Artistic greatness is sought by many. Yet greatness -more often then not- turns into a vice, trapping most who achieve it. Take a look at movie directors M. Night Shyamalan and John Singleton –both ensnared by early success. Take a look at every band outside of Coldplay that was hailed as the ‘next great thing’ -The Killers, The Bravery, Arcade Fire, Interpol, etc… Those few artists who escape the death-grip of greatness are the ones who continue to reinvent themselves, while staying true to their musical heritage. Madonna and the Rolling Stones try to remake themselves with every new album, but for the life of me I can’t name a single song that either has released in the last 20 years.
U2 stands nearly alone for they managed to produce sonically unique music, while still feasting on the themes of love, redemption, salvation, longing, and justice. These themes were present in 1976 when Larry posted a note on his school’s billboard looking for musicians to start a band. These themes have infused every song and every album that U2 has released. Larry, Adam, The Edge, and Bono write for the soul, giving us reasons to sing, to worship, and to love.
No Line on the Horizon is U2’s 12 studio album. Fellow U2 fanatic and friend Corbin D. mentioned to me that he thought this album sounded like a collection of B-sides. I would agree… there is a level of thematic continuity, but these themes are found in the lyrics, not the music. Each song appears to be unique it its own right, which probably reflects the ill-fated attempt to have famous producer Rick Rubin guide U2. Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite and Brian Eno, all familiar chaps to U2 and to their fans, were brought in to rescue and revive this album. Furthermore, recording in Morocco, France, Ireland and England also added to the eclectic feel of No Line on the Horizon.
After repeatedly listening to NLOTH, Magnificence and Moment of Surrender are two songs that appeal the most. Magnificence could be played in any church, as its Christo-centric theology and call to worship, along with a driving bass and drumbeat move us to worship and to surrender. Magnificence features the line, ‘Only love could leave such a mark…’ What a truly powerful and symbolic line! I have reflected and thought about this line, and how it can be applied to the scars of Christ, the mark that we all bear as fellow image bearers of God, and even the mark that we have as children of Christ. Moment of Surrender is woven from the same fabric that gave us Bad, 40, and One.
