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U2 - How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
- I’ve been a U2 fan since I was a wee lass, so I was particularly looking forward to hearing this album. The excitement surrounding the release of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was somewhat reminiscent of the The Joshua Tree in 1987, but would Atomic Bomb be as pivotal? Would it preserve that signature U2 sound while not boring the listener with the same ol' stuff? And how would Bono’s voice sound after all these years?
As most of us know, the recent radio hit Vertigo is an ass-kicking tune, and the good news is that there are more stellar standouts on U2’s latest release. The fourth track, entitled Love and Peace or Else also has a rocking groove to it, while delivering the important message of maintaining love and peace within mankind. The signature sound is preserved throughout the album, but with a somewhat different, more mature "edge" (no pun there) to it.
The seventh track, entitled A Man and a Woman has some pretty poignant lyrics about true love in a particular relationship (Bono and his wife, perhaps?). His singing style in All Because of You reminded me of U2’s early work, and that was refreshing to hear. He’s singing his heart out yet again.
So basically, Bono’s voice sounds just as good, if not better, than releases prior to Atomic Bomb. There’s an ingrained heartfelt energy that flows in each track. The listener is able to follow the lyrics, which are clever and intelligent and not too overbearing. Bono also creates interesting lyric phrasings in some of the tunes. His raspy, powerful pipes make the songs come alive, as does the Edge’s guitar strokes, which fluctuate between sweet and driving and raw, depending on which song you’re listening to. Larry Mullen, Jr.’s drum playing also stood out – there were some innovative beats peppered into the songs. There was also quite a bit of melodic piano tossed into such tunes as Original of the Species.
Some of the intros were long-winded, but as a whole this album was stellar. U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is an excellent chapter in the group’s colorful history. And to answer my own query, it is pivotal because it proves that the group can still create music that matters, even after all these years.
Reviewer: Marissa Candela
new
Reviewer's Rating: 9.5
Reader's Rating: 9.19
Reader's Votes: 22
Added: 6-Dec-2004
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