by U2
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 409 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 43 out of 409

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  1. Apr 23, 2011
    8
    When I first listened to the album I wasn't quite sure what to think, its not my favorite U2 music ever, but it did have a strange appeal. I let it sit for a while and have now gone back to it and listened more and its much better now. Its really an album that you need to keep going back to, it may take some time but the music begins to grow on you. Its definitely worth picking up.
  2. Apr 30, 2011
    10
    I'm pretty sick of people writing about how awful U2 albums like 'No Line On The Horizon' and 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' sound because they don't compare to this previous U2 album, or this album, or this album. Screw that. It's a great album. Maybe there won't be an album better than The Joshua Tree, but that doesn't mean the albums are awful. It means that they're different andI'm pretty sick of people writing about how awful U2 albums like 'No Line On The Horizon' and 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' sound because they don't compare to this previous U2 album, or this album, or this album. Screw that. It's a great album. Maybe there won't be an album better than The Joshua Tree, but that doesn't mean the albums are awful. It means that they're different and maybe not as good, but still great. I loved this album because it was very distinct, and a very new kind of U2. It's U2 in a way that I haven't seen before, but in a way that I like a lot. It's still similar to older U2 and certain songs on this album are experimental, but the album is magnificent because it has certain songs that sound like the old U2 and certain songs that sound very new, refreshing, and just incredibly artistic, creative, and catchy. This album is definitely worth buying if you're a U2 fan who REALLY knows U2. Expand
  3. j30
    Jan 30, 2012
    6
    U2 will never be the band they once were back in the 80's and 90's, that's a fact of life everyone needs to know. However No Line On The Horizon is one of their more solid efforts in some time making one wonder if there is a line and have they crossed it already.
  4. Jun 15, 2012
    8
    Although I feel this effort from U2 lacks a classic track or anthem, overall it's a very high quality record full of interesting ideas. A bit like their "Pop" record, I reckon this could have been a bit better if it was given a bit more time to mature before the band recorded it. Bono's vocals are as good as ever and the musicianmanship in general is top rate as always with this band.Although I feel this effort from U2 lacks a classic track or anthem, overall it's a very high quality record full of interesting ideas. A bit like their "Pop" record, I reckon this could have been a bit better if it was given a bit more time to mature before the band recorded it. Bono's vocals are as good as ever and the musicianmanship in general is top rate as always with this band. "Breathe" towards the end of the record is the stand out track for me and it should have been a massive hit single. As it turned out, the singles U2 released off this record were probably amongst the poorest tracks on the album. There is lots to admire and very little to dislike here and the fact that U2, after close to 30 years together can still put out records of such high quality has to commended. Expand
  5. Jun 25, 2012
    9
    out of the 9 points i give it, the first 8 come from a u2 album to finally showcase adamclaytons bass playing ability. the last point comes for the song "breathe"
  6. Jun 30, 2013
    8
    I believe it is one of U2's most underappreciated albums. Is it one of their best? No, I don't think so, but it is a great blend of experimental rock and more straightforward rock. I wish the band would have decided to go all out with the experimentation, but I like the change of pace the record has. Breathe is the only song I don't like on this album and I have to be in a certain mood forI believe it is one of U2's most underappreciated albums. Is it one of their best? No, I don't think so, but it is a great blend of experimental rock and more straightforward rock. I wish the band would have decided to go all out with the experimentation, but I like the change of pace the record has. Breathe is the only song I don't like on this album and I have to be in a certain mood for I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight; White as Snow reminds me of Grace in the sense that it is at times a little too lifeless, but a good song if your in the mood for something mellow. The best songs are the first four tracks and I love how Bono experimented with his vocals on these tracks especially the title one. This album has really grown on me and I feel in the long run will be remembered as one of U2's best albums since Achtung Baby. Expand
  7. Mar 8, 2013
    8
    Nice album, some good songs (even if I don't like Fez and Cedars Of Lebanon), but the songs in How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb were much better. I think U2 still can do better than this.
  8. Dec 26, 2014
    8
    O Mais fraco da década de 2000's. Possui uma obra-prima >>Magnificent.
    Top 5 No Line On The Horizon.
    1-Magnificent
    2-Unknown Caller
    3-I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
    4-Breathe
    5-Fez Beign Born
  9. May 30, 2013
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. U2 Incrivelmente Os Melhores Mais Infelizmente Tem Duas Músicas Que Eu Não Consigo Ouvir Que São As White As Snow E Cedars Of Lebanon.
    Mas Mesmo Assim Um Album Muito Bom.
    Top No Line On The Horizon.
    1-Magnificent
    2-Unknown Caller
    3-I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
    4-Breathe
    5-Fez Beign Born
    Expand
  10. Jun 4, 2013
    5
    This album has a better user rating than Achtung Baby This band has been mailing it in since Zooropa. twenty years ago. Not a lot of spark. Boggles the mind.
  11. Nov 5, 2013
    6
    Their best album since Zooropa, No Line is an improvement on the direction they were trying to take on their previous two LP's. Eno creates a rich, dense sound that never distracts from the songs. However, the album loses momentum toward in the second half, and its ambitions overwhelm its accomplishments (which has plagued many of U2's albums). No Line is more of a step in the rightTheir best album since Zooropa, No Line is an improvement on the direction they were trying to take on their previous two LP's. Eno creates a rich, dense sound that never distracts from the songs. However, the album loses momentum toward in the second half, and its ambitions overwhelm its accomplishments (which has plagued many of U2's albums). No Line is more of a step in the right direction than a realization of a goal. Expand
  12. Nov 11, 2014
    6
    I like this album more than the last two from U2 because I like the experimentation employed. The first two tracks are great, and the lyrics are interesting and have a sort of interesting cryptic quality to them. Some of the experimentation, however, gets a little silly. For instance the weird vocal phrases spewed out on Unknown Caller are just cringe-worthy (Force quit! And move toI like this album more than the last two from U2 because I like the experimentation employed. The first two tracks are great, and the lyrics are interesting and have a sort of interesting cryptic quality to them. Some of the experimentation, however, gets a little silly. For instance the weird vocal phrases spewed out on Unknown Caller are just cringe-worthy (Force quit! And move to trash!) The rest of the album can be a little boring as it progresses, but the album ends on a personal note as Bono tells stories of his childhood on White as Snow, and then delivers some haunting mantra-like lines on Cedars of Lebanon to close the album. Overall, it's an improvement from All That You Can't Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which were both atrocious, and it's good enough. Expand
  13. Apr 4, 2016
    7
    No Way!!!!!!, This Album is Better than How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004), But clearly is better than Songs Of Innocence (2014)...

    After the Masterpiece of 2004 year U2 It is going Downhill Musically...
  14. Dec 14, 2017
    8
    THIS ALBUM IS NOT GOOD AS HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB (2004),ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND (2000),ACHTUNG BABY (1991) AND THE JOSHUA TREE (1987) AND EVEN LESS BETTER... U2 here isn't at he's best.
  15. Feb 12, 2020
    9
    Great Album by U2, But isn't best than 2000 & 2004 albums, The album have so many great songs, and is kind experimental that explains the admirers, but the album isn't confident and extraordinary like 2000 album, and also is not good like 2004 album.

    But is a solid album.
  16. May 18, 2018
    9
    es un bueno álbum de U2, pero yo creo que es medio o muy sobreestimado pelos aficionados, siendo que ATYCLB y HTDAAB es muy mejores que este.

    punto culminante

    Magnificent
    Moment of Surrender
    Breathe
    Unknown Caller
    Fez- Being Born
    I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
    White As Snow
  17. Apr 4, 2016
    7
    ............................................................................................................................................................................A GREAT Step back, for U2
  18. May 11, 2016
    7
    .....................................................................................................................................The Most Weak Album of U2 In the 2000's
  19. Apr 11, 2020
    8
    No Line On The Horizon by U2: 7.07

    No Line On The Horizon: 1 :) Magnificent: 1 :) Moment Of Surrender: 1! Unknown Caller: 0.75 I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight: 1 :) Get On Your Boots: 1 :) Stand Up Comedy: 1 :) FEZ / Being Born: 0.5 White As Snow: 0.5 Breathe: 1 :) Cedars Of Lebanon: 0.5 9.25/11 ~ .841 -> 7.07 I had always painted this album as a lot better
    No Line On The Horizon by U2: 7.07

    No Line On The Horizon: 1 :)
    Magnificent: 1 :)
    Moment Of Surrender: 1!
    Unknown Caller: 0.75
    I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight: 1 :)
    Get On Your Boots: 1 :)
    Stand Up Comedy: 1 :)
    FEZ / Being Born: 0.5
    White As Snow: 0.5
    Breathe: 1 :)
    Cedars Of Lebanon: 0.5

    9.25/11 ~ .841 -> 7.07

    I had always painted this album as a lot better than it actually is in reality. Don’t get me wrong, this is still an amazing collection of songs, but I didn’t realize how many “meh” songs there were. Of course, I cannot really complain, since there are so many amazing songs in No Line On The Horizon. Magnificent, Moment Of Surrender, and I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight are three of my all time favorite songs, and there are a lot more on here that I love. I really liked Moment Of Surrender as well for the power that the lyrics contain, which makes a really good song combined with the awesome music that U2 gives it. My only complaint are the three songs at the end that just didn’t measure up to the others, although I can kind of ignore those since the rest of the album is chock full of instant classics. All U2 fans will find No Line On The Horizon another great listen, as I know I did. Highlights: No Line On The Horizon, Magnificent, Moment Of Surrender, I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Get On Your Boots, Stand Up Comedy, and Breathe.
    Expand
  20. Oct 11, 2019
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Who knew breaks could ruin a band?

    U2’s 5 year break has maybe been too comfortable as this album just reeks of laziness and feels as no effort was put in at all. For example, most songs like Unknown Caller and Moment of Surrender sound the exact same. This can also be said for White as Snow and Cedars of Lebanon which are both boring, pathetic songs. Hell, I rather listen to Bruce fuming Springsteen!

    Not to mention there are only 5 of the 11 songs I actually enjoyed. Give these a listen because they are actually not bad and don’t suck

    -FEZ-BEING BORN
    -BREATHE
    -NO LINE ON THE HORIZON
    -MAGNIFICENT
    -ILL GO CRAZY IF I DON’T GO CRAZY TONIGHT

    Oh and stand up comedy is ok I guess

    Beside those 5, the album is below mediocre. While I don’t recommend the album, I recommend those handful of songs. Hopefully they improve.
    Expand
  21. Aug 21, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Un grand disque de U2. Fusion parfaite entre The Unforgettable Fire, Achtung Baby et All That You Can't Leave Behind. Magnificent est un joli single. Expand
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 30
  2. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. No Line on the Horizon partakes of that romance by trying to expose its inner workings. It's risky to expose those delineations; as the band said long ago, it's like trying to throw your arms around the world. But the effort has its payoffs.
  2. As far as exploration goes, U2 seem to have finally found what they were looking for.
  3. Upon first listen, No Line on the Horizon seems as if it would be a classic grower, an album that makes sense with repeated spins, but that repetition only makes the album more elusive, revealing not that U2 went into the studio with a dense, complicated blueprint, but rather, they had no plan at all.