No Line on the Horizon

Satan loves a bomb scare, but he won't scare you

Only love can heal such a scar


Shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light

Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady

God is love

Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak



Lines from U2's new album "No Line On the Horizon." One song is "Unknown Caller" about a broken and searching man receiving texts messages with no service, but from who? Cleary the Biblical allusion "Be still and know that I am God" is in play here, and like most U2 albums, God (and Christian faith) plays a big part of the album.

U2 have typically done things in threes. From the post-punk, new wave, garageness of "Boy," "October," and "War"to the Americana inpsired gospel of "The Unforgettable Fire," "The Joshua Tree," and "Rattle and Hum," to the postmodern, disco-electronica, pessimistic irony of "Achtung Baby," "Zooropa," and "Pop," U2 are currently finishing out the end of their current thematic cylce. What began in 2000 with the boundless optimism and energy of "All That You Can't Leave Behind"comes to frution in "No Line" with the bands most spiritual and dare I say "Christian" album. I mean if a line like "Where might we find the lamb as white as snow" isn't overt enough for you, then what is?

God, Biblibal references, and faith have always played a big part in all of U2's work. For a band that has been overly critiqued in the evangelical world as not being "Christian"enough, there body of work boasts a depth of theological insight and spiritual authenticity for those who have been paying close enough attention. Bono has said its important to "Listen over the rhythm that's confusing you" and for many who have taken the time to listen, wrestle, and spend quality time with their work, there have been ample instances of God being "in the house."

"No Line" is nothing short of a call to "stand up for" your God, live a life of faith or "vision over visibility," and ultimately to magnify the creator. Its an honest and unabashed call to faith, as if Bono has appointed himself the worship leader of the world (as if he hasn't done this already).

Musically it sounds like U2 but certainly in a different direction, there are alot of world music influences here, and the usual atmospheric pop symphonics that come from working with Damiel Lanois, but there are also some just good old hard driving rock songs. Gospel and hymnn music also play a strong part in the musical progression of the album. "Moment of Surrender" has a strong gospel groove and chorus, while "Magnificent" and "White As Snow" both feel like modern day re-workings of old hymns.

Overall its a great album, and it should be listened to as an album. Frankly, I think it might be one of U2's best up there with "Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby." It is at times daring and new but always feels like U2, casting itself backwards into the U2 cannon referencing previous themes, sounds, and lyrics. Clearly U2 is telling a narrative throught their music and its progression, and in "No Line" they are pointing to the comedy of life and the world, or that the world will end in comedy, or will end happily Another blogger explains this concept much better here: http://theologykungfu.blogspot.com/2009/03/comedy-of-u2s-no-line-on-horizon.html


Over the next weeks I will take some time to dive into each song, addressing their meanings and theological wieght.