When should a rock and roll band earn the distinct privilege of being labeled as a “Supergroup?” Could it be relegated to Billboard rankings, ticket sales, reviews or album sales? That would be a foolish misnomer (Hint: see Britney Spears, The Jonas Brothers). U2 band members Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton have grabbed the nation by storm with their grassroots U.S. promotional campaign for their album, No Line on the Horizon. U2 promoted their new LP in a unique way from previous smash hits by performing center stage at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on the Late Show with David Letterman in March. “Any band that says they don’t want to be a super band are kidding themselves … this is why we are here,” Bono told Letterman. This is lofty expectations for any band with talent. U2 earned this noble distinction by pushing the envelope in most of their successful albums.
U2 admitted to reporters that they are facing intense pressure from bands like Coldplay, The Killers and Franz Ferdinand who are arriving with a fresh new look and sound – along with it a younger audience! How can they compete with this new generation of “Superbands?” To answer this question, we must consider U2’s phenomenal portfolio of music that features a vigorous guitar-filled sound, awe-inspiring vocals as well as highly reflective lyrics. No Line On the Horizon shows us that the Irish Foursome haven’t rested on their past laurels by regurgitating their previous successes with Joshua Tree (1987), Unforgettable Fire (1984) All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) and How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004). Their new album marks a dramatic shift in their sound and return to art pop, which was exemplified in the Berlin techno-esque album Achtung Baby (1991).
The Dubliners kick off their new album with the punkish-ballad title track, No Line On The Horizon, which features a Larry Mullen’s percussion-filled backbeat and the Edge’s roaring guitar rhythms. Bono sings about someone who once basked in a life of luxury and now languishes in the realization that what he once possessed is slowly fading away. Bono’s voice hasn’t evoked this much fierce passion since the top-40 hit Sunday Bloody Sunday.Magnificent initially begins with simple guitar riffs and Brian Eno-inspired drum loops before transforming into a dance-stomper filled with propulsive machine drumbeats and jagged guitar-driven grooves from The Edge. Bono and Co. croon about trying to reinvigorate an everlasting love that has somehow lost its passion. Expect top DJ remixers like Thin White Duke, Tiesto and Peter Rauhofer to inject their own flavor into this future single in the form of club remixes.
Moment of Surrender could be the album’s most impassioned lyrical and vocal masterpiece since Bad (from the album Unforgettable Fire). The song confronts thematic elements of overcoming obstacles in the face of adversity. Bono mourns, I’ve been in every black hole. At the altar of a dark star. My body is now begging, though it’s begging to get back. It is a brilliant contemplative pop song splattered with hypnotic drum loops and electronic piano soundscapes.
The band delves into more experimental pop with new age, Middle Eastern-influenced, Unknown Caller. This tribal chant rocker incorporates electronic piano, chimes, bird chirps, samples and percussion. The band chants in unison during the chorus, Go, shout it out, rise up. Oh, oh escape yourself, and gravity hear me, cease to speak that I may speak. The band’s impassioned tone implies that it could be an introspective ballad about getting over failure and starting over.
While the band’s emotionally charged lyrics are still ever-present, U2 continues to innovate by experimenting periodically in the album with buzz-saw like guitar rhythms, techno drum beats and Middle Eastern strings to bring a vibrant, spiritual sound to the forefront. Unlike some of their predecessors, U2 has managed to avoid reaching their plateau. How can U2 top this bold new masterpiece? How about offering fan sweepstakes for discounted concert tickets. Tickets for the band’s October concert at the Cowboy Stadium in Arlington start at more than $150 per person. Ugh!!!!Download Right Now: Magnificent & Moment of Surrender
Grade: A-
In The Spotlight: U2-Magnificent
