U2

About three months ago, one of my best friends and I were having arguments about who would win the latest round of the U2 vs. The Boss rivalry. I figured the Boss had to win again: that is, until he dropped his scattered trainwreck Working On A Dream. I was wrong. Oh well, the point is U2's new record, No Line On The Horizon, is out now. Like every big anticipated rock release (Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, Green Day are up next), I have to go track-by-track on this one.

1.) "No Line On The Horizon": Pounding bass and drums, the Edge is making those scorching atmosphere sounds, and Bono is yelling like its "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Wow. You couldn't have opened this album better. This song makes me want to run a marathon.

2.) "Magnificent": They really shoot for the big rock anthem on this one. Catchy guitar, dancing bass rhythm, pious lyrics about how "only love could leave such a mark"...this is U2 by the numbers. It's just better than they've done it in almost 20 years.

3.) "Moment Of Surrender": The rock arena stuff is on hold now; welcome to church! He even goes for the gospel organ here. Great chorus though, and the Edge rescues the song when it starts to get dull. This song actually works for over 7 minutes! Has this band ever pulled that off?

4.) "Unknown Caller": Two lengthy epics in a row in the first half of the album? That takes some balls. That idea, as well as this song, is completely owned by Brian Eno. The minor-keyed guitar work toward the end is great and so is the vocal harmonies - these things save this song from being 6 minutes of Bono preaching. This song takes a few listens to like, but it has some nice surprises.

5.) "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight": The title is unforgivably bad. The singing can be best described as goofy. However, by the second chorus, you will love this song. I can't even figure out why. I think it's because of the Edge's howling in the background. He's the MVP here so far.

6.) "Get Your Boots On": The album's first misstep is it's first single, but I still like it better than "Vertigo". Does this song sound like it was made for a car commercial? It kind of works in the middle of the album, since it is in between a pair of fun stadium rock songs. Oh well, I'm sure "Magnificent" will overtake rock radio soon.

7.) "Stand-Up Comedy": Like the last track, more goofy mindless fun. I love how this record is so distinctly divided between the preachy/artsy and the joking self-parody. "Stand up for your love!" - really, Bono?

8.) "FEZ - Being born": Ringing tones and layered keyboards bring this album back down to earth. The singing reminds me of the Talking Heads' "Born Under Punches" (another Brian Eno creation). This is a great transition track that couldn't really stand alone.

9.) "White As Snow": Does anybody else notice he stole the melody from "O Come Emmanuel"? Come on guys! Mostly Christians buy your records - you can't get away with that! Beautiful song though. This could be a great Bono/Edge acoustic moment at a concert.

10.) "Breathe": Here it is, a new U2 standard. Bono goes on a Bob Dylan style rant while the Edge works magic behind him. This song could have fit onto War or any album since. Perfect.

11.) "Cedars Of Lebanon": This sounds like a cross between "Wake Up Dead Man" and "Grace" - it might be their best-ever album closer (always a rough area for them). Sorrowful and understated aren't their strong suits, but they do it in nice measure here.

Bottom line: this album joins War, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and All That You Can't Leave Behind as the fifth U2 classic. There isn't a filler track here. It's not too late to become a U2 fan.