LINEAR

Linear is a visual representation of U2's 2008 album No Line On The Horizon. Director Anton Corbijn was asked by the band to capture the album on film and he put together a story of a cop who throws in his career to travel across France and Spain in search of... something. When Corbijn finished the film the band decided to return to the studio to rearrange the album. This put Linear out of whack with new arrangements, a new song and a lost song... and so he went back and re cut the film, resulting in a wonderful alternative album to the one U2 released. The album itself (imo) is creatively the best work the band has done in almost 20 years and this film really enhances it. I know the album and lyrics well but watching Linear gave a greater exposure to the underlying themes of the songs. There's a raw and almost sleazy energy throughout the whole thing as well as a newfound dissociation in the music with Bono singing in 3rd person instead of his usual 1st person point of view. There is also a huge sense of optimism and freedom which is especially highlighted with Corbijn's visuals. I found it to be reminiscent of Easy Rider in it's presentation of life on the road... a few stops here, a few stops there... lots of reflection and beautiful landscapes. Watching it once makes me want to watch it again. If you do get a chance, see it on a large screen with the volume high. Linear is a great musical journey!

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