U2’s albums this decade have struggled to return to the classic styles of established masterpieces like The Joshua Tree, but No Line on the Horizon successfully and winningly recaptures the yearning quality of the band’s early days while at the same time takes smart creative risks reminiscent of experimental ‘90s efforts like Achtung Baby.
The rest is here.
(Edit: This review is no longer available online. But a piece I wrote in 2021 about Ireland's complicated relationship with Bono is here and is very good.)