No Line on the Horizon
by U2

U2 has always been the one band who never fails to inspire me aurally, and their latest album, “No Line On The Horizon”, does not fail to disappoint. Although it seems like their music has taken off on a whole new direction upon first listening, it gradually becomes the U2 we all know and love after repeated hearings.

Having gotten back with "Joshua Tree" producer, Brian Eno, Bono and gang starts off with the album’s title track. Soaring along, 'No Line', along with 'Magnificent' and 'Moment of Surrender', are my favorite tracks of the album. I do have some gripes with the first single “Get On Your Boots” though. It feels like they’re trying to hard to impress and it’s not something I would expect from the greatest band in the world today.

Also, the first half of the album moves along nicely whereas the second half does get a little draggy, especially for non-converts to U2’s particular brand of music. Those accustomed to today’s popular rock/pop nonsense will find it tough to maneuver along U2’s stream of consciousness, lyrics and aural imagination. The record ends off with the 'Cedars of Lebanon' named after the near mythical trees, a reflective, slow piece. While I do not profess to read their minds, it feels like Bono is commenting on the trials and tribulations a being foreign correspondent, a subject close to my heart.

As Bono sings, “Child drinking dirty water from the river bank/Soldier brings oranges he got out from a tank/I’m waiting on the waiter, he’s taking a while to come/Watching the sun go down on Lebanon,” I remember my own times in other lands and think: This album is all that you can’t leave behind.

-This weeks Guest Review was brought to you by Alex