey anyone could do that right?

oh btw i love that south park episode HOT HOT HOT HOT!! makes me laugh everytime

[PoP N FresH]

Kastöm wrote:

XjWoRk17 wrote:

First of all, u2 is one of the only good bands left in this time of rap and stupid death metal that noone can understand. This album is an amazing album that really does have alot of depth to the lyrics. Granted, it isnt their best at all, but nevertheless it is amazing. Another thing, who are you to critisize them when u could never hope to come up with anything as amazing as this album.

really now? who are we to criticize them? Really? you ask that question? you seriously dont understand why? really? Well lemme explain then.

You know what U2s job as musicians is? Its to make music, if they make bad music, it means they're sucking at their job, and if we buy their albums, it means we're paying for something that sucks.

Wow, that was such a hard concept to grasp. Of course we cant write music up there with U2. Unfortunately enough, we don't have multi billion dollar record deals, recording sessions or arena concerts, all of which make it harder to write famous music.

Personally, I have a good 12 tracks under my belt, and although I feel they could be alot better, they certainly sound better than NLOTH. This is of course coming from a guy who records all instruments and mixes his music with crappy equipment at home.

agreed. 100%. what the hell? i enjoy death metal, because there is a lot of talented songwriting, technically gifted muscicians and raw emotion in the genre, not just growling and random shredding. I like U2 as well, but don't defend this its not good, they need to realise that or theyll keep making crap like this. stop being a close minded prick.

[jamie_hough]

HagstromSpeed wrote:

Don_Leno wrote:

HagstromSpeed wrote:

They got rid of, "This month in Metal," for this nonsense headline...no one cares anymore about this over glamorized has been band...like south park brilliantly portrays - bono is the biggest p.o.s. on earth lol

What? obviously some 12 year old whos mommy let him on the computer to play runescape.
1. That episode was horrible and unfunny. I love south park, but that was just terrible and wrong.
2. This album was great. Mind you, earlier U2 was better, but this holds true to their standards.

lol, 19 by the way boss, but hey im only 19 and obviously have better tastes in music than you...listen to obscura's new album, THAT IS TALENT..the garbage you call music is far from entertaining, sure some old U2 is decent, but lamb of god, obscura, and god forbid which are listed in this month in metal is far superior in talent than that crap your ears decide is, "Music." You and the 5 other twats that like bono's garbage can go watch the grammys while listening to your mainstream crap ...and btw, it was one of the best south parks in recent seasons, sorry it bashed your tool of an idol, sorry the stuff I listen to actually has songs that sound diverse and progressive compared to," YEA YEA YEA YEA," you and your, "great new 5 star album," can go rock out to that coldplay tool rock, Ill listen to my metal and im sure many will agree who have listened to Obscura's recent album...

Even if you are 19 you talk like a child - that was some serious teenage 'im better than you cause im METAL!' garbage. Metal is one of the most and yet one of the least progressive genres - guitarists get stuck in playing non stop shred solos and forget to create anything different (though lamb of god's new album is incredible) - im not sticking up for U2, they suck donkey balls, but your attitude to music is "I have to listen to metal cause its different". Its not different if you like metal - you hsouldnt like something cuase you see it as 'quirky', you should like it cause you like it...

[Shredy_Mc_shred]

HagstromSpeed wrote:

Not just that, at least death metal has a lot of talent involved in playing it, esp. when it comes to todays technical death genre, but im sure you wouldnt know much about talent buddy, go listen to U2 and hey, why not listen to coldplays new album too you tool...and btw I can understand it...sorry its too technical for your infant ears, but mainly dm is about the musicianship and the intense practice needed to create what they do

+1

[rogerneeb]

a good album, not their best, but it's a solid album, my favorite has to be "atomic bomb" or "joshua tree"

[Hungry_Hameds]

some bands keep going as they age and churn out great stuff time and again, eg Queen, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin. I dont think U2 are in that league as the last 2 albums have fallen way below their best. Dont get me worng, the 3 mentioned bands had albums that werent as good as say 'A Night at the Opera', 'Ten' or Zep 4, but all were still great by most standards, and they never brought out an album of crap. U2 hit highs they now get nowhere near matching, and if they are not careful they'll be taken a lot less seriously as a great band. Shame, but have not heard a 'Pride' or 'Still havent found...' for a long time.

[stoop]

The Edge never show he great at shredding.But indeed many of his music are great.And they rock.They are rock anyway,not death metal.Yeah,death metal required talents.But not everybody cant accept it,even if he/she from heavy metal department.Maybe because the sound you called music is garbage to others Don_leno.Anyway,you forget to mention Opeth.

[samuelsmeloc]

b_flo wrote:

flame_mc wrote:

MasterExploder0 wrote:

The Edge sucks

No, you do.

The album itself it's actually pretty dissapointing, but it's a fine album. Anyway, it's not at the level that U2 showed on joshua tree or atchung baby. Despite all this, I still love U2 a lot

lol I couldn't agree more. A lot of 1 sided musicians forget that guitar is not all about shredding. I see a lot of these amateurs forget to play to the song. You have the virtuoso's, the rhythm player, the bluesman, the FX genius...and so on. The Edge just happens to come from the lines of Tom Morello, John Frusciante, Johnny Greenwood and Ed o'Brien (give songs different angles)...Vai & Hendrix are the exception....they do both...they kick ass!

Spot on!

[FiveStarMotel]

U2 has 15 albums out, I believe, and out of those 15, at least 5 are classics. This is not one of them, their last one was. Just because they came out with a less-than stellar album doesn't mean they suck. Just listen to "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", I mean I was listening to that the other day and there are absolutely no bad tracks on it. Same with "Achtung Baby" "Joshua Tree" and "All that you can't leave behind"

[tilinmyowngrave]

The thing with it not being all about shredding, you couldn't be more right!!

The edge can play three notes, and make them sound incredible, and make people feel them. Sure, Virtuoso guitar has a lot of skill involved etc. etc, but real skill comes from achieving the same effect without the stupid speed and number of notes.

Put it this way, with the right skills, you could paint an amazing picture if you had every colour imaginable. But try painting a picture with just Red and Blue. That's what the edge does, paints the most amazing landscapes with just 2 or 3 colours.

[tilinmyowngrave]

Hungry_Hameds wrote:

some bands keep going as they age and churn out great stuff time and again, eg Queen, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin. I dont think U2 are in that league as the last 2 albums have fallen way below their best.

possibly the worst examples anyone could have thought of. Pearl Jam made ten, which is amazing and one of my favorite ever albums, and everything after has just been lame. after houses of the holy, every zep album has been shit, and they just started churning out crap like "in through the out door".
A better example would have been radiohead.

[Metallicam]

tilinmyowngrave wrote:

You all need to open your ears and open your mind.

This is one of the best albums to come out in years.
and yeah, it isn't the joshua tree, doesn't sound anything like it, but if you WANT the Joshua Tree, go ****ing listen to the Joshua Tree...

If you want U2 doing something no-one else has done, experimenting and making music that they want to make, listen to this.

i would say to you, get the album, a good quality version not some shit torrent, pump out through a decent set of speakers or headphones, and just get lost in it... there is so much more than you realise to this album.

Dude save your breath. It's not a metal album, people here will hate it. And I don't want to hear some prick yell at me how he likes all genres of music from "carole king to cannibal corpse". You guys are even worse than the metal elitist with your "I listen to older music, therefor my opinion means more" attitude. No matter how much you deny it, most of you have judged the album before listening to it. Take off your metal coloured sunglasses and actually look at the music from a fresh perspective.

[stoop]

Anyway,this album is okay.Not in the 'sucks' level.But when compared to Achtung Baby,Joshua Tree,even HTDAAB,this album doesnt quite made it there.I love The Edge effect driven guitar yeah sadly not all band members performing as great as The Edge.I hope he shred before he retired.

[guitargods88]

for those who say the album sucks and says 'why can't it sound like Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby?'

Stop crying and realize a band can't stay the same musically for ever. That sounds so much fun doesn't it? Bands play hte music they feel they should play depending at the time and place. U2 was at diff. time and place during the JT and Achtung Baby!

Why did everyone love Achtung Baby? Because it was new and fresh!!! It didn't sound like the JT. I still think those are their best 2 albums but dont say this album is crap because they dont 'sound like they used to' what a bunch of morons

[con job]

It isn't that bad. Magnificent is one of the best songs they've ever written IMHO, Unknown Caller, Get On Your Boots, Stand Up Comedy and Breathe all stand up to be counted aswell. There are some stinkers but that's to be expected.

[bogtrax]

magnificant, unknown caller, moment of surrender, i'll go crazy, breathe. that's it, that's the album. if they were a new band how many songs would 'make it'? magnificant and that's about it.

[Fili_92U2]

Great album, it just have to grow in you, it's just what U2 usually does, evolve and surprise. Boy is great and Achtung Baby is great too and they're totally different, everyone said the same sh*t about Achtung Bay and now look, it's a classic. U2 is always reinventing themselves that's what Beatles did with every CD and what most bands should do

[Quoteman]

I'm glad there are people who actually like this amazing album, a new twist on the classic U2 sound, I just can't stop listening!

[Quoteman]

Shredy_Mc_shred wrote:

HagstromSpeed wrote:

Not just that, at least death metal has a lot of talent involved in playing it, esp. when it comes to todays technical death genre, but im sure you wouldnt know much about talent buddy, go listen to U2 and hey, why not listen to coldplays new album too you tool...and btw I can understand it...sorry its too technical for your infant ears, but mainly dm is about the musicianship and the intense practice needed to create what they do

+1

Hey, the both of you, I'd like to see one video of either of you playing any U2 like the Edge does.

[daguy1234]

"I don't like U2, it's too abstract"

"from what I hear, this album sucks

"They need to stop making albums"

You people really piss me off. All music is abstract, except for death metal and screamo, that takes no taletn whatsoever, except for speed and a really deep voice that doesn't get sore after screaming in the microphone forever.

People... U2 is an abstract band in my opinion. All of their music is abstract feeling. You try to make music for many many years and see if you can keep the same exact sound and please everyone.

A lot of people today are all about touchy-feely for music, or just screaming into a microphone.

Not everyone can shred at guitar. Not everyone can shred at guitar. You can be a really good guitar player, but not be able to play 200bpm.

Now, I for one, like Dragonforce, U2, Phish, Rush, Bush, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, New Radicals, Semisonic, Keiko Matsui, Vienna Teng, Enya, and a whole lot of other bands.

Music is just supposed to make you feel good. It doesn't matter if it sounds good, it's supposed to make you FEEL good.

Ignore the sound, see if it's a song you can groove to.

You're supposed to be put in a good mood when listening to music, not feel like murdering someone the way screamo shit does.

[aidan the perso]

its a great album, I wasn't to keen when it first came out but it definatly does grow on you. Also this and how to dismantle an atmoic bomb are all mind blowing live, so its just much more of a live album.

[lacrosse28]

In my opinion, NLOTH is a great album.
It does not compare to most of their previous albums.
Some people will not like it.

Now then, I'm a pretty big U2 fan and I honestly like just about everything they have ever put out (even some songs off of Pop) and I can completely understand that some big fans will not like it. It is different from their other albums. Of course, that is U2's style: making albums that have diversity and, in such, making somewhat experimental music. I didn't like this one at first and it just grew on me.

As far as the death metal arguments go, death metal is a completely different genre. Personally, I cannot stand it. Other people love it. Everyone has different musical tastes and that is something people need to realize. The only thing you have to admit is that they have musical talent and respect them for that.

[PizzaRevenge74]

jor_guitar wrote:

Good album, but U2 has much better albums.

agreed