How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - Review
The album that carries U2 into its 25th year--and likely the mixed blessings of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame--is one of its most frank and focused since the days of October and War. But its gestation was anything but simple, in part salvaged from '03 sessions the band deemed subpar. Enter Steve Lillywhite, the band's original producer and sometime collaborator in the decades since, who helped retool the track "Native Son" (originally an antigun screed) into the aggressive iPod anthem "Vertigo" and leaves his distinctive stamp on the muscular "All Because of You." Perhaps weary of ceaseless, fashion-driven reinvention in the wake of monumental success, U2 seem only too happy here to re-embrace their original sonic trademarks in service of more daring, pop-melodic hooks than they've collected in one place in decades. The Eno/Lanois produced "Love and Peace or Else" may shimmer with the duo's electro-production conceits, but it's Edge's lugubrious, postmodern John Lee Hooker guitar swagger that drives it. Elsewhere, Bono's trademark dramaturgy is spotlighted on "City of Blinding Lights," the unabashed romance of "A Man and a Woman," and the confessional "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own." It may come wrapped in a conundrum--is it nostalgic retrenchment or a sum of the band's endless musical catharsis?--It's also the album where, Fly and MacPhisto be damned, U2 boldly claims its arena titan mantle with apologies to no one. --Jerry McCulley [ read more ] »

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb will be released November 23 in the US. In a recent interview in Blender Magazine, Bono says, "Without sounding totally phony, I think this might be our second best -- if not our best --album. It's up there with Achtung [Baby]. It had to be. You can't live like this and put out a crap album or else people are going to want to shoot you." The debut single "Vertigo" seems as perfect as a rock song can be, and fans across the globe are anticipating the rest of the album to follow suit.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
4. Love & Peace
5. City of Blinding Lights
6. All Because of You
7. A Man and a Woman
8. Crumbs From Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original of the Species
11. Yahweh
12. Fast Cars

How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb - Review
One of the finest albums the group has ever made.... It's exciting, it's ambitious, it's alive, it's rock & roll -- and right now it just might be all you need. Alan Light [ read more ] »

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
U2 formed in their native Dublin in 1978 and remains intact with its four original band members: Bono, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and The Edge. The band has sold more than 120 million records worldwide in an extraordinary career that has firmly established them as one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands. Along the way, U2 has earned a phenomenal 14 Grammy Awards, seven of which were for their last studio album, 2000’s " All That You Can’t Leave Behind," including two consecutive awards for "Record of the Year." As popular for their legendary live shows as for their groundbreaking albums, U2 innovates and inspires while packing football stadiums and sweaty clubs around the world. What is next for the group that continues to reinvent themselves and push the boundaries of music? [ read more ] »

U2 Are back!, November 8, 2004
What a great album!! U2 are certainly back with a great kicking album. I've listened to the album over and over so many times (lucky to get an advanced copy) But seriously what a great album with so many great tunes. Miracle Drug, city of blinding lights, Original of the species, Yahweh, All because of you all awesome tunes!! Do yaself a favour and buy this album. One of the greatest albums of 2004! Reviewer: Davo from Sydney, Australia [ read more ] »

Vertigo Pt.2
The First Single from the Group's 2004 Album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". This Song, as Well as the Whole of the Album, Has Been Described as Bringing Back their Early Sound in a Much More Forceful Way, "With Big Guitars and Soaring Vocals". This is No Doubt Due to the Return of Steve Lillywhite in the Producer's Chair (Who also Produced their First Three Albums). The Single also Includes a Cover of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights'' and a Jacknife Lee Remix of "Vertigo". The Music was Recorded at the Band's Hanover Quay Studio in Dublin. [ read more ] »