Excellent U2

Review Score: (10/10)
There is a wide range of opinions and views on Amazon, which could lead you to believe that U2 has either hit a brick wall in terms of their creativity or written some songs that harken back to their glory days. My best guess is that the truth lies somewhere in between.

I suspect that I'm like a lot of people out there -- casual fans who were drawn in by the spectacular All That You Can't Leave Behind and eager to see what the band would do for an encore. The rollicking, uber-IPod anthem, "Vertigo", certainly set a high standard and piqued pre-release interest.

However, much of what follows "Vertigo" on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is tepid and mid-tempo, similar to some of the fare found on All That You Can't if lacking in grandeur and execution. Yes, Bono sounds a little strained at times and the lyrics sound a little tired, but overall new and old fans can expect an enjoyable experience in listening to this album, which is many things but definately not a bomb.

The standout tracks -- "All Because of You," "City of Blinding Lights," "Love and Peace or Else," and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" -- show that U2 is still fully capable of writing catchy tunes with substance, while the lesser songs reveal that even great artists are vulnerable to the bits of mediocrity that come with aging.



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