U2 - 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' (Island) Released 22/11/04

Not many bands last over 25 years in the music industry with their integrity in tact. Many that subsist lack the passion and excitement that first propelled them onto the scene and often become mere shadows of their former selves, almost their own tribute act. Now creeping towards middle age, it’s testament to U2 that they’ve retained an obvious enthusiasm, veracity and more importantly still knock out bloody good songs. Owing more to the band’s mid-eighties ‘Joshua Tree’ heyday than the more experimental ‘Pop’ and ‘Zoo’ era, for the most part ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ is a collection of unadulterated, great, if a bit archetypal U2 songs.

Without any need for an introduction thanks to being hammered all over the radio and TV, the ubiquitous ‘Vertigo’ kick starts the album. A lively rush of a tune with Bono sounding as vibrant as ever, the track is a misleading introduction to the rest of what is a relatively downbeat record. By the time the fragile ‘Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own’ drifts by, the mood is far removed from the opener. Classic U2, the track has a genuinely touching chorus with trademark Edge guitars perfectly complementing Bono’s yearning vocals before reaching a gushing finale. Elsewhere, U2 demonstrate they can write very astute lyrics, with ‘Love Peace or Else’ carrying a very pertinent message considering today’s climate of global fear - it’s just a shame that the tune is middling.

Despite the impressive opening, ‘… Atomic Bomb’ sags a bit in the middle. ‘City of Blinding Lights’ is affable enough, yet is very much U2 by numbers watered down, and lacks the conviction displayed elsewhere on the album. ‘A Man And A Woman’ has poignant, romantic lyrics yet fails to amount to anything much. Fortunately, the swooning ‘Crumbs From Your Table’ is an emphatic return to form and is the start of a stirring climax. The album reaches its zenith with ‘Original of The Species’, a beautiful opus with a timeless, soaring chorus that will no doubt consume arenas worldwide. Like many other tracks, it comprises of grounded lyrics that reflect on basic human emotions – thankfully the mantle of being the biggest band in the world clearly doesn’t affect them..

‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ will undoubtedly sell by the million and deserves to do so. Admittedly it’s hardly explosive or pioneering, but sometimes simple, beautifully crafted tunes are all you need.