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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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
  2. ChrisR
    Feb 19, 2005
    1
    They've lost it. No imagination, no new ideas, just recycling older material. Same lyrical treatment, same production skills. Some of their '90s albums even sound more modern. This proves two things: 1) They've run out of creativity, 2) They're just in it for the money now. Sad.
  3. RyanC
    Feb 22, 2005
    1
    Its about time we remembered that U2 are not actually any good. Really, it was over long ago. End it before they do an REM and make us foreget why people liked them in the first place. Remember them for pre-91 material I guess
  4. 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
  5. WebTheEndOfTheWorld
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    The U2 mystery has gone. Apart from being a quartet of forty-something blokes with the same trademark guitars and an immense back catalogue, their purpose seems unclear. Unfortunately, this dull album shows this lack of purpose to have reached crippling levels. At times it's as if as the band, lost as to their true identity, start playing what they think U2 should be playing. It The U2 mystery has gone. Apart from being a quartet of forty-something blokes with the same trademark guitars and an immense back catalogue, their purpose seems unclear. Unfortunately, this dull album shows this lack of purpose to have reached crippling levels. At times it's as if as the band, lost as to their true identity, start playing what they think U2 should be playing. It sounds so familiar. No substance at all. It's just marketing, fashion, Grammy Awards, etc. The album quickly descends into an uninspiring mid-tempo plod. The overall impression is that they've forgotten about the songs and preoccupied themselves worrying about the textures. Stuck between second-guessing their audience's expectations and where they actual want to travel, they end up in a cul-de-sac of their own making. Stuck In A Moment They Don't Want To Get Out Of.… Expand
  6. SteveH
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    Everything you know is wrong. Or so U2 claimed on the multi-media overload intro sequence of the Zoo TV tour back in 1992. To put it more accurately and adapt that post-modern adage for U2's ninth album, everything you've read is wrong. Because, despite the almost universal hyperbole that has greeted HTDAAB - courtesy of Rolling Stone, New Musical Express, Billboard, etc -this Everything you know is wrong. Or so U2 claimed on the multi-media overload intro sequence of the Zoo TV tour back in 1992. To put it more accurately and adapt that post-modern adage for U2's ninth album, everything you've read is wrong. Because, despite the almost universal hyperbole that has greeted HTDAAB - courtesy of Rolling Stone, New Musical Express, Billboard, etc -this far from being even a decent album. Certainly their worst album, by U2's stratospheric 80s and 90s standards. HTDAAB: rolls past like a spanking red carpet, limped on by leaden-footed royalty. An early affair, a hazy infatuation, that has since bloated into comfortable taking-for-granted. As with all ubiquitous products, the familiarity of logos, slogans, and icons eventually supplants whatever original feelings we may have had. This U2 sellouts are, indeed, a universal product, much like the Catholic Church Bono humbly admires. The swoosh on The Edge's skully cap, and the golden arches of Bono's glasses spring to mind. The emtpyness of 'Vertigo' opens with bombast after Larry's sticks counting, and peaks with Bono's annoying cracking voice in the shouted coda. With 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' Bono seems dead set on ruining U2's return with clichés. The vulnerability of Bono's rough voice become even more evident on 'A Man And A Woman', 'Original Of The Species', 'All Because Of You' and 'Yahweh'. I really don't know how the hell he likes the sound of his own voice. Maybe he feel numb, comfortably numb. This mainstream album is so predictable, safe, radio-friendly, and uninspiring and uninspired. Still, this dull record is disliked even for the traditionalist fans that U2 lost by making daring and admirably masterpieces like 'Pop' and 'Zooropa'. PS: R.Johnson. Stop putting your childish reviews twice, that's pathetic. Thank You… Expand
  7. ThomasJ
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    This album should be against the law for this to be packaged as U2. Bono's strained vocals ruin the album, and the songs are missing the whole talent they had back in the 80's and 90's. It's clear U2 have nothing else to prove, and they don't even want to. This album just shows their 2000 musical ignorance. U2 should be ashamed of even taking credit to these This album should be against the law for this to be packaged as U2. Bono's strained vocals ruin the album, and the songs are missing the whole talent they had back in the 80's and 90's. It's clear U2 have nothing else to prove, and they don't even want to. This album just shows their 2000 musical ignorance. U2 should be ashamed of even taking credit to these 'songs'. Consider this record to be the ultimate undoing of this once legendary band. Too bad their time have come and gone. And yet every time U2 appear, their adoring fanatics react to it like it came from the Holy Scriptures... dream it all up again instead… Expand
  8. Phillipe
    Feb 24, 2005
    1
    I simply don't understand this hype concept, you know, Bono's words repeated again and again with any new album. This album is simply awful, showing a big shyness to make whole new music. Rather, this album is safe, weak and boring. Isn't something interesting and worth listen. By far the more interesting thing here is something new after 4 years, but sadly is not 100% at I simply don't understand this hype concept, you know, Bono's words repeated again and again with any new album. This album is simply awful, showing a big shyness to make whole new music. Rather, this album is safe, weak and boring. Isn't something interesting and worth listen. By far the more interesting thing here is something new after 4 years, but sadly is not 100% at all. This hits factory intended bother me, really. Where is exploration here ? where is excellence here ? where is innovation here ? rather, here I found exasperating evasive music exit for hits and money. U2 have park their car on the safe world of commercial singles, forgetting to communicate what happen in the present world, living in a cloud of fame and pleasure. This album overall is nothing but a terrible mistake fed by desire on more fame and more money. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is so boring, predictable, disposable and accessible.… Expand
  9. EliM
    Jun 17, 2005
    1
    More of the same ATYCLB crap
  10. 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
  11. JohnJ
    Nov 25, 2004
    1
    Junky pop music that pales in comparison to pre-Pop albums. Although even Pop was better than this. Regretfully, they appear to be on the slippery slope to loud mediocrity.
  12. 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
  13. SidK
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    A senseless attempt to 'Return to their roots' or some other nonsense. No creativity, no soul, there´s absolutely nothing original here.
  14. RingoT
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Bono should stay out of the studio and stick with his politician buddies. That seems to be his priority now instead of the music. The other three should retire to thier families. It would be a full circle if they were to start with producer Steve Lillwhite(BOY) and END with him as well(HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB). But no, they are going to destroy thier legacy like the Rolling Stones Bono should stay out of the studio and stick with his politician buddies. That seems to be his priority now instead of the music. The other three should retire to thier families. It would be a full circle if they were to start with producer Steve Lillwhite(BOY) and END with him as well(HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB). But no, they are going to destroy thier legacy like the Rolling Stones did and continue to release products..er, albums as excuses to tour. They are a money-making machine now. The 00's has been U2's worst decade by far.… Expand
  15. TheRefugee
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Kick me out of the cult. To be a true-blue, diehard member of a rock band's cult following there are certain unspoken rules. Perhaps the most sacred of which is to maintain that even the band's worst album is still a great piece of music. "I just don't like it as much as the other ones," you may safely admit to other fans, who either nod or politely defend the work in Kick me out of the cult. To be a true-blue, diehard member of a rock band's cult following there are certain unspoken rules. Perhaps the most sacred of which is to maintain that even the band's worst album is still a great piece of music. "I just don't like it as much as the other ones," you may safely admit to other fans, who either nod or politely defend the work in question. But objectivity in rock cults is unheard of. That's why cults dwindle. Let's review this new (NEW?) U2 album: Cheaply sentimental, a glibly sanguine bit of pap from a band that once explored places that hadn't already been squeezed dry of meaning. And it gets worse. After an outdated empty rock number 'Vertigo', there's the terrific badness of a 'With Or Without You' rip off called 'Miracle Drug'. Then, a spectacularly inept attempt at traditionally uplifting ballad 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own'. At this moment, it's clear U2 are just repeating themselves. 'Love and Peace Or Else' is an even more lackluster song. 'City Of Blinding Lights' is the only one decent melody, but it isn't the new 'Where The Streets Have No Name', nowhere near to be honest. 'All Because Of You' is like a bunch of 60 years old members of a dated band trying to remain young by playing their well known rock formula. The "B-side" of the album offers no weighty numbers. If you want to listen to 5 filler songs, try this. Those "B-side" songs bland, lacking musical and lyrical hooks. U2 just overcompensate for their gradual decrepitude by trying too hard, swinging for the fences and singing for Grammy, Super Bowl, etc. U2 love to perform at any main TV show. What a difference!. That proves their pathetic double standard, by the way, it's true: U2 are sellouts. While Bono cry for help for the poor Africa, he appears at any sellout event to promote any new U2 stuff. U2 are dead.… Expand
  16. Andy
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Grosely overhyped even by 'critics' as Rolling Stone, NME, Billboard, etc. This is the worst U2 album ever.
  17. AMusicFan
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Sticking to an insignificant music statement. Simply put, HTDAAB is the most disappointing record of U2's strong, lengthy career. It suffers from Bono's weathered voice and many moments of their weakest writing ever. A lot of that has to do with Lillywhite's astonishingly uninspired production. However the sad truth is that this is an album dominated by filler tracks- all Sticking to an insignificant music statement. Simply put, HTDAAB is the most disappointing record of U2's strong, lengthy career. It suffers from Bono's weathered voice and many moments of their weakest writing ever. A lot of that has to do with Lillywhite's astonishingly uninspired production. However the sad truth is that this is an album dominated by filler tracks- all that 'A Man And A Woman', 'Original Of The Species', 'One Step Closer', 'Love And Peace Or Else', 'Yahweh', etc - and shows a band in need of a new wind. What does HTDAAB have to distinguish itself? Nothing at all. It's U2 by numbers. Each track seems to blend into the nest with nothing to grab the attention. The band sounds tired, the tunes have run out, the zest is gone. Even the packaging looks boring. I got hooked on U2 far before they became the corporate/money machine they are now. Listen to their incredibly under appreciated albums Zooropa and Pop instead. Rest In Peace U2, please… Expand
  18. 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.
  19. GeorgeS
    Feb 11, 2005
    0
    This album is an absolute piece of crap and anyone with any musical sense would throw it out the window for being tainted by this bland, vanilla, and sickening commercial use of the name "U2". Fortunately, I didn't waste any money on this piece of trash. My aunt gave it to me because she couldn't bare the embarrassment of owning it herself. Those who thought Pop a low musical This album is an absolute piece of crap and anyone with any musical sense would throw it out the window for being tainted by this bland, vanilla, and sickening commercial use of the name "U2". Fortunately, I didn't waste any money on this piece of trash. My aunt gave it to me because she couldn't bare the embarrassment of owning it herself. Those who thought Pop a low musical effort will take it back when they hear this sad attempt to make up for the fact that the real U2 is no longer with us. Bono has become a total sellout egomaniac. Furthermore, this album is atrociously boring and overhyped as their pitiful 2000 era. Overall this crap is just forgettable drivel taking snippets of other ideas from their previous album and trying to market what people expect to be the "U2" sound. Score more points for the recording industry and for the greed of artists thriving on past glories and too indifferent to produce new ones. Stay away from this lame album and buy some of U2's 90s work instead.… Expand
  20. RicardoP
    Feb 11, 2005
    0
    "Vertigo" is a clear indicator of how awful this album is. Bono - with the reluctant agreement of Adam and Larry - decided it would be clever to release an absurdly radio-friendly single that had no melody, no rhythm, and an inane lyric repeated over and over. Video promo is even more stupid. Neverthless that garbage was N°1 both in the USA and the UK... There are too many stupid "Vertigo" is a clear indicator of how awful this album is. Bono - with the reluctant agreement of Adam and Larry - decided it would be clever to release an absurdly radio-friendly single that had no melody, no rhythm, and an inane lyric repeated over and over. Video promo is even more stupid. Neverthless that garbage was N°1 both in the USA and the UK... There are too many stupid songs to be even considered U2. For example "Sometimes", "Love and Peace", "Species", "All Because Of You", "A Man", "One Step Closer", etc. This is an unimaginative album with the overdependence on Bono. He makes whatever he wants in this crap, he screams all over the place with his thin voice, he sings the same s**t once again, he does it everything. Dreadful Lyrics, horrible lead vocals. At least it's clear The Edge plays guitars...but the rest ? who the hell are Adam and Larry now ? I mean, every kid who has been playing guitar for 2 years can play better basslines than Adam. The same thing happen with Larry's drumming. Where were you identityless hypocritical phony U2 fans supporting the band when this trash came out ? U2 lost their original fan base by releasing this overhyped mainstream bulls**t. I'd prefer that they never released this complete disaster. This unlistenable monstrosity is tired, dull pop, the kind it gets worn out after a few weeks of radio exposition. A pity. "Species" is a collection of bad songwriting decisions. This doesn't even deserve the name of U2 on it. Goodbye Bono, go sing your iPod/Super Bowl/Grammy you sellout !… Expand
  21. KevinIsmyRealName
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    In eliminating both the mystery of its early years and the restless avant garde spirit of 90's times, U2 leaves just exactly what U2 haters probably felt the band made all along: midtempo, largely hookless adult corporate pop. It's a shame to see the detractors proved right. Where is this depth?. Simply, nobody can describe this as groundbreaking or original. It's just In eliminating both the mystery of its early years and the restless avant garde spirit of 90's times, U2 leaves just exactly what U2 haters probably felt the band made all along: midtempo, largely hookless adult corporate pop. It's a shame to see the detractors proved right. Where is this depth?. Simply, nobody can describe this as groundbreaking or original. It's just recycling past glories in search of a `classic' sounding album that fan base should be able to embrace. It's 11 'new mixes' - as bad as those ones presented on 'Best of?' 1990-2000 - of ATYCLB. The production values on this lame attempt at U2 are equally indefensible. Every single track sounds like it could have been written, I mean, copy-paste on a laptop, and much needed qualities such as 'Please' and 'The Fly' are completely non-existent. It's hard to figure out how U2 sees itself in 2004; whether it has an idea of where it wants to go, musically, or even whether it realizes that it's making music that's far removed from the forward-thinking ambition that defined its amazing sound as 90's underrated POP. I think MONEY & COMPLACENCY have taken its toll. A big dissappointment… Expand
  22. DerekE
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    U2 are selling out and playing what 16 years old kids want them to play. In other words, more ATYCLB stuff. Of course, those kids didn't live Achtung Baby times. Rather, they experienced ATYCLB times. They loved it, because they pretended to experience what we experienced back in 1987, 1991 or 1993. The same thing happen here. "It's a classic", "their third masterpiece", "best U2 are selling out and playing what 16 years old kids want them to play. In other words, more ATYCLB stuff. Of course, those kids didn't live Achtung Baby times. Rather, they experienced ATYCLB times. They loved it, because they pretended to experience what we experienced back in 1987, 1991 or 1993. The same thing happen here. "It's a classic", "their third masterpiece", "best since Achtung Baby", etc. Those reviews sound like written by a bunch of 16-17 years old mainstream fans who just listen to the album once before writing their snapshot lines. But in the end, I do believe those reviews are written by U2's marketing team. Just go to the first 100 reviews. Most of them were 5 stars ones...mmmm... U2 stopped releasing decent material with POP. Despite I'm not crazy for it ( I'd give it 4 stars ) at least they took worthy risks with that album. U2 are not worth paying any attention to anymore. They look more like GQ models than musicians. They don't sound unique anymore but merely a second rate "Rock" band. Everything on this album sounds recycled. And when you're in the musical recycling business, you truly do not grow or mature. So many critics mistake stagnation for growth and maturity, particularly for this album. Quite simply, HTDAAB is not growth. It is their worst regression ever. Stay away from this unless you are a die hard U2 and simply have to have just for the sake of having it, like those kids. U2 have become very rich and all of that money seems to have dulled their whole creative vein. I'm tired of listening to little teenybopper mainstreamers who listen to whatever MTV tells them to and not to what has quality tell me that U2 did not sell out. Surely they've got their Ipod and I-Tunes...… Expand
  23. SaffronFaerie
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    the people in u2 are so big and rich that they could put out whatever kind of album they want without really consulting with anyone. unfortunately, this seems to be excactly what they decided to do, and guess what? it sucks. they can't even count in spanish
  24. Ness
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I used to love this group, but they are so OVER. Aside from 'Vertigo', which in and of itself gets painful to listen to after a few times, there is no reason to buy this album. Just buy the single. Honestly, what does U2 think? That they're so fab and rich they can just churn out any crap, slap some 'cool' sounding titles on songs and people will just eat it up? I used to love this group, but they are so OVER. Aside from 'Vertigo', which in and of itself gets painful to listen to after a few times, there is no reason to buy this album. Just buy the single. Honestly, what does U2 think? That they're so fab and rich they can just churn out any crap, slap some 'cool' sounding titles on songs and people will just eat it up? Apparently.… Expand
  25. RobertoC
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Why so many fans think with albums like ATYCLB and this one HTDAAB 80's U2 is back ?. I think that sentence is pointless, there's no way for U2 to return to these days. U2 in the 80's had many things to say, both with music and lyrics, but now..."Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" at the end of Vertigo is something horrible !! by the way, Bono is far from 80's voice. This album is Why so many fans think with albums like ATYCLB and this one HTDAAB 80's U2 is back ?. I think that sentence is pointless, there's no way for U2 to return to these days. U2 in the 80's had many things to say, both with music and lyrics, but now..."Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" at the end of Vertigo is something horrible !! by the way, Bono is far from 80's voice. This album is inoffensive, inopportune, accessible, pop, false, and overall the worst possible way to celebrate their 25th birthday. I think a far better way could have been a remastered releasing of all their classic albums, from Boy until Pop, as well Live DVD's with previously unreleased footage ( Like Led Zeppelin DVD ). Is a shame, really. The fans can swallow any U2 hype, just because is something new, but that doesn't mean quality at all. There's no one memorable and unforgettable song here, like Pride ( in the name of love ), Sunday Bloody Sunday, One or Stay. Now is time for re-discovering underrated albums like Zooropa! or Pop, and bury this "new" U2. How so many fans can be blind, and say this is equal to Joshua Tree, Acthung Baby or Unforgettable Fire ? there's no new music here, no new guitars, no new style, is just another ATYCLB with a few spices by The Edge, but even he sounds like always here. The title was chosen obviously just for typical reviews like "this album is a bomb" and things like that. The more I listen the album, the more I lament to see what have they done these last years, wasting all the time staining, soiling, burying and their extraordinary career seeking for instantaneous grammy and money. It's been a long time in which U2 doesn't offer anything really new, neither with LPs nor with the live concerts, but having the great advantage of being a recognized and respected band throughout the world, U2 always will have fans that acclaim anything that they put on the radios, like this stupid "bomb".The title of this album must have been "How to dismantle a band who used to make music and surprise the world"… Expand
  26. MarceloF
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    U2 past their prime a long time ago. That´s clear after listening to this.
  27. Stateless
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    For those mainstream critics: Please stop marketing for U2, it´s shameful. This album should have been titled "How to dismantle a former glory career".
  28. Ryan
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    There have been very few records that have been hyped as much as this one in recent years. But the truth is that this is U2's "Let it Be". A lot of hype has been made about the fact that U2 is a return to the band's older days. But what all of this assumes is that the older days can be replicated with a few Edge's trademark guitars and keyboards. That assumption begs for a There have been very few records that have been hyped as much as this one in recent years. But the truth is that this is U2's "Let it Be". A lot of hype has been made about the fact that U2 is a return to the band's older days. But what all of this assumes is that the older days can be replicated with a few Edge's trademark guitars and keyboards. That assumption begs for a lot, though, and the fact that this album is full of poor lyrics that are extremely poor sung, all atop a poor mix of instruments. "Original Of The Species" comes off as the worst song "U2" have ever recorded, of course their semi-official magazine "Rolling Stone" aren't agree at all - have you noticed that every new U2 album is reviewed as their best effort at least in 10 years for those "critics"? -, but just about any other person with functional hearing. This is just bulls**t which might not even inspire you to pick up the album ever again after hearing it for the first time. It simply Doesn't measure up to U2 standards. It's worthy - as "Let it Be" - just in case you want to hear the musical document of a band's artistic breakup. This half-finished piece of copy-paste jobs from "All That You Can't Leave Behind" got the worst U2 album reviews ever, even worse than "Rattle & Hum". I agree with fans reviews. People just showed them that sometimes fans are right in criticizing their music, and the mass media are just as sellouts as the own band.… Expand
  29. WakeUpDeadU2
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    What's most frustrating is that many songs start out in the same trademark direction. It was worse than I expected. This stuff is easy. A 4 year wait for another mediocre U2 studio album. Almost unlistenable. I agree with most of fans here, HTDAAB is just an ATYCLB reissue with another name. U2 used to be cool, but they gradually have gotten less avant garde and more radio-friendly. What's most frustrating is that many songs start out in the same trademark direction. It was worse than I expected. This stuff is easy. A 4 year wait for another mediocre U2 studio album. Almost unlistenable. I agree with most of fans here, HTDAAB is just an ATYCLB reissue with another name. U2 used to be cool, but they gradually have gotten less avant garde and more radio-friendly. This one is just terrible. I dare to say it's their worst effort ever. I can't stand this statement of mediocrity. U2 have become in that horrible mainstream music that you constantly pretend to love on your highschool, you know, among female friends and all that. U2 say they are merely protecting the world, but it comes off as being very greedy. I am all for free market and capitalism, but how much money do these sellouts need?. They make majority of their money from touring, if they never made another album again, they would still collect huge amounts of money from royalites and touring. The most dissapointing thing about this U2 is the horrible glamorization of the band. U2 have become in glammy pop mainstream 'artists'.… Expand
  30. AndrewJ
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I don't understand why so many music critics continue to lavish praise on U2. I don't hear anything new or exciting on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". It's tired,overdone,boring,bland,and pompous. I don't like one song on it. "Vertigo" sounds horrible to me,but it's the best they have to offer. "Yahweh" is one of the worst songs they've ever done. All the I don't understand why so many music critics continue to lavish praise on U2. I don't hear anything new or exciting on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". It's tired,overdone,boring,bland,and pompous. I don't like one song on it. "Vertigo" sounds horrible to me,but it's the best they have to offer. "Yahweh" is one of the worst songs they've ever done. All the songs in between just put me to sleep. The best thing about trying to listen to the album is that it cures my insomnia. Bono said he'd know it was time for U2 to hang it up when they did two bad albums in a row. He's lucky "All That You Can't Leave Behind" was a decent album or U2'd have to retire now. I'm not going to listen to the hype any more. The critics who call every new U2 album the best one in years are always wrong. They've said it about every album since "Boy" and they've been wrong every time.… Expand
  31. GeorgeT
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    I wish the aforementioned atomic bomb was remantled and aimed directly at U2.The bilingual lyrics in the beginning of Vertigo could be no more pointless and innane than what I had for dinner two years ago.Being berated with obviously "well-thought out" lyrics like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..." at the end of their most "promising" track, makes me envision Bono hard at work at a desk some where I wish the aforementioned atomic bomb was remantled and aimed directly at U2.The bilingual lyrics in the beginning of Vertigo could be no more pointless and innane than what I had for dinner two years ago.Being berated with obviously "well-thought out" lyrics like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..." at the end of their most "promising" track, makes me envision Bono hard at work at a desk some where writing down this lyrical garbage.Other than the truly overplayed, over-rated, and over done Vertigo, which needed to be truly lampooned, the other songs are literally not worth my most wasted minute.Please for the continuing sake of all types of music I beg of any reader; Do Not Buy This Trash!… Expand
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. 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.
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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.
  38. [Anonymous]
    Nov 24, 2004
    0
    I used to love U2 so much. I'm not sure if I've wised up or if they have descended into the realms of the retarded. This album is junk. While some of the tunes are OK, Bono's lyrics are a series of painful couplets that with have you reaching for the crack pipe to drown it all out.
  39. erinf
    Nov 28, 2004
    0
    I am seriously pissed at my former favorite band. After giving this one listen (verdict: bad), another (verdict: bad and boring), and a third (verdict: bad, boring AND soulless)....I gave up and handed the CD to my thirty nine year old aunt. I think she'll appreciate U2's version of adult contemporary more than I ever will. Every note in the songs is bent towards Bono's I am seriously pissed at my former favorite band. After giving this one listen (verdict: bad), another (verdict: bad and boring), and a third (verdict: bad, boring AND soulless)....I gave up and handed the CD to my thirty nine year old aunt. I think she'll appreciate U2's version of adult contemporary more than I ever will. Every note in the songs is bent towards Bono's vocal pyrotechnics, but unfortunately the songs are so stripped of political and social consciousness, he just sounds like a warbling has been. Bono has become Macphisto, and anyone who doesn't see that doesn't deserve to call themselves a U2 fan. … Expand
  40. 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
  41. 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
  42. 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
  43. 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
  44. 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.
  45. 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
  46. 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
  47. 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
  48. 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
  49. 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
  50. Dean
    Feb 24, 2005
    0
    Worst piece of corporate garbage I´ve ever heard
next
Page:

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 »