How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Collector's Edition) [Collector's Edition]

U2 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Collector's Edition
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00068IOWM
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,765 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vertigo

2. Miracle Drug

3. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

4. Love And Peace Or Else

5. City Of Blinding Lights

6. All Because Of You

7. A Man And A Woman

8. Crumbs From Your Table

9. One Step Closer

10. Original Of The Species

11. Yahweh

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The album that carries U2 into its 25th year--and likely the mixed blessings of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame--is one of its most frank and focused since the days of October and War. But its gestation was anything but simple, in part salvaged from '03 sessions the band deemed subpar. Enter Steve Lillywhite, the band's original producer and sometime collaborator in the decades since, who helped retool the track "Native Son" (originally an anti-gun screed) into the aggressive i-Pod anthem "Vertigo" and leaves his distinctive stamp on the muscular "All Because of You" and others. Perhaps weary of ceaseless, fashion-driven reinvention in the wake of monumental success, U2 seem only too happy here to re-embrace their original sonic trademarks in service of more daring, pop-melodic hooks than they've collected in one place in decades. The Eno/Lanois produced "Love and Peace or Else" may shimmer with the duo's electro-production conceits, but it's Edge's lugubrious, post-modern John Lee Hooker guitar swagger that drives it. Elsewhere, Bono's trademark dramaturgy is spotlighted on "City of Blinding Lights," the unabashed romance of "A Man and a Woman" and the confessional "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own." It may come wrapped in a conundrum--is it nostalgic retrenchment or sum of the band's endless musical catharsis?--but it's also the album where, Fly and MacPhisto be damned, U2 boldly claims its arena titan mantle with apologies to no one. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

COLLECTOR'S EDITION (LIMITED): In addition the the full CD, the COLLECTOR'S EDITION includes a DVD with Making of the Album footage, B Roll in studio, and Acoustic performances of 4 songs. In addition to the CD & DVD, the COLLECTOR'S EDITION features a full color hardback book. The book includes extracts from band members note books, original paintings, illustrations and photography along with quotes and statistics.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adam B., December 15, 2004

By 

Adam Block "bluecow" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Collector's Edition) (Audio CD)

The album is excellent, I give the album itself 5 stars as it really is a wonderful work for the band reflecting their ability to stay ahead of trends.

The reason why I give this collectors edition only 3 stars is that I feel the packaging is dissapointing. The CD is housed in a little cardboard pocket, that will make it very easy to get scratched or damaged over time. The book, while a nice little collectors piece, really seems to be a one time read, devoid of interesting reading or stories. The Addition of Fast Cars, again seems to be an ode to collectors in the US, as I don't believe the song adds value to the CD as it feels out of place.

Finally, my biggest pet peeve comes with the fact that the two cheaper versions include full lyrics in the insert, while this edition, despite a hardcover book includes no lyrics.

The CD is excellent, the DVD is interesting and worthwile, the Collector's Edition packaging and content leaves much to be desired. I would have preferred saving money and getting the Deluxe Edition CD/DVD combo. I recommend that others do the same.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Actually, A Review of the Collector's Edition, November 23, 2004

By 

Hoppy Doppelrocket (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Collector's Edition) (Audio CD)

I dig U2 and I like collector's editions (I have lots of cars). These "special" editions always cost more and most folks want to know is it worth it. Well, in this case (as in most) it depends.

This limited collector's edition contains three items--the cd "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (Hoppy looooves bombs), a studiomentary DVD, and a book. Obviously the price is higher than just the single cd or that other limited edition thing that includes the cd and dvd only (these potato farmers are marketing geniuses).

And that's for several reasons: The cd contains a bonus track not included on either the regular edition or the cd/dvd combo. It's not listed in the amazon listing above this review (who knows why?) and is a pretty upbeat, punkish number titled "Fast Cars". It's pretty good, but a little out of place in spite of the clever lyrics. The cd itself is probably worth 4.7 stars and the Edge really rocks. It's a very spirtual cd with some cool words and a lot of nifty base (especially on "Love and Peace or Else"). So overall the cd is very good--on par with the last release (the one with the song I quote to my fat lazy spouse Bessie just about every other day--"Walk On") and very reminiscent of the band's earlier style ('October' early). Again, the guitar is prominent and there's some modern techno keyboardy strange sound stuff on here too. Very good overall, but the point is there is a bonus track on this set (I believe it's on the Japanese version as well). As for the DVD...

The accompanying DVD is about 20 minutes long and in spite of what you'll read elsewere, doesn't really contain any complete videos or performances although the primary focus is on "Vertigo" and the moving "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own". The commentary (which continually interupts the performances) is interesting and there is conversation about drinking, but nothing about girls in the tour bus or anything scandalous. Overall, it's a too-short snippet of the band. And then there's the book...

I like to read, but this isn't really a book I'd look to read. It's a lot of scribble, some pretty cool sketches and paintings, some Article of Human Rights, lyrics, thoughts on paper and totals about 20 pages. Depends what you like I suppose. Personally, I pulled some of the pictures out and taped them to my cubicle at work (just for fun). You can guess which ones.

Where this set loses value (aside from the brevity of the dvd) is the package itself. The book is nicely presented, but the cd and dvd (both) are in slip cases (i.e., prone to getting scratched and annoying to get in and out) and the cd in a pretty flimsy slip case at that. A besotted listener could easily create some damage. So be careful. In summary: Great cd (with a good bonus track), short but interesting dvd, decent book, and lousy package. I sure hope this was helpful.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Songs are in Your Eyes, I See Them When you Smile, November 18, 2004

By 

BonoVox22 ('Round the Corner from Anything that's Real) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Collector's Edition) (Audio CD)

After four years, U2 have released their 11th studio album called "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." It has the elements of any great U2 production, the addictive singles which get you jumped up, the signature ballads, and of course the songs which you can appreciate but take time to grow on you. These seasoned veterans have been in the game for about 25 years now, but they still have that youthful energy which makes so many people passionate about their music. After many listens, I think the new album stands above any of their 90's work, except maybe "Achtung Baby"

VERTIGO: first single and flat out rocking, Bono soars and Edge's slashing guitar are as hard as ever (4.5/5)
MIRACLE DRUG: wonderful piece of work, up there with u2's greatest. classic guitar and great lyrics (5/5)
SOMETIMES: good ballad which is still growing on me. good, but not great, but it is very emotional (3/5)
LOVE AND PEACE OR ELSE: another rocker, a very different side or U2. sounds like something off the pop album, very good though, and the guitar work is insane (4/5)
CITY OF BLINDING LIGHTS: a future single for the band, very long with great lyrics and driving bass (4.5/5)
ALL BECAUSE OF YOU: has that old school rock feeling to it, another highlight for edge, who has a wicked guitar solo fired up by bono's classic yelling (4/5)
A MAN AND A WOMAN: a grower which really hasn't grown on me, U2 trying to do a R&B song and it doesn't work for me (3/5)
CRUMBS FROM YOUR TABLE: probably one of the most complete songs, has great lyrics and vocals by bonovox, and great guitar work by edge (4.5/5)
ONE STEP CLOSER: another grower which did grow on me. very understated but at the same time has a big effect (4/5)
ORIGINAL OF THE SPECIES: the beatles, sorry, u2, do epic and it works out perfectly (5/5)
YAHWEH: very positive closer which sums up the album as a whole (3.5/5)

When it's all said and done, U2 will go down as one of the greatest bands to ever exist. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" captures the maturity of "All That You Can't Leave Behind," takes snippets from the experiments of "Pop," and finally continues the tradition of youthful energy of "Boy." A release us U2 fans will be very satisfied with, and we will follow...