Comments on: U2 “No Line On The Horizon” Review http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:36:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: chris http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-386715 chris Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:24:20 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-386715 Criticizing their music is fair game, but for this writer to talk about their political impact is a joke. Compared to whose impact? The fucking writer? What has he ever done that even approaches the work that this band has gotten done in the trenches, communicating full on with world leaders, contributing to meaningful, needed charities? Anything? Something? No...nothing... Criticizing their music is fair game, but for this writer to talk about their political impact is a joke. Compared to whose impact? The fucking writer? What has he ever done that even approaches the work that this band has gotten done in the trenches, communicating full on with world leaders, contributing to meaningful, needed charities? Anything? Something? No…nothing…

]]> By: Dermott Ferry http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-319518 Dermott Ferry Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:32:21 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-319518 Left out Moment of Surrender!! Shame, another great song!! Left out Moment of Surrender!! Shame, another great song!!

]]> By: Dermott Ferry http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-319516 Dermott Ferry Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:27:30 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-319516 Erik, with all due respect, terrible review. U2 were safe on All That You Cant Leave Behind and How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb I'll admit, but not here. NLOTH is a fantastic album and their best since their best ever, Achtung Baby. First of all, how on earth can you hear The Fly on the title track, Im confused??? Its a really strong opening song, which I love. Magnificent, well, I should have stopped reading when you called that the best song on the album. Its a very good song, one that could have belonged in Unforgettable Fire, but far from the stand out track. In fact, the best song on the album, for me, is one you didnt even bother to mention, Unknown Caller. Id rank it as one of U2s best ever, especially live. We then get the two radio friendly tunes, lead single Get on Your Boots to begin. This song was the first sign of experimentation we heard with it being the lead single. I like the song, but Magnificent should have been released first. I'll Go Crazy if I Dont Go Crazy Tonight, is hard not to like, very radio friendly yes, but also quite uplifting. Stand Up Comedy, what it lacks in lyrics, The Edge makes up for with a fantastic guitar sound. Fez is a real gem of a song that is really different from the rest of the album, completely takes you away. The only point I'll agree with you on is White as Snow, forgettable song really. Breathe on the other hand, is competing with UC for best track in my eyes. Could very well be the best U2 song have produced this decade. Every member is on form in this track, sheer quality. Cedars is OK, but not up there with the likes of Please or Mothers of the Disappeared. Overall, 7.5/10, and the 360 tours ace as well. Erik, with all due respect, terrible review.

U2 were safe on All That You Cant Leave Behind and How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb I’ll admit, but not here. NLOTH is a fantastic album and their best since their best ever, Achtung Baby.

First of all, how on earth can you hear The Fly on the title track, Im confused??? Its a really strong opening song, which I love. Magnificent, well, I should have stopped reading when you called that the best song on the album. Its a very good song, one that could have belonged in Unforgettable Fire, but far from the stand out track.

In fact, the best song on the album, for me, is one you didnt even bother to mention, Unknown Caller. Id rank it as one of U2s best ever, especially live. We then get the two radio friendly tunes, lead single Get on Your Boots to begin. This song was the first sign of experimentation we heard with it being the lead single. I like the song, but Magnificent should have been released first. I’ll Go Crazy if I Dont Go Crazy Tonight, is hard not to like, very radio friendly yes, but also quite uplifting.

Stand Up Comedy, what it lacks in lyrics, The Edge makes up for with a fantastic guitar sound. Fez is a real gem of a song that is really different from the rest of the album, completely takes you away.

The only point I’ll agree with you on is White as Snow, forgettable song really. Breathe on the other hand, is competing with UC for best track in my eyes. Could very well be the best U2 song have produced this decade. Every member is on form in this track, sheer quality. Cedars is OK, but not up there with the likes of Please or Mothers of the Disappeared.

Overall, 7.5/10, and the 360 tours ace as well.

]]> By: Jerry Johnson http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-317463 Jerry Johnson Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:37:58 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-317463 What a lame ass review by a writer that probably hasn't done shit in his life other than write rave reviews about bands that never made it anywhere, while bombasting the U2's of the world, who not only still have it, but continue to rock the world. U2 is U2 and they will always sound like U2, but Adam Clayton's bass lines have never been better than on this CD, Edge is Edge and yes, his style is recognizable...that's what U2 fans love about him... He can take a delay peday and a chorus pedal and make me forget the distorted 80s and grunge altogether... "Breathe, Magnificient, I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight and Unknown Caller" are sheer pleasure to listen to...so refreshing in an age when all the rock bands are trying to get on the playlist in a Hollister dressing room... These guys kick ass.... I think its funny that you roast them over the fire about sounding the same when the Beatles rarely ever didn't sound "Beatleish"....and Zepplin always sounded Zepplinish.. And we loved them for it. I've heard a lot of my friends in their 20s and 30s singing these songs and since I'm 40, I'll take pride in that.... I doubt you'll know who Kanye is when he's 50. What a lame ass review by a writer that probably hasn’t done shit in his life other than write rave reviews about bands that never made it anywhere, while bombasting the U2′s of the world, who not only still have it, but continue to rock the world. U2 is U2 and they will always sound like U2, but Adam Clayton’s bass lines have never been better than on this CD, Edge is Edge and yes, his style is recognizable…that’s what U2 fans love about him… He can take a delay peday and a chorus pedal and make me forget the distorted 80s and grunge altogether… “Breathe, Magnificient, I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight and Unknown Caller” are sheer pleasure to listen to…so refreshing in an age when all the rock bands are trying to get on the playlist in a Hollister dressing room… These guys kick ass…. I think its funny that you roast them over the fire about sounding the same when the Beatles rarely ever didn’t sound “Beatleish”….and Zepplin always sounded Zepplinish.. And we loved them for it. I’ve heard a lot of my friends in their 20s and 30s singing these songs and since I’m 40, I’ll take pride in that…. I doubt you’ll know who Kanye is when he’s 50.

]]> By: Chris http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-309907 Chris Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:25:02 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-309907 This is U2's best album ever. A lame review full of cliches and lazy journalism. This album hasn't got one weak track on it and it's superbly produced as can be expected coming from Eno, Lanois and Lillywhite. Unknown Caller is 100 yrs ahead of it's time as is Fez (been born) and the sublime Moment of Surrender is up there with One. Look the Edges guitar sound is always gonna be synonymous with U2 and they will always have a certain sound that makes them who they are. Even the Beatles for cryin' out loud had a quality that made them sound like the Beatles! through all their records.U2 are their natural heirs and after hem they are arguably the greatest band since the moptops from Liverpool - 3 of which coincidentally had strong Irish backgrounds. Having said that Edge doesn't sound like Edge on the majority of this album eg Stand up, Unknown Caller(solo), Moment Of Surrender (very Clapton) and Fez to name but a few. Wait - like Zooropa or Pop in 15 yrs time you will be all saying this is a fucking masterpiece. The rolling Stone at lesat thinks so, giving it 5 stars. This is U2′s best album ever. A lame review full of cliches and lazy journalism. This album hasn’t got one weak track on it and it’s superbly produced as can be expected coming from Eno, Lanois and Lillywhite. Unknown Caller is 100 yrs ahead of it’s time as is Fez (been born) and the sublime Moment of Surrender is up there with One. Look the Edges guitar sound is always gonna be synonymous with U2 and they will always have a certain sound that makes them who they are. Even the Beatles for cryin’ out loud had a quality that made them sound like the Beatles! through all their records.U2 are their natural heirs and after hem they are arguably the greatest band since the moptops from Liverpool – 3 of which coincidentally had strong Irish backgrounds. Having said that Edge doesn’t sound like Edge on the majority of this album eg Stand up, Unknown Caller(solo), Moment Of Surrender (very Clapton) and Fez to name but a few. Wait – like Zooropa or Pop in 15 yrs time you will be all saying this is a fucking masterpiece. The rolling Stone at lesat thinks so, giving it 5 stars.

]]> By: kim turk http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-308482 kim turk Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:00:59 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-308482 I disagree with most everything this critic is trying to convey to the U2 fans. I do realize you (critic) need something to critize about. The Edge does have a very unique style and I challenge anyone with a style like his to do better. No line is sooo different than war, october, pop, zooropa. U2 keep up the great work and keep the GREAT songs coming. I disagree with most everything this critic is trying to convey to the U2 fans. I do realize you (critic) need something to critize about. The Edge does have a very unique style and I challenge anyone with a style like his to do better. No line is sooo different than war, october, pop, zooropa. U2 keep up the great work and keep the GREAT songs coming.

]]> By: Michael http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-294039 Michael Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:23:46 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-294039 To call the album derivative (of themselves) and then to Praise "Fez" as if it's something new, when it's clearly the Zooropa sound, is ridiculous. To call the album derivative (of themselves) and then to Praise “Fez” as if it’s something new, when it’s clearly the Zooropa sound, is ridiculous.

]]> By: Gonzo http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-291435 Gonzo Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:31:01 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-291435 U2 recently played 3 nights in Dublin and the feeling around town is fairly mixed on the gigs. I was on the pitch and the stage was overwhelming, too overwhelming at times. But one thing in the whole concert got me and I couldn't get it out of my head, and that was the chorus chant on Unknown Caller. The album version, when I listen to it now, is actually unsettling, I mean where else do you hear five grown men singing an infectious and perfect harmony about some otherworld based on strange apple macintosh key words. It's nuts. And after seeing them live the whole record had changed. I've listened to it every day on repeat for the last 3 weeks since then, and despite being totally disinterested when I bought it, now I'm at the point where these songs just won't go away. Stand up comedy is the only all out turkey on the record, though even this song has an interesting wrap up in the last 2 minutes. Get on your boots actually works on the record as a kind of sorbet moment, because musically Moment of Surrender, Unknown Caller and Fez Being born are astonishing songs. The 1 and a half minute lead in to Moment of Surrender becomes more revealing every additional time you listen, because I can think of few songs in pop/rock history that can so level you in the way that the first lines that Bono sings do on this song. In a way its a Lennon song or a Cobain song, the lyric piece is the perfect collision of intensity, melody and catharsis, but I wonder if even Lennon could have sung it. Cedars of Lebanon touches another level too. Most reviews chastise Bono for egocentric simplification on this one, but they miss the point that the song is not about the Palestinians or Hamas, its about about a Journalist. I don't know how good this record is relatively speaking, that will take some time. But after 30 or so listens, I am sure that it is good. I spat out my coffee when I first saw RS give it five stars. But now I agree. U2 recently played 3 nights in Dublin and the feeling around town is fairly mixed on the gigs. I was on the pitch and the stage was overwhelming, too overwhelming at times. But one thing in the whole concert got me and I couldn’t get it out of my head, and that was the chorus chant on Unknown Caller. The album version, when I listen to it now, is actually unsettling, I mean where else do you hear five grown men singing an infectious and perfect harmony about some otherworld based on strange apple macintosh key words. It’s nuts. And after seeing them live the whole record had changed. I’ve listened to it every day on repeat for the last 3 weeks since then, and despite being totally disinterested when I bought it, now I’m at the point where these songs just won’t go away. Stand up comedy is the only all out turkey on the record, though even this song has an interesting wrap up in the last 2 minutes. Get on your boots actually works on the record as a kind of sorbet moment, because musically Moment of Surrender, Unknown Caller and Fez Being born are astonishing songs. The 1 and a half minute lead in to Moment of Surrender becomes more revealing every additional time you listen, because I can think of few songs in pop/rock history that can so level you in the way that the first lines that Bono sings do on this song. In a way its a Lennon song or a Cobain song, the lyric piece is the perfect collision of intensity, melody and catharsis, but I wonder if even Lennon could have sung it. Cedars of Lebanon touches another level too. Most reviews chastise Bono for egocentric simplification on this one, but they miss the point that the song is not about the Palestinians or Hamas, its about about a Journalist. I don’t know how good this record is relatively speaking, that will take some time. But after 30 or so listens, I am sure that it is good. I spat out my coffee when I first saw RS give it five stars. But now I agree.

]]> By: Jared http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-284898 Jared Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:11:56 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-284898 i agree with macko, as a musician as well i find this review extremely opinionated, with a lack of understanding of music in general. Comparing parts of songs on this album to other songs in the bands past is completely stupid, because they arent even slightly similar. this review is completely irrelevant since it seems to have been written by someone with no musical experience. this is one of the best albums i have ever heard in my life, with incredible vocal harmonies, deep meaningful lyrics, incredibly textural guitar playing, and a perfect rhythm section that carries the band gracefully and never sticks out like a sore thumb. Erik Thompson, never review music again in your life, because you clearly don't have a clue how to, and you inject an incredible amount of personal opinion into your reviews. this is the most musically uneducated, personally biased album review i have ever read in my life, on one of the best albums of U2's career. i agree with macko, as a musician as well i find this review extremely opinionated, with a lack of understanding of music in general. Comparing parts of songs on this album to other songs in the bands past is completely stupid, because they arent even slightly similar. this review is completely irrelevant since it seems to have been written by someone with no musical experience. this is one of the best albums i have ever heard in my life, with incredible vocal harmonies, deep meaningful lyrics, incredibly textural guitar playing, and a perfect rhythm section that carries the band gracefully and never sticks out like a sore thumb. Erik Thompson, never review music again in your life, because you clearly don’t have a clue how to, and you inject an incredible amount of personal opinion into your reviews. this is the most musically uneducated, personally biased album review i have ever read in my life, on one of the best albums of U2′s career.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.culturebully.com/u2-no-line-on-the-horizon-review#comment-277265 Ryan Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:27:47 +0000 http://www.culturebully.com/?p=18460#comment-277265 I been force feeding myself this album since it came out. Well I have to say I hate it! I've tried to like this album but I can't it's bad! "No Line On The Horizon" and "Magnificent" are the only songs I can stand! "Breathe" has been growing on me a little. "Get On Your Boots" might be the worst song they've ever done! Bono as great as he is. There is some ware and tare in his voice. He sounds like he's be singing for 300 years!! I LOVE u2, they're my favorite band, I hope the new album coming out later this year early next year is better!! I been force feeding myself this album since it came out. Well I have to say I hate it! I’ve tried to like this album but I can’t it’s bad! “No Line On The Horizon” and “Magnificent” are the only songs I can stand! “Breathe” has been growing on me a little. “Get On Your Boots” might be the worst song they’ve ever done! Bono as great as he is. There is some ware and tare in his voice. He sounds like he’s be singing for 300 years!! I LOVE u2, they’re my favorite band, I hope the new album coming out later this year early next year is better!!

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