Album Review # 3: U2 - No Line On The Horizon.

[dannypmc2001]

Have to agree...nothing real magical on Nloth...

[popio777]

Great review. I personally love NLOTH, in fact, I think it's among their best. For some reason it kinda reminded me of The Unforgettable Fire, but a bit more complete. Either way, engaging review, I like it.

[andymooseman]

Thanks very much. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

I'm really looking forward to seeing them live in August :)

[i94yeh2p]

I think the new album is missing something, it just doesn't grab me. There isn't one song on NLOTH that I HAVE hear, when I see it in my collection, even though it's brand new I don't reach for it.

[andymooseman]

The album has certainly grown on me. So, maybe it needs a little more time.

I know it has divded opinion amongst U2 fans, so it's no real surprise if some don't like it :)

[hoogys]

I haven't boughten NLOTH yet, but I have heard some of it online. call me crazy but the first few songs kind of reminded me of Boy.

[andymooseman]

Boy? Really? I'd not noticed that.

Maybe i should give it yet another listen, to see if i can hear that too :)

[mkutz007]

No I'de have to agree with him on this one. There is strong "early U2" presence on the album. I love it, and think its one of their best.  Not as good as Achtung, but its up there

[retsevlis]

Great review as always. Like you did with AcDc. Do you think that you would review olds classics like ,Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin just for kicks?

[andymooseman]

Thanks.

I have thought about doing just that & Led Zeppelin would certainly be a band i'd pick.

I may be reviewing a Beatles album with somebody else at sometime too :)

[AndPlus]

Passengers and Pop were the last two albums that I consider 'proper' U2 albums. As a U2 fan I am dismayed at the steady decrease in the quality of their output since then. This album could have been a lot better, and is not fully realised. Bono has lost his voice and the plot lyrically unfortunately, the cool smoking on the Zoo TV tour has taken it's toll.

[andymooseman]

Good point about the "cool smoking" That may well have had an effect.

I think Pop was very underrated. But personally i didn't really like the Passengers & Zooropa period that much :)

[americanpitbull04]

i got to hear 4 of the 11 songs on there how would you rate it from 5 stars??

[andymooseman]

I think i'd go for 4 stars.

It's still growing on me :)

[americanpitbull04]

How to dismantle an atomic bomb is wayyyyyyyyyy better than this new u2 album,, im not impressed  im dissapointed !!! =(

[andymooseman]

I may well have to agree with you on HTDAAB. I think it's a great album. maybe because it's a Rock album, with not so much experimentation.

Having said that, i really like NLOTH & it's still growing on me :)

[mmm272727]

good review.

Just bought the album today, and gotta say, it ain't very good. I am a die hard U2 fan, I have ever album, cd, and vinyl and even extra copies. Can't say this even comes close to Achtung Baby, I think I even like listening to October more. But this, I'm afraid is a disappointment. Think this is why they are on the publicity wagon cause they realize this. Only track that stands out is Magnificent, everything else is b-side worthy. Hope they can redeem themselves next album.

[andymooseman]

Thanks.

The album does grow on you.

i've always thought that October is an underrated album. Whether that's because i bought it when it came out & therefore grew up with it, i don't know. I think that makes a difference.

I agree about the publicity thing. Whether it's for the reason you said, or because they feel it needs a big ush, i'm not sure. But, they really have done a lot of promotion for it :)

[smili72]

Stick with it. You will be amazed...it truly grows on you.

[finalmattasy]

Actually they have writing credits because they did some of the writing. They were brought on early for that specific purpose. Interestingly when the album's initial producer Rick Ruben expressed that the band should have completed songs prior to getting into it with him U2 backed away and went old hat instead.

Don't get me wrong, U2 is amazing. The new album is amazing! It is entirely possible that if any of them were better at their instruments, the music might not be as gd =)nice review2

[finalmattasy]

I don't think that U2 are great musicians. Fortunately musical ability has little to do with writing a good bunch of songs when compared to ears, time, money and supporting talent. Lanois, Lillywhite etc. are what's amazing about this album. It's just like Bono says, "The worst of us are a long drawn out confession, the best of us are geniuses of compression." Which would allude to himself and the guys behind the mixing desk respectively.

Still,U2 just may be the biggest band of all time =)

[andymooseman]

I can see what you mean. But, i do think that Larry is a great drummer & has a style of his own.

I do agree that the production of this & other albums, has made a lot of difference to the finished product. Maybe that's why Eno & Lanois have writing credits on this album?

You still the songs to start with though :)

[canadianstudmuffin]

Excellent review Andy. I have been a fan since hearing the song "The Unforgettable Fire". I think this is one of their best albums ever and it's cool to see most other fans think the same thing. I agree about "Unknown Caller". All the songs need to be listened to a few times to really appreciate it.

[andymooseman]

Thanks. For me, the album is still improving the more i listen to it. Having now listened to a 'hard' copy, i'm hearing more within the album :)

[dl737]

Great review Andy - still have to check it out - I am so behind on everything.

[andymooseman]

Thanks Danny.

That's the problem. You go away for a few days & it takes an age to catch up :)

[jpjames1]

i think its 13 including rattle and hum

[andymooseman]

Somebody else has also said that?

I'm sure it is 12 :)

[dwaine111]

bono said it was their 13th album, in an interview?

[andymooseman]

Maybe he's losing count? :)

[ishaan719]

great review i really like unknown caller to and magnificent sounds awesome

[21stCenturyCat]

thanks for the review, it was my sister playing "Under A Blood Red Sky" that got me into U2 many years ago

[andymooseman]

I think it was about the time of Under A Blood Red Sky that they really started to take off, especially in the USA.

That album also showed what a great live act they were. Even it wasn't all recorded at Red Rocks like it appeared! :)

[Ranblv]

I totally agree with you about moments of surrender, its the track that really did it for me.

I think it should have been two songs cause its too long to succeed on radio.

I didn't like unknown caller, the "ohh ohh's" are over done.

I only listened to it twice but they are still one of the best.

[Ranblv]

Forgot to say it was a Good review :-)

I really like the background stuff you put in the beginning and the trivia notes that people like me who like U2 but are not fans find interesting.

[andymooseman]

Thanks Ran.

I could have talked for far longer about this album & U2 in general. There was more i wanted to say, but didn't have the time.

The album is still growing on me, so give the tracks a few more listens & you might feel differently.

I intend to do some more reviews. I'm thinking of doing the new Springsteen album next :)

[musosf]

Excellent review, Andy. We agree on a lot of things here...I do think there are several possible singles though. It will be nice to have the physical copy next week! Then there's the tour to look forward to...

[andymooseman]

Thanks Mike, i really enjoyed your's & Gary's review as well. I think they compliment each other in some ways.

Mine was an overview & yours was far more in depth.

It's years since i've seen U2, so this year might well be the perfect time? :)

[ZMoulton]

Bonno is a wife basher.

[andymooseman]

I presume you have some evidence to back up that statement?

And you could at least spell Bono's name correctly.

[anakin1814]

Nice reply!! :)

[Schischmischrox]

Wow, I didn't know they had a new album. I will have to go listen. I went to their 3D movie and was blown away. Did you see it? I am not a fan as such but could easily become one. I like the Edge a lot as I am a guitar player. (You're a musician as well aren't you?)

[andymooseman]

I did see the 3D movie. I went to London especially.

I thought it was excellent & the 3D effect was pretty amazing. You really felt like you were up on stage with the band at times.

Yes, i used to play the drums, so i do appreciate the level of musicianship the band have, especially Larry.

If he ever retires, i'd be more than happy to step in ;)

[anakin1814]

It's amazing how close your review is to mine and Mike's! For now I'm going to favorite this video, give it 5 stars, and let our review be a response to yours when it's posted (hopefully tonight). I've been listening to the album for the past week pretty much non-stop and to me, it's one of their best. I love it!

[andymooseman]

Great minds think alike eh?

I'll admit i did wonder whether my review would differ to yours. I can't claim to be as big a fan as you are, although U2 have always been a fave of mine.

I've been listening to this album a lot tool & it's still growing on me.

It's also got me listening to some earlier albums again as well. Achtung Baby, Pop & HTDAAB for example.

I'm looking forward to seeing your's & Mike's epic review. It will nteresting to compare them :)

[tlg847]

Nicely done, Andy. I'm looking forward to listening to it on Tuesday.

[andymooseman]

Thanks Tom. I'm sure you'll enjoy the album as much as i do.

I'm looking forward to getting a physical copy myself on Monday :)