Spring Break
Decades of hits later, U2 keeps fresh style for latest album
By: Stephen Shepperd
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: News
If any band has earned the right to become complacent in their efforts, it is U2. Bono and the boys have established themselves as a band that will transcend time with their nominations for Nobel Peace Prizes and being named numerous countries' official favorite artist.
But with all these accomplishments under its multi-faceted belt, U2's latest release, "No Line on the Horizon," has one factor that may surprise its many listeners: there is no sign of complacency anywhere.
What this album does almost perfectly is incorporate two factors that have made U2 attractive over the length of its career. One is Bono's signature anthem-like wail that carried albums in the 80s, like "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum." The second is the strong, driving guitar riffs of The Edge, who is looked upon as one of the greatest guitarists in music today, and most likely near the top of all time.
The balance between these two musical concepts is something the Dubliners haven't showcased in an album in quite a while. Their previous couple of releases - "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - have had slightly more commercial sound than their earlier work, showing possible signs of the times in which U2 was only trying to be as good as people said it was.
In the album, the rockers hone in on what they are good at, and have been for 30 years. The record includes some larger-than-life tracks, but leaves out the arrogance that seemed to accompany the decade's earlier releases.
The album starts out strong with the title track, somewhat relieving the listener of any questions of whether this album will be the one that brings U2 back to earth. A simple bass line leads the song through a few measures until Bono's familiar yelp rings through singing "I know a girl who's like a sea/ I see her changing everyday for me." Listening to the band's mastery of a song without any gimmicks is a breath of fresh air that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
But with all these accomplishments under its multi-faceted belt, U2's latest release, "No Line on the Horizon," has one factor that may surprise its many listeners: there is no sign of complacency anywhere.
What this album does almost perfectly is incorporate two factors that have made U2 attractive over the length of its career. One is Bono's signature anthem-like wail that carried albums in the 80s, like "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum." The second is the strong, driving guitar riffs of The Edge, who is looked upon as one of the greatest guitarists in music today, and most likely near the top of all time.
The balance between these two musical concepts is something the Dubliners haven't showcased in an album in quite a while. Their previous couple of releases - "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - have had slightly more commercial sound than their earlier work, showing possible signs of the times in which U2 was only trying to be as good as people said it was.
In the album, the rockers hone in on what they are good at, and have been for 30 years. The record includes some larger-than-life tracks, but leaves out the arrogance that seemed to accompany the decade's earlier releases.
The album starts out strong with the title track, somewhat relieving the listener of any questions of whether this album will be the one that brings U2 back to earth. A simple bass line leads the song through a few measures until Bono's familiar yelp rings through singing "I know a girl who's like a sea/ I see her changing everyday for me." Listening to the band's mastery of a song without any gimmicks is a breath of fresh air that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com