I think Bono is missing the point of U2’s original and worthy mission of changing the mainstream and not simply dumbing down the art to appease it to be popular. Eno is right as was old U2 and that’s probably why Achtung Baby was so phenomenal — to this day my only perfect and most beloved album that turned me onto music at age 12 the way he’s hoped to do with U2’s unimpressive albums for the last decade. The Fly’s worth has nothing to do with how it’s received because then that would mean that Vertigo is a better or more important song, and it’s obviously not! Desperate Housewives or Grey’s Anatomy or CSI or even Lost get better ratings and are more known than Ronald D. Moore’s Battlestar Galactica, but anyone with deciphering tastes will tell you the latter is a far superior, more enjoyable, and more thoughtful show pushing the boundaries of American culture.

“Get On Your Boots” was not well received by those of us who felt it was actually not innovative enough, but simply a slightly better version of “Vertigo” (except for the great “Let Me In The Sound” part). I hated Vertigo and its aim of sounding like a traditional US rock tune; I miss the band that combined a great melody with loud and soft and texture and experimentation. Being remembered like bad radio is overrated, especially if you’re dumbing down your art to appeal to it. Kurt Cobain made a better album with “In Utero”, in some ways, after “Nevermind” got him the popularity he wanted (and part of him regretted).

Does U2 really think that the mainstream memory is everything? Is, therefore, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” or some Backstreet Boys single better than an obscure tune like U2’s Acrobat or The Cure’s The Drowning Man? I think not!

Wow, that was a very astute comment. But, I disagree. This album is VERY MUCH a departure and U2 has made a dangerous gamble on their nontraditional album. That it IS a masterpiece. I love it, and think it is every bit as good as Actung Baby. Remember, these are MEN writing music. They are not in their late 20’s, but all in their 40’s now. And this is one of the best albums they have EVER made. Remember, just because “Boots” was a poor choice of a first single, doesn’t mean anything. They still NEED to make money, nothing wrong with that. ESPECIALLY since Bono has done more than most to fight poverty. Women are the future, they DO hold the big revelations.

I really enjoy the new songs by U2 that are not singles oriented. In the day of singles we need someone to champion the album again. U2 used to do this with great precision. The only foil is this endless kitsch disposable tunage like Vertigo, Elevation, and the current Get On Your Boots. Bono needs to stop trying to compete with lesser bands, and remember that U2 is miles above the rest when they are original. Fez – Being Born, Moment of Surrender are amaazing – just get rid of the Coldplay Oh Oh Oh’s. It sounds like crap, and one Coldplay is bad enough. U2 needs to let loose more. We don’t want the damn Zeppelin attempts or the rehash echo effects, we want the U2 that has a Dark Side of the Moon in them. Moment of Surrender and Being Born hint at that – U2’s greatest album is yet to be born and begging to be recorded. Finally, for God’s sakes Bono record “Heaven and Hell” and release it.

Muldfeld, will you please stop trolling the entire internet with your Battlestar Galactica comments? Bravo to U2 for putting out another album so soon, I guarantee this record will be awesome! I’m a long time fan here, I’d wager this second album will arrive by the end of this year. I love “Get On Your Boots”, it is perhaps my favorite U2 song of all time if not in the last decade. I perfer the uptempo rocking songs like “Boots”, “vertigo”, etc, as do most fans. U2 RAWK! OH yeah, Bono looks awesome in eyeliner!

Keep in mind that ‘Achtung Baby’ did not happen in some creative vacuum where U2 suddenly decided to dispense with conventional arrangements. I believe it’s fair to say that ‘Achtung’ could not have happened at all without ‘Rattle and Hum’. U2 backed themselves into a corner, then figured a way out of it. In a sense (a long, drawn-out sense) this seems to be what’s happened here – just replace ‘Rattle and Hum’ with ‘Pop’.

Alike Nirvana, that they would explode from the indie world to the mainstream was inevitable. I don’t think, though, that this was part a grand plan to fix radio. U2’s sound has long been the sort that elicits dramatic reaction, because it is born out of drama on both the personal and universal levels. So what does a band with real concern for artistic integrity do when that integrity leads them to precisely the kind of fame that their heroes despised? It’s not black and white, and I don’t know that U2 could have done appreciably better than they’ve done without essentially sneering in contempt at their fans.

No, ‘All That You Can’t’ and ‘How To Dismantle’ are not sonic monoliths. And contrary to this magazine’s assessment, neither is the new record (though it is better than anything since ‘Zooropa’). But they make sense when one considers the career arc of a band that is clearly not content to simply play what they play – like, say, the Rolling Stones.

I found ‘U2 At The End of the World’ by Neil Flanagan immensely helpful in understanding the dynamics of the band. Worth a read, if you haven’t already.

By the way: Some with ‘deciphering tastes’ would say that U2 was the problem from the start, rather than the solution. (see Rollins, Henry) So I suppose that’s worth considering. And while I have much love for ‘Acrobat’, ‘The Drowning Man’ isn’t even the best song on ‘Faith’. Give me ‘All Cats Are Grey’ or ‘The Funeral Party’.

I just love U2 they are grate band.
They are looking good on my Rolling Stone Mag. Name the street a whole week U2 way I love it!
I can’t to buy the CD. Robin Holland. Hoyt Lakes,Minnesota:)

i’m fucking sick of the same three or four people on the covers of rolling stone, how many fucking times in a year does bono or U2 along with bruse srpingsteen need to get a fucking cover story. Both are great bands, but come on, giving their albums 5 stars, all thses covers, it’s pathetic that Rolling stone has no pride. When i saw Taylor Swift on last month’s cover i was jsut relieved it was the boss or bono, and that’s saying something. Come on Rolling Stone, branch out, just a little bit, there are other bands, new and old, who deserve your time as well.

this is a FANTASTIC album. Possibly their 4th Masterpiece & their best since Achtung Baby. The album is very balanced with 3 main sections and all sorts of reference to the number 3. There is something here for everyone. However, I urge anyone reading this to give the album and all the songs some time and breathing room. For me, the more esoteric songs appealed to me 1st. I dismissed the catchy more ‘radio-friendly’ songs and that seems to have been a mistake! Songs like “…Crazy Tonight”, “Stand Up” and even “Boots” are really fun, creative and charming. “Boots” if you give it a chance will grow on you. It just was unfortunate to rest the entire weight of a mighty new U2 album on this one song! But, it is a very good unusual tune and actually quite different from “Vertigo” if you really listen. It is Zep-esque, but also glam and a hint of 60’s go-go, and electro. It seems in some ways to be an update of “These Boots Were Made For Walking”. That said, my favorites so far are the first 4 tracks, “Fez-Being Born”, and “Breathe” is an absolute stunner. This album has a different direction and style in some ways but if I have to compare, it relates mostly to “The Joshua Tree” “The Unforgettable Fire” & “Achtung Baby” while managing to be something entirely different. I love it!

Kant enewon spel enemor?

U2 has made strange choices with 1st singles

The Fly
Numb
Discotheque
Boots
Wit h Or Without You

that said

Beautiful Day
Vertigo
Angel Of Harlem

perfect 1st singles

McCartney always says he is to close to the record to pick the “hit song” and that he leaves it up to others (and they are often wrong)

U2 are trying to be an album band and a “singles” band at the same time. That’s a tough prospect nowadays.

Funny thing is, BOOTS sounds GREAT in the middle of the record. If it was 1st I’d skip it

Muddyfield i think we have all had enough of your pretentious BS. U2 rulz! I love the new album, all 11 tracks are outstanding. I’m not sure why we only get 11 tracks when the band supposedly had 50 or 60 working songs….perhpas thats why they want to release a different album later on this year? I guess we shall see…until then NO! LINE! ROCKS!

Stop throwing terms around like masterpiece. It is a good album some might say great but a masterpiece, hardly. Many of the songs a tinge of familiarity. As a society we keep lowering our expectations of what greatness is. Do you believe a great baseball pitcher is one who now has an ERA of 4.2, a hero is that guy who helps the little old lady across the street, every movie is best of the year until the following week, the a masterpiece is no longer the greatest accomplishment but “hey good album…”. Wait 10 years to accolade it so. Now I must go do my heroic act of the day and mow my lawn.

Actually Angel of Harlem wasn’t a first single. Desire was the first single off of Rattle and Hum.

what is with the Battlestar Galactica comments? Personally i wish that U2 would stop trying to have a big commercial single, and stop trying to be so popular in America. If they really want to be popular they should stick with Europe, where they belong. I love this band and i don’t want to share them with anyone else.

It sad but true but the last album is not good! the lyrics are very poor, and Bono’s voice is not quite th same as 10 years ago. We have to face it U2 has become a normal “mainstream”rock and roll band and maybe it is better too, because let’s face it is all about the money! Otherwise they would never made a album like this.
Sorry guys… Caught you!

Ohh Ohh my gash i luv these guys *honk**honk* i wanna liv wit Bono in his secrets villa out in da hee haw. I luv u2 sooo much *THUD* OMG Larry is so hawt oh my gawd lordy lordy he can werk that shirt and he shure can work themm jeans!

people are always making these assertions, and they’re right. rollingstone just isn’t that interesting anymore. they bend over for anyone who was making records back when they were decent. 5 stars for mick jagger’s goddess in the doorway? if there was ever a way to prove how out of touch you are giving that album 5 stars would be it. jesus christ. magic and working on a dream both get rave reviews, and are infact subpar records. the thing that irritates me is that i have a feeling they know this, yet they work in a good old boy/almost payolla style so it doesn’t fucking matter if these records suck they’re going to keep giving them good reviews because they are like the fox news network. now watch u2 is going to show up on a flatbed somewhere and rollingstone is gonna say something like “u2 take to streets guerilla style” and try to convince us that u2 are still hungry. fuck that. rollingstone i really hope you make yourselves over because right now you suck righteously. also stop letting these artists think that they’re gods gift. rollingstone hasn’t written one critical word about any of the dinosaurs this decade. and i say fuck em for it. the only writers worth a damn are taibi and fricke. jesus christ.

actually shouldn’t be bitching. i just need to accept that rollingstone isn’t for the young set. the give 5 star reviews to artists that 45 year olds are into, their key demographic is older than it once was, that’s a fact. it’s for middle agers.

except for austin scaggs who is for 7th graders with bags of shake.

does anyone else hate u2 and especially bono with every fiber of their being?

I love u2 they are the best! ive seem them live 2 times in boston oh my god made me feel amazing bono voice sends you to a wonderfull place.And the edge is well….fantasic i saw them live on lettermen last night woweee i love thier song magnificent it was amazing .I will buy the new album ive been a fan for along time.I love bono he is zexyAnyways love the two new songs and cant wait for thier tour love ya bonox

I made the first comment, but not what followed. So, I never said this: “Well, thats a good question! Anyway, my comments are the best. The rest of you are just tossers.”

I would add that people like Dave C should mind their own business about what others say and just stick to what they want to say about Rolling Stone’s piece; my analogy to TV holds because it’s about artistic integrity versus mass consumption and how much does one dilute one’s art. Radiohead is another great example. I haven’t heard the band’s stuff on the radio with any regularity since 1997, but their output since then has been brilliant and far superior to that of U2 in that time.

To George, I’d playfully argue that “The Drowning Man” is the best Cure song until 1987, and therefore is far better than the ones you’ve mentioned, especially how beautifully and atmospherically it’s recorded.

Also, Chuck, I wasn’t talking about the new album, which I won’t hear for another 2 weeks. However many reviews give me reason to worry about U2’s self-conscious efforts to appease the mainstream when they shouldn’t worry about it.

Anyway, I won’t make any further comments, so ignore all future “Muldfeld”s or Rolling Stone could just look up the email of the person whose not me and delete them.

I am so glad that the Rolling Stone magazine has made yet another amazing choice for a cover story. Their cover story of AC/DC was incredible, now U2 is on the cover, I hope to see more wonderful bands featured on the covers in the future. Rolling stone is one magazine I know that I can always rely on for the best on my favorite bands.

Glad that U2 has decided to do a track with The Ruse for thier next album. If it sounds anything like Midnight in the City we are all in for something special.

Glad that U2 has decided to do a track with The Ruse for their next album. If it sounds anything like Midnight in the City we are all in for something special.

Great album. I’d give it 4.5 not 5.0. Who knows what I’ll give it in ten years, but right now it’s still getting better with each listen.

There’s always people who like to rip Bono or the band because Bono makes it easy. That’s cool and it’s amusing to see people go out of their way to do that.

This may not be every person’s cup of tea, especially if you come into with “U2 baggage.” But there’s a lot of tea going around if you look at a lot of reviews. Cheers!

I like Muldfeld’s views. “Acrobat,” ahhhh, that’s U2. So anyways, have you guys ever listened to the Verve beyond “Bittersweet Symphony?”

i really like the pictures of them that line on the pics makes them look good, no crowes feet. U2 used to be interesting, but alas they are normal and ageing like all the other 40 somethings. thanks for the memories, i’ll call brian eno when i need to hear what berlin sounds like on a cd.

U2 is the best band on the planet, bar none. Im enjoying the new cd, the live performances, especially David Letterman. They should really call the next album “solar” haha, that would be cool.

u2 is undeniably one of the greatest bands ever, and no line on the horizon is great but i dont think it is a five star album!! there are some flaws. i know im going to get a lot of back lash for saying this, but its what i feel. i still get crazy love for U2!! there amazing!!

every other day……another article about what u2 is up 2……….or the ever famous axl rose……….who gives a fuck? both think they are gods gift to the world when both of them have done nothing worth while since the 80’s……..i’m sorry but i am way over bono being force fed to me daily………for crying out loud between saving the world, hanging out w/ spiderman, being from ireland but still telling us how to run our country, and him being jesus all in one day, how does he even have time to make another shitty album or be force fed to us in the press everyday? go away please……..please, please…..i can’t handle it anymore.-kj

Love the new album!! I love how the haters of the band come out in force. Piss ‘em off Bono!!!!!
U2 rules.

Love the new album!! I love how the haters of the band come out in force. Piss ‘em off Bono!!!!!
U2 rules.

a

Well, here goes. Once again the inpatience continued to build as I awaited the release of another U2 album, hoping for the masterpiece to come. It never came. In fact it is unacceptable. This will be the first U2 album that I do not purchase. Call it inventive, call it bold, call it experimental if you must but I will call it what it is, DISAPPOINTING! I have come to expect so much more from the boys from Dublin. I expect passion, thought provoking lyrics, music that makes your hair stand on end. I got none of that with this release. What I got was nothing more than questions; “What have these guys been doing for the past four years”? “Is this all they have left”? Please tell me it ain’t so! We all need to get on our boots because between Bono and others calling this the best U2 album ever and certain reviews giving this release five stars the crap is beginning to get higher. I consider myself to be an optimist and look forward to U2 redeeming themselves on their next release. I also consider myself to be an honest person and believe that NO LINE ON THE HORIZON needs to go straight to the clearance bin.

I wish someone would knock their teeth out.

‘Boots’ on the Grammys left me depressed; the Letterman stand is leaving me inspired. The whole band sounds fantastic and Bono sounds as great as ever. These are good songs with depth and melody. Let some time pass before we feel compelled to rank the album, yes?

I want to know what you guys consider “mainstream,” because whether or not U2’s new stuff is any good I would say it’s a far cry from the “popular” rock these days. I avoid that stuff for fear it’ll give me the plague like the shite it is. Unless by “mainstream” you just mean “commercial,” in which case: DUH!! U2 went commercial years ago. Show me a band that doesn’t even attempt at piquing commercial interest and I’ll show you a band that doesn’t sound any more remarkable than a handful of kids getting stoned and jamming in someone’s bedroom.

To each their own…
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the fact that all the haters and lovers are condemming or praising them shows that they are relevlent! Personally, u2 could release an alblum of farts and i’d probably still buy it!
No Line rocks!!!!!!

Haven’t we learned yet, that it takes some time to unlock and (then really) appreciate the music of U2? Give it some time … and this one too, will be considered great by (almost) all.

You know until this album came out I never realized how many U2 haters there were out there.

First off, I really think this is one of their best albums of all times. With most U2 albums there’s only 3 or 4 great tracks and the rest are usually dull. Not with this one, I can listen to this album all the way through. I think this album will be truly more appreciated in 5 years from now.

Secondly, why is Bono considered such an ego-maniac? Is it because he tries to be more than just a singer for a band and actually tries to do something for the world? The problem with people today is they consider anyone who does extraordinary things as a threat. People are really into average and ordinary bands which is why most music is so medicore today.

And third, if U2 is so terrible then how come they are one of the only bands in history to have consistent success and relevance for 30 straight years? If you people think you can do it so much better, then I dare you to try. But until then shutup, because U2 is excellent and so is this new album.

I like evry single U2 album, except this one. Are you kidding me 5 stars? It sucks. Bono is a hypocrite if anything, because he claims to b a Christian but pushes evry lefty/communist social agenda! They lost me on this one…

U2 IS BACK…TRY CATCHING THE LETTERMAN SHOWS…THAT’S A GOOD SIGN OF A GREAT BAND WITH GREAT NEW MUSIC. THERE’S NO HATERS HERE…MOSTLY ENVY.

No Line on the Horizon is a gift to U2’s die hard fans who have stuck with the band for decades. I love the 2 minute long instrumental song intros. I love the album’s eclectic nature. 21st Century modern rock is on a whole pathetic and in desperate need of a revolution like the British Invasion of the 60’s or the Grunge Revolution of the 90’s. To the haters of the new U2 album I ask: Please post a list of better albums released in 2009. Any fool can say an album is terrible, but can you offer better alternatives?

to this issue!!!!Pl Ease!

I´ve never expected that U2 would publish another album this year or in 2010! It will be great to hear more from the 50-60 songs!

“Restart and re-boot yourself/You´re free to go/Shout for joy if you get the chance”-These lines belong to my favourites. In all songs I can feel the joy of U2 playing together. “Unknown Caller” starts with a beautiful early morning feeling and “I´ll Go Crazy…” has a straightforward and uplifting character. In my opinion U2 have succeeded to add a few new colours to their palette and at the same time it´s very U2 again. “FEZ-Being Born” is outstanding because of the experimental sounds that clearly reveal Eno´s influence. I really love the complexity and restlessness. This is one of those songs where atmosphere and energy appear at the same time. There are a few other songs with a similar density: “Get On Your Boots” and “Stand Up Comedy” are very edgy because of the powerful drums, guitar riffs and bass lines. With “Breathe” Edge creates some extraordinary guitar parts and Bono gives everything in his vocals. He often uses images in his lyrics, through imagination this music makes me SEE so much. Some songs are stories being told from other people´s point of view. The quiet melancholy of “White As Snow” expresses the feelings of that soldier in Afghanistan in a moving way. I also love the lines about “the rhythm of my soul” from “Moment Of Surrender” which says best what´s the most essential thing in U2´s music: Soul. Like all U2 albums “No Line…” is full of emotional depth, intelligence, heart, spirituality…There would be so much more to say, but…Shush now! (Sorry for this long post, I never wanted to disturb your peace)

Okay, when I wrote the post it looked much longer, so I would like to add this: In the title track there´s much spirituality, “Magnificent” reminds me a bit of “The Unforgettable Fire”. And I like the way Bono almost whispers his narrations in “Cedars Of Lebanon” …Now I will really shush…

I am 23 and I love this album. No Line on the Horizon and Unknown Caller — you don’t hear music like that on the radio. Great album…

Rich:
Jesus was a communist.

In other news, what a great album. They’re moving in really exciting directions again. Good on them.

Jesus was radically liberal (leftist), too.

Bono is a little of an egomaniac, he admits that in the interview. At least he tries to do some good with the attention he gets, whether you agree with it or not.

Chuck | 3/4/2009, 11:33 am EST

Wow, that was a very astute comment. But, I disagree. This album is VERY MUCH a departure and U2 has made a dangerous gamble on their nontraditional album. That it IS a masterpiece. I love it, and think it is every bit as good as Actung Baby. Remember, these are MEN writing music. They are not in their late 20’s, but all in their 40’s now. And this is one of the best albums they have EVER made. Remember, just because “Boots” was a poor choice of a first single, doesn’t mean anything. They still NEED to make money, nothing wrong with that. ESPECIALLY since Bono has done more than most to fight poverty. Women are the future, they DO hold the big revelations.

Why are their haters out there?
U2 have been around for soo long they are the best band around.I saw them on lettermen last night BUT i really didnt like thier song “Ill go Crazy” i couldnt get in to it.Hopefully the new album will grow on me.I will watch them on lettermen tonight and watch Bono look as zexy as ever.It was funny watching them do the the Top10 List on Lettermen they are the best! cant wait for thier tour

Why are their haters out there?
U2 have been around for soo long they are the best band around.I saw them on lettermen last night BUT i really didnt like thier song “Ill go Crazy” i couldnt get in to it.Hopefully the new album will grow on me.I will watch them on lettermen tonight and watch Bono look as zexy as ever.It was funny watching them do the the Top10 List on Lettermen they are the best! cant wait for thier tour

Why are their haters out there?
U2 have been around for soo long they are the best band around.I saw them on lettermen last night BUT i really didnt like thier song “Ill go Crazy” i couldnt get in to it.Hopefully the new album will grow on me.I will watch them on lettermen tonight and watch Bono look as zexy as ever.It was funny watching them do the the Top10 List on Lettermen they are the best! cant wait for thier tour

I want to know what you guys consider “mainstream,” because whether or not U2’s with mario tuy new stuff is any good I would say it’s a far cry from the “popular” rock these days. I avoid that stuff for fear it’ll give me the plague like the shite it is. Unless by “mainstream” you just mean “commercial,” in which case: DUH!! U2 went commercial years ago. Show me a band that doesn’t even attempt at piquing commercial interest and I’ll show you a band that doesn’t sound any more remarkable than a handful of kids getting stoned and jamming in someone’s

haterz stink!!!!!!!!!!!

my favorite is ‘unknown caller’

Mudfeild, you really have to quit trolling the entire internet with your “elitist musical snobbery”. Your opinion is long and slanted down towards us lesser folk. I for one enjoy being the “lowest common denominator” that you so loathe. U2 has nothing left to prove…they have done it all…and they have made some of the greatest music of their lives. I love this band and will continue to support them. Real fans will appreciate this band and not whine about every little thing they do. Peace!

with the internet age abuzz…how would you even go about composing and album with all these channels coming through media…for this reason this album is right on time…it has a future tense appeal that we have to get on borad…there is no solid audence anymore for one sound…so they did this wonderful…

U2…word of advice…you guys need to CHILL….all your preaching, world saving nonsense…please just chill out…relax..concentrate on making better music…Bono you are not the ambassador of the world…

this is u great u2 album but not their best i found more excitement in pop and atyclb and htdaab, i do love these songs on the new album but they don’t capture me like the other ones by far the best is achtung baby!!! there is a certain feel to it that brings so much color and life to me when i listen to it achtung baby is a timeless classic to me. i also think that get on your boots kinda teased us of which direction they were going with this one but still some great music coming from the fab four!!

We love U2, no matter what people say. Their new album is brilliant, it’s certainly a step in the right direction and among the best stuff they’ve ever done. Great lyrics, great singing, everyone’s in fine form. More from where that came from, please, for the next album, can’t wait.

why is it youtube can provide a high resolution video that loads as you play. Or if your on a slower connection why you go off and do something else the video loads but rolling stone cant
fuck your incompetance

Hey they showed up in 1980.
We actually get to watch a band age.
That in in itself is cool.
I was their age then..and I am their age now. It’s just music..
Lighten up

My radio station was doing a back to back hour the other day and they played Sunday Bloody Sunday immediately followed by Pride (In the Name of Love). I then switched over to a mainstream station for traffic where I heard Get On Your Boots immediately followed by Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl.

I cried.

While I like the new album, many of the songs sound (melodically) like previous U2 songs. Kind of like “Boots” is this year’s “Vertigo” and “Magnificent” is this year’s “Beautiful Day”, and so on. While there are a few “newish” moments, much of it is just U2 being U2. It’s certainly a solid album, but calling it a masterpiece is sheer hyperbole.

Also, it’s funny that Bono picks on Eno for not having a hit single sensibility, because I distinctly remember Bono saying that Eno came up with the keyboard hook on “Beautiful Day”. Despite the producer’s cerebral approach, the band keeps coming back to him (& Danny Lanois) rather than dyed-in-wool hitmakers, even giving them songwriting co-credits this time. So, they must be doing something right.

Their a&r man said I don’t hear a single…this album sucks.

U2 rocks on this one! No singles needed for those simpletons. Drink this album in slowly. It is magnificient!

Really bad picture of bono on cover. Anybody who thinks U2 is cool is buying the same bill of goods as the springsteen jive. Its just product but keep buying it lemmings.

Did someone call my name? How dare thou mock me! I rule the Universe. I condemn these actions at once. The persons responsible shall be judged. Back on topic here, U2 is back bitches! Roll on that.

Smells like corporate rock. At least bono finally took off those lame orange colored sunglasses.

mario tuy | 3/5/2009, 7:28 pm EST

I want to know what you guys consider “mainstream,” because whether or not U2’s with mario alfredo tuy melendez new stuff is any good I would say it’s a far cry from the “popular” rock these days. I avoid that stuff for fear it’ll give me the plague like the shite it is. Unless by “mainstream” you just mean “commercial,” in which case: DUH!! U2 went commercial years ago. Show me a band that doesn’t even attempt at piquing commercial interest and I’ll show you a band that doesn’t sound any more remarkable than a handful of kids getting stoned and jamming in someone’s

You know, U2 is more of a force than the Stones. When the Stones release a new record, it barely makes a ripple because nobody cares – everyone wants to hear the old stuff at their concerts. U2 can play shit off this record and people will actually be able to sing along. Is it their best record ever? No. Their two best albums were the Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. Anything after Achtung has been palletable at best, but you need to give them credit. Even Paul McCartney has lost his creative edge. U2 make good albums which are revelent and inspired rather than following the masses or relying on a proven formula. They are what Zeppelin wanted to be.

mudfeld, you are completely ridiculous, I can’t believe you were twelve when achtung came out, because that would make you, what… 30? I can’t believe that a thirty year old would make such headstrong and obstinate comments about an album which he or she hasn’t heard. Sounds more like a twelve year old arguing with his friends in the schoolyard, spouting off shit that he has no idea about. Sorry, I am not usually this impolite, but I have had it up to here with your shit. At interference, you are all over the boards pissing this album off, and people there are too polite to flame you for it. Don’t you have a spine, basing your opinions on reviews? You are ridiculously stupid, and a bonafide idiot. Writing long posts doesn’t mean that you are talking sense, neither that you are intelligent. It just means that there is a high quantity of shit there, as you are the guy who’s posting. And if you are not going to listen to it for 2 more weeks (god knows why, maybe you’re waiting till puberty), why don’t you go draw with your crayons. Again, I would like to state that you, sir, are an idiot of wondrous quality.

On sunnier topics, this album is pretty darn good, won’t say it is a masterpiece yet, as I believe that you have to pick it up after not listening to it for a while; then maybe you’ll know. I haven’t yet been able to put it down. My fav so far is Moment of Surrender and breathe, though favs on this album keep changing.

Ok, now I feel like an ass. The album rocks

I love this album its great!reminds me to of zooropa i love the edges gitar riffs amazingggg
cant wait to see them live!
love you bonoxo

I wanted to vomit when i saw this cover on the shelf…its so terrible looking.

Im not sure about the cover of u2
I dont like Bono eyeliner makes him look strange in a bad way.They look mad or something.Did Anton Corbin shoot this? I love Antons work but not loving this.I love u2 am hoping to get tickets for there toronto show in sept the 16th
They sell out so fast!
I like the behind the scenes video footage of them cool.
LOVE YOU BONOXO

Mudfield, “The real Muldfeld” whatever:

you are such an angry, sanctimonious little twit. just listen to yourself. you’re acting like an indie snob … about THE BIGGEST BAND ON THE PLANET SINCE 1987.

it’s really preposterous. would you like to pass out a quiz before the show and only the top scores get tickets? you’re being elitist and snobbish about fucking U2? you’re using your (implied) superior knowledge and thusly appreciation about the band to make yourself out to be more worthy of music that’s consumed by tens of millions across the globe?

has it really come to this?

I just don’t know what all y’all nay-sayers are talking about. I nearly melted when i saw the cover, i thought it was AMAZING.
All 4 of them look FANTASTIC, Bono’s move to the black eyeliner is sexy as hell, and the album still has me giddy as a kitten! It’s wonderful! I am really excited that they are going on tour and will do EVERYTHING i can to get tix (even if it kills me ).

Keep up the amazing work and i’ll keep listening ;D

I love U2, i love the new album.

Dear Mudfeld,
you are such an angry, sanctimonious little twit. just listen to yourself. you’re acting like an indie snob … about THE BIGGEST BAND ON THE PLANET SINCE 1987.

it’s really preposterous. would you like to pass out a quiz before the show and only the top scores get tickets? you’re being elitist and snobbish about fucking U2? you’re using your (implied) superior knowledge and thusly appreciation about the band to make yourself out to be more worthy of music that’s consumed by tens of millions across the globe?

has it really come to this?

i’m so excited to hold my copy. my sis bought me one and she’ll be sending it over soon! U2 rocks! and, of course, my fave –> BONO!!!!

Let’s remember one thing, U2 are human like everyone and make mistakes. I don’t think No Line… is a terrible record, but lets take off the rose colored glasses for a moment and really listen to the music! I am in the minority because I think that Pop is one of their best records, if you listen to every song on the first or second listen it already grabs you. Im tired of hearing that you have to listen to the album many times before you’ll like it. I think what is going on is that U2 fans want everything they do to be great, even if it isn’t. I started listening to U2 during Under a Blood Red Sky
the first time i heard that cassette tape I was blown away,you don’t have to listen to a record a million times to get into it, what that is a form of self-inflicted brain washing. STOP IT. Every great artist has a bad record in them, this just happens to be their’s.

P.S. It’s ok their not dead, but hopefully if enough honest people tell them the truth, their future records will be better.

I have to say that I have been a huge U2 fan for a long time-since I first saw them live on the UF tour in 84-and I’m struggling with this 1 early on. Breathe grabbed me right away-but a 5 star masterpiece escapes me!

Okay, i am a huge u2 fan, my fave album is pop, and i dont like horizon. Except for songs 1 and 3. I need to hear balls in music, i can barely make out larry’s drums, hey eno pump up the voulume on larry’s drums, and enough of the overproducing. I like a little rawness in a recording. To hear the album the way its supposed to sound, is live. More guitar edge! Edge can rip a guitar a new one but still relies on simple notes, although effective,… enough already.

I´ve been listening to the new album for many times and I´ve discovered “Breathe” as one of my favourite tunes. This is a powerful rock song with a very personal Bono lyric. I can sense much tension but there´s also a sort of relief. Lines like “Every day I have to find the courage/To walk out into the street” are great. For me the most moving lines are “Sing your heart out, sing my heart out/I´ve found grace inside a sound”. I always admire Bono´s courage to reveal such personal things to the whole world. Every time I listen to that I think, wow, this is amazing.

U2 is the best band ever….the new album rocks…but it is simply impossible to rate any of their albums….they are so different…nd yet so same.
I really was dying to see a new Bono stage avatar !!I think my wish wud be fulfilled

nd yaa….Breathe is truly the best song of the album !I hope we get a video very soon !

NLOTH is a damn good album, and Im looking forward to seeing them in Vegas this October. I just hope that “Songs of Ascent” wont be more appropriately titled “Songs of Descent”. When they say it will be “slower” than NLOTH, that gives me pause. Their last two albums were “slower”, and their last two albums werent good. Leave the churchy pop whining to Coldplay, go back to those hard driving, up tempo rockers like “The Fly” that make a person want to touch the moon, and the experimentalism of UF (which the new is A Sort Of return to in many ways).

I agree with those who say it is not a 5 star masterpiece … but I do think that its a 4 star one. No album could be 5 star with the horrid “Get on your Boots”, and a “Unknown Caller” should have been one of their alltime greatest songs, but I think that it is done in by a rather dopey chanted chorus that reminds me too much of Blue Swede and that doesnt fit with the promise of the song’s beautifully ethereal opening moments (I hope that a potential Live version will improve it).

However, its alot better than HTDAAB (which I gave about 3 stars overall) and ATYCLB (which I gave 2 stars overall at best, it was by far their most overrated album ever). I think maybe the Rolling Stone reviewer wanted a 5 star masterpiece so badly that he overrated NLOTH a bit. Then again, I think that 5 stars should be VERY rarely given to that occasional indisputable musical masterpiece from start to finish like “Sgt Pepper’s”. U2 hasnt had one of those since AB, but at least this time, they get an A for effort.

See ya at Sam Boyd … Achtung Vegas, Baby!

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