No Line On The Horizon (International Version)

So. The opening title track. Edge is buried in the mix. A touch of October in the piano refrain. Is there a little restraint in the swagger these days? Surely not... Oh, the next track's called 'Magnificent'. That's put paid to that idea then. Er, hang on though, Is it us, or is this actually pretty good?

Many of us grew up on this band and - let’s be honest - were probably crazy for them too. Come on, who (age dependent!) wasn’t really excited about Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby coming out? And this is getting towards that sort of level. Way better than the limp All That You Can't Leave Behind or the overwrought ... Atomic Bomb

‘Moment of Surrender' sparkles with moody brilliance and has a gospel thread, but in a good way (cue sighs of relief – there's no 'Yahweh' or 'Wake Up Dead Man' on this effort). '... Crazy Tonight' has urgency. 'Stand Up Comedy' has the killer riff and a touch of Primal Scream. 'Breathe' has menace. Menace! (Well, the intro, at least.) And 'Fez - Being Born' actually sounds fresh. Cue dropping jaws...

Yeah, 'Get On Your Boots' leans on 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'. And yeah, they gave Eno way too much of a free hand with 'Unknown Caller'. But. Look. You've got to get to get over it, okay? These guys can still walk the walk. And here it is. A good new U2 album. Who'd 'a thunk it? [collapses]