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. alecvl08
    Dec 9, 2014
    3
    This album wants to be high-energy, but never fully gets what it wants. Once again, this U2 album opens up with its best song, Vertigo. Tracks like Love and Peace or Else are obviously trying to be edgy, but just fall flat. Once again, U2 just seems to have lost what made them legendary.
  2. AristonB
    Sep 21, 2009
    3
    The worst album of U2. They could tour without this crap. Maybe 3 songs worth listening. New low.
  3. JohnK
    Feb 19, 2009
    0
    I love U2. I hate this album. I even liked Pop and I hate this album. The difference? The lyrics all the way. Pop had interesting lyrics, this has boring, straightforward and unpoetic. It's a terrible, terrible album.
  4. GeorgeC.
    Feb 7, 2008
    0
    Totally irrelevant. U2 hasn't made a good record since War. If these guys aren't careful... in 5 years they're going to end up opening for Hinder or Nickelback on a tour of gay biker bars... in Bulgaria.
  5. Pignoah
    Jan 9, 2008
    1
    Mundane, repetitive, pretentious and phony musical trash.
  6. JonathanH
    Dec 9, 2006
    0
    Probably the most dissapointing ALBUM of all time. Edge all I can say is we don't want to hear tired cliche'd 80s guitar licks with no juice that go "din din dindin a din ting ting ting". Last word here: go back to the studio, cancel the last two albums from your cataloghe and go back into the studio and finish of "POP" and then release a DVD for that tour you cheapskates. With Probably the most dissapointing ALBUM of all time. Edge all I can say is we don't want to hear tired cliche'd 80s guitar licks with no juice that go "din din dindin a din ting ting ting". Last word here: go back to the studio, cancel the last two albums from your cataloghe and go back into the studio and finish of "POP" and then release a DVD for that tour you cheapskates. With decent picture quality (ZOO TV 2006 DVD anyone?)… Expand
  7. williamt
    Sep 26, 2005
    0
    What a waste of money- what a sell out to the music companies. here is Bono saying F**k you just give me you money
  8. ChriscoM
    Aug 26, 2005
    2
    Vertigo is a very misleading track that doesn't at all foreshadow the rest of the album. I'd rather listen to "pop" or "the passengers" anytime than force my way through this one. The drums and percussion are lost in the mix somewhere.
  9. 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
  10. EliM
    Jun 17, 2005
    1
    More of the same ATYCLB crap
  11. LionelW
    May 27, 2005
    0
    This is U2...so it´s must be "Their best album"...well... at least until they´ll release their next one probably in 2006... that album will be "Their best album"... don´t forget it.
  12. ThomasR
    May 2, 2005
    2
    a bad record
  13. ErikA
    May 2, 2005
    1
    Bad album. Don´t belive the hype. Buy The Jooshua three instead.
  14. Dean
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Worst piece of corporate garbage I´ve ever heard
  15. Dainbeat
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    The lyrics are terrible, Bono`s voice is a shadow of what it used to be, and songwriting seem to have been going downhill since 2000. can't believe that some people actually consider this to be a good album, let alone one of U2's best. Give me a break! Is there a worse song in their entire catalog than Original Of The Species? I certainly don't think so. Production is The lyrics are terrible, Bono`s voice is a shadow of what it used to be, and songwriting seem to have been going downhill since 2000. can't believe that some people actually consider this to be a good album, let alone one of U2's best. Give me a break! Is there a worse song in their entire catalog than Original Of The Species? I certainly don't think so. Production is pretty bad, even considering this is actually an ATYCLB re-work recording. Not athmospheric, just annoying. Bono is just irritating to say the least. Music is so boring and predictable. Just something we`ve been hearing since their annoying ATYCLB, their most overrated album ever. This may be one of the worst albums ever made. The only thing good about this record is that it eventually ends. Every single song on it is a miserable experience devoid of melody. After I purchased this piece of trash I could only say to myself "this cd cost me two hours of my pay". After that I vowed to save anyone else from making the same mistake. Do yourself a favor and buy anything from 1980-1998 and avoid making eye contact with this waste of plastic. You will only loose 49 minute of your life for nothing.… Expand
  16. TheWanderer
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    How long we will be at the mercy of this self-indulgent corporation called 'U2'?. The greed that comes from this sell-out band is palpable. www.u2.com says it all. With the blink of an eye U2 became a snapshot joke of their career as band who just wanted to create something unheared before with every new album. Now we have not different stuff to choose. They're playing it How long we will be at the mercy of this self-indulgent corporation called 'U2'?. The greed that comes from this sell-out band is palpable. www.u2.com says it all. With the blink of an eye U2 became a snapshot joke of their career as band who just wanted to create something unheared before with every new album. Now we have not different stuff to choose. They're playing it as safe as they can. Things have been the same since 2000, I mean, looks, videos, songs, concerts, interviews, crappy TV shows, radio-friendly stuff, hype, etc. Inevitably every band go downhill, sooner or later. U2 are now an obsolete band. The only thing that remains on these days is, sadly, the money machine. That machine works perfectly well, while the actual band sound more uninspired, bored and old than ever. This oven 2000 style has been so worn that every day more and more fans feel annoyed by U2. For worse, mass media - whom want to be a part of the U2's party, of course. U2 force everybody to play by THEIR rules, otherwise mass media won't get the money they want - have been done to try and make the actual U2 2000 look and sound far better than they can make, by raising every crappy U2 comeback as genuine return to their best times, roots or whatever. This stupid work on restoring this rotten band just increase fans dissapointment. These pitiful men have nothing from their 80's spirit. U2 have become a band with no principles or meaning. John Lennon did his best to TEAR DOWN his celebrity. To show his HUMANITY. Whereas Bono's wearing his annoying cowboy hat and sunglasses, posing. They just profess endless greed. U2 have been teasing us for years. U2 doing the Apple ad shows what desperate these Irish has-beens have become. Now these ancient, by rock star standards, sell-outs men from Ireland are truly freaked. You've really disappointed me U2. This isn't how you started out. Art is about risk. You've stopped risking. You've gone into the insurance business. I can no longer believe in you. I'd rather watch Steve Jobs introduce products that are going to change my life than watch you shill to insure your status in a phony pop music landscape.… Expand
  17. MaryS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Please understand, I love U2. I have loved them for many years. I remember when I first saw the vidieo for "Gloria". I enjoyed reading the review that listed the new song lyrics with older song lyrics, and I can not agree more. I miss being inspired by U2. I miss feelings chills when I hear one of their songs. Nothing compares to "Bad", "A Sort of Homecoming" or "Sunday, Bloody Sunday." I Please understand, I love U2. I have loved them for many years. I remember when I first saw the vidieo for "Gloria". I enjoyed reading the review that listed the new song lyrics with older song lyrics, and I can not agree more. I miss being inspired by U2. I miss feelings chills when I hear one of their songs. Nothing compares to "Bad", "A Sort of Homecoming" or "Sunday, Bloody Sunday." I hate that they have written a lyric like "As the boys play rock and roll" in Vertigo. U2 never had to identify their music as rock and roll before this. Pleae, listen to some older songs from U2, and see just how great they were at one time. It is ashame that Bono's head has gotten so big. Please watch the bands performance of the song "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" in the movie Rattle and Hum to see just how great U2 can be.… Expand
  18. Lisa
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    After Pop ( rediscovered recenty by thousands of dissapointed fans ) the band became increasingly conventional. This album just displays something to feed those hysterical, swooning teens who love anything named as "U2". It's an unwritten rule that any new product seem to be "the best", even for "critics" like Rolling Stone. But U2 forgot 99% of their fans aren't those children After Pop ( rediscovered recenty by thousands of dissapointed fans ) the band became increasingly conventional. This album just displays something to feed those hysterical, swooning teens who love anything named as "U2". It's an unwritten rule that any new product seem to be "the best", even for "critics" like Rolling Stone. But U2 forgot 99% of their fans aren't those children who listen to Jessica Simpson or Beyonce, so we can't swallow the hype alone. We were promised a "REAL PUNK ROCK ALBUM" ( Bono, 2004 ) and that's what seems to be if you take a look at the sleeve. With the cover front alone U2 make fool of fans. That's something censureable. Far from the former "three chords and the truth" band we discovered by 80's. What we found was just something we've heard since 2000. AN UNDENIABLE FRAUD. Everything was calculated, neverthless they made a big mistake: to take us for granted. Everything they did was wrong. And now they have to carry on with that. Fans don't want to be treated as stupid children anymore. We don't care if they're going to tour, it will be a vocal disaster, and surely it will be a mix between 90's and Elevation Tour. U2 have become a predictable commercial company. Pathetic… Expand
  19. Shekhardhain
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    'How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' is so dissapointing because its merely a rehash of former glories, they barely challenge themselves to create an original sound, something they strived to do throughout their 1990s peak. Since 1999 U2 have been too pre-occupied with being "the biggest band in the world", has opposed to the best. The songs on 'How To Dismantle An Atomic 'How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' is so dissapointing because its merely a rehash of former glories, they barely challenge themselves to create an original sound, something they strived to do throughout their 1990s peak. Since 1999 U2 have been too pre-occupied with being "the biggest band in the world", has opposed to the best. The songs on 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' show that U2 are obsessed with getting their music onto US radio and making it grammy-worthy, and so a lot of the album comes over has bland and boring adult pop. If you are new to U2 or are only familiar with ATYCLB you may well love this album (i'm sure the Grammy's will) but has a dedicated U2 fan it merely sounds like an attempt to make a 'worthy' album that will appeal to the mainstream masses.… Expand
  20. Silence
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Most of these boring songs (even the decent ones...which are far and few between) take forever to get going. In most of the songs, Bono sounds tired...like he's an aging rockstar who can't quite hit the notes like he used to. A lot of the melodies are mundane and meandering while the lyrics are pointless. A lot of the music isn't distinct either. The Edge seems to be making Most of these boring songs (even the decent ones...which are far and few between) take forever to get going. In most of the songs, Bono sounds tired...like he's an aging rockstar who can't quite hit the notes like he used to. A lot of the melodies are mundane and meandering while the lyrics are pointless. A lot of the music isn't distinct either. The Edge seems to be making up the guitar parts as he goes along on some songs and borrowing from bits-and-pieces of old U2 songs some of the others. There's a ton of piano/keyboards on this puppy...too much if you ask me. In fact, a lot of these songs sound more like B-side tracks. Very disappointing!. Where's the song-writing ability here ? Tired music, tired singing. This is the laziest U2 album ever. Time to quit U2, really.… Expand
  21. VitoF
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    What has happened to the band that used to try hard to produce something different and exciting? This album is totally devoid of new tune.....of new direction...of new anything. They have become the epitome of corporate rock.
  22. Gone
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This crap is a desperate and bold attempt to get a younger and more innocent audience by the means of sounding more mainstream. The thing that bothers me the most is that they agonized over this album. I was contstantly on their website over the last year watching all their news and interviews with the band, and I got the impression that this was gonna be something really special This crap is a desperate and bold attempt to get a younger and more innocent audience by the means of sounding more mainstream. The thing that bothers me the most is that they agonized over this album. I was contstantly on their website over the last year watching all their news and interviews with the band, and I got the impression that this was gonna be something really special considering how much time and effort was being given. But the result ended up being what sounded like a reunion drinks in Bono's basement playing with some pawn shop equipment, out of ideas, dusted off some old pawn shop gear, pressed record, played for a couple hours, and called it a day. I think more time was spent designing the CD/DVD 'artwork' ( by the way, as awful as the music presented here ). My 59 years old father can sing far better than Bono. I don't know why they pretend to be 'ambassadors of justice and the human rights' with iPod commercials and sunglasses. This album is purely marketing that is propelling this heap of musical trash. Surely this album will find fans among devotees of elevator music, plastics convention soundtrack collectors and bored, fat peroxide frizzed housewives who appreciate the likes of Michael Bolton, Phil Collins, Sting, and many other sellouts 'artists'.… Expand
  23. Randall
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    'Pop' as it seems is the last good U2 album there really ever was. 1 Star Is Being Generous. This crap just leaves you feeling angry over the money that you wasted. It's abominable. Literally hundreds of the same boring guitars, horrible singing and screaming all over the place, stupid lyrics, miserable 'music', and filler production. Long-time fans already hate 'Pop' as it seems is the last good U2 album there really ever was. 1 Star Is Being Generous. This crap just leaves you feeling angry over the money that you wasted. It's abominable. Literally hundreds of the same boring guitars, horrible singing and screaming all over the place, stupid lyrics, miserable 'music', and filler production. Long-time fans already hate it, the casual listener will dismiss it as a cheap gimmick for sales. Please, don't be dumbest person in the world for even thinking about about buying this piece of overhyped crap. I gladly abandoned this band in the same fashion in which they abandoned me. Please U2 retire for gods sake...you are an embarrasment.… Expand
  24. DavidS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    A whole unfocused and reeks of taking the easy road to success once again. They didn't realize that most of U2 fans did not approve of what they did on "All That You Can't Leave Behind" - because of that album sales - so they did the whole same cocktail for this garbage. This album had tons of hype before its release. But I don't think it lived up to any of it. The A whole unfocused and reeks of taking the easy road to success once again. They didn't realize that most of U2 fans did not approve of what they did on "All That You Can't Leave Behind" - because of that album sales - so they did the whole same cocktail for this garbage. This album had tons of hype before its release. But I don't think it lived up to any of it. The songwriting skill exhibited on this album is nothing compared to U2's past. This songwriting is just terrible. For worse, Bono's awful singing is truly untolerable ( listen to the pitiful track 3 at 3:18-4:36; the annoying track 4 at 2:37-2:46 and 3:01-3:13; the crappy track 6 at 2:12-3:16; the WHOLE filler track 7; track 8 at 3:45-4:01; the awful track 10 at 1:17-1:28, 2:46-3:50; and the lame track 11 at every time that Bono sings the word 'Yahweh' ). This mainstream album is more than not (ab)used as a quick means of fulfilling contractual obligations, or padding the record label's fourth-quarter budget. Sometimes it's better to be thought of as a washed out band than to release a crappy album and remove all doubt. At times, this bulls**t sounds like a band in their studio singing out whatever comes to mind - 'Vertigo' for example, and just banging on instruments randomly, repeating the same kind of songs that they used in "All That You Can't Leave Behind". I guess they were too busy pretending to be 'the biggest band in the world' and all that silly hype. PLEASE U2 RETIRE NOW ! We don't want any unnecessary 'Vertigo Tour DVD' nor another "All That You Can't Leave Behind" re-issue. You're disgracing your glory past ( 1980-1998 ). Thank You… Expand
  25. Heartland
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    U2 were surely among the best musicians during those 80s and 90s years. And now what? Is this the best that they can do? Aren't they ashamed of themselves? And what about you, U2 fans? I've been checking out some of the reviews here, and I sit in disbelief as I read lines like "back at their best", " great album": what are you talking about? Can you compare this stuff to Achtung U2 were surely among the best musicians during those 80s and 90s years. And now what? Is this the best that they can do? Aren't they ashamed of themselves? And what about you, U2 fans? I've been checking out some of the reviews here, and I sit in disbelief as I read lines like "back at their best", " great album": what are you talking about? Can you compare this stuff to Achtung Baby, The Joshua Tree or Pop?. Do you really believe this s**t is good?. The reviewers whom seem to agree with me are right, you are trying to persuade yourself it is. Because it's not. Firstly, it's too commercial, and that's proved by the huge financial investment on videos, aimed to target those persons who form their music culture by watching MTV (the same ones who think Britney Spears, Blink 182, Maroon 5 or Robbie Williams are the best musicians around). Secondly, they lack ideas and inspiration. But, more importantly, the quality of their music has so clearly decreased, because songs like 'Vertigo' and 'All Because Of You' do NOT have the "sound that made them one of the worlds biggest bands in the eighties", (how can some fans say that 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' is the 'One' or 'With Or Without You' of this collection, that is almost criminal). Here are a bunch of insipid tunes which meander about without ever really finding a decent melody. 'Vertigo', 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own', 'A Man And A Woman', 'Love And Peace Or Else', 'One Step Closer' and 'Original Of The Species' are perhaps the most undertuneful worst songs ever made by U2. This latest "effort"is frankly insulting. A low-octane rehash of the ideas on the lame All That You Can't Leave Behind. None of those commercial tracks stand out and slap you in the face at all. Moreover, it's absolutely irritating to listen to Bono straining his thin voice to hit the high notes. Yet some people pretend to like this album because it is U2 and no matter what they ever release it will be liked... Sheeps.… Expand
  26. Julia
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This soup offers nothing new to the current music scene, presenting weak compositions that lack originality and innovation. It certainly doesn`t deserve all the overexposure it got, since it has been awhile since U2 created something truly remarkable and cutting edge (I agree with those ones whom say their last worthy album was Pop, in 1997). Far from stunning, this mainstream album has This soup offers nothing new to the current music scene, presenting weak compositions that lack originality and innovation. It certainly doesn`t deserve all the overexposure it got, since it has been awhile since U2 created something truly remarkable and cutting edge (I agree with those ones whom say their last worthy album was Pop, in 1997). Far from stunning, this mainstream album has nothing remarkable, most of the moments are just banal pop tunes and far from memorable. Plus Bono's voice here sounds too strained. What's more, a couple of the tracks on the disc are positively atrocious (the vapid 'SYCMOYO' (possibly getting my vote as the worst U2 track ever, with ATYCLB's 'Grace' coming 2nd) and equally trite and embarrassing 'OOTS'). The remainder of the tracks on the disc range from below average to forgettable. For worse, the limitations in their song writing ability is becoming ever more evident. Listen to 'Vertigo': we've all heard countless times, and yes it grows more annoying with every listen. The chorus line pretty much sums up Bono's lyrical empyness for the album - downright lazy and easy. What happenned to the adventurous band, their intriguingly good lyrics, the expect-the-unexpected feel of their albums. Achtung baby, Zooropa and Pop were amazing because of these qualities. This crap doesn't push much of anything - except U2's unit shifting status in the biz.… Expand
  27. 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
  28. NeilS
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This lame album is the worst block of U2 music to date. Songs such as 'Vertigo' demonstrate that Bono was slipping into as he wrote song after song that was more suited for sell-out stadium shows than it was great music or great art. His lyrics are laughable. Just read what he is singing on 'Vertigo' or 'All Because Of You'. As irrelevant as the whole album. This lame album is the worst block of U2 music to date. Songs such as 'Vertigo' demonstrate that Bono was slipping into as he wrote song after song that was more suited for sell-out stadium shows than it was great music or great art. His lyrics are laughable. Just read what he is singing on 'Vertigo' or 'All Because Of You'. As irrelevant as the whole album. U2 had always been about challenge. Not all four of them were the greatest musicians ever ( except for The Edge, who is - well... WAS a truly great guitar player ), but they always tried to push themselves just beyond their niches and into something new and dangerous. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb absolutely couldn't be more contrary. Everything about this album is flat and predictable as All That You Can't Leave Behind. Applying such adjectives to U2's music would have seemed unthinkable in the 80s and 90s. But hey, here we are! U2 have become self-important yuppie-rock that make better magazine covers than albums… Expand
  29. Gary
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    This is just a mindless album. It is a desperate attempt to try to parody earlier recordings. However, after two tracks it starts to blend into one of the worst U2 songs ever - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - that just does not seem to be going anywhere. Periodically there are shameless attempts at pop commercial singles. I have never been more let down from a band then I This is just a mindless album. It is a desperate attempt to try to parody earlier recordings. However, after two tracks it starts to blend into one of the worst U2 songs ever - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - that just does not seem to be going anywhere. Periodically there are shameless attempts at pop commercial singles. I have never been more let down from a band then I was by the so-called "U2" on this one. How could one explain how shallow and meaningless their music became after All That You Can't Leave Behind ? They gave up on art and opted for being ROCK ICONS, a damnable pity if there ever was one. If I were 80s Bono I would be embarrassed to even be associated with the ( now commercialized ) name U2, who unfairly subjected us to this torture they call a "U2" record… Expand
  30. GeorgeN
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    U2 should just retire. How can I possibly like this album when here we have 11 songs and there's really only one truly good one: 'City Of Blinding Lights'?. This soup is pathetic. The only amazing thing about this trash is that Bono can stand or sit up there with his Yamaha synth and his annoying rough strained voice and entertain all with this totally sweet mess boring U2 should just retire. How can I possibly like this album when here we have 11 songs and there's really only one truly good one: 'City Of Blinding Lights'?. This soup is pathetic. The only amazing thing about this trash is that Bono can stand or sit up there with his Yamaha synth and his annoying rough strained voice and entertain all with this totally sweet mess boring sedative. The songs are evidence of a rich men whom are over-the-hill, sitting on their cash, spending their empty lives aloof behind dark glasses, cover magazines (As Rolling Stone and Time), fast cars, posh reunions and drinks. Any REAL U2 fan should not accept this awful mediocrity. Enough said. There is no hungry passion anymore. Ironic because U2's newer songs certainly have provided passion for some people, like ones such as Celine Dion fans would "die" for but PLEASE... No deliberate attempt at making music to think about anymore. Their egos are just too damn big… Expand
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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
See all critic reviews »