No Line On The Horizon by U2

Not one to let the “Greatest Band On Earth” title go just yet, U2 are back with yet another album. Their twelfth studio album, to be exact. And the result is less than enthralling. Perhaps it’s because this is perhaps the most-hyped album release of our era – from controversial leaks on the internet to a week-long residency on The Late Show with Letterman to a Manhattan street temporarily being named U2 Way, most listeners will be sick of this album before they’ve even heard it.

The opening and title track is signature U2 rock, with a slow, sultry start, that builds into a vibing chorus. It really was a good choice to start them album. But following this, there is very little to get your teeth into, as the album’s sound varies very little, and indeed is remarkably similar to the band’s previous chart-topper, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

Among the likable tracks are “Moment Of Surrender,” “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” and “Breathe,” while “Get On Your Boots” leads the pack as a catchy modern rock number and the obvious choice for first single. But there’s little else to entertain you.

It does seem harsh to always compare a band to their best work out of a 25-year repertoire, but there are none of the rock and roll anthems fans lapped up on “Joshua Tree” or “War.” Nothing here even compares to the melodies on 2000’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Sadly, after the music finishes listeners are left with an unfinished and disappointed feeling. It’s an atmospheric album that is well put together, and I really wanted to, and tried to like it, but it simply doesn’t “hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me”. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).