Even Brian Eno Doesn’t Seem to Like the New U2 Album

March 2, 2009 9:52 a.m. by Nick Neyland

The unremarkable new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, is released this week amid a blizzard of bad publicity for the band. The BBC has been accused of giving too much airtime to the band, and a tax scandal has revealed that Bono and the boys are keeping a sizable portion of their cash in the Netherlands.

Now the Edge has been talking about Brian Eno’s contribution to the record. Eno has worked on most of the band’s biggest selling records, but it appears he is less-than keen on U2’s music. “He's not really a fan of rock music and I'm not sure he's a fan of U2's music,” said the Edge. "He hated “Get On Your Boots” at first but eventually got into it."

This review over at the Quietus provides a fair and balanced summation of the album, although it’s unlikely Eno disliked No Line on the Horizon with quite the same ferocity as the esteemed Mr. Agreeable. [AngryApe]

Posted in: BRIAN ENO , U2

6 Responses

March 2, 2009 at 6:12 p.m.

dukkookim

Wow Pitchfork really gave it to U2. Then again, they never stood a chance. But you have to question Pitchfork's relevance here since they repeatedly praise "All That You Can't Leave Behind" -by far the lamest U2 album.

March 4, 2009 at 5:05 p.m.

ryan

Eno never said he hated the album. Get your goddamn facts straight, dipshts

March 10, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.

david barton

i would say its the bet u2 album for 15 years. a really good piece of worh that puts them back at the top again. not just the biggest band but the best.

March 11, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.

sean

Musically I think the album is okay, but on the lyrics side I think its even weaker. I feel they've been in sort of a CAMPY mode since 'Zooropa' and have yet to recover. Really love Eno's Roxy Music;a big fan of that. I feel like the sound they accomplished especially with albums like 'AVALON' somehow is still the future, and still in the future- like future generations will listen to something similar to that more than U2. I bet Eno knows that.

March 22, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.

brian

eno is an avante-garde artist and producer who likes to experiment with music, and sometimes feels musicians get in the way of that.
Bono converted Eno from agnosticsm to Christianity, so I am not suggesting Eno doesn't have an open mind.

March 22, 2009 at 5:14 p.m.

ellan

Though I am a fan of some of their music, I would not at all call the actions of the band in discussion Christian.
The Joshua Tree was an 'identity theft' of the New Zealandish band, Crowded House, who were about to take over the world. Their identity cleverly reduced to being Bono's New Zealand gopher who died in an accident. They never soared after that and 'PAUL' of Crowded House never recovered emotionally from that loss. May he rest in peace.
We all know about the very Unchristian 'kidnapping', rape
and years long abuse of Mom and Dad in this band's attempt to steal their band and its future as well. May they finally have peace and freedom from these monsters who call themselves christian and pose as do-gooders to cover up what they did. May the world be free from these fakes, posing as a worthwhile band and believers. God protect those who are suffering in their wake.