U2

I was surprised to find it has been nearly five years since U2's last album. But as long as there is still war and poverty and Africa, it seems a safe bet that Bono and company will continue making music. Meanwhile, offerings by Radiohead and Coldplay, two bands who owe much to U2, have filled the niche for moody music with strong production standards and aspirations for world dominance. In this musical landscape, it comes as no surprise that Brian Eno doubles as producer for both U2 (alongside Daniel Lanois) and Coldplay's latest releases. With No Line on the Horizon, the result is an album that is sonically interesting, but not more so than anything else in Eno and Lanois' remarkable back catalogues.

"Magnificent," the second track, is a relative peak, and Bono's platitudes feel like an endearing creative quirk rather than a vice. Another highlight is "Moment of Surrender," where the Edge plays looser than he has since Achtung Baby, lending credence to claims that the track was recorded live and improvised over seven minutes.

U2's willingness to take such risks is a testament to Bono's grand aspirations and admirable vision. Still, it seems patronizing to give polite accolades to such an accomplished group for taking minor creative leaps when there are plenty of new kids on the block doing it with more panache and daring. And call me ageist, but a 48-year-old Bono squealing, "I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight" and "every generation gets a chance to change the world" in the same song doesn't exactly scream rock 'n' roll.

No Line on the Horizon is by no measure a bad album, and it's as palatable as any other Dad Rock out there. It's just saddening that new music by former greats looks so pedestrian in comparison to albums like In Rainbows. U2 may have made the model, but competitors have come and outperformed.

Nothing personal, that's just (music) business.

--Brian Contratto