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. tylerk
    Jun 24, 2008
    4
    Marginal. U2 used to have a distinct sound. This blends nicely with the proliferation of mediocrity on the radio. Possibly the weakest lyrics on any U2 record, "I'll give you everything that you want..except the thing that you want" Everything after zooropa has been marginal at best.
  5. AristonB
    Sep 21, 2009
    3
    The worst album of U2. They could tour without this crap. Maybe 3 songs worth listening. New low.
  6. ElevanI
    Jul 18, 2008
    10
    U2 always record good albums. Atomic Bomb is a great rock´n roll album. BEST OF 2004.
  7. FabianoS.
    Sep 14, 2008
    9
    Good album.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. TheDude
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Amazing album. Great songs and melodies right throughout.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Dani
    Jan 1, 2005
    10
    Instant classic without really weak songs. City of Blinding Lights, Original of The Species, Miracle Drug...amazing songs.
  14. 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
  15. zainr
    Feb 1, 2007
    10
    great
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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?
  19. 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.
  20. Chris
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    This crap is the final stage of their gradual metamorphosis from one of the greatest and most original living bands on earth to sellout men with a deep, gargled, throaty croon that makes them sound like one of those old pros on the Vegas circuit who refuse to quit, merely altering tehir act to accommodate their gradual disintegration. So, another frustratingly inconsistent effort from one This crap is the final stage of their gradual metamorphosis from one of the greatest and most original living bands on earth to sellout men with a deep, gargled, throaty croon that makes them sound like one of those old pros on the Vegas circuit who refuse to quit, merely altering tehir act to accommodate their gradual disintegration. So, another frustratingly inconsistent effort from one of pop's most frustratingly inconsistent artists - former great 80's and 90's band. No change there, then.… Expand
  21. Michael
    Feb 24, 2005
    2
    If the lyrics and feel of the album don't thoroughly depress you, its ploddingly slow pace and lack of any spark whatsoever will bore you to tears. Absolutely nothing here rises to its only half-arsed pseudo-melodicism and -accessability. Every little Edge guitar snippet is so obviously studied, canned and played by rote, so seemingly devoid of any feeling, it's painful. If you If the lyrics and feel of the album don't thoroughly depress you, its ploddingly slow pace and lack of any spark whatsoever will bore you to tears. Absolutely nothing here rises to its only half-arsed pseudo-melodicism and -accessability. Every little Edge guitar snippet is so obviously studied, canned and played by rote, so seemingly devoid of any feeling, it's painful. If you want to hear the sound of a once-great band growing old right before your ears, and accepting it, this is the dull disc for you. Expect the old dated jangle-pop tunesmiths of ATYCLB to return with this album. Spare, empty, trite. Like an overhyped bad action movie as Matrix, U2 2000 are all machines and no relevancy at all.… Expand
  22. cj
    Mar 16, 2005
    10
    U2's best album ever. This is an absolute masterpiece.
  23. ErikA
    May 2, 2005
    1
    Bad album. Don´t belive the hype. Buy The Jooshua three instead.
  24. AdamE
    Jun 10, 2005
    10
    Listen to more music folks. Jeezus.
  25. Don´tLookNow
    Jul 21, 2005
    1
    Here is what happens when a good band writes a bad record. Marketing takes over music. It happens to the best of them. Let's hope that this is a blip in the system and not the new trend. The Rolling Stones have done marketing over music for years. People sadly think they are the greatest rock band in the world. In reality the Stones are just one band from a long gone era doing Here is what happens when a good band writes a bad record. Marketing takes over music. It happens to the best of them. Let's hope that this is a blip in the system and not the new trend. The Rolling Stones have done marketing over music for years. People sadly think they are the greatest rock band in the world. In reality the Stones are just one band from a long gone era doing greatest hits shows and tricking record labels into giving them large sums of money for the new turds they call albums. U2 can very eaisly fall into that trap. Look no further than the IPOD commercial that turned Bono into iBONO... Better luck next time guys.… Expand
  26. RodrigoM
    Jul 3, 2005
    4
    Half of the songs sound like U2 repeating the same song over and over. Plus the production just doesn't help the record which falls short on almost every aspect. There's still a few songs that stand over mediocrity, but they're not enough to save this album from being one of the worst U2 releases.
  27. FredericoO
    Aug 27, 2005
    10
    very good U2 album! city of blinding lights is the best song of the all record
  28. 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.
  29. Pignoah
    Jan 9, 2008
    1
    Mundane, repetitive, pretentious and phony musical trash.
  30. 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.
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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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