U2

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (HTDAAB)

Let down, hoping for more

Review Score:

(4/10)
Being that I am as old as U2 have been around (26) I have been a U2 fan since the Joshua Tree days and if I was older I would probably be a fan of theirs during their War days. However, I must say as much I love them, U2 didnt sell out in the 90s, but have sold out in the 2000s by regressing to an almost 80s adult contempary sound. With ATYCLB and HTDAAB, U2 have turned their backs on expanding their true sound and musical experimentation of thier 90s work, and most importanly, becoming better musicians.

Although Pop fizzled with critics, it showcased U2 at their most technically masterful and complex- a point where U2 had reached with their exploration of music and performance. In their explorations in the 90s culminating with Pop, U2 still found themselves going back to their true sounds, yet they were still changing the face of music as they had in the 80s and with Achtung Baby. No matter, through the 90s, laced with electro blurbs and pompous examination, U2 still sounded like U2.

In the 2000s, instead they have retreated to a safe and completely stripped down approach that was apparent with ATTYCLB, and overrated album that barely sounded like trademark U2 at all. Although both albums open with rocking and powerful first songs (Beautiful Day and Vertigo) what follows each is a much safer, and softer generic sound. With HTDAAB, at least U2 found room to rock and make some noise, but still dont seem to have the chutzpah to 'crank it up to 11' for fear of not making people happy. While Bono seems to croon more from his heart now than ever before, the lyrics and music pour from the soul, and to that extent HTDAAB is beautiful. Unfortunately, love ballads and emotional diddies are the sounds of an adult contemporary crowd and not the sounds of a new 2000s rock and roll band. But then again, with all the emo-rock out there and trite rock lyrics on the radios today, maybe U2 are more concerned with being on the airwaves than ever pushing the envelope again.

The fact that U2 have mastered such a range of music since 1979 is impressive and is somewhat showcased on HTDAAB, yet falls completely short of being a new rock sound. Perhaps it is U2's fault for making promises with albums as they did with Pop (a dance album) and ATYCLB (a return to their 80s sound), but thankfully didnt do with Achtung Baby- the bands most successful lyrically and technically, and by far the best album. Or perhaps, it is because, as most anyone will admit, U2's trademark style is not nearly as technically skilled as other big bands, that might remain their crutch as the continue in the 2000s.

No matter, HTDAAB promises some great arena-rock tunes that will shine on their upcoming tour- something that no other band out there can even come close to matching. At their age and 26 years of accomplishment, but seem to have lost their inventiveness. Hopefully, the third 'really long title' album will be something new, but for now the world's biggest bands rely on the tried and true rules of rock and roll instead of making them.

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