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. ZackD
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    I will offer my thoughts: If, by chance, you gave this album a 0 or a 1, I read your review. I am astonished by how so many people could miss the point. I don't know where so many of you got this crap about "selling out" and being in it for the money. If U2 wanted to sell out, they would certainly be making a lot more than they are right now. Do you realize that they didn't I will offer my thoughts: If, by chance, you gave this album a 0 or a 1, I read your review. I am astonished by how so many people could miss the point. I don't know where so many of you got this crap about "selling out" and being in it for the money. If U2 wanted to sell out, they would certainly be making a lot more than they are right now. Do you realize that they didn't accept money for the iPod spot? Performances at awards ceremonies don't mean you are a sellout. If this album was produced for the sheer goal of making more money for the members of U2, they wouldn't have spend 5 years crafting it. They could release crappy albums every year and a half if they wanted and they'd make more money. Instead they put time and effort into what I believe stands as one of their greatest achievements. No, maybe not a Joshua Tree or an Achtung Baby, but certainly third on my list. Its track listing begins by painting a scene of fear and helplessness. The singer finds himself in this dizzying place called vertigo, scared, alone. He is captivated by a cross around a girl's neck. Tracks 2, 3, and 4 show hope for the miracle science we do not have yet, meditation over dead loved ones, and pleading for peace in a world gone wrong, respectively. The album soon begins to find the positive aspects of life in love, family, contentedness, and, finally, God. While the beginning presents this problem, this "atomic bomb," representative of the worst of humanity's fears, the end of the album presents the solution: love. One must kneel before love and they will find comfort and hope. The music itself is perhaps not sonically as revolutionary a departure from the previous album as most U2 fans are used to, admittedly. But this doesn't take the album down at all. I simply think it is on the same sonic plane without repeating the same sounds. Overall, my favorite album of 2004/2005 easily.… Expand
  2. jamesc
    Mar 3, 2005
    10
    some of the reviewers on this site obviously have it in for u2. granted, on first listen i was less than impressed, but a the few songs that caught my attention drew me back and after a few listens i now regard this album only behind the joshua tree and achtung baby. i think u2 are so huge that people write these bad reviews just to upset fans of the band. look at eminem, he is in the some of the reviewers on this site obviously have it in for u2. granted, on first listen i was less than impressed, but a the few songs that caught my attention drew me back and after a few listens i now regard this album only behind the joshua tree and achtung baby. i think u2 are so huge that people write these bad reviews just to upset fans of the band. look at eminem, he is in the same boat, no matter what he does, he will get slaughtered by the non fans in the same way. also, u2 spent ten years of 90s trying out a new sound which was sounding great, but they got hammered then too by the same people who now accuse them of playing it safe and saying that everything up to 98 was great, find the sense in that. the bottom line is, if ya wanna hear an hour of brilliant rock songs performed the way only u2 can, buy this album, if you are a bullshit cynic, ignore it.… Expand
  3. MaxG
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Awesome album. A must buy for any U2 fan.
  4. ElevanI
    Jul 18, 2008
    10
    U2 always record good albums. Atomic Bomb is a great rock´n roll album. BEST OF 2004.
  5. FabianoS.
    Sep 14, 2008
    9
    Good album.
  6. JonnyF
    Sep 3, 2008
    9
    Brilliant album but not as gd as ATYCLB, Achtung Baby or the Joshua tree. however still a great piece of work.
  7. AlecF
    Jan 9, 2009
    10
    Just another U2 album. Of course, that mean's it's amazing. The ethereal, catchy melodies are really great in basically every song. Reviewers are judging the album not by how it sounds but as fans of U2's old stuff. Forget the band's identity and prior music and just focus on each track, and you'll see what I mean. Also, I disagree that the album ends badly. Just another U2 album. Of course, that mean's it's amazing. The ethereal, catchy melodies are really great in basically every song. Reviewers are judging the album not by how it sounds but as fans of U2's old stuff. Forget the band's identity and prior music and just focus on each track, and you'll see what I mean. Also, I disagree that the album ends badly. Original of the Species, the second to last track, is one of my favorite U2 songs. So, in all I think this is a completely brilliant album when you listen to it as music, not as U2 songs.… Expand
  8. TheDude
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Amazing album. Great songs and melodies right throughout.
  9. JalexD
    Feb 15, 2009
    10
    A stellar collection of songs, even if it doesn't gel as nicely as nearly all their other albums. Still it stands as a peak for one of the world's greatest artists ever, as well as being the best album of 2004.
  10. Sylvain
    Jan 1, 2005
    9
    Strangely, I was disappointed at first, but grew to love this album after several listens. U2 is the most astonishingly consistent group in the world, and they have done it again with a collection of beautiful and moving songs. Buy it.
  11. Dani
    Jan 1, 2005
    10
    Instant classic without really weak songs. City of Blinding Lights, Original of The Species, Miracle Drug...amazing songs.
  12. zainr
    Feb 1, 2007
    10
    great
  13. CesarE
    Dec 3, 2004
    10
    At the same level than Joshua and Achtung, U2 has crafted an true classic for the ages. You NEED to have this album.
  14. LorenzO
    Dec 3, 2004
    8
    It's pretty damn good. Some truly affecting moments, a lot of good solid stuff and not a lot of filler. Works for me.
  15. Johno
    Feb 18, 2005
    8
    After getting over the initial thrill/disappointment I have returned to this album and found it as good as Achtung Baby, but not as good as Joshua Tree. That Ricardo bloke really wants to shag Bono, doesn't he?
  16. cj
    Mar 16, 2005
    10
    U2's best album ever. This is an absolute masterpiece.
  17. AdamE
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    Listen to more music folks. Jeezus.
  18. FredericoO
    Aug 27, 2005
    10
    very good U2 album! city of blinding lights is the best song of the all record
  19. Carloscarlos
    Apr 1, 2006
    10
    Perfect. The best album since Achtung Baby (1991). The sound of the guitar in Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make... or in Original Of The Species is wonderful and lyrical. Not bad songs, only pure music.
  20. KellyD
    Nov 22, 2004
    10
    Vertigo was not a good single to represent this album... thank goodness, I could not stand 10 Vertigo style songs. Instead we got heart and soul and passion, just what I expect from them. Won't be able to say for a while whether this is one of their best... have to hear the songs live first, then I'll know.
  21. Matt
    Dec 1, 2004
    10
    This album should be loved by all U2 fans. It is the essence of U2.
  22. joeyd
    Dec 18, 2004
    10
    A true masterpiece, Bono sounds young, powerful and refreshed. This album takes a step back to classic U2 and at the same time takes a step forward. Is louder and harder than their last album. It is All that u cant leave behind done right and done much better. One of their best albums although it takes multiple listens to grow on you but any U2 fan will agree all U2 albums take time to A true masterpiece, Bono sounds young, powerful and refreshed. This album takes a step back to classic U2 and at the same time takes a step forward. Is louder and harder than their last album. It is All that u cant leave behind done right and done much better. One of their best albums although it takes multiple listens to grow on you but any U2 fan will agree all U2 albums take time to grow. an impressive album and is up there with actung baby… Expand
  23. ChrisM
    Dec 20, 2004
    9
    I was dissapointed a little the first couple listens - but this CD just grows and grows. 9.5 would be my actual rating. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own is right up there with Bad, One, Streets as one of their best.
  24. ShabarO
    Dec 7, 2004
    8
    Considering that it is the first offering since 2000, it is suffering from having to come with great expectations. The first listen leaves an impalatable taste in the mouth, but after a few listen it actually grows quite fast. No doubt that the band is more mature (hopefully), no doubt Bono is no longer criticizing capitalism but is a Director at Elevation Partners (a US$2 bln private Considering that it is the first offering since 2000, it is suffering from having to come with great expectations. The first listen leaves an impalatable taste in the mouth, but after a few listen it actually grows quite fast. No doubt that the band is more mature (hopefully), no doubt Bono is no longer criticizing capitalism but is a Director at Elevation Partners (a US$2 bln private equity fund). Growing up does teach lessons, and these lessons are in here. Still refreshing. Free Aung Sang Su Shii !… Expand
  25. TomB
    Oct 1, 2005
    9
    While not their best work, it certainly ranks up there in releases in 2004 outshining most bands half their age in a youth oriented industry
  26. JohnW
    Jan 12, 2005
    9
    one of their top three albums..... filled with emotion and magic
  27. tasostasos
    Jan 25, 2005
    9
    one of the best u2`s alboum
  28. JohnS
    Jan 2, 2005
    9
    One of the best I have ever heard some great songs on this, and the bonus track fast cars is b rillant, one of U2s best.
  29. tramwaj
    Jan 9, 2005
    10
    brilliant album containing all the best from u2
  30. matthewr
    Feb 18, 2005
    10
    i loved it thought it was one of their best. they are really in their prime
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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
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