How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
by U2
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 409 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 294 out of 409
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 409
  3. Negative: 81 out of 409

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  1. anthonya
    Mar 29, 2006
    8
    Great album and though stonger than All that you cant leave behind it seems to lack something i cant put my finger on. great tunes no doubt but i really miss that spirit of adventure and experimentation from thier 90's work. the production is just a little too slick. hopefully next record they will be more open to pushing themselves to more experimental sonics while keeping the Great album and though stonger than All that you cant leave behind it seems to lack something i cant put my finger on. great tunes no doubt but i really miss that spirit of adventure and experimentation from thier 90's work. the production is just a little too slick. hopefully next record they will be more open to pushing themselves to more experimental sonics while keeping the strong melodies and song structure. Never the less this is definitly one of u2's stronger collections.… Expand
  2. JP
    Jul 17, 2006
    7
    Overall, this album is very good. Crumbs" "OOTS" and "COBL" are songs that stand out. Although I like this album, It is obvious that U2 has re-hashed material from their earlier albums. The melodies and hooks are beautiful and appealing, but U2 has taken a very safe approach to writing the music for this album. The lyrics are heartfelt, open, and honest. Aside from the song vertigo, I Overall, this album is very good. Crumbs" "OOTS" and "COBL" are songs that stand out. Although I like this album, It is obvious that U2 has re-hashed material from their earlier albums. The melodies and hooks are beautiful and appealing, but U2 has taken a very safe approach to writing the music for this album. The lyrics are heartfelt, open, and honest. Aside from the song vertigo, I feel that this is a very personal album from Bono. Musically, the edge, larry, and adam have not pushed themselves. Part of the journey in making music is to constantly explore, grow, and re-invent not only lyrically, but musically too. I hope for their next album, U2 take inspiration from "achtung baby" to re-invent their sound and push the envelope. Can they do it again? I hope so. They are damn well capable. I also hope they will work with Rick Rubin on their next album to help guide them to that next level.… Expand
  3. MartinS
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    This album changed everything.
  4. MozzaR
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    What can I say, they r the greatest band in the world, and the album lives up 2 it, at first the songs don't sound catchy, but once u listen to them one or more times, they sound better and better everytime. That's magic!
  5. scottw.
    Aug 19, 2007
    8
    U2 seems to just keep on going and going. In 2004 even though they already have two greatest hits albums spanning the 80s and 90s, they slam out an atomic musical explosion with an other album. Not the best work they have done, but not the worst. This one is like listening to the old but new U2, and is not a bad thing. A modern 80s or 90s U2 album is what it is, and it works off very well U2 seems to just keep on going and going. In 2004 even though they already have two greatest hits albums spanning the 80s and 90s, they slam out an atomic musical explosion with an other album. Not the best work they have done, but not the worst. This one is like listening to the old but new U2, and is not a bad thing. A modern 80s or 90s U2 album is what it is, and it works off very well to save it from turning into something like the POP album.… Expand
  6. RowdyH
    Nov 21, 2004
    10
    They've done it again.
  7. IanB
    Nov 21, 2004
    10
    Great and a different sound.
  8. TomC
    Nov 21, 2004
    9
    Ranks right up there with the rest of them. Great from start to finish.
  9. BrandonS
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Though I'm a huge fan of Zooropa, this might just be the rightful heir to the "Achtung Baby" legacy. The first half of the cd is absolutely classic. The second half doesn't quite hit those highs, but I sure ain't complaining. Another stunner from arguably the greatest band since the Beatles.
  10. GailB
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Anxiously waited for it...not disappointed!
  11. DaveM
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Great album by a great band.
  12. KevinR
    Nov 23, 2004
    10
    Now THIS is what I call Christian rock...not the "jingles for Jesus" crap that the religious un--right uses to lure young people back into subservience. This is a record about how staying faithful is tough, scary even. How no matter what you believe, life will manage to throw you curves that hit you in the knees. How somehow life and faith and love and hope are all tied in a confusing Now THIS is what I call Christian rock...not the "jingles for Jesus" crap that the religious un--right uses to lure young people back into subservience. This is a record about how staying faithful is tough, scary even. How no matter what you believe, life will manage to throw you curves that hit you in the knees. How somehow life and faith and love and hope are all tied in a confusing intoxicating knot. Thanks U2!… Expand
  13. RobertH
    Nov 23, 2004
    3
    A 3 because there are only 3 good songs: Vertigo, Love and Peace, and maybe All Because of You. C'mon folks, this has none of the risk and exploration of Achtung, or even Zooropa. Bono's voice seems shot, and competes with Edge's guitar for attention. A disappointment to say the least.
  14. StevieG
    Nov 23, 2004
    8
    U2 is a great band. This is not their best record. But it is their best record since Auchtung Baby. I truly appreciate their stripped down rock sound. Lyrically, the record is mature and introspective. It is not The Joshua Tree or the aforementioned A.B., but it is a very good U2 album, which means it is much better than most of the other crap the record companies try to feed us. It U2 is a great band. This is not their best record. But it is their best record since Auchtung Baby. I truly appreciate their stripped down rock sound. Lyrically, the record is mature and introspective. It is not The Joshua Tree or the aforementioned A.B., but it is a very good U2 album, which means it is much better than most of the other crap the record companies try to feed us. It should make for a great concert. Peace.… Expand
  15. ThomasB
    Nov 23, 2004
    10
    A Classic - Best Since Achtung Baby! City of Blinding Lights an Epic Live U2 song in the tradition of Where the Streets Have No Name. The hair will be standing on the neck. Again. Love, Peace or Else - Sinester in a Doors kind of way. Yaewah -Best since one.
  16. TonyH
    Nov 23, 2004
    8
    It's got more than enough of what makes u2 special--good and bad--to make it worth owning. At least three instant classics.
  17. MikeR
    Nov 24, 2004
    10
    The few negitive reviews that I have seen all mention the fact that this album is "U2 sounding to much like...U2" Interesting......that is exactly what I was hoping!!! This album ROCKS!
  18. stevew
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    i loved it when u2 stretched themselves as much, if not more, than the next person. but its hard to argue with songs this good- even with all the shmaltz and cheese. this is the stuff of 20,000-strong singalongs, the kinds of tunes you'll find yourself humming on the way to work. best since Achtung Baby? certainly. does it deserve to be mentioned alongside their two masterpieces? i loved it when u2 stretched themselves as much, if not more, than the next person. but its hard to argue with songs this good- even with all the shmaltz and cheese. this is the stuff of 20,000-strong singalongs, the kinds of tunes you'll find yourself humming on the way to work. best since Achtung Baby? certainly. does it deserve to be mentioned alongside their two masterpieces? time will tell.… Expand
  19. JohnJ
    Nov 25, 2004
    1
    Junky pop music that pales in comparison to pre-Pop albums. Although even Pop was better than this. Regretfully, they appear to be on the slippery slope to loud mediocrity.
  20. SantosR
    Nov 26, 2004
    10
    Album of the year, no question. Uplifting and inspirational, gets better the more you listen to it.
  21. brantw
    Nov 27, 2004
    9
    weak points: not enough 'angry Edge'...no bullet the blue sky here.. stong points: erotic beauty for a hang over head
  22. DavidG
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    It is important to not judge an album by the albums prior in my opinion. Each album is its own entity and therefore it is the quality of the songs on the disk that give it staying power. "Bomb" has great melodies, and powerful lyrics, no question. So is it a good record? Well, the way I judge that is how long it stays in my CD player after I bought it. I purchased it on the 23rd and am It is important to not judge an album by the albums prior in my opinion. Each album is its own entity and therefore it is the quality of the songs on the disk that give it staying power. "Bomb" has great melodies, and powerful lyrics, no question. So is it a good record? Well, the way I judge that is how long it stays in my CD player after I bought it. I purchased it on the 23rd and am still listening to it today, 6 days later. Judging one record based on another will very often lead to great disappointment if the artist has any talent at all. … Expand
  23. jaspere
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    Very good!! I enjoy it!! YEAH!!
  24. EricC
    Nov 29, 2004
    10
    Strong album from song 1 to 12. Can't think of a song I didn't like!
  25. phils
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    Not quite Achtung Baby or Joshua Tree, but a great follow up to ATYCLB - there's some great rock and roll here. "love and peace or else" is a classis rock tune, reminding me of Bullet the Blue Sky.
  26. DarleneZ
    Nov 29, 2004
    10
    This is all I've been listening to since I bought it a week ago...Fave songs are Vertigo, Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own and Crumbs from Your Table...It rocks!
  27. FabioC
    Dec 25, 2004
    9
    This is U2 at its actual best: way more similar to the old school than the latest works...Love it!
  28. CalebF
    Dec 29, 2004
    3
    Crushingly, achingly, heart-breakingly dull. Vague syrupy lyrics about "big stuff" with nothing to give any song emotional or intellectual resonance. U2, who once made some of the most successfully honest music in the business, now make nothing more than audio greeting cards for suburban housewives and fraternity jocks in SUVs.
  29. AbishekJ
    Nov 16, 2005
    10
    how the combined user rating is 6.8 defies belief. This is one of the best records you will ever hear in your life. Bono is a genius, this is what we expect of geniuses, albums that rock and have powerful meaning from start to finish.
  30. RichardTheLionheart
    Nov 22, 2005
    10
    This album is easily one of the best albums ever recorded. Ever. The naysayers will be running back up the hill when they figure this out as well. Lyrically HTDAAB is sharp, clear, and concise. Some of Bono's most direct lyrics reside on this album. Emotionally stirring. Haunting. I get so tired of hearing people moan about how U2 have "sold out". Never will there be a rock group This album is easily one of the best albums ever recorded. Ever. The naysayers will be running back up the hill when they figure this out as well. Lyrically HTDAAB is sharp, clear, and concise. Some of Bono's most direct lyrics reside on this album. Emotionally stirring. Haunting. I get so tired of hearing people moan about how U2 have "sold out". Never will there be a rock group such as U2. Again. Ever.… Expand
  31. Mr.Hades
    Nov 27, 2005
    10
    As a minion of the Devil, working within the bounds of the 13th laire of Hell, I must confess I have become somewhat of a heretic amongst my more satanic peers. You see, I find myself utterly enamored by the soft electric nuances permeating the refined textures of sonic purety found on this human-crafted album... and I am drawn, appallingly and hypnotically so, toward vocalist Bono's As a minion of the Devil, working within the bounds of the 13th laire of Hell, I must confess I have become somewhat of a heretic amongst my more satanic peers. You see, I find myself utterly enamored by the soft electric nuances permeating the refined textures of sonic purety found on this human-crafted album... and I am drawn, appallingly and hypnotically so, toward vocalist Bono's emotive and powerfully honest lyrical diatrabes into Theism and nearly Christian confessionalist movements. I find myself more and more feeling the unsippled passion of religion, of love, of charity, of service toward my fellow demon... and I feel less and less the torments of pride, regressive self-glorification, hatred and cynicism. Beauty of emotional and sonic depth unparalleled in my wildest imaginations pass before my vision when wreathed within the flame of "Atomic Bomb"... and I am never more fully edified than when that flame consumes me whole. I expect to be destroyed rather soon, but I belive it is worth the torments I shall soon face. After all, "You give me something I can feeeeeeel!!!"… Expand
  32. LillianH
    Dec 15, 2005
    9
    the more you listen, the more you love it
  33. AllisonM
    Dec 17, 2005
    9
    It is a typical U2 album and to me that is a good thing. Every song is good and the album doesn't have a weak point. I am not disapointed in it at all, in fact I love it.
  34. CalebM.
    Dec 19, 2007
    9
    First time i heard this CD i thought it was a greatest hits CD. Thats how good it is.
  35. rollingstone82
    Aug 14, 2010
    6
    Good return to their classic rock roots but...

    I don't find HTDAB worthy of Album Of The Year. Sure, it is a good album but not a classic. Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby are classics, not this one. Needless to say, HTDAB is still an incredibly entertaining album from a band who hasn't revisited this sound in a long time. Vertigo sets the bomb off with catchy riffs about being under the    Good return to their classic rock roots but...

    I don't find HTDAB worthy of Album Of The Year. Sure, it is a good album but not a classic. Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby are classics, not this one. Needless to say, HTDAB is still an incredibly entertaining album from a band who hasn't revisited this sound in a long time. Vertigo sets the bomb off with catchy riffs about being under the influence of drugs (Vertigo drug). Then comes Miracle Drug and a few other filler tracks that are of worthy listen. City Of Blinding Lights is probably the most grandiose love song since With Or Without You.

    But it still doesn't help. The album gets incredibly slow after that and U2 sort of drags along. Bono, who usually spits fire, gets tired himself. Nobody feels interested after that. A few good filler tracks but then the fire ceases even though it clearly showed signs midway.

    Listening to HTDAB feels tiresome if taken as an album, but as a collection of songs, it is a pretty okay listen. What U2 needs is those hard punches they threw back in the early stages of their career. Otherwise, they lose that "rock" touch that they once had when they did Sunday Bloody Sunday.    … Expand
  36. Alliecat8697
    Apr 30, 2011
    9
    A good album...but they're losing a bit of their older distinct sound that made them U2. A couple of the songs are a bit similar to previous songs. But they still sounded great, I think. 'Vertigo' sounded wonderful. It was kind of a newer-sounding U2, but it was them. I liked it.
  37. j30
    Jan 30, 2012
    5
    When a new U2 album comes out, you hope there is some sort of progression or evolution. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb doesn't accomplish either of those. HTDAAB sounds like a band that has hit a wall of pretentiousness.
  38. Ricko
    Jun 15, 2012
    8
    Top record from U2 - it's got it all. Hit singles, rock anthems, lighters in the air moments and some great production as well. Bono and co should the world how you make a stadium sized rock album. Although there isn't much experimentation on it and its pretty standard guitar rock, its got some of the bands finest moments on it. There are only a couple of non outstanding tracks on here.
  39. LoRevisor
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Excelente Album!
    A 4 Obra Prima Do U2,Os Outros São The Joshua Tree,Achtung Baby E All That You Can't Leave Behind.
    Todas São Excelentes Mas Essas São As Top.
    Top How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
    1-City Of Blinding Lights
    2-Miracle Drug
    3-Yahweh
    4-Sometimes You Can't Make It Our Own
    5-Original Of The Species
    6-Crumbs From Your Table
    7-All Because Of You
  40. Avaliante
    May 30, 2013
    10
    Excelente Album!
    A 4 Obra Prima Do U2,Os Outros São The Joshua Tree,Achtung Baby E All That You Can't Leave Behind.
    Todas São Excelentes Mas Essas São As Top.
    Top How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
    1-City Of Blinding Lights
    2-Miracle Drug
    3-Yahweh
    4-Crumbs From Your Table
    5-All Because Of You
  41. alecvl08
    Dec 9, 2014
    3
    This album wants to be high-energy, but never fully gets what it wants. Once again, this U2 album opens up with its best song, Vertigo. Tracks like Love and Peace or Else are obviously trying to be edgy, but just fall flat. Once again, U2 just seems to have lost what made them legendary.
  42. Zanessa250QI
    Jul 6, 2015
    10
    81 imbecis que não sabem o significado de U2,poderiam morrer e anula seus votos inúteis e imaturos. HTDAAB é U2 em melhor forma sem mentira tinham que anular no mínimo esses 81 votos para não precisa mata-los;
  43. raciocinio
    Oct 21, 2015
    10
    More than half of negative reviews should be erased 81 negative reviews from this album???? Really???

    Even Songs Of Innocence 2014 that isn't great album don't deserve a negative review i gave 6 for Songs Of Innocence 2014 that i considered a so-so weak record of U2 without doubt HTDAAB is a hard punch compared to SOI in this album U2 won all 9 nominations of grammy and not won for nothing...
  44. sicrano
    Jul 19, 2015
    10
    Para os 81 imbecis foda-se............................................................................................................ o Metacritic devia anular esses votos
  45. Thenewone
    Dec 30, 2015
    10
    ............................................................................................................ Metacritic please delete any review with 0,1 and 2 points
  46. Zaynhewsonjavad
    Apr 2, 2016
    10
    This Album don't deserve 79% for Critics...

    Deserves at Least 87% percents Is a Masterpiece.... And also have Retarded and Idiots in the public, that give less than 4 points, A NEGATIVE REVIEW, Please Metacritic Erase at least 45 negative reviews.
  47. clinteastwoo
    May 11, 2016
    10
    ............................................................................................................................................................U2 At his Best
  48. ASingh
    Sep 30, 2016
    5
    After opening a new millenium strong with All That You Can't Leave Behind, this album and it's forgettable alternative rock set U2 on a downward spiral.
  49. gigizayn
    Dec 22, 2016
    10
    The 4Fourth Masterpiece of U2, Follow By The Joshua Tree (1987), Achtung Baby (1991) & All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000).

    Even with 9 winning grammy for this album i think that the fans and the own U2 underrated this Brilliant album
  50. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 6, 2020
    9
    How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb by U2: 8.80

    Vertigo: 1 :) Miracle Drug: 1 :) Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own: 1 Love And Peace Or Else: 1 City Of Blinding Lights: 1 :) All Because Of You: 1 :) A Man And A Woman: 1 :) Crumbs From Your Table: 1 One Step Closer: 0.5 Original Of The Species: 1 Yahweh: 0.75 Fast Cars: 1 :) 11.25/12 ~ .938 -> 8.80 How To Dismantle    How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb by U2: 8.80

    Vertigo: 1 :)
    Miracle Drug: 1 :)
    Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own: 1
    Love And Peace Or Else: 1
    City Of Blinding Lights: 1 :)
    All Because Of You: 1 :)
    A Man And A Woman: 1 :)
    Crumbs From Your Table: 1
    One Step Closer: 0.5
    Original Of The Species: 1
    Yahweh: 0.75
    Fast Cars: 1 :)

    11.25/12 ~ .938 -> 8.80

    How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was so good! This is one of my favorite albums from U2, it’s just that good! It contains a lot of really good songs, and I wish today’s music was more like what was in this collection of songs because they rock! Vertigo and City Of Blinding Lights are two of my all time favorite songs. I’ve always been a U2 fan, but this especially is a highlight album. I don’t really have any complaints except One Step Closer and Yahweh being a little repetitive, but they were still really good. All rock fans should listen to this album because it is hard to find better music than this! Highlights: Vertigo, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Love And Peace Or Else, City Of Blinding Lights, All Because Of You, A Man And A Woman, Crumbs From Your Table, Original Of The Species, and Fast Cars.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2004
4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2004
25
#25 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Village Voice
    50
    This time, Steve Lillywhite and the other producers assembled simply construct a U2 album in miniature, mixing in the Edge's processed-guitar trademark whenever you fear they're straying into unforgivable un-U2ness. That's just not enough.
    Read full review
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    This is grandiose music from grandiose men, sweatlessly confident in the execution of their duties.
    Read full review
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    While the rest of the album fails to live up to the breadth of “City” and “Crumbs,” and while it takes serious missteps on the shockingly bad “Man and a Woman” and “Yahweh,” this is, by and large, an album to be thankful for, regardless of your demographic.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »