How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb is U2’s newest release, a two part album in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their classic How to Dismantle an Atomic bomb.

This album marks the band’s most recent step on their reflective journey. The group has made a habit of looking back over the last ten years, with introspective pieces of work such as Songs of Surrender, Songs of Experience and Songs of Innocence. 

This album is no different. Containing a remastered re-release of their 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic bomb, this new release is another exercise in reflectiveness. Allowing listeners to look back on remastered hits such as “Vertigo” while simultaneously giving them new insights into some previously unreleased music. This music takes the shape of a shadow record in How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb. 

The album includes the original 11 songs, remastered with the addition of 10 new unheard tracks. These additions are not technically new, but a collection pulled from their recording sessions of the original album. With quite a few of these new tracks holding their own against the original selection of songs, you may be left wondering how they ever managed to get left behind 20 years ago.

Dismantling an Atomic Bomb

U2 are well known for reinventing themselves. Over their career they have been fond of trying out some different approaches with some quirky, experimental tracks. When this album came out however, they decided to stick to the game plan that worked for them. They left their more experimental work to the side momentarily and created a classic album true to their signature style. This seemed to work well for them, as when they released How to Dismantle an Atomic bomb in 2004, it was an instant success. The album earned them eight grammys and two UK Number ones in the form of “Vertigo” and “Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own”. This was the 11th studio album they released and sold 10 million copies globally.

People might be painfully aware of U2’s collaborations with Apple music at this stage, but back in 2004 when the 4th generation iPod was released, (and before their collaboration became a bit worn out on the global audience) Apple released an iconic ad campaign featuring “Vertigo” and cemented the song in everyone's brains. 

With some stellar vocal performances from Bono, as well as some signature scratchy guitar licks from The Edge, this album seemed to play right out of U2’s wheelhouse, one of the world’s biggest bands doing what they did best. 

Re-Assembling an Atomic Bomb

For the anniversary of this album, listeners are getting a brand new perspective on the creation of this much loved contemporary classic.
In celebration of 20 years since the release, The Edge decided to take a look back into his archive to see what the band had been doing in the studio all those years ago. The tracks chosen represent a look back into a specific moment in time and in a way are a celebration of discovery. 

The new release has a lot of similarities to the original, relying heavily on The Edge’s strong guitar skills, but it also allows listeners to take an alternate look at what the band had been creating at this time. If you thought the original album was perhaps too safe and played too much into U2’s wheelhouse you will be happy to find some more experimental tracks such as “Treason” and “Theme from Batman” on this new edition. An interesting switch up from the guitar heavy sound that is so prevalent on the original album. However this doesn’t necessarily read as a lack of cohesiveness, it still seems to work and will likely leave fans questioning why these songs were ever left off the original release. 

Hardcore fans may recognise “Luckiest Man in the World” which is a re-working of a song named “Mercy”. A cult classic of sorts, that was leaked online years ago but never received an official release until now. This song is arguably the highlight of the new album, and exemplifies the group’s collaborative skills and musical talents.

Experience “How to Re-Assemble and Atomic Bomb” on Vinyl at The Record Hub

U2 are a band that has stood the test of time and their popularity and worldwide fame has been well earned. This new release reminds us why and how they got to where they are. With this album we’re invited to look back and reflect on some of their remastered and recognisable works. Simultaneously we are also granted an insight into the band’s mid 2000s days in the studio. 

How to Re-Assemble an Atomic bomb gives us a new perspective into this period of time for the band. It is not so much a re-design of their older work but a new view on it, a celebration of reflection and discovery.

Order your copy on vinyl at The Record Hub and add it to your collection today!