No Line on the Horizon is in a different league to both albums. ATYCLB and Bomb were U2 trying to be the biggest band in the world, not the best. Granted both albums have their moments (BD, Walk On, Miracle Drug, SYCMIOYO, COBL), but they don’t feel like complete albums. ATYCLB is hit and miss and Bomb starts really strongly only to drift off into mediocrity (apart from Species of course). These albums finish low on my list because of the likes of Wild Honey, Grace, A Man and a Woman, real mediocre songs, and don’t even get me started on Mercy being cut from Bomb!!!!!!!!
NLOTH on the other hand, is complete. Simple as. It just feels right, it sustains its momentum throughout. The title track, Magnificent, MOS, Breathe, the daring Unknown Caller. This is U2 trying to be the best. And they are the best.... obviously.
