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. JohnS
    Jan 2, 2005
    9
    One of the best I have ever heard some great songs on this, and the bonus track fast cars is b rillant, one of U2s best.
  2. vaggelisp
    Feb 25, 2006
    9
    a classic u2 masterpiece!!!!
  3. JonnyF
    Sep 3, 2008
    9
    Brilliant album but not as gd as ATYCLB, Achtung Baby or the Joshua tree. however still a great piece of work.
  4. JFlynn
    Nov 21, 2004
    9
    Every track is great. What more do you want? Why can't great songs be enough? U2 is still the best band there is going.
  5. SimonP
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    Forget the fact that this is U2 sounding like U2. This is an album of great songs with not a duff track among them. Their best album since Achtung baby.
  6. marcoc
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    Certainly their best album since their only masterpiece Achtung Baby. However it has three or four songs that are just too weak. They're playing it a bit too safe. What made Achtung Baby so great was that it was dark and sexy, it had music that you could groove to. Vertigo, Sometime You Can't Make On Your Own, Love And Peace Or Else, City Of Blinding Lights, A Man And A Woman Certainly their best album since their only masterpiece Achtung Baby. However it has three or four songs that are just too weak. They're playing it a bit too safe. What made Achtung Baby so great was that it was dark and sexy, it had music that you could groove to. Vertigo, Sometime You Can't Make On Your Own, Love And Peace Or Else, City Of Blinding Lights, A Man And A Woman and Yahweh are all fantastic songs, however the album is tarnished by tracks such as All Because of You, Miracle Drug and Origin of the Species. Still the best band in world, but just about. … Expand
  7. AbuF
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Solid album from guys who rarely let us down and we are the better for it.
  8. JayB
    Dec 4, 2004
    9
    It's superb, has the 'feel' of the Joshua Tree which is the greatest album ever IMO. This CD rocks. "Fast Cars" is my favourite, irony & humour. Long live the boys of Lypton Village!
  9. DjSmith
    Dec 7, 2004
    9
    Great CD,right up there with Achutung Baby and The Joshua Tree.Grows with repeated listens.
  10. Davidofthehood
    Jan 23, 2005
    9
    this is U2 at its core -- remarkably they never lost their roots so much as they have reconfirmed them. Many years and worldly experiences later -- they have honed their craft, but they remain a deeply committed, spiritual, anthem-ready, rock band.
  11. raVen
    Jan 9, 2005
    9
    (9.5) - U2 purists (many of them among this album's detractors) have long since chosen their two -and only two- points of worship. In so doing, they have necessarily eliminated the possibility that a third masterpiece may come along. Their reviews of new U2 releases are thus ridiculously diffused by statements suggesting that the band is merely immitating its own former greatness. (9.5) - U2 purists (many of them among this album's detractors) have long since chosen their two -and only two- points of worship. In so doing, they have necessarily eliminated the possibility that a third masterpiece may come along. Their reviews of new U2 releases are thus ridiculously diffused by statements suggesting that the band is merely immitating its own former greatness. But greatness does not have such a half-life. It either continues or doesn't. And it certainly isn't immitated. This is a great album. You would be hard pressed to find a better group of rock songs than the first six on this CD. The self-defeating adoration of "early work" purists would say otherwise. And that's a shame, because I think this may be that third masterpiece they've waited for but won't accept.… Expand
  12. ErikD
    Feb 22, 2005
    9
    It grew on my significantly...first 3 tracks are simply outstanding!
  13. maxf
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    This CD is pretty sweet, it has some slow and dancing tunes. It is one to be heard and listened to on new years eve and day.
  14. Martin
    Nov 22, 2004
    9
    Lovin' it, don't care if it's "too melodramatic" or "unadventurous", it's genuine U2 and that's all I need.. :)
  15. dmandwoman
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Great tunes! Beautiful emotion in words and music. Not certain it's an Achtung Baby or Joshua Tree though. But, even if it's close to those 2 albums, it's a major achievement.
  16. AndrewA
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    yep, it is disappointing. But it has got to be the best rock album out there. I dont hear any real radio pounding stuff. It does go deep mind you and I think not in a commercial way. More like a clarification of what thev'e done and they have creative control over it. I sense a serious block buster in the making. This one is like a must hear also. I like the craftwork that went into yep, it is disappointing. But it has got to be the best rock album out there. I dont hear any real radio pounding stuff. It does go deep mind you and I think not in a commercial way. More like a clarification of what thev'e done and they have creative control over it. I sense a serious block buster in the making. This one is like a must hear also. I like the craftwork that went into it. I like the emotional clarity also. Still it is a bit like even with the very best on the table the heart is only casually present. It makes it to the 9 slot but I want commitment for the next/classic level. … Expand
  17. Johan
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    Hard to judge a classic earth moving album before the first 100 listenings...but I'm getting there...
  18. Mensch
    Nov 27, 2004
    9
    Anyone who can listen to Bono's ode to his father -- "Can you hear me when I sing; You?re the reason I sing; You?re the reason why the opera is in me" from "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" without getting chills will never appreciate U2. The inconsistency keeps this album from being a classic, but it is fantastic nonetheless.
  19. GregG
    Dec 1, 2004
    9
    "Bomb" is a success in the sense that there are very few bad tracks, the album is altogether very consistently good. "Bomb" however fails slightly in delivering the ultra-mega-super tracks that have been scarce throughout U2's previous albums. There is no "Bad" or "Bloody Sunday" or "With or Without You" on this album, but tracks like "A Man and A Woman" and "Sometimes You Can't "Bomb" is a success in the sense that there are very few bad tracks, the album is altogether very consistently good. "Bomb" however fails slightly in delivering the ultra-mega-super tracks that have been scarce throughout U2's previous albums. There is no "Bad" or "Bloody Sunday" or "With or Without You" on this album, but tracks like "A Man and A Woman" and "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" are perfectly up to U2's precedence.… Expand
  20. AlexandreC
    Jul 18, 2005
    9
    Simply the best U2 album in many years.
  21. TomC
    Nov 21, 2004
    9
    Ranks right up there with the rest of them. Great from start to finish.
  22. BrandonS
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Though I'm a huge fan of Zooropa, this might just be the rightful heir to the "Achtung Baby" legacy. The first half of the cd is absolutely classic. The second half doesn't quite hit those highs, but I sure ain't complaining. Another stunner from arguably the greatest band since the Beatles.
  23. GailB
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Anxiously waited for it...not disappointed!
  24. DaveM
    Nov 23, 2004
    9
    Great album by a great band.
  25. stevew
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    i loved it when u2 stretched themselves as much, if not more, than the next person. but its hard to argue with songs this good- even with all the shmaltz and cheese. this is the stuff of 20,000-strong singalongs, the kinds of tunes you'll find yourself humming on the way to work. best since Achtung Baby? certainly. does it deserve to be mentioned alongside their two masterpieces? i loved it when u2 stretched themselves as much, if not more, than the next person. but its hard to argue with songs this good- even with all the shmaltz and cheese. this is the stuff of 20,000-strong singalongs, the kinds of tunes you'll find yourself humming on the way to work. best since Achtung Baby? certainly. does it deserve to be mentioned alongside their two masterpieces? time will tell.… Expand
  26. brantw
    Nov 27, 2004
    9
    weak points: not enough 'angry Edge'...no bullet the blue sky here.. stong points: erotic beauty for a hang over head
  27. DavidG
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    It is important to not judge an album by the albums prior in my opinion. Each album is its own entity and therefore it is the quality of the songs on the disk that give it staying power. "Bomb" has great melodies, and powerful lyrics, no question. So is it a good record? Well, the way I judge that is how long it stays in my CD player after I bought it. I purchased it on the 23rd and am It is important to not judge an album by the albums prior in my opinion. Each album is its own entity and therefore it is the quality of the songs on the disk that give it staying power. "Bomb" has great melodies, and powerful lyrics, no question. So is it a good record? Well, the way I judge that is how long it stays in my CD player after I bought it. I purchased it on the 23rd and am still listening to it today, 6 days later. Judging one record based on another will very often lead to great disappointment if the artist has any talent at all. … Expand
  28. jaspere
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    Very good!! I enjoy it!! YEAH!!
  29. phils
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    Not quite Achtung Baby or Joshua Tree, but a great follow up to ATYCLB - there's some great rock and roll here. "love and peace or else" is a classis rock tune, reminding me of Bullet the Blue Sky.
  30. FabioC
    Dec 25, 2004
    9
    This is U2 at its actual best: way more similar to the old school than the latest works...Love it!
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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
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