The wait is over for many fans. Maybe it is because their songs (both new and old) are constantly played on the radio, it is hard to remember that it has been five years since their last studio album was released. But was this new release worth waiting for?
 
No Line On The Horizon sounds quite good overall, in comparison to average albums by average bands. But when it is compared with U2’s own previous ones, musically and lyrically, several tracks, especially the opening/title track,“Magnificent” and “I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight”, sound like something they have done before. Bono’s soaring voice is still great, very fitting for big arena concerts, and The Edge’s signature guitar riffs add more energy to the songs. But I wanted to hear more emotional and passionate songs that I can relate to. It lacks one strong song that makes me want to sing along at the top of my lungs, but maybe just hum. 
 
“Moment of Surrender” is beautifully crafted. It has a little more personal and intimate messages embedded within the lyrics. There is something new too. The influence by Brian Eno, one of the three producers, is very obvious on the ambient songs “Fez - Being Born” and “Cedars of Lebanon”. The former has calm spherical sounds and creates a melancholic mood, the latter is breathtakingly simple and carried by Bono’s spoken-word performance. The danceable track “Get on Your Boots” is catchy, and if it is played during their tour, it will certainly be popular among ladies who want to dance. “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” is a romantic piece, and fits perfectly to what you would expect from a U2 love song.
 
Although there are a few mellow and serene songs, it gives the impression that No Line On The Horizon is made for big stage performances. Of course, we are talking about U2 here; a band that dressed up like Village People and brought us a huge lemon mirrorball. The band gets bigger, and naturally their venues get bigger too. Nonetheless, I still want more meaningful, personal and thought-provoking outstanding tracks together with fun and energetic songs.
 
This new release as a whole was not love at first listening for me, but some songs like “Moment of Surrender” are definitely growing on me with each subsequent listen.  Unfortunately, as I indicated above, so far I just hear many things that they have done on previous albums, and they did it better before, no doubt. Even though U2’s constant efforts to venture into new territory are creditable and it may not be fair to compare with their past albums, this one is just not as passionate, inspirational or visional as The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby were. Don’t get me wrong, No Line On The Horizon is not a bad album at all, but I still have not found what I’m looking for in their new release.