Album Reviews
U2
`No Line on the Horizon'
(Universal Music)
The wait is over for U2 fans. Five long years after their last album, U2 has finally released ``No Line on the Horizon.'' U2 doesn't disappoint with an impressive album that pushes the band's sound to the next level. The first single ``Get On Your Boots'' is full of rock star bravado. Other stellar tracks include ``I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight,'' ``Stand Up Comedy'' and ``Breathe.''
Let's face it, U2 is one of those superstar rock bands that can't seem to do anything wrong. The only thing fans have to worry about is which limited edition version of the album set to pick up: a digi-pack with a poster and free download of Anton Corbijin's movie featuring U2's music, a box set with a DVD and book or magazine, or the vinyl version.
-Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Various Artists
`Knowledge Channel E Season 1'
(SonyBMG)
Rock bands Travis, Mika and Franz Ferdinand are not exactly the kind of music you expect to be played during an educational show. But songs by these rock bands, as well as pop, world music and new age artists, are included in the soundtrack of the EBS educational show ``Knowledge E season 1.''
The show provides information about nature, science and society, amid a background of music. On the album are songs like Sarah McLachlan's ``Ordinary Miracle,'' Electric Light Orchestra's ``Mr. Blue Sky,'' Bic Runga's ``Blue Blue Heart,'' and Lou Reed's ``Perfect Day.''
`Mendelssohn Romantik pur'
(Sony Classical/RCA Red Seal)
Sony has released a special three-CD album for Mendelssohn's bicentennial (1809-1847). Born in a prosperous Jewish family in Germany, Mendelssohn lived a short but fruitful life a musician.
Like Mozart, Mendelssohn's talents were discovered at an early age. He died at age 38, but left behind some of the hallmarks of Western classical music.
This album features various symphonies, sonatas oratorios, concertos and chamber works by premier artists including maestri Claudio Abbado, Leonard Bernstein and Roger Norrington; pianist Vladimir Horowitz; violinists Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn; and the Berlin Philharmonic.
-Lee Hyo-won