Our favorite Irishmen performed 'Magnificent' from the newly released No Line On the Horizon.  Ok, is it just me or does it seem like they are just phoning it in?  Seriously,  when you have recorded stuff like 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', 'One', and  'Pride (In the Name of Love)' not to mention a plethora of other great hits, that sets the bar pretty high in my estimation.  I know, I know it just came out but there are not the instant hooks that How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb had nor the spirit moving lyrics of All You Can't Leave Behind.  However, I must say that after listening to the album for the last 2 weeks more of it has grown on me. 

  This day and age, you can no longer simply rely on "your special brand of Kool-aid" just because you are who you are.  It better be good.  The more music I indulge in I can't help but think of the myriad of great bands and musicians that are only heard in small clubs and bars that are 100x better than many of the main stream acts we are force-fed over the air, in our cars, at the malls, while dinning at our favorite restaurants, or shopping at Target.

  All I'm saying is you can't phone it in.  People don't dig that, and will bail on you.  That $75 for the limited box set with special book could be a door cover and a bar tab at Eddie's Attic or Hotel Cafe or Mercury Lounge.  Good times, good music with good friends. 

  That being said, now that all the "hardcore" fans are irritated and coming to their rescue with 'well give it time, Viva La Vida wasn't an instant hit' and 'they are just getting started playing the new material live, give 'em a break' and 'I don't know what your problem is, this album is the best ever', the last clearly drinking the Kool-aid.  Let me remind you, I am a huge fan and have been for quite some time. I fell off a bit at times ( Zooropa & Pop ) but was wooed back by the music that moved me in the beginning.  Is this another falling off? Or a continuation in the "woo" affair?

   No Line on the Horizon, I am liking more of it but tonight's performance, ehhh not so much.  Critical you say, maybe, but it's U2 and yeah they have set my expectations high.  You tell me, post up your comments.

'No Line on The Horizon' live in Dublin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oKwnkYFsiE
'Get on Your Boots' & 'Magnificent' BBC surprise rooftop set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrQ24aqkRZ8
Skit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fghbbU1Rdsc
'Breathe' from night 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4d2TNy9O_8
'Magnificent' from tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcvOWunC4N8

authored by Erik Thureson