Music / No Line on the Horizon

There's a part of me in the chaos that's quiet
And part of me that wants to riot

No Line on the Horizon is the 12th studio album by irish rock band U2. It was released 27th February, 2009.

The album was meant to be a more experimental one. Recording for several songs was done in Fez, Morocco, and the music incorporates some Middle Eastern influence. Bono chose to create lyrics about characters he imagined, rather than about personal experiences or world events. U2 later added some extra songs recorded at home. The album's sales were disappointing to the band, but they followed it up wit the highly successful U2 360 tour.

Three singles were released for the album; "Get on Your Boots", "Magnificent", and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".

Tracklist

1. "No Line on the Horizon" (4:12)
2. "Magnificent" (5:24)
3. "Moment of Surrender" (7:24)
4. "Unknown Caller" (6:03)
5. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" (4:14)
6. "Get on Your Boots" (3:25)
7. "Stand Up Comedy" (3:50)
8. "Fez/Being Born" (5:17)
9. "White as Snow" (4:41)
10. "Breathe" (5:00)
11. "Cedars of Lebanon" (4:13)

Personnel

• Bono – vocals, guitar
• The Edge – guitar, piano, synthesisers, vocals
• Adam Clayton – bass guitar
• Larry Mullen, Jr. – drums, percussion, backing vocals

"No, No Trope on the Horizon. No, No Trope"

• Box Office Bomb: Though it sold decently, U2 treated it like one as sales were a lot lower than previous albums. The songs have since gotten less play live than some others.
• BSoD Song: "Moment of Surrender", "Unknown Caller", "Breathe" are all variations. "Moment of Surrender" is conceived as abut a heroin addict having the moment described. "Unknown Caller" is conceived as the same character the next day at their lowest point, hoping for a message. "Breathe" is conceived as a rant by someone having a small breakdown.
• Death Song: "White as Snow" is meant to be the last thoughts of a soldier killed by a roadside bomb.
• Epic Instrumental Opener: The title song has a long run up, and Magnificent goes for about a minute before the singing starts, including an electronic section different from the rest of the song.
• Job Song: "Cedars of Lebanon", war correspondent.
• Minimalistic Cover Art: Of Hiroshi Sugimoto's photo of Lake Constance, titled Boden Sea.
• New Sound Album: Meant to be less conventional than the previous two, with some middle east influence.
• Non-Appearing Title: "Unknown Caller".
• Performance Video: "Magnificent" and a different version of "No Line on the Horizon" both show the band performing in Morocco.
• Title Track: The first song.
• To the Tune of...: "White as Snow" is set to "Veni Veni Emmanuel", a hymm's, tune.