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Very similarly to all the other strangely titled albums from this band over the past 25 years, U2 has been many things to us ranging from young punks, mainstream superstars, political activists, and arena rockers. If we judge them by past progress, we have a fresh slab of U2's musical past. One could say that they have make this album befitting their age. Without trying to meld themselves and their music with the latest trends, U2 have tastefully employed computerised aided tracks with this album. U2 is a band that has always changed there style of music every few albums, which they have not done in this record. If you cannot get enough of U2 then this is the album for you. I'll run though a few of the stand out tracks... 

"Vertigo", the first track of the album, is every mush like "Elevation" from All That They Can't Leave Behind. Bono said before the release of this album that The Edge was sounding angry on this record, due to Bono's other work outside the band. Based on this song, possibly more than any other on the album, this is true, with a hugely powerful riff. You will almost certainly have heard this song already (it's been featured heavily in iPod adverts), but it's a great feel good song, and a very strong opening to the album.

"Miracle Drug" is a typically uplifting ballad and probably one of my favourite tracks on the record.

"Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" is a song dedicated to Bono's late father, who died on the eve of their homecoming at Slane Castle. He then went on to sing at his father funeral. Yet another perfect track if you ask me! An outstanding piece.

"City Of Blinding Lights" with Bono and The Edge giving a melodic masterpiece that has become an instant classic in my opinion. Bono's vocals are superb on this track, he hasn’t lost it by no means!

"A Man and a Woman" is probably the weakest song on here, although there isn't anything particularly wrong with it. It just seems to be lacking in direction, and is little but a medium tempo love song..

"Crumbs From Your Table" is probably the stand out political song on this release. It is sung from the point of view of a third world country (apparently Uganda), and refers to the AIDS epidemic. The line "I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table" sums up the theme of this song in one. Although more bands have recently been jumping on the political bandwagon, U2 are one of the bands that have been consistently referring to such topics in their lyrics.

The chugging blues-rock of  "Love and Peace or Else" has a classic guitar riff and a brilliant break towards the end of the song with Bono effectively singing by himself.

In conclusion if you don't like U2, then you won't like this album. However, on this album, U2 have put together probably their most coherent collection of songs since Achtung Baby. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is not a great album but a good album with it's simplicity, confidently executed and ultimately compelling songs. You will have to listen to the album a few times before you begin to fully appreciate it (I didn't when I first bought it). This album is sure to age well with U2 and will someday become a classic.

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