How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2 (CD, Nov-2004, Interscope (USA))

This latest release from one of the greatest bands of all time could just be their best. While the Joshua Tree is already a classic and some of the older U2 singles are arguable their best individual songs, How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb has me hooked. Some thoughts on each song:

Vertigo - Awesome and vintage U2. They opened the concert I saw with this one, and the album opens with it. Lot's of energy, lots of Bono. Just a great song.

Miracle Drug - They slow it down just a bit with this one. As he does in many of their great slower songs, Bono wears his heart in his throat on this one.

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2 slows it down even more with this "One" replica. If you can keep yourself from singing along in your car to this one, your a better person than me (or more repressed anyway). :)

Love and Peace or Else - U2 goes big with this track. At the show, Bono got out the huge, handheld spotlight beam and scanned the crowd. Everytime I hear this one, I feel like I'm right back at the concert.

City of Binding Lights - Not a great song, in my opinion. But, still a good song that is great for parties or a lift if your feeling blue. The kind of song you put on when your getting ready to go out for a night on the town.

All Because of You - My least favorite song on the album. Still decent, but not much substance.

A Man and a Woman - Another song that I'm luke warm on. It's ok, but pales in comparison to some of the songs earlier on the ablum.

Crumbs From Your Table - Slow and sultry is how I'd describe this one. I still can't figure out who the extremely deep voice on backup vocals is. Good song and a little unlike most U2 recordings.

One Step Closer - Slowest track on the album. Perhaps not as good as some of the chilled out songs in U2's previous albums, but definitely a good, relaxed tune.

Original of the Species - This one made me look up "solarity" in the dictionary. Of course, I can't find it. Another mix of slow melody and heightend climax that really comes together well.

Yahweh - Great finisher. This one has gotten a decent amount of radio play. Not my favorite song, but enjoyable enough.

In summary, I feel this album is neck and neck with The Joshua Tree as the best U2 CD released to-date.

"atomic bomb" finds a strong, strident u2 in full garage band form with a nod to new exotic songwriting avenues. this album is a solid time-marking effort that shores up the previous u2 album's starker dynamics, while turning up the energy and volume a few notches in the process. big set-piece numbers like "vertigo", "sometimes you can't make it on your own" and "love and peace or else" establish the rock and roll g-spot u2 occupy currently - power and passion at a 10 level!

a big rock album with some hidden delights...

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I can understand the dissapointment that people have with this album, especially if one was to grow up listening to all of U2's great work. But I'll be damned if I am not very impressed every time one of the songs of this album queues up in Windows Media Player. Most significant to me though, was one night when I popped this CD into a small bedside radio as I lay down for bed. This gave me time do nothing else but focus on the music, and I came off tremendously satisfied. The guitar riffs and the heartfelt lyrics are very powerful, and the production is top notch. Bono is great as always, regardless of what people say. Compared to the drivel that is being forced down our throats from the music industry these days, this album serves as a refreshing breath of quality that only an all time great band like U2 can provide. Highly recommended.

I always loved U2 in their early years up to and including Rattle and Hum.I thought the next three albums after that were either really different or at worst,a parody of themselves.
With"Everything You Can't Leave Behind" and even more so on this album U2 comes back to a rock sound that they do so well.
"Vertigo"is worth the cost of the CD alone.The whole disc is good and I can
recommend it to any U2 fan with a thumbs up.

I bought this CD because a friend had it and I liked what I heard.
Bono has a great classic voice, one that will stick in listeners' minds. This CD has several great songs. I like "Miracle Drug" the best. "Yahweh" speaks about giving oneself to God and letting Him work, so I like that, too.