U2, No Line On The Horizon Review

Overall Rating

No Line on the Horizon, Magnificent, Moment of Surrender, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Get On Your Boots, Stand Up Comedy, Breathe

Unknown Caller, Fez (Being Born)

U2 return with their new album almost 5 years after the release of 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.'
As a huge fan of the band, I have been waiting for this album for a long time, and was so annoyed when it didnt get its November '08 release as previously planned. So on the day of the release I couldn't wait to get to hear it.
Many people have been hailing the album as U2's third masterpiece, alongside 'The Joshua Tree' and 'Achtung Baby', but I disagree. Dont get me wrong, this is a very high standard piece of work, but not the best album Bono and the boys have ever made.
'Get on Your Boots', the lead single from the album, is quite a catchy song that had to grow on me as I wasnt too impressed on first listen, now I love it. It's Vertigo and Discotheque thrown together, with more than a hint of Queens of the Stone Age influence.
For those that hate that song, dont be put off, there are some excellent songs throughout the album.
'No Line on the Horizon' is a great tune that will in most likelyhood sound great live.
'Magnificent', which would have been my choice as the first single, has Bono proclaiming 'I was born to sing for you, I didnt have a choice.' The song is a very good one with that Edge sound that you recognise instantly.
'Breathe', 'Stand Up Comedy', and the uplifting 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' are other stand out tracks.
But for me, the best part of the album is 'Moment of Surrender', a seven minute epic that is a glorious love song.
'No Line on the Horizon' shows that U2 are in no mood to leave us just yet, thankfully, and after a near 30 years in the business, the fact that they can still produce good records and still be relevant is remarkable indeed.