Rolling Stone: “U2’s Five Star Masterpiece”

rolling-stone

The review’s not online yet, but the March 5 issue of music magazine Rolling Stone awards U2’s New Line on the Horizon no less that five stars. The cover of the issue says “U2’s Five Star Masterpiece”.
(via M2)

Update: review now available on RollingStone.com

“No Line on the Horizon is closer to the transitional risks — the Irish-gothic spell of 1984’s The Unforgettable Fire, the techno-rock jet lag of 1993’s Zooropa — but with a consistent persuasion in the guitar hooks, rhythms and vocal lines.”

NLOTH has also managed to win back the heart of Irish journalist John Waters (Author of ‘U2 – Race of Angels’), prone to contemplating the band within its Irish context. In the Irish Times he writes — while Ireland suffers its worst recession since the 70’s — “If, as we have previously noted, music is prophetic as to the drift of wider reality, then this album may be the most hopeful thing you will hear all year.” You can read the rest of John Waters’ thoughtful piece on IrishTimes.com.

22 thoughts on “Rolling Stone: “U2’s Five Star Masterpiece”

  1. ok, so i listened quite a but last night and then went to bed with many melodies, rifs and rythms in my head…and a bit of guilt-
    the guilt somewhat subsided by the fact that i have spent over $150 in ‘pre orders’.

    however, 2 things on ‘leaking’.

    First, the legal ‘leak’ of the ‘alternate’ version of NLOTH, the album version DESTROYS the alternate. The album version is part of the ‘sound’ of the album where the alt version is fun, but distracted me. I thought i may not like the title cut as always, but after hearing the ‘correct’ version of the song, NLOTH is top 3 on the albulm.

    Second, the 30 sec clips, what a way to either ‘tempt’ or ‘scare away’. The clips, really none of them, gave any of the songs justice. So that part of leaking can be a problem. And combine the clip with the song title and IGCIIDGCT was going to be my throwaway and it is now top 3 on the album after a full listen-

    As far as the album, certainly in the top 5, although just like comparing generations in sports (Jordan to Lebron, Montana to Brady) it’s not really fair or relevant but more of a personal opinion. I’d like to hear what the 4 bandmates feel are the ‘order of LP’s’.

    So the songs?
    Magnificent, Lovin Larry!
    Fez, Unforgetabale Fire revisited
    UC, One Tree Hill ‘esque’ slowed down. It may not be ‘epic’ but it is a fine song!
    Stand up, as fun as i thought it would be!

    Overall, after hearing that Rolling Stone is 5 starring it, i will have to say…YES I AGREE! *****

  2. ok, so i listened quite a but last night and then went to bed with many melodies, rifs and rythms in my head…and a bit of guilt-
    the guilt somewhat subsided by the fact that i have spent over $150 in ‘pre orders’.

    however, 2 things on ‘leaking’.

    First, the legal ‘leak’ of the ‘alternate’ version of NLOTH, the album version DESTROYS the alternate. The album version is part of the ‘sound’ of the album where the alt version is fun, but distracted me. I thought i may not like the title cut as always, but after hearing the ‘correct’ version of the song, NLOTH is top 3 on the albulm.

    Second, the 30 sec clips, what a way to either ‘tempt’ or ‘scare away’. The clips, really none of them, gave any of the songs justice. So that part of leaking can be a problem. And combine the clip with the song title and IGCIIDGCT was going to be my throwaway and it is now top 3 on the album after a full listen-

    As far as the album, certainly in the top 5, although just like comparing generations in sports (Jordan to Lebron, Montana to Brady) it’s not really fair or relevant but more of a personal opinion. I’d like to hear what the 4 bandmates feel are the ‘order of LP’s’.

    So the songs?
    Magnificent, Lovin Larry!
    Fez, Unforgetabale Fire revisited
    UC, One Tree Hill ‘esque’ slowed down. It may not be ‘epic’ but it is a fine song!
    Stand up, as fun as i thought it would be!

    Overall, after hearing that Rolling Stone is 5 starring it, i will have to say…YES I AGREE! *****

  3. Not even close to a 5. That would mean it’s better than Achtung cause it was given 4.5 stars by RS.

    This is at best a 2.5/5 star album. It’s on par with the latest Axel G’N’R album. Lot of hype, some average stuff. Not even close to the best stuff they’ve done.

    I love U2 and have seen them 5 times. I’m honest enough to know this album is inaccessible and has only a few good tracks. It certainly isn’t an 11 song masterpiece like Achtung.

  4. Not even close to a 5. That would mean it’s better than Achtung cause it was given 4.5 stars by RS.

    This is at best a 2.5/5 star album. It’s on par with the latest Axel G’N’R album. Lot of hype, some average stuff. Not even close to the best stuff they’ve done.

    I love U2 and have seen them 5 times. I’m honest enough to know this album is inaccessible and has only a few good tracks. It certainly isn’t an 11 song masterpiece like Achtung.

  5. Inaccessible? REALLY?!? They’ve got maybe 4 or 5 solid singles that should get massive radio play.

    “Get On Your Boots”
    “Magnificent”
    “Stand Up Comedy”
    “No Line On the Horizon”
    and maybe “Moment of Surrender”

    Even the “b-side” songs are incredible.

    I’m going to be brutally honest. I was TOTALLY in the same 2.5/5 camp as you were at first. This seemed like Passengers II and nothing more. NLothH confused the sh** out of me at first. I was underwhelmed

    However, this album only gets better and better with each listen. It’s tightly crafted and amazingly deep. You’ll be hearing songs from this album on countless radio stations, movie soundtracks, TV shows, and concerts for years to come.

    “Get On Your Boots” actually makes sense now. Out of context and with no idea what the “new U2” might sound like, it was confusing. Now…. It’s as much of a guilty burst of energetic pleasure as “Elevation”, “The Fly”, or “I Will Follow”.

    No Line is not another Pop, where even the band has tried to bury 75% of the songs. This is a 5* album if their ever was one. Classy and classic. Trashy and triumphant. No Line beats the holy hell out of the competition with each note.

    Also, take Achtung Baby off of that golden pedastal. It is definitely another 5* album from U2, undeserving of that 4.5*. However, that album has its less single friendly tracks too. Being a long time fan yourself, you might also remember how Achtung was also met with a fair share of curiosity and confusion, especially having come off JT.

    Let No Line settle in a bit. U2 albums take a little time to sink in.

  6. Inaccessible? REALLY?!? They’ve got maybe 4 or 5 solid singles that should get massive radio play.

    “Get On Your Boots”
    “Magnificent”
    “Stand Up Comedy”
    “No Line On the Horizon”
    and maybe “Moment of Surrender”

    Even the “b-side” songs are incredible.

    I’m going to be brutally honest. I was TOTALLY in the same 2.5/5 camp as you were at first. This seemed like Passengers II and nothing more. NLothH confused the sh** out of me at first. I was underwhelmed

    However, this album only gets better and better with each listen. It’s tightly crafted and amazingly deep. You’ll be hearing songs from this album on countless radio stations, movie soundtracks, TV shows, and concerts for years to come.

    “Get On Your Boots” actually makes sense now. Out of context and with no idea what the “new U2” might sound like, it was confusing. Now…. It’s as much of a guilty burst of energetic pleasure as “Elevation”, “The Fly”, or “I Will Follow”.

    No Line is not another Pop, where even the band has tried to bury 75% of the songs. This is a 5* album if their ever was one. Classy and classic. Trashy and triumphant. No Line beats the holy hell out of the competition with each note.

    Also, take Achtung Baby off of that golden pedastal. It is definitely another 5* album from U2, undeserving of that 4.5*. However, that album has its less single friendly tracks too. Being a long time fan yourself, you might also remember how Achtung was also met with a fair share of curiosity and confusion, especially having come off JT.

    Let No Line settle in a bit. U2 albums take a little time to sink in.

  7. 1st playing of Magnificent quite frankly made me manic. It’s got the take you to the top of the mountain quality about it like streets…

    I’m a fine art photographer and the next morning I woke up to one of the most glorious subjects I’ve ever seen after playing it…

    “Blaze spirit blaze” is the title of the photo i’m talking about, you can check it out at my website http://www.timcrawshaw.com

  8. 1st playing of Magnificent quite frankly made me manic. It’s got the take you to the top of the mountain quality about it like streets…

    I’m a fine art photographer and the next morning I woke up to one of the most glorious subjects I’ve ever seen after playing it…

    “Blaze spirit blaze” is the title of the photo i’m talking about, you can check it out at my website http://www.timcrawshaw.com

  9. I wanted to comment on cookepuss comments above. I agree. When I first heard Achtung I was very confused by not only the album but even the album’s name. Baby in a title is like Sexy Boots for the name of a song. Feels kind of trashy. I identified One as a classic in the first listen, just like I identify Magnificent on this album. But as I listened to Achtung over and over and over in my car and in my room at University I couldn’t let go – waiting for that part and this part – doing the embarrassing play by play with anyone willing to endulge me. I’m only two days in on this and I am still trying to figure it out.

    In any event, felt like I needed to make an entry. Who cares what people think out there, U2 has been my personal band since day one – I remember wanting everyone to love them and I always celebrated their success, now I’m not so sure. Believe me, I can hardly wait until any one of them is playing really bad casino halls in 2050.

    Cheers.

    P.S. Good to hear “baby, baby, baby” again – not since Ultaviolet”

  10. I wanted to comment on cookepuss comments above. I agree. When I first heard Achtung I was very confused by not only the album but even the album’s name. Baby in a title is like Sexy Boots for the name of a song. Feels kind of trashy. I identified One as a classic in the first listen, just like I identify Magnificent on this album. But as I listened to Achtung over and over and over in my car and in my room at University I couldn’t let go – waiting for that part and this part – doing the embarrassing play by play with anyone willing to endulge me. I’m only two days in on this and I am still trying to figure it out.

    In any event, felt like I needed to make an entry. Who cares what people think out there, U2 has been my personal band since day one – I remember wanting everyone to love them and I always celebrated their success, now I’m not so sure. Believe me, I can hardly wait until any one of them is playing really bad casino halls in 2050.

    Cheers.

    P.S. Good to hear “baby, baby, baby” again – not since Ultaviolet”

  11. I don’t understand how anyone can fully evaluate any music in just two days. I think it takes listening for many days in many different moods for one to totally hear and understand what is in a song or album.

    Listen, listen, listen…

  12. I don’t understand how anyone can fully evaluate any music in just two days. I think it takes listening for many days in many different moods for one to totally hear and understand what is in a song or album.

    Listen, listen, listen…

  13. Ok. I have to ask for forgiveness. This album is seeping into my soul. At 1st I think I was just so excited in Vertigo mode STILL from last tour that I was thrown for a spiritual loophole.

    3rd time I have listened now and I have to say, this is really something special. Horizon and Magnificent are really such mystical songs … this music is taking me out of the arenas and putting me into stadiums in the dessert.

    BTW — Love the new U2.COM Website …

    Anyways, to whom it may be worth, coming from a loving fan, forgive me for this collection of new U2 melodies is just the new feeling we all needed.

    Cheers!

  14. Ok. I have to ask for forgiveness. This album is seeping into my soul. At 1st I think I was just so excited in Vertigo mode STILL from last tour that I was thrown for a spiritual loophole.

    3rd time I have listened now and I have to say, this is really something special. Horizon and Magnificent are really such mystical songs … this music is taking me out of the arenas and putting me into stadiums in the dessert.

    BTW — Love the new U2.COM Website …

    Anyways, to whom it may be worth, coming from a loving fan, forgive me for this collection of new U2 melodies is just the new feeling we all needed.

    Cheers!

  15. dont we all know that no U2 album gives it all up on the first 1 or 10 times round…the reason why U2 is such an important band is that we are brought slowly into hearing new sounds become familiar…slow burn baby…thats how classics are born..its no secret at all

  16. dont we all know that no U2 album gives it all up on the first 1 or 10 times round…the reason why U2 is such an important band is that we are brought slowly into hearing new sounds become familiar…slow burn baby…thats how classics are born..its no secret at all

  17. Not taking away from the fact that Bunwich’s post was a load of bollocks, but I’ve been a fan for just on 11 years now MM, and in that time, U2 have only come to Australia once – during which I saw two shows. As the band begins another mammoth tour – which may not even visit Australia (again), it might be worthwhile for some fans to remember we’re not all so lucky to see them “10 times minimum each tour” without flying to another continent to do so. Just my 2c. Peace.

  18. Not taking away from the fact that Bunwich’s post was a load of bollocks, but I’ve been a fan for just on 11 years now MM, and in that time, U2 have only come to Australia once – during which I saw two shows. As the band begins another mammoth tour – which may not even visit Australia (again), it might be worthwhile for some fans to remember we’re not all so lucky to see them “10 times minimum each tour” without flying to another continent to do so. Just my 2c. Peace.

  19. Leprechaun,

    I understand that totally. It just came across to me as someone thinking they know more than they do because they have seen them 5 times. Sounded a tad arrogant to me.
    Wish you had more opportunities to see them. I consider myself fortunate to live on the East coast of the U.S. and I have easy access to many cities in which they play.
    Enjoy the new album. I, for one, think it is a great piece of work.

  20. Leprechaun,

    I understand that totally. It just came across to me as someone thinking they know more than they do because they have seen them 5 times. Sounded a tad arrogant to me.
    Wish you had more opportunities to see them. I consider myself fortunate to live on the East coast of the U.S. and I have easy access to many cities in which they play.
    Enjoy the new album. I, for one, think it is a great piece of work.

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