U2

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (HTDAAB)

My SECOND Favorite U2 Album

Review Score:

(10/10)
I knew after the masterpiece that was the "The Joshua Tree", that U2 would have to try really hard to top it. They did with 1991's "Achtung Baby". Not only did that album top it - it blew it out of the water.

So it was only a given that U2 would keep experimenting, and in the process, wrote some of their best songs in the 90's. But who says that EVERY album must be another inovation? Reviewers like Mofo seem to think so.

In 2000, came a fantasticly stripped down album called "All That You Can't Leave Behind." It had great songs, and maybe some not so great ones. One thing it did not have enough of was The Edge.

"How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" marks the full return of the guitar. Edge shines here! I think some tend to think that he should return to the crazy guitar/non-sounding guitar of some of U2's 90's work. Why can't he just be The Edge? THIS is what he sounds like! He'll tell ya the same thing!

U2's latest release is probably their most complete sounding album of all time, next to "Achtung Baby". While "The Joshua Tree" was brilliant, it had more 'filler'.

"HTDAAB" starts off incredibly well with pure rock and roll adrenaline. "Vertigo" is the sound of four guys just jammin in the garage not because of money, but because they just love to ROCK! Yes, they allowed Apple to use this song for IPOD commercials, but no money exchanged hands.

The albums highlights include "Miracle Drug", "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own", "City of Blinding Lights", "Man and a Woman" and "Original of the Species."

This is U2 in top form, just writing great songs that sound like U2. If you aren't enjoying it, maybe you should try something a bit lighter. I hear that Destiny's Child just released a new album....

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