The first U2 album since November 2004 received an exclusive first
play in Dublin last night.
The Residence private members club on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin
hosted a playback of the eagerly awaited album.
It has been the longest gap between releases in the band’s entire
career.
Media and record company personnel gathered to hear ‘No Line on the
Horizon’ in full in the club’s luxurious surroundings. The quartet’s
12th studio album will be released in Ireland on February 27, a full
weekend before its worldwide release.
Sessions for the album were recorded in Fez, Morocco, before moving on
to the band’s Dublin studio on Hanover Quay, New York’s Platinum Sound
and Olympic Studios in London.
The album will be available in five different formats, including
vinyl, standard CD, a deluxe box set and a special edition with a
limited 64-page magazine.
The lead single ‘Get On Your Boots’ will be available both as a
digital download and on physical formats from February 13. The
download, CD and 7in vinyl will all be priced at 99 cent, a first for
a single release in this country.
The accompanying video for ‘Get On Your Boots’ will receive its world
premiere exclusively here on www.independent. ie tomorrow at 4.55pm.
1 ‘No Line on the Horizon’
The opening title track kicks off with a crunchy, distorted guitar
riff from the Edge.
2 ‘Magnificent’
Dancey electro flourishes introduce an atmospheric track with moody
leanings.
3 ‘Moment of Surrender’
This particular moment of surrender sees a slowing down of the tempo
and some delicate, bluesy guitar playing from the Edge.
4 ‘Unknown Caller’
More intricate guitar fretwork that builds into a mid-tempo rocker
featuring an organ and one of the album’s lushest productions.
5 ‘I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight’
Chiming guitar intro, a rousing Bono falsetto and the lyric, “Every
generation has a chance to change the world”.
6 ‘Get On Your Boots’
The belting single that shot straight to the top of the Irish airplay
charts here stands as the halfway tune. The video will be premiered
tomorrow on www.independent. ie from 4.55pm.
7 ‘Stand Up Comedy’
Grungy pop with strident drumming from Larry Mullen.
8 ‘Fez — Being Born’
On first listen, easily the album’s most adventurous and challenging
track with ambient synthy hooks.
9 ‘White as Snow’
A stark, stripped back and striking tune with imploring vocals.
10 ‘Breathe’
Starts off with a trip-hop beat and cello playing before transforming
into an all-out rocker.
11 ‘Cedars of Lebanon’
A reflective parting glass for album number 12, finishing on the line,
“Choose your enemies carefully because they will define you”.
News Source: The Irish Independent
