Retooling No Line on the Horizon

I think that beneath the overproduction of No Line on the Horizon lies an album on par with The Unforgettable Fire. Obviously, there are a few tracks that would need to go, too, and a few that must be taken on. So in the spirit of dreaming of "what could have been", here's my improved No Line on the Horizon:

1. FEZ / Being Born
2. No Line on the Horizon
3. Moment of Surrender
4. Unknown Caller
5. Disappearing Act
6. Soon
7. Stateless
8. White As Snow
9. Winter (Linear)
10. Cedars of Lebanon

This retooling supposes a version of Unknown Caller that ditches the computer jargon. And Disappearing Act, in some ways, fits both TUF and NLOTH, so it would also need minor reworking to form a more cohesive album.

I picked FEZ / Being Born to be open because it previews two sides of the album, one that is quiet and contemplative and another that can be loud and striking.

The placement of Soon is also significant. It launches us into a placid second half and works well as an interstitial track, though I expect most would have it begin the record.

And yes, Stateless! This track works perfectly here, and I couldn't resist including it. Before you mention its Million Dollar Hotel provenance, I'll admit to being unaware of the song's history until now; placement on the MDH soundtrack was enough to keep Never Let Me Go out of this, but I don't think there's a suitable replacement for Stateless. I'm a hypocrite.

Winter isn't a perfect song, but I needed it to break up White As Snow and Cedars of Lebanon. I opted for the Linear version because I am sane.

I think this tracklist elevates No Line on the Horizon from a mediocre 4 to a respectable 6 or 7.

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:


This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:

This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

The NoLine in my library has the above as track 12 - No Line On The Horizon (2)

Don’t have the slightest idea how this came to be. I know it’s the bonus track of the japanese CD, but why is it there? Apple Music glitch?

It was the b-side of the Get on Your Boots single so maybe was added a "bonus song" on a particular countries release? Holy Joe was an extra track on the Japanese CD of Pop.

I do want to keep Unknown Caller with a different middle third.

I like the Soon-Stateless pair.

Where do Breathe and Magnificent go? Bonus releases? "In the bin" won't work for me.

It was the b-side of the Get on Your Boots single so maybe was added a "bonus song" on a particular countries release? Holy Joe was an extra track on the Japanese CD of Pop.

Well I would very much like to see the same « glitch Â» for Pop and have Holy Joe in my library. It would certainly « elevate Â» POP in my book. 

Quote from: an tha on April 30, 2020, 06:33:23 AM

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:

This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

The NoLine in my library has the above as track 12 - No Line On The Horizon (2)

Don’t have the slightest idea how this came to be. I know it’s the bonus track of the japanese CD, but why is it there? Apple Music glitch?

Are you sure the one i posted is NLOTH 2....i always thought that was a more 'dancey' mix....

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:

This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

I enjoy that live version of No Line quite a bit, but I also like some of the sonic flourishes on the album version. A compromise of those versions would do it for me.

I do want to keep Unknown Caller with a different middle third.

I like the Soon-Stateless pair.

Where do Breathe and Magnificent go? Bonus releases? "In the bin" won't work for me.

Maybe I'll throw those on the Super Deluxe Edition for you! Breathe is the better of those two, but neither interest me musically.

Quote from: MPare1966 on April 30, 2020, 06:45:45 AM

Quote from: an tha on April 30, 2020, 06:33:23 AM

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:

This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

The NoLine in my library has the above as track 12 - No Line On The Horizon (2)

Don’t have the slightest idea how this came to be. I know it’s the bonus track of the japanese CD, but why is it there? Apple Music glitch?

Are you sure the one i posted is NLOTH 2....i always thought that was a more 'dancey' mix....

Not exactly the same, but that live version you posted is much more closer to NOLTH2 studio version than the opening track. I wouldn’t call NLOTH2 « dancey Â» 

Quote from: an tha on April 30, 2020, 07:14:06 AM

Quote from: MPare1966 on April 30, 2020, 06:45:45 AM

Quote from: an tha on April 30, 2020, 06:33:23 AM

Whether agree with the additions of such old songs in Disappearing Act and Stateless (both are good songs by the way IMO and Disappearing Act was retooled/finished around that time and to me would have been better on NLOTH than hidden away as a track on a deluxe re-issue of a 25 year old album) or not - there is no doubt in my mind that your album absolutely pisses all over the album we actually got.

U2 though simply couldn't help themselves but put water the album down with the will.i.am stuff etc.

Remember they called it 'too esoteric' even after watering it down - a really damning insight into their mindset.

I still believe NLOTH could have been a good album and stand as their best since Pop - but they bottled out.


I'd tweak your album above a little - NLOTH would see the mix be the one ala the performance on The Culture Show.

This:

This is one of those rare 00's u2 jobs i think is really good - it destroys the album version IMO, which just lacks oomph.

I'd also jib Unknown Caller totally.

The NoLine in my library has the above as track 12 - No Line On The Horizon (2)

Don’t have the slightest idea how this came to be. I know it’s the bonus track of the japanese CD, but why is it there? Apple Music glitch?

Are you sure the one i posted is NLOTH 2....i always thought that was a more 'dancey' mix....

Not exactly the same, but that live version you posted is much more closer to NOLTH2 studio version than the opening track. I wouldn’t call NLOTH2 « dancey » 

Fair enough!

I only recall very vaugely hearing it and i just recall it being faster and dancier for some reason....i don't have much memory of it at all and i don't think it is on youtube for a reminder!

No Magnificent?



a man finds happiness
with compassion in his heart
and love up his sleeve

he finds waterfalls
with mystery between the rocks
and rainbows in the mist

he finds majesty
in the garden of his creator
conversations in the wind

She finds power
from the forbidden tree
of which she convinces him to eat

thus,  man is doomed

This is No Line 2. I wish they'd taken this more aggressive approach to Boots and Breathe as well.

That's the danceable NLOTH 2 I remember.

Magnificent is my favorite track on the album.  Include that and it’s workable


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