Ranking U2's Albums from Worst to First: #13, No Line on the Horizon

On February 27, 2009, after playing in a co-ed softball game, Juli and I picked up a pregnancy test and soon learned that she was pregnant. 8 1/2 months later, we welcomed Ashlyn Nicole Smith into our lives.  Earlier on that February day when we discovered that Juli was with child, I made a lunch run to Best Buy to purchase U2's 12th studio album, No Line on the Horizon.  It is a fine record and it's cool that it shares a significant date with my family, but even that isn't enough to get it into U2's top ten albums.  But lucky #13 is not so bad.

For a band like U2, none of their records are poor by the standards of most musical artists.  But the reality is that bands like U2 don't compete against the rest of the pack - ultimately, they compete against themselves and No Line on the Horizon just doesn't measure up to most of the rest of U2's catalogue.  

There are a few decent songs when heard in isolation, but what hurts this album as a whole is its desire to be both radio friendly and experimental.  The result is that it is not terribly experimental, and the hits were short-lived flash in the pan kind of songs.

U2, No Line on the Horizon - Released February 27, 2009 

Album Charts - #1 Ireland, #1 UK, #1 US

Worldwide Sales to Date - 5 million

Singles - Get On Your Boots, #1 Ireland, #37 UK, #37 US Modern Rock Chart.  Magnificent, #4 Ireland, #45 UK, #11 US Alternative Chart.  I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, #11 Ireland, #69 UK, #66 US Hot 100 Chart.

Standout Songs - Moment of Surrender, Unknown Caller, Get On Your Boots, Breathe

Weakest Track - Standup Comedy

Hidden Gem - Unknown Caller 

For this to be the band's second worst record and to still achieve such commercial success, demonstrates that not only does U2 have a lofty ceiling, they also maintain a very high floor. - Shay