U2 - No Line On The Horizon Leaks

[infinityBCRT]

http://www.getmusic.com.au/discograp...1468&aid=15106

People were able to buy it from that site by selecting each song individually. And get this, it's Universal's own digital download service . They pulled it but its out in the wild now.

Also, another story that has come out since is that the album was available on Napster Mobile from Feb 8 to Feb 16, and no one even noticed.

If anyone wants to know, the Bonus track on the deluxe edition is the b-side on the Get On Your Boots Single, the punk version of the title track.

[Buckethead]

Don't need to download this to know that it's terrible.
And I'm a U2 fan. Fan. Not fanboy.

Rarggh Bono what have you done?!!!

yeahyeahyeahyeah.gif

[inthezone]

Don't need to download this to know that it's terrible. And I'm a U2 fan. Fan. Not fanboy. Rarggh Bono what have you done?!!! yeahyeahyeahyeah.gif

Its been getting good reviews though. I think GOYB is an absolutely horrid song but everyone says the album is a different beast. I'll check it out.

[GhaleonEB]

Its been getting good reviews though. I think GOYB is an absolutely horrid song but everyone says the album is a different beast. I'll check it out.

On that note, just stumbled into the Telegraph (UK) review.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/neil_mc..._really_thinks

'No Line On The Horizon' was produced by the professorially brilliant Roxy Music synth magus Brian Eno with his rootsy, muso collaborator Daniel Lanois, the same team that has presided over U2's finest albums, Unforgettable Fire (1984), The Joshua Tree (1987), Achtung Baby (1991) and their latterday reclaiming of pop's high ground 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' (2000). The chief difference is that here they have been explicitly invited into the songwriting process, with 7 of the 12 tracks credited to both band and producers, and recorded with a six-piece line up featuring Eno on electronics and Lanois on acoustic and pedal steel guitar.

I've been wanting a U2 album with Eno and Lanois as full members ever since Passengers. I'm content to wait for the full release, but from the clips and from the potential in the above collaboration, I'm pretty excited.

[Voltron64]

Posted this in the clip leak thread...moved it here...

Just finished listening. After the first listen I'm sad to say I don't like it. The first two tracks were good and after that it went downhill for me. This album is a bit scattered with lots of layers and one listen isn't enough to judge the album with a final verdict. It seems maybe Eno and Lanois went a bit overboard here with U2 I can here them all over this album. It could grow on me. Time will tell.

[CrunchyB]

I love The Unforgettable Fire, Achtung Baby and Zooropa (and like the other old albums,) up to All That You Can't Leave Behind.

U2's been downhill ever since, even though they're a lot more popular now, but what little edge they once had is long gone.

[infinityBCRT]

Posted this in the clip leak thread...moved it here... Just finished listening. After the first listen I'm sad to say I don't like it. The first two tracks were good and after that it went downhill for me. This album is a bit scattered with lots of layers and one listen isn't enough to judge the album with a final verdict. It seems maybe Eno and Lanois went a bit overboard here with U2 I can here them all over this album. It could grow on me. Time will tell.

I have been listening to the 45 second clips over the last week or so, and it took me a while to get into them. I think this album is more of a grower like Pop.

I think every song has something special to it. I have to listen to the full version more but thats just my first impression.

[infinityBCRT]

I love The Unforgettable Fire, Achtung Baby and Zooropa (and like the other old albums,) up to All That You Can't Leave Behind. U2's been downhill ever since, even though they're a lot more popular now, but what little edge they once had is long gone.

This is definitely a bold album, its not as radio geared as the previous one. Musicially it works within the area of Achtung, Zooropa and Pop.

[bud]

''get on your boots'' is probably the worst u2 song i've ever heard. what the hell happened?

[infinityBCRT]

''get on your boots'' is probably the worst u2 song i've ever heard. what the hell happened?

Like Vertigo, not representative of the album. But listening to it on the album, it makes sense to put it where it is. The album has quite a few ballads. Mind you, they are not sappy ballads like on All That You Can't Leave Behind's second half-- all of them have weight. But I think Boots serves as a good break between the first and second half of the album.

[Worm_Buffet]

''get on your boots'' is probably the worst u2 song i've ever heard. what the hell happened?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XF_hxuMMcI

[Gamecocks625]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XF_hxuMMcI

good call. Passengers was such a strange, strange project. Miss Sarijevo was the only gem.

I'm pumped to hear No Line on the Horizon and Magnificent.

[joelseph]

''get on your boots'' is probably the worst u2 song i've ever heard. what the hell happened?

The Crookers remix is a jam and a half.

[omg rite]

Like Vertigo, not representative of the album. But listening to it on the album, it makes sense to put it where it is. The album has quite a few ballads. Mind you, they are not sappy ballads like on All That You Can't Leave Behind's second half-- all of them have weight. But I think Boots serves as a good break between the first and second half of the album.

"Vertigo" is one of the best U2 singles though. The guitar + chorus is so insanely catchy.

As for "Boots", it's definitely getting mixed reaction, but I enjoy it. Not as much as "Vertigo" though. It's very Beck-like, which is never a bad thing.

It's interesting and different, which makes it nice to see as a hit, because was a band's first single ever, it would bomb for being so weird.

U2 is one of those weird bands where most people seem to either love or dispise them. I like them a lot, but I'm not that educated on their backlog.

[infinityBCRT]

U2 is one of those weird bands where most people seem to either love or dispise them. I like them a lot, but I'm not that educated on their backlog.

Zoo TV: Live from Syndey, Popmart: Live from Mexico, and Elevation: Live from Boston are all great DVD Concerts which will get you acquainted with their catalogue.

[Tucah]

Magnificent is great.

[Blader5489]

Its been getting good reviews though. I think GOYB is an absolutely horrid song but everyone says the album is a different beast. I'll check it out.

I hope so, I love U2 but Get on Your Boots was really terrible.

[Jeff-DSA]

Zoo TV: Live from Syndey, Popmart: Live from Mexico, and Elevation: Live from Boston are all great DVD Concerts which will get you acquainted with their catalogue.

Or just watch Rattle and Hum and realize that at one point they were undeniably the best act to see live.

I can't wait for the album. I'm very, very, patient with U2, because even when they get all toothpaste commercial and poppy, there is usually some level of hidden genius going on. I have to admit that Zooropa came out and weirded me out for a couple of weeks, but now I regard it as one of the best albums put out in the '90s. I didn't hate their last album, I kind of found it to be a fun experiment in rock pop, but I think I'm ready to see them go back to being innovators rather than motivators.

[broadwayrock]

"Vertigo" is one of the best U2 singles though. The guitar + chorus is so insanely catchy.

The chorus of that song is borrowed form The Supremes song You Keep Me Hanging On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h_WyIx7Q2Q


Boots is one of thoses songs that seems a lot better in the context of their music video than on the radio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOwH6IqwRqM

...but it still seems to be a mish mash of good hooks rather than a well written song.

[Aristotlekh]

You know, I'm not anti-U2 or anything. No huge problem with them. I loved Joshua Tree and Blood Red Sky. Classic albums. My only problem is Bono's grossly inflated ego and the bullshit he's constantly spewing.

So it was weird watching the Grammys or whatever, seeing that new song, and just hating it. That's a fucking horrible, horrible, horrible song. I almost don't understand how the rest of the album could be contextually salvageable.

[omg rite]

See, I like the studio version, but I do think it sucked on the Grammies.

[infinityBCRT]

You know, I'm not anti-U2 or anything. No huge problem with them. I loved Joshua Tree and Blood Red Sky. Classic albums. My only problem is Bono's grossly inflated ego and the bullshit he's constantly spewing. So it was weird watching the Grammys or whatever, seeing that new song, and just hating it. That's a fucking horrible, horrible, horrible song. I almost don't understand how the rest of the album could be contextually salvageable.

The mix on the Grammys was terrrrrible. In fact the only performance that sounded decent during the Grammys was Coldplay, and even their mix was terrible.

edit: both Q Magazine and Rolling Stone have given the album 5 stars. Q isn't officially out yet but the ad for their review was seen in another publication. The cover of RS is here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/issue1073

[Gamecocks625]

listening to the album now. I have it preordered on iTunes, but I can't resist an early listen to wet my appetite :)

[SatelliteOfLove]

The chorus of that song is borrowed form The Supremes song You Keep Me Hanging On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h_WyIx7Q2Q Boots is one of thoses songs that seems a lot better in the context of their music video than on the radio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOwH6IqwRqM ...but it still seems to be a mish mash of good hooks rather than a well written song.

Which is why Eno and Lanois coming back into the picture is good, they slipped into that nebulous focus-group tested sound Pop rather than the good inventive Pop-Rock they came from.

[Gamecocks625]

This album freaking rocks. It won't unseat Achtung Baby but it's right up there. It's early 90s U2 mixed with a bit of Unforgetable Fire with a splash of POP thrown in.

[SetUhatU]

Y'all are making it very difficult to resist listening to this album early! Alas, I will refrain and enjoy it properly in just 1.5 weeks.

[broadwayrock]

Just finished listening....

Its a pretty good album, better than the last one and Eno produces some great sounds.

Boots is very unrepresentative of the album.

[Gamecocks625]

Just finished listening.... Its a pretty good album, better than the last one and Eno produces some great sounds. Boots is very unrepresentative of the album.

Magnificent is an incredible song. This album feels like it's going to be a classic and is easily the best U2 album from this decade.

[joeposh]

Only halfway through my first listen and I can already tell this album is something special. A definite departure from the last two. I'm really digging Unknown Caller at the moment. It's great to hear U2 songs really "explore the space" and get lyrical again.

[phalestine]

heard 3 songs so far, I am at work so I have to wait. but so far I am loving it, especially Magnificent.

[Elfforkusu]

I've never liked all of U2's songs, but I consider myself a fan because I still like so many of them (in part because they've put out so much material). I expect that this one will be no different.

[joesmokey]

I am actually liking the album so far. I haven't been able to get into U2 very much this decade, but this is album flows pretty well.

Definitely much better overall than the single.

[CDProp]

The only duds on the album are Boots and Crazy Tonight, imo.

I think my favorites are White As Snow and Magnificent.

The title track is pretty cool, but I like the alternate version (the one that was released the other day) better. Both versions have something unique to offer, though, so I'm glad to have both. The album version has some nice harmonies towards the end, and I like that whistle-like "instrument" towards the end as well. Sort of reminds me of Metroid Prime music for some reason.

Stand Up Comedy and Breathe will be fun to see live.

I love the horns at the end of Unknown Caller.

Some interesting vocal harmonies in pretty much every song, even the two duds.

I appreciate that none of the songs really follow the Intro-Verse-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Coda formula, as a lot of the songs from the past two albums have done. I remember how excited Bono was that Original of the Species had an A-B-C-D structure, and that Window in the Skies was in 6/8 time. All I could think of was "Um, you guys have done much weirder than that in the past. Remember the decade called the 90's?"

Lyrics, across the board, are pretty crap. This has been the case for the last 3 albums. My apologies to Bono if he is reading this. His lyrics these days contain neither the irony of the 90's nor the earnestness of the 80's. It's all pseudo-inspirational tripe, platitudes, and cringe-worthy rhyming dictionary moments ("voice" with "tortoise"? ugh). Terrible. Also, he sings about himself way too often. And even when he's self-deprecating, it comes off as self-absorbed (e.g., calling himself Napoleon in high heels is funny, but then he follows it with "beware of small men with big ideas." ugh, again). Thankfully, lyrics do not factor worth a damn in my enjoyment of a song.

Edit: And no, this is not an experimental album, and it certainly isn't the drastic change that Eno was claiming it was. It's still refreshing, though, after two albums of straight made-for-radio pop.

[Boards of Canada]

I love all U2 albums... this one is near the top.

[bartris]

Are they touring this album? Or is the Financial crisis stopping a trek?

[CDProp]

They're touring. All stadium shows, even in the US. Usually they prefer arenas, but only North America likes basketball & hockey, so they are stuck with stadiums elsewhere, so they'll tour NA in the winter, so that they can tour elsewhere when the weather is warm. This time, though, they're going to do stadium shows all over, so who knows what the schedule will be. The concert is supposed to be technologically sophisticated, and it will be an "in-the-round" show.

[Stench]

Well, I just gave it a listen.

"Magnficient" is pretty sharp.

And that about wraps up all the good things I have to say.

[inthezone]

Are they touring this album? Or is the Financial crisis stopping a trek?

lol they 're touring. Tours are proving recession proof (Madonna's S&S and Britney's Circus are all sold out, and they're quite pricey).

Anyway, the album is good. I have not given it a proper listen but it definetely feels like 90's U2. Top notch production from Eno as expected. I still think Boots sucks but somehow it flows well in the album, even if its one of the poorest tracks on it.

[trinest]

The later half of the album is more melody stuff- and is alright. But still :/

[bjscott05]

I'm a huge U2 fan and I enjoyed it for the most part. The final 1/4th of the album was somewhat disappointing.

[infinityBCRT]

The later half of the album is more melody stuff- and is alright. But still :/

I thought White As Snow was a pretty powerful song (about a dying soldier in Afghanistan) and I love Breathe. This album is pretty complex and has a lot of layers. I don't expect to get something like Fez on the first listen.

Took me about 30 listens of AB before I actually really liked every song. Theres still some songs that I think are duds on JT as good as the top half of the album is. For this album I already like NLOTH, Magnificent, Unknown Caller, Crazy Tonight, Boots, Stand Up Comedy, White As Snow and Breathe.

[Gamecocks625]

Took me about 30 listens of AB before I actually really liked every song. Theres still some songs that I think are duds on JT as good as the top half of the album is. For this album I already like NLOTH, Magnificent, Unknown Caller, Crazy Tonight, Boots, Stand Up Comedy, White As Snow and Breathe.

Same experience here with Achtung Baby. I liked only a few songs at first and hated The Fly. Now, it's their top album in my opinion. After listening to No Line on the Horizon for the past day, I'd have to agree with Rolling Stone's review in saying it's their best album since Achtung Baby. Magnificent is an absolute classic, by the way. Their best song this decade.

At this point, I'd rank the albums like this:

Achtung Baby
Joshua Tree
No Line on the Horizon
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Zooropa
POP
...

...crap this is harder than I thought. Nevermind.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The only duds on the album are Boots and Crazy Tonight, imo. I think my favorites are White As Snow and Magnificent. The title track is pretty cool, but I like the alternate version (the one that was released the other day) better. Both versions have something unique to offer, though, so I'm glad to have both. The album version has some nice harmonies towards the end, and I like that whistle-like "instrument" towards the end as well. Sort of reminds me of Metroid Prime music for some reason. Stand Up Comedy and Breathe will be fun to see live. I love the horns at the end of Unknown Caller. Some interesting vocal harmonies in pretty much every song, even the two duds. I appreciate that none of the songs really follow the Intro-Verse-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Coda formula, as a lot of the songs from the past two albums have done. I remember how excited Bono was that Original of the Species had an A-B-C-D structure, and that Window in the Skies was in 6/8 time. All I could think of was "Um, you guys have done much weirder than that in the past. Remember the decade called the 90's?" Lyrics, across the board, are pretty crap. This has been the case for the last 3 albums. My apologies to Bono if he is reading this. His lyrics these days contain neither the irony of the 90's nor the earnestness of the 80's. It's all pseudo-inspirational tripe, platitudes, and cringe-worthy rhyming dictionary moments ("voice" with "tortoise"? ugh). Terrible. Also, he sings about himself way too often. And even when he's self-deprecating, it comes off as self-absorbed (e.g., calling himself Napoleon in high heels is funny, but then he follows it with "beware of small men with big ideas." ugh, again). Thankfully, lyrics do not factor worth a damn in my enjoyment of a song. Edit: And no, this is not an experimental album, and it certainly isn't the drastic change that Eno was claiming it was. It's still refreshing, though, after two albums of straight made-for-radio pop.

Well that saved me a lot of posting time. My thoughts almost exactly.

[evil ways]

Just finished listening to a few of the new tracks, Magnificent, Unknown Caller and the title track, I liked them all. It sets my mind at ease after Get on your boots, which I now understand it's purpose as being the disposeable first single released just to get the attention of the masses.

Lyrics, across the board, are pretty crap. This has been the case for the last 3 albums. My apologies to Bono if he is reading this. His lyrics these days contain neither the irony of the 90's nor the earnestness of the 80's. It's all pseudo-inspirational tripe, platitudes, and cringe-worthy rhyming dictionary moments ("voice" with "tortoise"? ugh). Terrible. Also, he sings about himself way too often. And even when he's self-deprecating, it comes off as self-absorbed (e.g., calling himself Napoleon in high heels is funny, but then he follows it with "beware of small men with big ideas." ugh, again). Thankfully, lyrics do not factor worth a damn in my enjoyment of a song.

Yeah, I miss the days of lyrically charged songs like Gone, The Fly, and Ultraviolet.

[infinityBCRT]

Just finished listening to a few of the new tracks, Magnificent, Unknown Caller and the title track, I liked them all. It sets my mind at ease after Get on your boots, which I now understand it's purpose as being the disposeable first single released just to get the attention of the masses. Yeah, I miss the days of lyrically charged songs like Gone, The Fly, and Ultraviolet.

I'd say the lyric writing is far closer to JT/AB than anything recent.

As for Boots, I still don't think its a radio-friendly song. To those who hate Vertigo, maybe it seems like is the same type of song, but its a jarring song. Mainstream hasn't taken to Boots kindly. But I think that song is a grower-- if it can stay steady on the charts for another week, it may get a boost once U2 does their week of performances on Letterman thing.

[Manics]

U2 has been the most consistent and best rock band of the last 30 years. This album will be solid as are the rest of their catalog. 30 years going strong, they're doing something right.

[JonathanEx]

Haha, 'leak'. All the money's in touring, I wonder how many leaks are actually deliberate.

[Manics]

Lyrics, across the board, are pretty crap. This has been the case for the last 3 albums. My apologies to Bono if he is reading this. His lyrics these days contain neither the irony of the 90's nor the earnestness of the 80's. It's all pseudo-inspirational tripe, platitudes, and cringe-worthy rhyming dictionary moments ("voice" with "tortoise"? ugh). Terrible.

Yeah I'm sure Bono is running to GAF to read your interpretation of his lyrics. Geez this album is gonna bomb if you're ripping it like that!

[Tucah]

Been listening to this constantly within the past few days. I've never been much of a U2 fan, but I really like the album. Magnificent stuck out on my first listen, and it remains my favorite track on the album. Yes, the middle is weak (I'll Go Crazy-Boots-Stand Up Comedy is my least favorite stretch of songs on the album, not a fan of any o them), but the rest is great stuff.

[infinityBCRT]

Anyone notice the Mac OS X references in Unknown Caller? Bono must love his Macbook Pro