Long before Bono began drunk blogging for the Times and investing $100 million in Palm Pilots, he fronted the U2s. They’re still very, very popular. As mentioned here last month, the band’s 12th studio album will be called No Line On The Horizon and was produced by Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite, and noted political pundit Brian Eno. It’s now got an all gray cover and tracklist, too.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this image of the sea meeting the sky is by Japanese artist and photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. Sophisticated.
Here’s the tracklist:
01. “No Line On The Horizon”
02. “Magnificent”
03. “Moment of Surrender”
04. “Unknown Caller”
05. “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”
06. “Get On Your Boots”
07. “Stand Up Comedy”
08. “Fez – Being Born”
09. “White As Snow”
10. “Breathe”
11. “Cedars Of Lebanon”
“Get On Your Boots” is out as a digital single on 2/15. The band will perform it a few days later at the Brit Awards. UPDATE: According to one press release we just got, the song hits the Web for streaming on Tuesday.
No Line On The Horizon (Interscope) hits Irish record stores first on 2/27, then the rest of Europe 3/2, and North America the following day.
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album of the year? methinks.
Hope so, I think this is going to be the best thing since Achtung Baby.
Youthinkswrong
Not necessary because we have to wait also Green Day’s album
Album of the year? Wow, sexy boots = not the best start of the year.
I know this thread is about to explode with angry anti-u2 people, just like the threads about the Killers, Coldplay, and other indie turned mainstream acts typically get, though u2 were the originators. I know it isnt cool to say it, but I liked their last album and look forward to this new one. And I have to say i really like the cover art. You all know if that was like Animal Collective cover art you would all love it to…
I agree with you. The haters will be here shortly, but even U2′s “bad” albums are still miles beyond most music. And speaking of bad, there really isn’t a bad U2 album. Their output and impact can not be denied.
umm…..have you listened to “Pop”? when there is only 2 or 3 decent songs on an album that means it’s bad.
Actually, that is a really underrated album and pretty good considering the leap U2 took with the “dance” sound.
Pop is my third, maybe even second most favourite U2 album, so maybe not all agree…
Pop is great, If You Wear That Velvet Dress and Miami are both among U2′s strongest songs. The last two albums are utter shit though and I couldn’t care less about this one.
“I know this thread is about to explode with angry anti-u2 people, just like the threads about the Killers, Coldplay, and other indie turned mainstream acts typically get”
Wait, did The Killers and Coldplay release albums on Touch and Go and Drag City that I’m not aware of, cuz I could have sworn “Hot Fuss” and “Parachutes” are just as mainstream as each band’s latest shit.
What happened to the other Sugimoto picture where there was, you know, no line on the horizon??
I’m not gonna hate; I’m really looking forward to hearing this. I won’t even begrudge them for some extremely silly song titles. Count me in.
The last two albums were pretty bad overall, but I liked everything U2 did before that, no matter what all you cool kids say. What I’ve heard gives me high hopes for this album. The cover looks very nice, so I’m not letting go of my optimism just yet.
I am not a U2 fan jumping on Stereogum for the first time (I mean heck, I’m listening to F#(% Buttons at the moment) but I am SUPER PUMPED for this album.
Providing it leaves behind the bland “let’s get the US to like again” pulp that was the last two albums, I predict we’ll be seeing another fascinating, thrilling, yet entirely controversial release from the boys.
Controversial? Of course. I mean really, there were always Boy fans that hated the Unforgettable Fire/Joshua Tree albums, there were always UF/JT fans that hated Achtung Baby, there were always Achtung Baby fans that hated the earlier stuff, and there have always been people that hated all of it. Plenty of room for controversy!
But from the sounds of things, this will be a return to form. Here’s hoping anyway!
Wow, the haters aren’t arriving. This is good news, internet!
I’m not lover nor hater of the U2 ways, but that cover sucks! A silly internet collage made by a junior high school student that’s taking their first art class.
Then again, it’s U2 they’ve never had an album cover that’s actually good.
The Zooropa & Boy covers are pretty memorable in my opinion. Can we at least agree that How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’s cover was terrible?
I am very excited to hear this. Few bands can release albums after 30 years that can get people excited. Happy listening.
The Boy cover is probably the only one I actually like… the other are remembered because of the music, not the actual cover…
Either way, let’s see what this album brings in music.
fail. look at the war cover
THIS ALBUM IS GOING TO SUCK. U2 SUCKS.
just kidding, just giving you your hater fix. i’m looking forward to it.
dude this band sucks forever.
am i cool now?
Really, they have a song called “Fez” on the album? I hope The Edge has to wear one.
I find it pretty funny that people automaically assume this album be a departure from U2′s last few turds.
No doubt U2 has written some amazing, AMAZING songs & albums, but to assume this album will be good because they are “due” for a good album, is painfully naive. U2 has been “due” to release a good album since the late 80′s.
That said, I hope this album is good because after all, they’re due.
“U2 has been ‘due’ to release a good album since the late 80′s.”
*cough*Achtung Baby*cough* (their greatest album btw)
“One” good song does not a (greatest) album make–you see what I did there.
Kelso is pissed that Fez got his own song.
Seems like whatever new album that comes out is hailed as “THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR!” First it was Animal Collective MPP now this crap….come now.
What a sterile and less memorable album cover. Looking forward to hearing the album though.
and here I thought that palm pilot thing was just a joke.
thanks for the lulz.
cedars of lebanon sounds like a u2 song title i would make up and laugh at.
omg, that first comment was a trendsetter… its cool to like U2 again guys!
thanks man, i know! viva la…oh wait, we’re talking about u2, right?
this band isnt very good.
Looks like they’re trying to put in some political message by having a fair trade ‘equal’ symbol on it.
U2 is so uncool they’re cool.
Single goes up on on the radio Monday morning in Ireland, it’ll be around mid-day Sunday here when it hits the interweb. I’ve heard most of it and they’re trying real hard to be different — it’s just a matter of whether they’re too old to go pop (by way of North Africa).
I, personally, always find U2 to be one of those bands the ‘cool’ kids say they hate, but put Discoteque or Vertigo on at a ‘cool kids’ indie club and the dance floor fills right up!
I’m looking forward to this album and hoping it really is something special. The last 2 albums ahd their moments and Bono call still pen a lyric to terrify Morrisey and a create a melody Gershwin would be proud of, so back with their old producer friends, EMO, Lanois etc, the rest should be right too!
This band is so gay. Bono is the biggest douche alive. I can’t believe Stereogum actually reports on this lame shit. U2 is the kind of music you hear while in the car with your aunt.
I guess, if you’re 12
First you get your panties in a bunch over U2 and now you got to bring my aunt into this. Them’s fighin’ words. I bet your mom listens to U2 in her minivan. Get back to class, you fool.
exactly how often are you in the car with your aunt?
@ monsterBL
Your aunt has better taste in music than you do. Deal with it.
WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT U2 PLAYS HAS RECORDED THE SAME SONG 10 TIMES ON EACH ALBUM. COME UP WITH A NEW RIFF “THE EDGE” = YOU OVERRATED ASSCLOWN.
Hmm, looks like Nine Inch Nails cover.
if the name of the album is “no line on the horizon” then why does the cover clearly display 2 lines on the horizon
“I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”
Fez – Being Born”
Doesnt that tell it all? Last album left us some worthwhile songs. My guess? this is another “how to dismantle an atomic bomb”
who allowed the 3 u2 fans who read here to open up multiple accounts?
anniez so right. u2 is teh suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they’re like 999 yearz old! and i’m already so done with animal collective. will the site that’s the new pitchfork please tell me what i’m supposed to like now?????? OMG I’m gonna get a pink streak in my hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it has to be better than atomic bomb or all that you can’t leave behind
it just has to be
heard the new single, wasn’t expecting much but it actually sounded pretty good.
“U2 is the kind of music you hear while in the car with your aunt.” – yep so true
The new single “Get Your Boots On” premiered all over rock radio today, heard it 4 times throughout the day.
Decent song, typical terrible Bono lyrics…at one point he says something along the lines of “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” or something like that. Listen, you’ll hear it!!!!!!!
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I’ve listened to “Get Your Boots On” about 25 times now and still can’t quite grasp it.
I wasn’t expecting much, but kind of hoping for a “good” tune. But… I feel the riff is very forgettable, the chorus is Ok but yet again.. forgettable and messy.
I’m sure there could have been a better song to choose of this album, it’s not a bad song, a good album track, but not a single. That’s my view anyway.
Still looking forward to hearing the whole album though, we’ll just have to wait and see….hmmm
wtf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1080636/What-St-Bonos-wife-say-partying-teenage-girls.html
I had to stare at the album art for more than I would like to admit. Sometimes, U2 tries to hard to be one of those bands that makes always wants its music to be so serious all the time. I guess it’s because Bono is so out there with his “saving the world.” Didn’t really care for the first single. Need to hear more.
http://diggingfordays.blogspot.com
Nice cover but the new single is awful, bonobo’s vocals are even more laughable than usual, and thats saying something…
sugimoto didn’t ask for any money for the photo. they did a swap: photo for song. novel…
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20090320a1.html