Anniversary Albums
U2 How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb ( Island / Universal )
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fter a period of experimentation with albums including Zooropa and Pop , U2 spent the earliest years of the 2000s reclaiming their signature sound with 2000 ’ s All That You Can ’ t Leave Behind and 2004 ’ s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb . Early producer Steve Lillywhite returned a rawness to The Edge ’ s guitar on Dismantle that had been less prominent in the atmospheric arrangements helmed by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno . The album featured the punk-spiked anthem “ Vertigo ,” the soul-baring ode to Bono ’ s departed father “ Sometimes You Can ’ t Make It On Your Own ,” the loving lessons offered to the singer ’ s children in “ Original of the Species ,” the soaring “ City of Blinding Lights ,” the tuneful but underrated “ Crumbs from Your Table ,” and the uplifting prayer “ Yaweh .” The 20th anniversary of Dismantle was celebrated in late 2024 with an 8xLP Super Deluxe edition . Extracted from the expanded set as a standalone Record Store Day Black Friday release , How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb is a “ shadow album ” of initial ideas , B-sides , retooled songs , and then-contemporary tracks used for other projects .
UK / Ireland / Japan bonus track “ Fast Cars ” is not included in the Re-Assembled , but is reserved instead for the 20th anniversary edition of Dismantle itself . That song overlaps substantially with “ Picture of You ( X + W ),” which has been newly remastered for Re-Assemble . The “ X + W ” stands for Xanax and wine , which are apparently deployed as tools to fight ennui when separated from loved ones while on the road . The song includes the line that gives the album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb its title . The acoustic foundation and flamenco flourishes of “ Fast Cars ” are replaced here with a snarling , off-kilter electric guitar riff by The Edge , while Larry Mullen Jr .’ s primal rock beat holds everything in the pocket . Bono ’ s speak-sing delivery is laced with punk brio in a cadence that echoes “ Canary in a Coalmine ” by the Police . This cut makes “ Fast Cars ” sound like a Songs of Surrender reinvention . If included on ** Dismantle , “ Picture ” has been the favorite song of many fans , who are pining for U2 ’ s return to its noisy roots .
“ Evidence of Life ” is a showcase for The Edge , who takes the lead vocal . Edge ’ s slashing guitar progression follows an Adam Clayton bass line that recalls the White
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6 illinoisentertainer . com february 2025