How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb - U2 > Reviews > This Aint Bombed!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	It's U2
Disadvantages:	Some weaker tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Being one of those people that plays a CD to death then moves onto the next best thing it's perhaps unwise of me to purchase more than one CD at a time. U2's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb", came in a nice package from Amazon with REM's latest and an Oasis CD A couple of months down the line I remembered that I actually owned U2's latest album and perhaps it was time to annoy the neighbours with something other than nightly doses of Oasis.

Through out Atomic Bomb what you can't fail to notice is the fact U2 are perhaps going back to their musical roots -what you get is an album packed with those classic rock songs that you just know will sound a million times better live in a stadium some place. Yes you get Bono sounding like only Bono can, the Edge knocking out some pure classic guitar rifts but the whole sound of the album has taken a step back -and by no means a bad one at that. The album doesn't skim on production but it's perhaps the back to basic approach to it that makes the album work. Go back and look at how raw their early stuff are and in places on Atomic Bomb you can see how over the years U2 have built on this. The Boys might be older and slightly greyer if you take a look at the photo's on the accompanied booklet but they still know how to belt 'em out with the best of them. Atomic Bomb isn't some arty experimental album it's about getting back to playing pure rock with guitar riffs to die for, Bono belting them out like the pro he is and imagining you're in a stadium someplace singing along! Yes in places it sounds grandiose, but the grittiness that made U2 is still there. The album takes on the usual U2 material of politics, love, spirituality and soul searching and on the whole serves them up well.

Opening with "Vertigo", you just know that the album is going to be good, with it's meaty rhythmic sound, Larry Mullen belting it out on the drums and Bono sounding more like Bono of the 80's and you've just got one hell of a good track, one that inspires you to want to see what else in store for you. This is one hell of a track to open up an album. It's mean and dirty in places, you can just image the band just belting this out in the studio instinctively you know that this wasn't some track that took take after take to get right. It sounds like one of the greatest bands in the world going into the studio and just doing what they do best!

"Miracle Drug", is a bit of a chameleon of a track with the initial opening bars and Bono's vocals you are lulled into this false sense of security that is going to be one of those soft gentle love songs that occasionally U2 do. Within a minute the tempo is upped a notched or two and what you get is one of those classic U2 tracks - with lyrics that you just can't help singing along to. Think "With or Without You", "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" and you might understand what I mean about the ability to sing along with a chorus! Unfortunately it's not one of my favourite tracks on the album, it just lacks that certain something for me.

Being one of those woman that just loves an angst ridden song then of course "Sometimes you can't make it on your own" was going to be a firm favourite of mine - ok perhaps not up with the likes of "With or Without You" - one of the best ever U2 tracks. But you know something it's got all the makings of being a classic U2 track. Mix in Bono sounding a wee bit pained, poignant in only the way Bono can, a soft and gentle opener to the track, a dramatic rise in the tempo and one of those chorus that you just can not fail to sing along. It's pure U2 from start to finish and one track I admit to playing over and over whilst out in the car.

"Love and Peace or Else" is one of those U2 album tracks that you wonder why is this here? The first few bars you think the CD has stuck. Suddenly the feedback fades away and you get Bono sounding in places a touch bored. With it's idealistic lyrics it's typical U2 fodder but it seems to have become lost some where, it lacks that certain something to be honest. One redeeming factor is perhaps the Edge on guitar

U2 redeem themselves with the next track - "City of Blinding Light" in places makes you remember clearly why you bought this album, for the great things the band have done in the past. City of blinding lights has that classic long U2 intro where you do start to wonder if this is an instrumental and then suddenly Bono pops up Again this is no means a classic U2 -I'm sure that millions of us won't remember this in say 10 years time but it has that certain something about it and you just can't help but sing along - live I can image this will be a spectacular song.

"All Because of You" is like entering a time warp, with it's rough and ready sound, think loud think up the amp, give Adam Clayton and The Edge free range and overlay Bono sounding like he's smoked 40 Marlboro minutes before belting out the vocals and you could have another track from circa 1985. It works because it's totally unpretentious and maybe a way of showing that the band might well have done many great things in the two decades they've been on the scene but they haven't forgotten where they came from musically.

"A Man and a Woman" is perhaps that type of song that U2 do best a simple but ever so poignant rock song. With it's acoustic and very simplistic backing track you get a very tender look at how Bono feels about matters of the heart. It works because of its pure simplicity and to be honest is a breath of fresh air at this juncture in the album. If Bono can pull off a song completely it's these simple sounding tracks that give off that poignant heart warming sound.

One thing U2 have never been afraid of expressing their inner spirituality, on Atomic Bomb, we are served up two tracks - "Crumbs from your Table" and "Yahweh". Unfortunately these track even though they are good and we get back into classic sounding U2 territory -sing along choruses, angst sounding Bono and the Edge on great form they will never be up there with " I still haven't found what I'm looking for". perhaps their best known spiritual song. They lack passion and if U2 know something it's how to portray the passion they have to the listening masses

If U2 can do one thing right it's those soul searching tracks. Some bands lack the ability to share poignant moments but U2 have always managed to do it with warmth and a certain degree of tenderness. With "Open Step Closer" Bono shares with us his grief over his Father's death. It's poignant, it's moving and you just want reach out and give him a hug telling him it's gonna be ok you know…..

With it's melodic opening "Original of the Species" is the classic U2 track. You've got all the traits of a U2 track - thought provoking lyrics, Bono filled with passion, the build up from the opening bars and those infamous you just can't help but sing along to choruses. It's pure U2 at their best doing what they do best. If I was to chose a favourite track this would be up there with "Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own" and "One Step Closer"

Atomic bomb is by no means the best album that U2 have done -that accolade has to go to The Joshua Tree in my mind, but what you do get is a pretty good range of tracks, you've got the passion, you've got angst, guitar riffs to die for in places, Bono with his come to bed voice and even a touch of Latino in the closing track - Fast Cars. It's U2 doing something they enjoy and for most of the album this shines out clearly. Up until last night I was going to end this with and for all of you going to see them this summer I envy you if this album is any thing to go by, but I'll be able to hear for myself now!

Track Listing:

1Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
4. Love And Peace Or Else
5. City Of Blinding Lights
6. All Because Of You
7. Man And A Woman
8. Crumbs From Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original Of The Species
11. Yahweh
12. Fast Cars

Price:

Ebay £4.99 (Average)
Amazon £9.99