“NO LINE ON THE HORIZON” U2 (Island Records) ***
I almost didn’t buy this. With Rolling Stone spraying knuckle babies all over it and Bono trying to save the world, I was leery. Then, one morning while getting ready for work with the TV on, Much More Music played the “Get on Your Boots” video. Payday was the next day so I buckled and said “Oh all RIGHT, I’ll get the damned thing!!” The result isn’t nearly as good as R-S claims, or as disappointing as I expected it to be.

One thing the critics have noted that happens to be true, is that “No Line On The Horizon” harkens back to discs like “Zooropa” in its sense of freedom and experimentation. This one is murky, moody and meditative, which means it’s going to take everyone awhile to absorb it and decide what they/we think.

U2’s high watermark has to be “The Joshua Tree”, an album they’re unlikely to equal- but are they past their shelf life? I don’t think so, but they’re getting pretty close. They’ll probably end up like The Rolling Stones- remain a huge live act while people say “who gives a crap?” when they see a new album on the shelves. “No Line” is not great and it’s not bad either- but when I’m in the mood for some U2, chances are good I’ll be reaching for something older.

KEY CUTS: “Get On Your Boots”, “Moment of Surrender”, “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”