U2
How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (Island)
A U2 album of outtakes, available digitally or as a Record Store Day LP, which is also included in the 20th-anniversary boxset of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. U2 started off in 2003 with Chris Thomas in the production chair for this, their 11th album, but once completed, some members deemed the results aurally defanged. Steve Lillywhite, who had produced the first three U2 albums, was brought in to shake things up soundwise, and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb proved to be a global hit on release in late 2004.
How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb primarily features tracks left off the final cut at the time. U2 fans will recognise Picture Of You (X+W), which later resurfaced as Fast Cars, and Luckiest Man In The World as Mercy. Luckiest Man… is U2 at their best, and could have comfortably graced the finished product – likewise Country Mile, with its enthused Revolver-era Beatles snappiness and great chorus (making for a smoother ride than How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb mainstay Vertigo, some might observe).
Are You Gonna Wait Forever features The Edge’s guitar licks cranked up with an Achtung Baby-style vengeance, while Treason and I Don’t Want To See You Smile are more than just interesting curios. Throw in an alternative version of All Because Of You, the instrumental Theme From The Batman and Banshees-like postpunker Evidence Of Life, and quality-wise this collection runs rings around many outtake-themed releases.
words DAVID NOBAKHT
