U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Published December 11, 2004
With more countries around the world gaining nuclear capabilities, U2's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is a manual on how to deal with the inevitable future world conflicts. The simple, obvious lessons about love, peace and faith are nothing new; Bono has sung these stories many times throughout the band's career, elements of which echo throughout this collection.
The first track "Vertigo" is the song that announced the band was back and certainly one you've heard by now if you have a TV or radio. The song grabs your attention immediately, showcasing the band's ability to still create pop songs with great hooks, reminding me of "Beautiful Day" and the War album. The lyrics capture the joys and loss of control that love can bring, but in the last line Bono sings, "Your love is teaching me how, how to kneel..." shifting the meaning to a higher love.
Lush string sounds from The Joshua Tree change the mood on "Miracle Drug" where Bono continues the theme by singing about having "enough of romantic love" and giving "it up/for a miracle." The sound remains the same on "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," another song about the troubled relationship between Bono and his late father. The song has a beautiful chorus that allows you to overlook some of the weaker lyrics, and while Bono doesn't hit some notes, those sounds accurately reflect the emotion and the exertion of the relationship.
One of my favorites is "Love And Peace Or Else," a muddled, bluesy rocker with The Edge's fuzzed-out guitar. It begins with some interesting noise collage a la Achtung Baby. It needs to be played very loud repeatedly.
"City of Blinding Lights" starts with a wonderful intro on piano that conjures up the image of blinking lights off in the distance. This song will be the song from the album that will translate into an amazing live performance. There's a sing-a-long chorus for the audience of "ooh ooh ooh," followed by Bono's line "Oh, you look so beautiful tonight," which will send the crowd into ecstasy. It will be a perfect moment to grab someone and kiss them.
- U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
- Published: December 11, 2004
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- Section: Music
- Writer: El Bicho
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El Bicho: "I was surprised that there weren't more political songs due to what's been happening in the world since their last album, but maybe with all that he's seen and the loss of his father, Bono sees love and God as being more important the politics of man."
Maybe. Or it could be that politically conscious bands in the mode of U2 are a rarity. Instead of being threatening or insulting in the manner of Eminem or Green Day, U2 are more subtle in their protest: Bono reminds me a bit of John Lennon, because both men were very poignant in their pacifist beliefs but not aggressive with them, and Bono certainly doesn't call anyone out for special attention or ridicule. This is what I love about Bono/U2. Their point is taken without getting crude about it.
Lono, you're kidding, right? Dude- this album is more hookish than any they've put out in a long while!
Actually, I think that this is probably their second-best album ever, finally beating out Boy for that spot. But I haven't published my full review yet, so I guess I'll bite my tongue for now.
I think this album is more about how deep the lyrics are, that's it. One of the best albums of an evolved U2.
cheers.
this is one of U2's best albums. It is a solid body of work and it doesnt slow down or drag like most albums do in the middle. This album is the bigger brother of ATLB, it is louder more powerful and pushes U2 farther back into the begining of the career wich has been widely prased. Also Bono seems to have had a strog reveivment of his voice. His voice is stronger and more powerful than it has been since the joshua tree. U2 have made another great record and this one may even live up to the best record in time. Critics of the album claim that it is not experimental or artistic but who said it had to be. I was a fan of the experimental albums of the 90s but this shows that U2 are good at both the experimental and the more classic sound.
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Finally, someone with the courage to give U2 some press! Just kidding, sorry to be a dick. I think this album is a 6 or possibly a 7 on a scale of one to ten.
Where are the hooks, the fun, the chorus's for us all to sing along too?