U2 is perhaps one of the most influential rock bands from the late ’70s. The group’s songs have spanned decades and influenced many musicians. The group recently released No Line on the Horizon, their 12th album, which hit No. 1 on The Billboard 200 within the first week of sales.

U2 formed in 1978 with Bono as the lead singer, The Edge on guitar, Adam Clayton playing the bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on the drums. Thirty-one years, millions of fans and 12 records later, the line-up has not changed at all.

The band has sold approximately 140 million albums, thus demonstrating why U2 has not made an album since 2004. The success they have faced in the past guarantees an instant following whenever they decide to make yet another album.

U2?s new masterpiece has been long-awaited by casual listeners and die-hard fans alike because it has been nearly five years since U2 released 2004?s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which also hit No. 1 on The Billboard 200 soon after its release.

While U2 is famous for its classic sound as seen in songs such as ?Where the Streets Have no Name? and ?Pride (In the Name of Love)?, No Line on the Horizon relies on these classic tones with added twists for most songs.

A good example of this is clearly seen on the second track, ?Magnificent,? which clearly draws on previous U2 songs and classic, clean tone. Even though the songs are reminiscent of the band’s classic music, they have a ?new? feeling about them, distinguishing from the older U2 that we all know and love.

It seems the band has gone back to its original song style to get the listener ready for the new music. While these songs, which drew on older successes, were enjoyable to listen to, they were nothing special. It wasn’t until the back-to-back pairing of the tracks ?Get on Your Boots? and ?Stand Up Comedy? that I decided that I really liked the album.

There still seems to be an unshakeable resemblance to previous works, including some songs on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. However, one can not really hold the band at fault for this. Because U2 has shown that it is musically diverse and talented many times, continued expansion will eventually lose the sound that has earned the band millions of fans.

“Get on your Boots” features an outstanding guitar riff and vocals that force themselves into the listener’s head and refuse to leave. It is the kind of catchy song that one finds himself singing mindlessly while working.

“Stand up Comedy” also has a unique guitar line. The lyrics help make this song one of the better on the album: “Stand up to rock stars/ Napoleon is in high heels/ Josephine, be careful of small men with big ideas.” The song encourages listeners to stand up for what they believe in instead of following what is popular.

Perhaps my least favorite song on the album is “White as Snow” ? the track is almost too slow and depressing. However, out of the whole album this is the only song that I really do not care for.

No Line on the Horizon consists of what U2 is famous for, from Bono’s vocals to The Edge’s guitar riffs, making it yet another great U2 album. Despite a lack of completely new concepts, the traditional and well-loved formulas will delight fans and newcomers alike.