U2's new album "No Line on the Horizon" dropped on Tuesday, March 3rd, but I've been listening to it for about two weeks now because the band streamed the album on their website before the official release.
After the first listen, I didn't know what to think - it was definately a departure from
All That You Can't Leave Behind
and
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
I have now listened to it about 10 times and here is the verdict: I think this is the second best album U2 has made, behind 1991's
Auchtung Baby
. I know, I know, all you fundamentalists will argue for
The Joshua Tree
as the best album. And while this album may not be as seminal as
Joshua Tree
, it is a deep, layered work that will take many listens to hear all of the intracacies.
Two more quick things. I think it's U2's most overtly Christian album, with songs like
Magnificent, Unknown Caller, White As Snow, Fez-Being Born, and Breathe.
Finally, the second track on the album is titled
Magnificent
and I believe is already, and will go down as the second best U2 song of all time behind
Bad.
I can't wait to hear the new stuff live.