2004 arrived, and the stadium rock legends had already gone through their greatest albums and even their highest peaks of fame. Therefore, it was time to reinvent themselves and reach younger audiences. I personally cherish this album because I was only 9 years old when it came out, and it turned me into a fan of the band.
U2 had produced their classic albums like ‘The Joshua Tree’ experimented with new sounds in ‘Pop’ and leaned more towards alternative rock with ‘All You Can’t Leave Behind.’ At this point, the band could have released anything, without much expectation, as it was believed that their best years were behind them. However, critics were proven wrong as ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ arrived to announce a new era for the band.
Bono (vocalist) announced it as ‘Our first rock album,’ in a way referring to some songs with distorted guitars, such as ‘Vertigo’ or ‘Love And Peace Or Else.
What can we hear?
Featuring a sound closely aligned with Soft Rock and Alternative Rock, with a very positive message in the lyrics touching on themes such as family, war, love, faith, among others, giving off a very pleasant energy.
Bono’s voice has its own charisma, and in ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,’ he executes it perfectly, interpreting each song with the intensity and dynamics they deserve. In this work, we hear him with a more emotive vocal timbre, possibly due to the thematic nature of the compositions.
On the other hand, The Edge’s guitars make the album more alternative, as he customarily plays with his incredible array of effects. However, this time, delay and reverb take on a more prominent role, which, combined with Adam Clayton’s bass, creates very pleasing scales that feel ‘soft’ to the ear.
Larry Mullen Jr.’s drumming is subtle, but paying close attention to his work reveals technical nuances. He plays with various unconventional rhythms, and you can even hear some additional percussion pieces.
One of the best works of The Edge
The Edge’s guitar tone is indeed a standout feature in the album, making it one of his best works. Personally, we consider ‘Miracle Drug’ to feature the best solo of his entire career. It’s very minimalist, in line with his style over the years, yet it manages to connect directly with the listener’s heart. Here, he also plays with the Slide Guitar, making it even more interesting to listen to.
This work can be interpreted as a soft rock that is very emotional, capable of evoking feelings ranging from sensitivity to exuberance. This is evident in tracks like ‘Vertigo’ the first song on the album and one of its biggest hits. Furthermore, its production is perfectly designed to enjoy the album seamlessly. It simply flows, with the band guiding you through different paths. The guitars and the drum cymbals are so well mixed that they never feel ‘deafening,’ even though they become intense at some points.
With ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,’ U2 managed to solidify the alternative sound they proposed in their previous work, a sound that they continue to present to this day.
It ended up becoming a classic...
A curious fact about this album is that U2 was not convinced by it, which is why its release was delayed by 6 months for reworking. The result is marvelous; it could be listened to repeatedly, and its sound does not grow tiresome. Its character, composition, and production make it one of their best works, as the most intimate essence of each member is appreciated in every song.
And you, what do you think of this album? Leave us your comments!
