Blogcritics: Comments on U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Comment by Nick

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 10:57:46 EST

what an album

Comment by Kolbe

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:10:19 EST

This album is dripping with passion! Yes, Bono is a little tired in his singing abilities, but oh my God...his heart shines even through broken and cracked vocals! I hate all of the candy coated shit out there today. I would rather hear Bono straining with every bit of passion and fire he can muster up to move his people than all these cash cow whores using vocal tracks at live shows because they cannot sing with an ounce of passion or feeling!! Moving album, got me through a hellish dark month and gave me some hope. Thank you old friends!

Comment by EMann

Sun, 26 Dec 2004 23:49:16 EST

OK - This could be a long one! Sit back, relax and grab a coffee - maybe something stronger! I have been listening to U2 since 1980. That's when I bought my first U2 album and have never looked back. So many of you have said the same thing I have felt about almost every U2 album I own (which is all of them) - I wasn't turned on by the first play through. This album is the same. But give it a second, third and tenth listen and everything begins to shine. If you want to be spiritually and emotionally inspired by music - then keep this disc in your CD player. Even through the driving riffs of Vertigo, Bono specifies that he is learning "how to kneel". Not to mention that the title itself replicates itself to more than just a fear of heights - it talks of the state of being unbalanced. Could there be more to this track than just a great guitar sound that sells music? There is great inspiration and haunting melody to tracks like "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "One Step Closer To Knowing". You can't argue the great musical writing of "City of Blinding Lights" which is vintage U2 in it's own right. Is anyone else taken back to The Unforgettable Fire with this track? This album is a continuation of a journey. One that fans like myself have been on for 2 decades. U2 continues to challenge us not only with their musical tones, but through their searching lyrics that epitomize a group of men that are continuing to evolve as musicians and men. They "Still Haven't Found What They're Looking For" but the process of trying to find it has kept me and many others entertained and challenged for many years. Hats off to the greatest rock band of our time - maybe even all time!

Comment by skchannon

Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:53:59 EST

I listened to the CD first in the car and was disappointed - but today I listened with headphones and decided to give another chance - espec. the songs after Vertigo. I would love to have a sincere chat with Bono to learn the inspiration behind the lyrics. I do not idolize him - but from watching him through the years - he has depth - a heart and soul - and that is the making of art.

Comment by campking

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:50:42 EST

Really enjoying the album. Took about 5 times but am constantly humming the songs. Favourite: City of Bliding Lights followed by Origins of the Species and A Man and a Woman. I am excited about where U2 are going. They have never remained constant- always trying new things out (ie: Pop). Quite satisfied indeed, this album is up there with Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and Unforgettable Fire.

Comment by Pearce

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:07:55 EST

This record has the definitive quality of greatness: it gets better the more you listen. Some have said "Vertigo" set expectations that weren't fulfilled. Since it is a matter of taste, I will not argue with anyone who wants 12 tracks of Vertigo - other than to suggest perhaps Green Day. But I much prefer the tremendous range of textures and colors, moods and emotions the boys have put on this record. These are great songs, and I think when the dust settles this will be clearly regarded along with Achtung Baby and The Joshua Tree as their best work. Am I a U2 fan? Yes. So maybe, as some suggest, I have a vested interest in liking this album. Perhaps. But time reveals all, and as much as I may have wanted to like POP I haven't listened to it in years. The superior versions songs like "Discotech" and "...Send His Angels" that showed up on B sides or the Best Of record just further prove that POP was rushed and inferior. I cannot imagine not listening to "...Bomb" ten years from now with the same enthusiasm as today. I had to laugh at a criticism of the album that suggested the music is strong but the lyrics are weak. "One Step Closer To Knowing" was cited specifically. I am no Bono sycophant, but he has rarely been better than on this album. The passing of his father has given him his best, most personal fodder for lyrics since.... the passing of his mother. I did not hear "One Step Closer to Knowing" and immediately annoint it a smash. But when I learned it was about his father's crisis of faith - with his father's declining health bringing him close to knowing the "answer" - lyrics that could have been written off as trite became rather powerful in their simplicity. Buy this record. You will listern to it until it wears out.

Comment by Montrose

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 12:24:03 EST

Canadian Patriot Digital Delay, actually.

Comment by BRICKLAYER

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 11:10:59 EST

This album may be good. It may be great. But the new Cattle Decapitation is better.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 08:42:23 EST

at least you're honest - two of the coolest things about the Internet are that you can express yourself in real time and change your mind

Comment by Clarkey

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 18:50:18 EST

Last week I said: "Poor. Very very poor (apart from vertigo and Sometimes you acn't make it on your own)" I take it all back. After 4 or 5 listens, this album is fantastic. Particularly City of Blinding Lights" Buy it!!!

Comment by Desimontrealler

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 14:21:49 EST

I just have to say that I am a U2 fan. Admittedly I have yet to listen to their early albums(pre joshua tree), although I loved I will follow and Pride, but this is a great album. I dont want to compare this album to their previous works. Each time they make an album it is independent of their previous works(at least I would like to think so) and irregardless of their previous work, this album stands alone. IF you want the big rock like in vertigo, go somewhere else, U2 produce their own style of music. One of my favorites so far(although I pretty much like the whole album) is love and peace or else.

Comment by mexican idol

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 22:17:13 EST

U2 es la neta. Nadie es mejor que ellos. La m�sica en espa�ol es basura. Este disco est� chid�simo. �VIVA U2 POR SIEMPRE!

Comment by Paul Anderson

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 14:59:30 EST

In return to Canadian Patriot: U2 is not an individual.....I agee that the Edge is a fantastic Guitar player...........but this group has won countless awards on an individual basis(Adam Clayton on The Wanderer!!!)But couldn't do it without the other 3!! If you think that the Edge can go on stage in front of thousands of people and woo them on his own then you truly are an idiot......go and listen to Santana.....it's more your bag baby....this is U2's 2nd best album(Achtung being No1)and you know nothing!!

Comment by jimmy

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 13:39:09 EST

at first listen i was uninspired just like unforgetable fire, joshua tree, actung baby. turns out that this meant depth not seen in over a decade. about 10 listens later I too am hooked. I hate to compare there albums but I personaly put this album at a 3 way tie for there second best album. Definately the best album of 04. Also the first album I spent my money on since the invention of the cd burner. They could triple the price of this album and I would still buy it even though I already had a pirated copy. PROPS to u2.

Comment by canadian_patriot

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 04:49:08 EST

What can I say. I like it when U2 rocks. I hate their slow stuff - always have, always will. This album had too much slow stuff. It's better than ATYCLB, but pales in comparison to Auctung (which is the CD that got me into U2 in the first place). My favorite songs in order of most favorite to least are: 1. Crumbs from your table 2. All because of you 3. Yahweh ...what common thred do these songs have? A LOT OF EDGE ECHO AMP! And let's face it - Edge's echo amp is what makes U2 unique sounding. Take that away and they're sh*t!

Comment by Zootopia

Sat, 27 Nov 2004 02:47:34 EST

HTDAAB is a masterpiece, on a scale 1 to 10 (best) I give it a 9. This CD is vibrant, alive, fresh. The lyrics are great as well as the guitar work. My only complaint is that mix on the drums is poor, Larry's playing is great as always but the big drum sound is missing. This CD is so much better than ATYCLB. I rate ATYCLB a 3 out of 10. This CD is a must for any collection. I am so hard core into U2 right now I am downloading the "Complete U2" from itunes for $149.00. Before you think that is a bad deal consider that you get 459 songs!

Comment by Benji

Thu, 25 Nov 2004 23:40:53 EST

It's a great album. For those who think U2 isn't as good as they were in the 80's you are wrong. HTDAAB is melodical, the lyrics are fantastic. Maybe the political and social critics are not as in other albums, but realize that they as musicians have needs, and the need of this album, especially Bono's need, was to touch feelings.

Comment by kakvox

Thu, 25 Nov 2004 23:23:41 EST

I love the new album. It took a few listens, but I know that it is for real. I can feel it when I listen to every song. I don't skip any songs and can't believe there is so much going on beneath the polished surface. A lot of people are afraid to admit that this is a great album because U2 is so big. Ironically, the title is a red herring. People expect a political, full blown statement about the world from U2, and it would easy for them to be the white-flag raising band. However, I think HTDAAB deals with the struggle with the ticking bomb within ourselves. I like that it took me by surprise and I like the way the album makes me feel. Still searching amidst the trash, but hopeful. And yes, love is out there to dismantle the chaos that exists.

Comment by OM

Thu, 25 Nov 2004 18:39:21 EST

"How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" is one of my favorites. Some of the songs have really grown on me after a few listens like "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "City of Blinding Lights". The ones I liked right off were "Vertigo","Original of the Species" ( I like the Motown feel) and "All Because Of You"( which made my jaw drop) I think this is a great album. "Zooropa" was always one of my favorites because it was so experimental and daring to do whatever regardless of the consquences.

Comment by snowflake

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 22:07:20 EST

ive listened about 8 times with the headphones..and i find myself skipping vertigo because i cant wait to get to the other songs. this album is huge, bigger than a one or two hit album. its meaningful and so well done. it was worth the wait and its does have new elements to it, not at all a repeat of anything they have ever done...and all without a low point...every song is good. you know how u buy an cd and u forward thru some songs to get to others? not needed with this cd, expect to see u2 at the grammys and not because they are has-beens but because theyre still so freakin good they deserve it.

Comment by Robin Somerville

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 04:18:52 EST

Looking at the comments submitted so far on this site, it's quite easy to identify the true U2 fan from hard-core rock enthusisasts that were hoping that U2 are going to do a White Stripes and break new ground. Maybe they got all excited about Vertigo and thought the rest of the album would feature similar material. Thank God they didn't -remember Pop and their techno foray? Instead, they have played to their strengths, the passion, the melody and the riffs are all there once again, you either love it or don't get it, it's as simple as that. They can't be all things to all men, so please no more rubbish about the album sounding too U2- ish. Of course it's U2-ish, and it's another classic.

Comment by John Gosper

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 01:14:35 EST

This CD has all the ingredients that make U2 unique and the greatest band that has ever been. Who cares whether it doesnt sound Monster enough or heavy enough go and listen to heavy metal crap then. This is U2 they are a rock, soul , pop group, they have lasted 25 years becuase they produce unique generally un mainstreem music that addresses issues feelings the soul and heart. They sing epic anthems ballads and rock tunes. Just because Vertigo rocked a bit harder trhe metal gooses come out and say oh why isnt the whole album a rocker, well it is it just rocks in a u2 way simple. Every song is a great tune with powerful lyrics, beautiful classical edge orchestra guitars suberb rythem section and soulful unique singing from Bono, A real gem, something for everyone, the rockers, the soulers, the blues, the sentimintal everyone one of the all time best rock albums could even be the best album of all time.

Comment by Damon Muma

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 22:09:27 EST

"the above comment is either one of the most brilliant or retarded I have ever read" LOL! and for real, too. That was very amusing. Thank you.

Comment by Brodirt

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 20:35:55 EST

Pretty simple...the best rock band in the world went back and figured out why we all feel that way and care enough to spend our time listening to them and sharing our thoughts in places like this. Having done so they produced something unique and yet immediatley gratifying, familiar and honest. To me it sounds a lot like Unforgetable Fire without the politics.

Comment by Clarkey

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 17:15:45 EST

Poor. Very very poor (apart from vertigo and Sometimes you acn't make it on your own)