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. MaryS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Please understand, I love U2. I have loved them for many years. I remember when I first saw the vidieo for "Gloria". I enjoyed reading the review that listed the new song lyrics with older song lyrics, and I can not agree more. I miss being inspired by U2. I miss feelings chills when I hear one of their songs. Nothing compares to "Bad", "A Sort of Homecoming" or "Sunday, Bloody Sunday." I Please understand, I love U2. I have loved them for many years. I remember when I first saw the vidieo for "Gloria". I enjoyed reading the review that listed the new song lyrics with older song lyrics, and I can not agree more. I miss being inspired by U2. I miss feelings chills when I hear one of their songs. Nothing compares to "Bad", "A Sort of Homecoming" or "Sunday, Bloody Sunday." I hate that they have written a lyric like "As the boys play rock and roll" in Vertigo. U2 never had to identify their music as rock and roll before this. Pleae, listen to some older songs from U2, and see just how great they were at one time. It is ashame that Bono's head has gotten so big. Please watch the bands performance of the song "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" in the movie Rattle and Hum to see just how great U2 can be.… Expand
  2. Lisa
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    After Pop ( rediscovered recenty by thousands of dissapointed fans ) the band became increasingly conventional. This album just displays something to feed those hysterical, swooning teens who love anything named as "U2". It's an unwritten rule that any new product seem to be "the best", even for "critics" like Rolling Stone. But U2 forgot 99% of their fans aren't those children After Pop ( rediscovered recenty by thousands of dissapointed fans ) the band became increasingly conventional. This album just displays something to feed those hysterical, swooning teens who love anything named as "U2". It's an unwritten rule that any new product seem to be "the best", even for "critics" like Rolling Stone. But U2 forgot 99% of their fans aren't those children who listen to Jessica Simpson or Beyonce, so we can't swallow the hype alone. We were promised a "REAL PUNK ROCK ALBUM" ( Bono, 2004 ) and that's what seems to be if you take a look at the sleeve. With the cover front alone U2 make fool of fans. That's something censureable. Far from the former "three chords and the truth" band we discovered by 80's. What we found was just something we've heard since 2000. AN UNDENIABLE FRAUD. Everything was calculated, neverthless they made a big mistake: to take us for granted. Everything they did was wrong. And now they have to carry on with that. Fans don't want to be treated as stupid children anymore. We don't care if they're going to tour, it will be a vocal disaster, and surely it will be a mix between 90's and Elevation Tour. U2 have become a predictable commercial company. Pathetic… Expand
  3. Shekhardhain
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    'How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' is so dissapointing because its merely a rehash of former glories, they barely challenge themselves to create an original sound, something they strived to do throughout their 1990s peak. Since 1999 U2 have been too pre-occupied with being "the biggest band in the world", has opposed to the best. The songs on 'How To Dismantle An Atomic 'How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' is so dissapointing because its merely a rehash of former glories, they barely challenge themselves to create an original sound, something they strived to do throughout their 1990s peak. Since 1999 U2 have been too pre-occupied with being "the biggest band in the world", has opposed to the best. The songs on 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' show that U2 are obsessed with getting their music onto US radio and making it grammy-worthy, and so a lot of the album comes over has bland and boring adult pop. If you are new to U2 or are only familiar with ATYCLB you may well love this album (i'm sure the Grammy's will) but has a dedicated U2 fan it merely sounds like an attempt to make a 'worthy' album that will appeal to the mainstream masses.… Expand
  4. Silence
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Most of these boring songs (even the decent ones...which are far and few between) take forever to get going. In most of the songs, Bono sounds tired...like he's an aging rockstar who can't quite hit the notes like he used to. A lot of the melodies are mundane and meandering while the lyrics are pointless. A lot of the music isn't distinct either. The Edge seems to be making Most of these boring songs (even the decent ones...which are far and few between) take forever to get going. In most of the songs, Bono sounds tired...like he's an aging rockstar who can't quite hit the notes like he used to. A lot of the melodies are mundane and meandering while the lyrics are pointless. A lot of the music isn't distinct either. The Edge seems to be making up the guitar parts as he goes along on some songs and borrowing from bits-and-pieces of old U2 songs some of the others. There's a ton of piano/keyboards on this puppy...too much if you ask me. In fact, a lot of these songs sound more like B-side tracks. Very disappointing!. Where's the song-writing ability here ? Tired music, tired singing. This is the laziest U2 album ever. Time to quit U2, really.… Expand
  5. VitoF
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    What has happened to the band that used to try hard to produce something different and exciting? This album is totally devoid of new tune.....of new direction...of new anything. They have become the epitome of corporate rock.
  6. Gone
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This crap is a desperate and bold attempt to get a younger and more innocent audience by the means of sounding more mainstream. The thing that bothers me the most is that they agonized over this album. I was contstantly on their website over the last year watching all their news and interviews with the band, and I got the impression that this was gonna be something really special This crap is a desperate and bold attempt to get a younger and more innocent audience by the means of sounding more mainstream. The thing that bothers me the most is that they agonized over this album. I was contstantly on their website over the last year watching all their news and interviews with the band, and I got the impression that this was gonna be something really special considering how much time and effort was being given. But the result ended up being what sounded like a reunion drinks in Bono's basement playing with some pawn shop equipment, out of ideas, dusted off some old pawn shop gear, pressed record, played for a couple hours, and called it a day. I think more time was spent designing the CD/DVD 'artwork' ( by the way, as awful as the music presented here ). My 59 years old father can sing far better than Bono. I don't know why they pretend to be 'ambassadors of justice and the human rights' with iPod commercials and sunglasses. This album is purely marketing that is propelling this heap of musical trash. Surely this album will find fans among devotees of elevator music, plastics convention soundtrack collectors and bored, fat peroxide frizzed housewives who appreciate the likes of Michael Bolton, Phil Collins, Sting, and many other sellouts 'artists'.… Expand
  7. Randall
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    'Pop' as it seems is the last good U2 album there really ever was. 1 Star Is Being Generous. This crap just leaves you feeling angry over the money that you wasted. It's abominable. Literally hundreds of the same boring guitars, horrible singing and screaming all over the place, stupid lyrics, miserable 'music', and filler production. Long-time fans already hate 'Pop' as it seems is the last good U2 album there really ever was. 1 Star Is Being Generous. This crap just leaves you feeling angry over the money that you wasted. It's abominable. Literally hundreds of the same boring guitars, horrible singing and screaming all over the place, stupid lyrics, miserable 'music', and filler production. Long-time fans already hate it, the casual listener will dismiss it as a cheap gimmick for sales. Please, don't be dumbest person in the world for even thinking about about buying this piece of overhyped crap. I gladly abandoned this band in the same fashion in which they abandoned me. Please U2 retire for gods sake...you are an embarrasment.… Expand
  8. DavidS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    A whole unfocused and reeks of taking the easy road to success once again. They didn't realize that most of U2 fans did not approve of what they did on "All That You Can't Leave Behind" - because of that album sales - so they did the whole same cocktail for this garbage. This album had tons of hype before its release. But I don't think it lived up to any of it. The A whole unfocused and reeks of taking the easy road to success once again. They didn't realize that most of U2 fans did not approve of what they did on "All That You Can't Leave Behind" - because of that album sales - so they did the whole same cocktail for this garbage. This album had tons of hype before its release. But I don't think it lived up to any of it. The songwriting skill exhibited on this album is nothing compared to U2's past. This songwriting is just terrible. For worse, Bono's awful singing is truly untolerable ( listen to the pitiful track 3 at 3:18-4:36; the annoying track 4 at 2:37-2:46 and 3:01-3:13; the crappy track 6 at 2:12-3:16; the WHOLE filler track 7; track 8 at 3:45-4:01; the awful track 10 at 1:17-1:28, 2:46-3:50; and the lame track 11 at every time that Bono sings the word 'Yahweh' ). This mainstream album is more than not (ab)used as a quick means of fulfilling contractual obligations, or padding the record label's fourth-quarter budget. Sometimes it's better to be thought of as a washed out band than to release a crappy album and remove all doubt. At times, this bulls**t sounds like a band in their studio singing out whatever comes to mind - 'Vertigo' for example, and just banging on instruments randomly, repeating the same kind of songs that they used in "All That You Can't Leave Behind". I guess they were too busy pretending to be 'the biggest band in the world' and all that silly hype. PLEASE U2 RETIRE NOW ! We don't want any unnecessary 'Vertigo Tour DVD' nor another "All That You Can't Leave Behind" re-issue. You're disgracing your glory past ( 1980-1998 ). Thank You… Expand
  9. Heartland
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    U2 were surely among the best musicians during those 80s and 90s years. And now what? Is this the best that they can do? Aren't they ashamed of themselves? And what about you, U2 fans? I've been checking out some of the reviews here, and I sit in disbelief as I read lines like "back at their best", " great album": what are you talking about? Can you compare this stuff to Achtung U2 were surely among the best musicians during those 80s and 90s years. And now what? Is this the best that they can do? Aren't they ashamed of themselves? And what about you, U2 fans? I've been checking out some of the reviews here, and I sit in disbelief as I read lines like "back at their best", " great album": what are you talking about? Can you compare this stuff to Achtung Baby, The Joshua Tree or Pop?. Do you really believe this s**t is good?. The reviewers whom seem to agree with me are right, you are trying to persuade yourself it is. Because it's not. Firstly, it's too commercial, and that's proved by the huge financial investment on videos, aimed to target those persons who form their music culture by watching MTV (the same ones who think Britney Spears, Blink 182, Maroon 5 or Robbie Williams are the best musicians around). Secondly, they lack ideas and inspiration. But, more importantly, the quality of their music has so clearly decreased, because songs like 'Vertigo' and 'All Because Of You' do NOT have the "sound that made them one of the worlds biggest bands in the eighties", (how can some fans say that 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' is the 'One' or 'With Or Without You' of this collection, that is almost criminal). Here are a bunch of insipid tunes which meander about without ever really finding a decent melody. 'Vertigo', 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own', 'A Man And A Woman', 'Love And Peace Or Else', 'One Step Closer' and 'Original Of The Species' are perhaps the most undertuneful worst songs ever made by U2. This latest "effort"is frankly insulting. A low-octane rehash of the ideas on the lame All That You Can't Leave Behind. None of those commercial tracks stand out and slap you in the face at all. Moreover, it's absolutely irritating to listen to Bono straining his thin voice to hit the high notes. Yet some people pretend to like this album because it is U2 and no matter what they ever release it will be liked... Sheeps.… Expand
  10. Julia
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This soup offers nothing new to the current music scene, presenting weak compositions that lack originality and innovation. It certainly doesn`t deserve all the overexposure it got, since it has been awhile since U2 created something truly remarkable and cutting edge (I agree with those ones whom say their last worthy album was Pop, in 1997). Far from stunning, this mainstream album has This soup offers nothing new to the current music scene, presenting weak compositions that lack originality and innovation. It certainly doesn`t deserve all the overexposure it got, since it has been awhile since U2 created something truly remarkable and cutting edge (I agree with those ones whom say their last worthy album was Pop, in 1997). Far from stunning, this mainstream album has nothing remarkable, most of the moments are just banal pop tunes and far from memorable. Plus Bono's voice here sounds too strained. What's more, a couple of the tracks on the disc are positively atrocious (the vapid 'SYCMOYO' (possibly getting my vote as the worst U2 track ever, with ATYCLB's 'Grace' coming 2nd) and equally trite and embarrassing 'OOTS'). The remainder of the tracks on the disc range from below average to forgettable. For worse, the limitations in their song writing ability is becoming ever more evident. Listen to 'Vertigo': we've all heard countless times, and yes it grows more annoying with every listen. The chorus line pretty much sums up Bono's lyrical empyness for the album - downright lazy and easy. What happenned to the adventurous band, their intriguingly good lyrics, the expect-the-unexpected feel of their albums. Achtung baby, Zooropa and Pop were amazing because of these qualities. This crap doesn't push much of anything - except U2's unit shifting status in the biz.… Expand
  11. FHay
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This mistake is extremely boring and meaningless. Bono is extremely annoying here, unlistenable. This album is the perfect example of how... can save a music lover fromwasting money on over-rated trash. This sellout U2 doesn't deserve the colossal amount of hype it has been getting. Anyone who would call "Sometimes You Can't Make It" a 'deep song' has absolutely no This mistake is extremely boring and meaningless. Bono is extremely annoying here, unlistenable. This album is the perfect example of how... can save a music lover fromwasting money on over-rated trash. This sellout U2 doesn't deserve the colossal amount of hype it has been getting. Anyone who would call "Sometimes You Can't Make It" a 'deep song' has absolutely no credibility to judge music... it's probably the most cliché U2 song ever, possibly tied with "One Step Closer" and "Crumbs For Your Table". What horrible pick for a band's second single!. If you want to listen to a brilliant song related to a father's death, listen to Pink Floyd "When The Tigers Broke Free" instead. Video Clip is even worse and more cliché, with all those silly shots at the Opera theatre. They've somehow menaced their way onto the charts and remained, selling their faceless wan. They music sounds so plastic, unimpressive, worthless and commercial that gives me urge to go to the first restroom out there, really. Incredibly unoriginal and predictable, this is the worst U2 album, and the most overhyped as well. All songs sound too similar ( by the way, the whole same ATYCLB sound ). Not even decent songwriting, this soup is just low quality pap for the bucks. U2 have become no more than a mainstream music corporation. I can't believe these are the same men whom used to take white flags to their early concerts. Yet some stupid fans say this half-worked Ipod product is a 'return to their roots'. I bet you young Bono would hate this sellout faceless Ipod man.… Expand
  12. NeilS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This lame album is the worst block of U2 music to date. Songs such as 'Vertigo' demonstrate that Bono was slipping into as he wrote song after song that was more suited for sell-out stadium shows than it was great music or great art. His lyrics are laughable. Just read what he is singing on 'Vertigo' or 'All Because Of You'. As irrelevant as the whole album. This lame album is the worst block of U2 music to date. Songs such as 'Vertigo' demonstrate that Bono was slipping into as he wrote song after song that was more suited for sell-out stadium shows than it was great music or great art. His lyrics are laughable. Just read what he is singing on 'Vertigo' or 'All Because Of You'. As irrelevant as the whole album. U2 had always been about challenge. Not all four of them were the greatest musicians ever ( except for The Edge, who is - well... WAS a truly great guitar player ), but they always tried to push themselves just beyond their niches and into something new and dangerous. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb absolutely couldn't be more contrary. Everything about this album is flat and predictable as All That You Can't Leave Behind. Applying such adjectives to U2's music would have seemed unthinkable in the 80s and 90s. But hey, here we are! U2 have become self-important yuppie-rock that make better magazine covers than albums… Expand
  13. Gary
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This is just a mindless album. It is a desperate attempt to try to parody earlier recordings. However, after two tracks it starts to blend into one of the worst U2 songs ever - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - that just does not seem to be going anywhere. Periodically there are shameless attempts at pop commercial singles. I have never been more let down from a band then I This is just a mindless album. It is a desperate attempt to try to parody earlier recordings. However, after two tracks it starts to blend into one of the worst U2 songs ever - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - that just does not seem to be going anywhere. Periodically there are shameless attempts at pop commercial singles. I have never been more let down from a band then I was by the so-called "U2" on this one. How could one explain how shallow and meaningless their music became after All That You Can't Leave Behind ? They gave up on art and opted for being ROCK ICONS, a damnable pity if there ever was one. If I were 80s Bono I would be embarrassed to even be associated with the ( now commercialized ) name U2, who unfairly subjected us to this torture they call a "U2" record… Expand
  14. GeorgeN
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    U2 should just retire. How can I possibly like this album when here we have 11 songs and there's really only one truly good one: 'City Of Blinding Lights'?. This soup is pathetic. The only amazing thing about this trash is that Bono can stand or sit up there with his Yamaha synth and his annoying rough strained voice and entertain all with this totally sweet mess boring U2 should just retire. How can I possibly like this album when here we have 11 songs and there's really only one truly good one: 'City Of Blinding Lights'?. This soup is pathetic. The only amazing thing about this trash is that Bono can stand or sit up there with his Yamaha synth and his annoying rough strained voice and entertain all with this totally sweet mess boring sedative. The songs are evidence of a rich men whom are over-the-hill, sitting on their cash, spending their empty lives aloof behind dark glasses, cover magazines (As Rolling Stone and Time), fast cars, posh reunions and drinks. Any REAL U2 fan should not accept this awful mediocrity. Enough said. There is no hungry passion anymore. Ironic because U2's newer songs certainly have provided passion for some people, like ones such as Celine Dion fans would "die" for but PLEASE... No deliberate attempt at making music to think about anymore. Their egos are just too damn big… Expand
  15. GeorgeT
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I wish the aforementioned atomic bomb was remantled and aimed directly at U2.The bilingual lyrics in the beginning of Vertigo could be no more pointless and innane than what I had for dinner two years ago.Being berated with obviously "well-thought out" lyrics like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..." at the end of their most "promising" track, makes me envision Bono hard at work at a desk some where I wish the aforementioned atomic bomb was remantled and aimed directly at U2.The bilingual lyrics in the beginning of Vertigo could be no more pointless and innane than what I had for dinner two years ago.Being berated with obviously "well-thought out" lyrics like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..." at the end of their most "promising" track, makes me envision Bono hard at work at a desk some where writing down this lyrical garbage.Other than the truly overplayed, over-rated, and over done Vertigo, which needed to be truly lampooned, the other songs are literally not worth my most wasted minute.Please for the continuing sake of all types of music I beg of any reader; Do Not Buy This Trash!… Expand
  16. AndrewJ
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I don't understand why so many music critics continue to lavish praise on U2. I don't hear anything new or exciting on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". It's tired,overdone,boring,bland,and pompous. I don't like one song on it. "Vertigo" sounds horrible to me,but it's the best they have to offer. "Yahweh" is one of the worst songs they've ever done. All the I don't understand why so many music critics continue to lavish praise on U2. I don't hear anything new or exciting on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". It's tired,overdone,boring,bland,and pompous. I don't like one song on it. "Vertigo" sounds horrible to me,but it's the best they have to offer. "Yahweh" is one of the worst songs they've ever done. All the songs in between just put me to sleep. The best thing about trying to listen to the album is that it cures my insomnia. Bono said he'd know it was time for U2 to hang it up when they did two bad albums in a row. He's lucky "All That You Can't Leave Behind" was a decent album or U2'd have to retire now. I'm not going to listen to the hype any more. The critics who call every new U2 album the best one in years are always wrong. They've said it about every album since "Boy" and they've been wrong every time.… Expand
  17. WakeUpDeadU2
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    What's most frustrating is that many songs start out in the same trademark direction. It was worse than I expected. This stuff is easy. A 4 year wait for another mediocre U2 studio album. Almost unlistenable. I agree with most of fans here, HTDAAB is just an ATYCLB reissue with another name. U2 used to be cool, but they gradually have gotten less avant garde and more radio-friendly. What's most frustrating is that many songs start out in the same trademark direction. It was worse than I expected. This stuff is easy. A 4 year wait for another mediocre U2 studio album. Almost unlistenable. I agree with most of fans here, HTDAAB is just an ATYCLB reissue with another name. U2 used to be cool, but they gradually have gotten less avant garde and more radio-friendly. This one is just terrible. I dare to say it's their worst effort ever. I can't stand this statement of mediocrity. U2 have become in that horrible mainstream music that you constantly pretend to love on your highschool, you know, among female friends and all that. U2 say they are merely protecting the world, but it comes off as being very greedy. I am all for free market and capitalism, but how much money do these sellouts need?. They make majority of their money from touring, if they never made another album again, they would still collect huge amounts of money from royalites and touring. The most dissapointing thing about this U2 is the horrible glamorization of the band. U2 have become in glammy pop mainstream 'artists'.… Expand
  18. Ryan
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    There have been very few records that have been hyped as much as this one in recent years. But the truth is that this is U2's "Let it Be". A lot of hype has been made about the fact that U2 is a return to the band's older days. But what all of this assumes is that the older days can be replicated with a few Edge's trademark guitars and keyboards. That assumption begs for a There have been very few records that have been hyped as much as this one in recent years. But the truth is that this is U2's "Let it Be". A lot of hype has been made about the fact that U2 is a return to the band's older days. But what all of this assumes is that the older days can be replicated with a few Edge's trademark guitars and keyboards. That assumption begs for a lot, though, and the fact that this album is full of poor lyrics that are extremely poor sung, all atop a poor mix of instruments. "Original Of The Species" comes off as the worst song "U2" have ever recorded, of course their semi-official magazine "Rolling Stone" aren't agree at all - have you noticed that every new U2 album is reviewed as their best effort at least in 10 years for those "critics"? -, but just about any other person with functional hearing. This is just bulls**t which might not even inspire you to pick up the album ever again after hearing it for the first time. It simply Doesn't measure up to U2 standards. It's worthy - as "Let it Be" - just in case you want to hear the musical document of a band's artistic breakup. This half-finished piece of copy-paste jobs from "All That You Can't Leave Behind" got the worst U2 album reviews ever, even worse than "Rattle & Hum". I agree with fans reviews. People just showed them that sometimes fans are right in criticizing their music, and the mass media are just as sellouts as the own band.… Expand
  19. Stateless
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    For those mainstream critics: Please stop marketing for U2, it´s shameful. This album should have been titled "How to dismantle a former glory career".
  20. Andy
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Grosely overhyped even by 'critics' as Rolling Stone, NME, Billboard, etc. This is the worst U2 album ever.
  21. MarceloF
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    U2 past their prime a long time ago. That´s clear after listening to this.
  22. SidK
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    A senseless attempt to 'Return to their roots' or some other nonsense. No creativity, no soul, there´s absolutely nothing original here.
  23. MajorTom
    Feb 24, 2005
    3
    While this record isn't terrible, it is pretty bad for U2 standards. All songs here are mid to slow tempo and quite dull; none of the other 10 tracks have the energy that Vertigo has. Slow songs are not a bad thing, just listen to 'All That You Can't...', but the ones here are just plain boring. I miss the adventurous U2 of the early to mid '90s. In my opinion, While this record isn't terrible, it is pretty bad for U2 standards. All songs here are mid to slow tempo and quite dull; none of the other 10 tracks have the energy that Vertigo has. Slow songs are not a bad thing, just listen to 'All That You Can't...', but the ones here are just plain boring. I miss the adventurous U2 of the early to mid '90s. In my opinion, this record has been grosely overhyped and thus it's kind of disappointing when you finally get to listen to it. 'All because of you' sounds like a bad rip off of Bowie's 'Hang On To Yourself', 'A Man and A Woman' will put you to sleep faster than a Tool record. Guess all those 4 star reviews from Rolling Stone and the like really are nothing more than maintainace for a business relation. I'm not just bashing U2 for the sake of it. I think they are one of the greatest bands ever; Achtung Baby and Zooropa are among my favorite records of all time, I throughly enjoy All That You Can't and Joshua Tree, but this time i was genuinely disappointed… Expand
  24. RobertoC
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Why so many fans think with albums like ATYCLB and this one HTDAAB 80's U2 is back ?. I think that sentence is pointless, there's no way for U2 to return to these days. U2 in the 80's had many things to say, both with music and lyrics, but now..."Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" at the end of Vertigo is something horrible !! by the way, Bono is far from 80's voice. This album is Why so many fans think with albums like ATYCLB and this one HTDAAB 80's U2 is back ?. I think that sentence is pointless, there's no way for U2 to return to these days. U2 in the 80's had many things to say, both with music and lyrics, but now..."Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" at the end of Vertigo is something horrible !! by the way, Bono is far from 80's voice. This album is inoffensive, inopportune, accessible, pop, false, and overall the worst possible way to celebrate their 25th birthday. I think a far better way could have been a remastered releasing of all their classic albums, from Boy until Pop, as well Live DVD's with previously unreleased footage ( Like Led Zeppelin DVD ). Is a shame, really. The fans can swallow any U2 hype, just because is something new, but that doesn't mean quality at all. There's no one memorable and unforgettable song here, like Pride ( in the name of love ), Sunday Bloody Sunday, One or Stay. Now is time for re-discovering underrated albums like Zooropa! or Pop, and bury this "new" U2. How so many fans can be blind, and say this is equal to Joshua Tree, Acthung Baby or Unforgettable Fire ? there's no new music here, no new guitars, no new style, is just another ATYCLB with a few spices by The Edge, but even he sounds like always here. The title was chosen obviously just for typical reviews like "this album is a bomb" and things like that. The more I listen the album, the more I lament to see what have they done these last years, wasting all the time staining, soiling, burying and their extraordinary career seeking for instantaneous grammy and money. It's been a long time in which U2 doesn't offer anything really new, neither with LPs nor with the live concerts, but having the great advantage of being a recognized and respected band throughout the world, U2 always will have fans that acclaim anything that they put on the radios, like this stupid "bomb".The title of this album must have been "How to dismantle a band who used to make music and surprise the world"… Expand
  25. Ness
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I used to love this group, but they are so OVER. Aside from 'Vertigo', which in and of itself gets painful to listen to after a few times, there is no reason to buy this album. Just buy the single. Honestly, what does U2 think? That they're so fab and rich they can just churn out any crap, slap some 'cool' sounding titles on songs and people will just eat it up? I used to love this group, but they are so OVER. Aside from 'Vertigo', which in and of itself gets painful to listen to after a few times, there is no reason to buy this album. Just buy the single. Honestly, what does U2 think? That they're so fab and rich they can just churn out any crap, slap some 'cool' sounding titles on songs and people will just eat it up? Apparently.… Expand
  26. SaffronFaerie
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    the people in u2 are so big and rich that they could put out whatever kind of album they want without really consulting with anyone. unfortunately, this seems to be excactly what they decided to do, and guess what? it sucks. they can't even count in spanish
  27. InTheNameOfLove
    Feb 24, 2005
    2
    Well... what I can say after reading all these commentaries. My personal opinion, indeed. I do not want to speak of the wonderful career of U2, only about the new album. 11 nice done songs with a big commercial interest are here. The A side of the disc is far better that the B side , which is singsong and boring. There are interesting songs like City Of Blinding Lights, but there are Well... what I can say after reading all these commentaries. My personal opinion, indeed. I do not want to speak of the wonderful career of U2, only about the new album. 11 nice done songs with a big commercial interest are here. The A side of the disc is far better that the B side , which is singsong and boring. There are interesting songs like City Of Blinding Lights, but there are horrible ones like One Step Closer, Yahweh (Bono in his lowest level as a singer), Original Of Species and Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own. The Edge uses the same guitars all the time, Larry almost is unnecessary in this album, as well Adam. It is a simple, short disc, designed to sell. I don't feel the album, that's all. After 49 minutes I'm the same person, worried about the same things and trying to listen to better albums. This album won't change me at all, unlike previous U2 albums like Pop, Acthung Baby or Joshua Tree.… Expand
  28. NatanielN
    Feb 24, 2005
    4
    So I'd be lying if I didn't at least give U2 credit for trying to rock on this CD. Unlike that last thing where all they did was mope about the current state of the world, this CD does try to pick it up a notch and make music that is actually powerful in the way the Joshua Tree was. Unfortunately, I feel like this CD is tired. Bono is not a politician, he's a musician, and So I'd be lying if I didn't at least give U2 credit for trying to rock on this CD. Unlike that last thing where all they did was mope about the current state of the world, this CD does try to pick it up a notch and make music that is actually powerful in the way the Joshua Tree was. Unfortunately, I feel like this CD is tired. Bono is not a politician, he's a musician, and I think it's time he realized this. There's a lot of the same old cliches about the current state of politics and the world and I'm not trying to be rude but we've all heard them before. I think that musicians need to stop acting like they have some amazingly profound idea about governments when really all they did was read someone else's idea in a newspaper and then act like it was their own. Bono is the king of this concept which he demonstrates to the fullest extent on this album. So while it does "rock" at times, the rocking is overshadowed by some drivel about love and some more about governments. But if you're a U2 fan you will enjoy this album because no matter how much those things don't appeal to me, I give them credit for being really good at what they do. And while Bono may have no place in world politics, at least he's been able to shed a little light on a few events for the bozos that don't actually get their news from newsworthy sources.… Expand
  29. Phillipe
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    I simply don't understand this hype concept, you know, Bono's words repeated again and again with any new album. This album is simply awful, showing a big shyness to make whole new music. Rather, this album is safe, weak and boring. Isn't something interesting and worth listen. By far the more interesting thing here is something new after 4 years, but sadly is not 100% at I simply don't understand this hype concept, you know, Bono's words repeated again and again with any new album. This album is simply awful, showing a big shyness to make whole new music. Rather, this album is safe, weak and boring. Isn't something interesting and worth listen. By far the more interesting thing here is something new after 4 years, but sadly is not 100% at all. This hits factory intended bother me, really. Where is exploration here ? where is excellence here ? where is innovation here ? rather, here I found exasperating evasive music exit for hits and money. U2 have park their car on the safe world of commercial singles, forgetting to communicate what happen in the present world, living in a cloud of fame and pleasure. This album overall is nothing but a terrible mistake fed by desire on more fame and more money. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is so boring, predictable, disposable and accessible.… Expand
  30. Dave
    Feb 24, 2005
    3
    I'm not going to say bad words against U2 members, but I have to say bad words about their music. My first toughts about this album were so so. But now, the more I listen it the more I dislike it. After 4 years ( the longer time between one album and another in U2's history, since between Zooropa and Pop were 3 1/2 years ) U2 give us such a fraud album, with radio friendly I'm not going to say bad words against U2 members, but I have to say bad words about their music. My first toughts about this album were so so. But now, the more I listen it the more I dislike it. After 4 years ( the longer time between one album and another in U2's history, since between Zooropa and Pop were 3 1/2 years ) U2 give us such a fraud album, with radio friendly songs, with no attitude nor new ideas. I really don't know what to say to express how bad I feel. I've been U2 fan since 1984 !!! I have 35 years old and I was used to be surprised with every U2 album until Pop, in 1997. Then they shifted to safe and more friendly music with All That You Can't Live Behind. Now with this album songs are very commercial intended and recorded, production is nothing special, as well other instruments like strings, keyboards, piano, etc. Is very annoying to listen Bono's voice now, trying to reach higher notes with his rough voice. Edge stopped to invent new guitars forever. Larry is boring, as well Adam. Guitars are always the same ones. Sorry for these words my friend, but this album is only an excuse for money… 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.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    This is grandiose music from grandiose men, sweatlessly confident in the execution of their duties.
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  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.
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