But enough with the cosmetics. What about the album? Well, I felt I liked the album on first listen than I did with previous U2 albums. It kicks of with lots of energy from the first few songs, and slowly brings into to a sober close with the last few songs. Briefly here is what I thought about the songs:

No Line On The Horizon - I think of it as U2 being influenced by Arcade Fire. It has a guitar sound which is different from what the band has done so far. But I like the strong bass line coming from Adam's part.

Magnificent - Trademark U2 song with a slow build up, but you can almost anticipate the energy the song is about to bring. Bono's voice sounds great on this song. Definitely one to be heard live. I call this U2's worship song on this album, with lyrics which seem to be addressing a higher power that Bono is so fond of. I am pretty fond of Him too.

Moments of Surrender - Sounds like something which came off from the Achtung Baby-Zooropa era. It feels mellow and The Edge comes in with some guitar solo to top it.

Unknown Caller - Reminds me of the likes of Walk On, the inspirational tune sort. I am not too sure, but my personal view is the Unknown Caller is God, who wants us to "cease to speak, so that I may speak."

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - Another fun U2 song. It is catchy, the lyrics are almost amusing. You can imagine when it is live and everybody joins in at the chorus and shouts in unison "I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight!"

Get On Your Boots - The title track, which were most of the energy is pumping on this one. There are shades of Vertigo on this one and Adam has a strong funky bass line running in the background. It is a song you can jump and dance to for fun.

Stand Up Comedy - This trend of strange and funny-sounding lyrics is starting to show a lot. "Napoleon is in high heels"? And yet Bono still manages to drop a "God is love" into it. Musically, another one for the fun song catalog.

FEZ-Being Born - If this album was suppose to be experimentation of new musical sounds, this is the closest you will get on this album. It comes as one track, but I think the hyphen only goes to show its 2 songs, even when I listening to it. Bono's voice is hitting top form again in this song with his excellent wailing.

White As Snow - Things start to slow down as Bono sings the blues. But if I recall the phrase white as snow, it is probably another biblical reference. Which leads me to see this song as a possible repentance song, or one seeking forgiveness.

Breathe - Things pick up again, and Bono is singing silly words like 'cockatoo' and 'ju-ju man'. But I like The Edge's guitar licks. The sing feels like a pick-me-up song, it is uplifting.

Cedars of Lebanon - The album comes to a very mellow and almost sad close. Bono is half-singing and half-speaking in this song. I feel its more like poetry.

Overall, I think it is a great U2 album (you expected any less from U2?). But like all U2 album, it has to be listened a number of times before it starts to grow, and also the chance to hear it live will totally change one's view of the songs. I do admit that this album suffered from the dangerous effects of hype. Bono made it sound like it was a change like what Achtung Baby was. Sure, there are songs which seem rather experimental and unconventionally U2, but it is no successor to Achtung Baby. People need to stop giving into hype. It is dangerous. Hype kills.