No Line on the Horizon

I had so much fun blogging through my first listen to the Counting Crows' latest album, I thought I would start a tradition. In fact, given the amount of time I have for blogging lately, I might only blog when new albums come out.

So here are my thoughts during my first listen to U2's new release, No Line on the Horizon. I am reading through the lyrics in the CD booklet as I go.

On to the music:

"No Line on the Horizon"

From the very first song, this already feels more like Pop and less like All That You Can't Leave Behind. In my opinion, it would be a good thing if this trend continues. Bono's vocals sound very raw, which is a quality I enjoy in his voice. I like when it has that "roughed-up" quality, like he just got done traveling the world speaking about the plight of the world's underprivileged.

I like the chord progression of this song, as well - not obvious in any way.

"Magnificent"

"From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...Only love, only love can leave such a mark"

Not much else to say about this song....not that it's bad. Just nothing to say. By the way, will.i.am played keys on this song.

"Moment of Surrender"

I love how much space they are leaving for instrumental sections on this album so far....great bass riff by Adam Clayton. Bono's entrance in this song is fantastic...the yearning in his voice harkens back to early U2. I'm reminded of "In the name of love, what more in the name of love?"

Another great instrumental section. The Edge's guitar solo has the same yearning as Bono's voice...just beautiful. This might already be my favorite song on the album.

"I was speeding on the subway through the stations of the cross"

7 minutes long and it could have been longer.

"Unknown Caller"

The opening to this song follows "Moment of Surrender" perfectly...like a space created to reflect on what was just expressed. Love when the drums first enter.

It's fascinating to hear the difference between the Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois produced sound of "Moment" contrasted with the Steve Lillywhite produced sound of this song. Lillywhite's songs always have a raw tone to them (in a good way), while Eno and Lanois give their music a more etherial sound. Both styles are great...just noticeably different.

Not sure I love the horns in this song, but I'm still loving all the instrumental sections in these songs. With all due respect to Bono's vocals, of course.

"I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"

The album is slowly sounding more like All That You Can't Leave Behind with every song. I'm not totally digging this song right now. It's catchy, though. Good radio song, I guess.

Again, will.i.am on keys? Why? Is he that good at playing keyboard or did he just come to visit U2 at the right time?

"The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear." Yes, Bono, we know.

There's a great little note amongst the keyboard sounds near the end. It's almost got a middle eastern sound to it. Not sure why it caught my ear.

"Get On Your Boots"

Okay, saw them perform this song on the Grammys. I loved it - back to sounding more like Pop, or maybe "Vertigo." In the same way I love all the instrumental parts on this album, I also love when Bono gets a chance to go off. So many lyrics packed in here:

"Here's where we gotta be/Love and community/Laughter is eternity/If joy is real/You don't know how beautiful you are"

The "let me in the sound part" caught me off guard, which was nice. Loved the Edge's guitar part in this song.

"Stand Up Comedy"

This song will be great live. Not my favorite song on the album so far, but I might just generally be against songs with the phrase "stand up" in them after DMB's last studio album.

"FEZ - Being Born"

Vintage Eno and Lanois here. Depending on what happens after this, this might be a perfect interlude in the middle of the album.

I've also noticed that they are doing a lot more with harmonizing voices in this album. I'm not convinced that I like it. In a way, it hides Bono's voice a little too much for me.

"White as Snow"

Love the piano at the beginning.

Are they ripping off a Christmas carol here? The melody to "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is definitely in there. That had to be intentional...it's so obvious. But why? It's kind of distracting.

"Breathe"

More great drums - kudos to Larry Mullen Jr. for his work on this album. And again, you can tell it's Lillywhite.

Saw this on David Letterman last night and really enjoyed it. Just a great rock song. Love the melody in the chorus. Could be a good radio song...

Fantastic lyrics:

"16th of June, Chinese stocks are going up/ And I'm coming down with some new Asian virus/Ju Ju man, Ju Ju man/Doc says you're fine, or dying/Please"

"I found grace inside a sound/I found grace, it's all that I found"

"Cedars of Lebanon"

Best lyric on the album...by far. Can't pick one individual lyric out to quote, because they truly need to be read together.

I just loved this song. Couldn't blog while it was playing, because I just had to listen to it. This might have just beat out "Moment of Surrender" for my favorite song so far. I'm going to have to listen to this one again.