Customer Reviews

No Line On The Horizon [Magazine] [Limited Edition] [CD/Magazine/Film Download]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It goes without saying that a new U2 album is a welcome thing; however, even at a sale price of $22.99, this package is overpriced. Considering the basic CD sells for $9.99, you're essentially purchasing a $13 foldout poster, and a few extra pages of photos in the booklet. There is access to an Anton Corbijn film available online, but I don't feel that justifies the price increase.

Others may consider this a great deal for what's included...as an early purchaser of this product, though, I'm a bit underwhelmed with its contents. Buyer beware.

Being a substantial fan of U2 since War, I have been able to enjoy following the band as they grew in maturity, depth, and creativity. Naturally, I was highly disappointed in the previous two releases, as the music contained in those albums was exceedingly bland and adolescent compared to...say, Achtung Baby or Pop. Ironic that their most bland material won them an award. Whatever. That's how it works.

Now, I had somewhat prepared myself to have to accept that the band I knew and loved had faded away...become another Aerosmith trying to be relevant to 17 year olds, or worse, became a living relic like Rolling Stones. But wait...I read that the new U2 release would include Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite. U2's best releases featured this Holy Trinity of creativity, so I was very much hoping for a return to form, and I got it.

This is certainly the most creative release since Pop, and is in fact reminiscent of Pop, but perhaps without the same impact as the songs from that release. If you imagine unused tracks from the Pop sessions, you'd be very close to the sound and feel of No Line on the Horizon. The music has a depth, and sense of surprise in the ebb and flow and breaks of the passages that has been lacking over the last decade. The production/engineering is, as you would expect, faultless. The performances are solid. The writing and composition is very good. Not great, but very good.

The Edge's guitar, which had recently become somewhat forgettable, is again distinctive and catchy, but is still mostly relegated to background rhythm type riffs, with the occasional anthemic solo.

Clayton's bass could be a little more prominent. He's really quite a creative player, but the tone is so bass heavy that much of the character is lost in the mix.

Mullen's drums are a little too far back in the mix as well. He's a master of the toms, but they are not featured enough.

Bono? Well, although you can hear his age in his falsetto passages, he infuses character into almost every song. I find it difficult to really say anything bad, as it would be nit picking. That's the thing with a band like U2. These guys can PERFORM. So long as the writing/composition is up to par, they'd have a hard time doing anything bad enough to be worth mention. Which brings me to composition...

Its pretty damn good. Its an adult album. Bono is still focusing on a variety of topics, so its hardly a preachy album. There are a few choruses, bridges, etc that seem a little forced or simply don't flow well. These might have been better reworked/rewritten, but they only detract on maybe three or four tracks. The track to track flow is smooth, though the last track seems to end early.

All is all, I am mighty happy with the new release, and I feel a great sense of relief that U2 are still in the game...thanks to the Holy Trinity.

No line on the Horizon has, in my opinion, some wonderful musical landscapes. I think it's a more musically exciting album than its predecessors "All that you can't leave behind" and "Bomb". As opposed to many reviewers, I think the lyrics on most of the pieces are fairly well thought out and executed. "Get on your Boots" is very week - obviously a stab at some airplay. "I'll go crazy, etc" is kind of bland, too, but the other tunes outshine these low points, and make up for them. Actually, I think this album will hold up well in the U2 catalog over time - similar to "Unforgettable Fire" with some lingering melodies that will call back to you for another listen.

My beef with this album is the recording quality. It's really marred by compression (as are SO MANY recordings being made today). I just can't turn this thing up. It might sound fine on earbuds, but if you try to crank it on a fairly decent audio setup, you're challenged with an unacceptable blending of instruments that detracts from the musical experience. It reminds me of "pink noise" (even though it isn't) resulting from the attempt to make the recording sound as loud as possible on MP3/earbud devices. I hope that one day, this album will be remastered to correct the sonic difficulties imposed on it for mass consumption. It's worth the work, and should have had that advantage from the get-go.

I got this for a song from a bargain bin and objectively speaking, it exceeded my expectations! OK I am just saying this tongue in cheek.

No Line On The Horizon is the first studio album I've bought since Pop. Save for one or two songs, most of the stuff here are excellent. On the whole, It is a very melancholy and full of introspection. Just check out Moment Of Surrender and Magnificent. For fast numbers, I love Get On Your Boots (very Vertigo). Of all the 80s bands, U2 is still topping charts around the world!

The sleeve design is just so Japanese minimalist and the whole package is covered by a plastic slipcase replete with arty black and white photos for the booklet and poster. What cha waiting for? Get this! No Line On The Horizon is packed with great songs and great design!

The album here is very mellow...it's not horrible, but I prefer fast pace music. I have been U2's previous albums fan for the most part. Everyone loved Achtung Baby, no question about that. I wasn't a big fan of POP, so not surprising that I don't swoon over this album. I loved, All That You Can't Leave Behind. That being said, the song No Line On The Horizon is probably the best song in the album for me. I went to the retail store to purchase this album for $28, I wasn't too bright. I figured I couldn't go wrong if I'd splurge a bit on U2's new album... I was clearly wrong, I still do a double-take at the price sticker that's laying on the table and think about I received for $28... one cd, album booklet and a poster? Uh, can't believe U2 rip me off like this...I'm not George Bush, fool me once.......... Never again, not even for U2.

It's hard to review an album by a band like U2, whose immense reputation and body of beloved work precede them. I think it's assumed by most people that critics and fans alike are "easy" on them, but I beg to differ. I'm of the opinion that U2 has to work harder than most bands to impress just about anyone.

They're my favorite band and I'm also one of their toughest critics. I don't just automatically love whatever they release, although I think my friends who tire of my endless U2 evangelizing probably assume that's the case.

That said, I love most of the songs on this album. And I loved them on the first listen--no coercing the brain to feel warmth or attachment. It was just there. This album is beautiful, with inspired lyrics and incredible music. It's classic and progressive all in the same moments. It's a triumph for them.

I was worried when I first heard Get On Your Boots because it smacks of that "desperately trying to be young" vibe. Like they need to prove their coolness. But in enjoying the entire album I've figured out that it's not the band trying to be young that's the problem, it's my preconceived notion of what I think a bunch of almost 50-year-olds should sound like. And since when has U2 *ever* been cool?!?!? I simply can't listen to U2 now with the same unassuming 12-year-old virgin ears I had when I first heard Achtung Baby. This breaks my heart, but there's no going back.

But by now, I should know that U2 is a band that constantly defies explanation and expectation. Like their music, they are timeless. They are ageless. And this album is an essential addition to their definitive catalogue.

Very highly recommended, 5 of 5 stars. U2 doesn't need any more money but get this for yourself, it is soul food.

I've listened to this album numerous times since it was released, March 3, 2009. NO LINE replaced Coldplay's VIVA LA VIDA and The Fray's THE FRAY as my standard commuting soundtrack, though those are good albums. It has quickly become one of my favorite rock albums, as are most of U2's albums. I've been a U2 fan since 1993 and after a dozen albums it's increasingly clear that U2 is the best rock band ever. They owe a great deal to the artists that established the genre and have honored them by enhancing rock music and rock stardom.

This is the most God, love, life, and community, affirming rock album I've heard; it wakes me up and helps me feel alive. The first half/side of the the disk is stronger than the last half but only slightly. There are not one, but two, rarities of popular music here: fantastic songs that are over six minutes long: "Moment of Surrender" and "Unknown Caller". Every song on the first half is a rocking good time that always makes me want to turn it up. I think the second half is still growing on me, though. "Cedars of Lebanon" is a beautiful and convicting ending.

I appreciate what the great artists/engineers, Brian Eno, Danny Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite, have contributed to this music, but I enjoy hearing every word that Bono sings and there are a few I can't. This is partly his own lack of annunciation, perhaps intended, and the condition of his vocal cords, but also results from the soundscape which they've created together. To echo others: there were too many versions of this album. I'm fine with a couple but this seemed overly capitalist. I appreciate the packaging and booklet design of the "digi-pack," being a designer myself, but it wasn't worth $22. Perhaps when I get around to watching the Corbin film I will change my mind. The poster is a nostalgic throwback to those included in records but I won't be removing it from the package. The basic disk is $10, though - I will be giving it to some loved ones soon.

Hi,

I buy recently No line on the horizon, the last album from U2 here and was perfect transaction. I received more rapidly than I tough! Im very satisfied to have this because long time that that I wanted this album and was cost lot more on store that I got habitually. When I was think to go on amazon, I was not sure if it was still disponible because it's an limited edition. I was happy to have think to go here and find it at lowest price! The songs are more worked and it seems Bono search a new sound, way to express anothers things. Surely, we re-find a the same little sound that proper to U2, so, for people who love U2 at hi start, you will not be disapointed. And the videos with the songs are really great too. I enjoy have the poster too with this So, it's sure I recommend to liten No line on the horizon from U2, it will be always good!

I bought the CD/Poster/Film Download version and cannot seem to get the exclusive Anton Corbjin film to work on my computer. I downloaded the required software and tried to play it but it keeps cutting out intermittently to the point where it's just not watchable. I then tried to download the full version of the film and that process did not work either. It seems like a lot of money to put out for something that does not work. I would not be so disappointed had I not bought the single disc version first and then purchased the booklet version thinking it came with a DVD when really it comes with a link to download a film that will not function on my computer. I can't believe I've now spent $[...] bucks to basically buy two copies of the same CD.

THIS IS EASILY THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR SO FAR-MAYBE EVEN THE DECADE!!
THE MUSIC IS GREAT CRISP & CATCHY. BONO SOUNDS AWESOME!!!
GREAT MUSIC FROM A GREAT GROUP--BRAVO U2