How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 22 November 2004 | |||
Recorded | February 2003 – July 2004 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 49:03 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Steve Lillywhite | |||
U2 chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb | ||||
|
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is the eleventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was released on 22 November 2004 in the United Kingdom by Island Records and a day later in the United States by Interscope Records. Much like their previous album All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000), the record exhibits a more mainstream rock sound after the band experimented with alternative rock and dance music in the 1990s. It was produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production from Chris Thomas, Jacknife Lee, Nellee Hooper, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Carl Glanville.
Looking for a more hard-hitting sound than that of their previous album, U2 began recording How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in February 2003 with Thomas. After nine months of work, the band had an album's worth of material ready for release, but they were not satisfied with the results. The group subsequently enlisted Lillywhite to take over as producer in Dublin in January 2004. Lillywhite, along with his assistant Lee, spent six months with the band reworking songs and encouraging better performances. U2 lead singer Bono described the album as "our first rock album. It's taken us twenty years or whatever it is, but this is our first rock album."[1] Thematically, the record touches on life, death, love, war, faith, and family.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb received generally positive reviews from critics and reached number one in 30 countries, including the US, where first-week sales of 840,000 copies nearly doubled the band's previous personal best. The album and its singles won all eight Grammy Awards for which they were nominated. It was also the fourth-highest-selling album of 2004,[2] with almost ten million copies sold,[3] and it yielded several successful singles, such as "Vertigo", "City of Blinding Lights", and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own". The album was included on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Best Albums of the Decade" at number 68.
Writing and recording
[edit]Lead singer Bono explained that he had to ask himself a few hard questions before carrying on recording: "I wanted to check where I was to where I am. So I went back and listened to all the music that made me want to be in a band, right from the Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo & The Bunnymen, all that stuff. And what was interesting is, that was what a lot of people in bands now are listening to anyway. So in a funny way, it made us completely contemporary."[4]
Looking for a harder-hitting rock sound than that of their previous record, All That You Can't Leave Behind,[5] U2 began recording How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in February 2003 with producer Chris Thomas.[6] After nine months of work, the band had completed an album's worth of songs. In October, they met in Dublin to review their work. Bono and guitarist the Edge believed it was good enough to release; Bono said, "All we needed was the assent of the politburo and the record would have been out for Christmas." Bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., however, disagreed with their bandmates and voted against releasing the record.[7] Mullen said that the songs "had no magic",[5] while Clayton said, "When it comes to signing off on a project, you ask questions like, 'Have we got a first single to open the campaign?' Frankly, we were missing more than just a first single."[7] Clayton and Mullen also had a nagging feeling that All That You Can't Leave Behind had been overpraised when it only produced one hit—"Beautiful Day". Clayton thought that if U2's goal was to continue to be the world's biggest band, they needed three or four hits from their album that could attract new fans.[7]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steve_Lillywhite_during_interview.jpg/220px-Steve_Lillywhite_during_interview.jpg)
The group brought in their long-time producer Steve Lillywhite to mediate the disagreement. After they played him the album, Lillywhite assessed that it felt like "it had the weight of the world on its shoulders. It certainly wasn't any fun." After lengthy discussions, Bono and the Edge were convinced that the album needed more work. Bono thought their songs were good but admitted "good won't bring you to tears or make you want to leave your house and tour for a year".[7] The group subsequently dismissed Thomas and enlisted Lillywhite to take over as the album's producer in Dublin in January 2004.[8] Lillywhite, along with his assistant Jacknife Lee, spent six months with the band reworking songs and encouraging better performances.[5] Several other producers received credits on the album, including Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Flood, Carl Glanville, and Nellee Hooper;[9] Bono acknowledged that the involvement of multiple producers affected the record's "sonic cohesion".[10]
A demo version of the album (guitarist the Edge's copy) was stolen while the band were having their photo taken for a magazine in France in July 2004. It contained unfinished versions of several songs that made it onto the album.[11] The band publicly announced that if those tracks were leaked online, they would release the album immediately via the iTunes Store.[12] Several months later, the finished album was leaked online,[13] but the band did not release it earlier, despite previous comments.[14]
In late 2004, "Mercy", an unreleased track taken from the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb sessions, surfaced on the Internet through a fan who had been given a copy of the album containing the extra track. The track is of less than standard audio quality, but managed to become a favorite on fan websites. It was cut from the final release, but was described by Blender as "a six-and-a-half-minute outpouring of U2 at its most uninhibitedly U2-ish".[15] The lyrics to the song can be found in the booklet for the Special Limited Edition. A significantly revised version of the song was performed during the European leg of the U2 360° Tour; it made its live debut on 12 September 2010 during the second Zürich concert,[16] and was officially released as the opening track on the band's Wide Awake in Europe vinyl-only live EP that November.
Composition
[edit]As with All That You Can't Leave Behind, this album finds U2 returning to "more 'stripped down' rock and pop sounds", according to musicologist Susan Fast.[17]
Adam Clayton said of Atomic Bomb, "It's very much a guitar record. "Vertigo", "Love and Peace", "City of Blinding Lights", "All Because of You", all pretty up, rocky tunes. A lot of them are a kick-back to our very early days, so it's like with each year we have gathered a little bit more and this is what we are now."
In 2003, Bono said one of their new songs called "Full Metal Jacket" was "the mother of all rock songs" and "the reason to make a new album". A similar demo called "Native Son" was also recorded. Both of these demos would later become "Vertigo".
Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith joined the band in the studio during the Atomic Bomb sessions and worked on at least one track with them, entitled "North Star". That track, which was a tribute to Johnny Cash, has not yet surfaced officially or unofficially in any form. A song introduced by Bono as "North Star" was played in Turin during the U2 360° Tour; however, it is unknown whether or not this is the same song that was worked on during the sessions.[18][19] Other tracks, such as "Shark Soup" (another version of "Vertigo"), "Lead Me In The Way I Should Go", and "You Can't Give Away Your Heart", were referenced in the media and by the band themselves, but have not been released.
The very earliest versions of "Love and Peace or Else" originated during the recording sessions for All That You Can't Leave Behind. It serves as Atomic Bomb's "big plea for peace" song, following in the footsteps of "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Miss Sarajevo", "Please", and "Peace on Earth".[20] During performances on the Vertigo Tour, "Love and Peace Or Else" featured Mullen moving out to the center of the ellipse-shaped ramp, where he played a floor tom and crash cymbal for the majority of the song. Near the end, Bono took over and played the drum until the song segued into the opening drumbeat of "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Most live performances of the song also saw Mullen singing the "release, release, release, release" part during the chorus alongside Bono.
"Crumbs from Your Table" is about the relationship between Western countries and developing countries. The verses and chorus address the relationship from the perspective of citizens from the developing world, focusing on the disparity between the long-term socioeconomic planning stressed by the West ("You speak in signs and wonders") and the developing world's immediate need for sustenance ("But I'm begging for the crumbs from your table"). One line ("You speak in signs and wonders") was meant as a criticism of the Catholic Church.[21] The bridge ("Where you live should not decide / Whether you live or whether you die") is statement from Bono that follows with the theme in his speeches in which he tries to raise awareness about African poverty. Bono stated on a bonus DVD included with special editions of the album that the band has no recollection of writing the song, as they were intoxicated at the time. A studio performance is also included on the aforementioned bonus DVD. It was only played a handful on times during the third leg of the Vertigo Tour.[22]
"One Step Closer" is a slow tempo song, with Bono's lyrics centered around traffic images, leading to the singer being stranded on a refuge island. The origins of the song go back to the All That You Can't Leave Behind sessions.[23] It was revived for Atomic Bomb, with Lanois introducing a pedal steel guitar, in addition to guitars from the Edge and Bono, and musical influences varying from country music to The Velvet Underground making themselves felt.[23] One recording of the song ran for more than 15 minutes, with Bono adding many verses that were subsequently dropped.[23] Jacknife Lee also contributed to the final form of the recording.[24] "One Step Closer" is billed in the album with thanks to Noel Gallagher of Oasis. The title of the song comes from a conversation Bono had with Gallagher about Bono's dying father, Bob Hewson. Bono asked, "Do you think he believes in God?" to which Gallagher replied, "Well, he's one step closer to knowing."[23] Through the end of the Vertigo Tour, the song had never been performed in any U2 concert. The title of the album derives from a lyric in the song "Fast Cars", which was only available on some versions of the album.
Promotion
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Gerard-drouot-U2-stade-de-france.jpg/280px-Gerard-drouot-U2-stade-de-france.jpg)
For the album release, U2 partnered with Apple Inc. for several cross-promotions. "Vertigo" was featured on a widely aired television advertisement for the company's iPod music player. Additionally, a special edition U2-branded iPod was released bearing the black and red color scheme of the album, as well as laser-engraved autographs of each member on the back. The Complete U2, an iTunes Store-exclusive box set featuring 448 tracks, including previously unreleased content was also released. Proceeds from the iPod and iTunes partnerships were donated to charity.[25] A live version of "Original of the Species" from the concert film Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago was later featured in commercials for the video iPod. Several CD copies of the album have the message "Miss You Sugar" on the bottom of the CD near the matrix number.
The compilation Medium, Rare & Remastered and the EP Unreleased and Rare, included in The Complete U2 box set, contains previously unreleased tracks, six of which were from the recording sessions for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb:
- "Xanax and Wine" (alternate early version of "Fast Cars")
- "Native Son" (alternate early version of "Vertigo")
- "Smile" (outtake from the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Sessions)
- "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (early version)
- "All Because of You" (alternate version)
- "Yahweh" (alternate mix by Chris Thomas)
U2 made various promotional appearances on television. On 20 November 2004, U2 appeared as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live, performing "Vertigo", "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own", and "I Will Follow". Two days later, on the day of the album's release, U2 performed on a flat-bed truck, which drove through much of downtown New York City. Footage of the flat-bed performance was used for the music video of "All Because of You". The drive ended at the Brooklyn Bridge, under which the band performed a "secret gig" in Empire Fulton Ferry State Park. Part of the concert was broadcast in an MTV television programme and released in the EP Live from Under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Formats
[edit]How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was released in four different formats:
- Standard Edition – with album CD
- Double CD/DVD Edition – with album CD and bonus DVD, featuring making of the album footage and bonus performances
- Special Limited Edition – with album CD, bonus DVD, and a hardcover book, featuring extracts from band members, song lyrics, original paintings, illustrations and photography
- Vinyl LP
Singles
[edit]The album was preceded by the lead single "Vertigo", which was released on 24 September 2004. The song topped the charts in several countries, including the UK, reached number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and topped the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also topped the digital downloads chart in both the US and the UK, becoming U2's best-selling digital single ever in the US, with 2× Platinum status (note that for downloads, Platinum status was obtained at 200,000 copies sold). Upon release the song received extensive airplay and was an international hit, being featured in a popular iPod television commercial. The song lent its namesake to the band's Vertigo Tour.
The second single in the UK was "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own", released on 7 February 2005. The song is about Bono's relationship with his dying father. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming U2's first-ever follow-up single to top the charts. On US adult contemporary radio, it reached number 15 on the Adult Top 40 and also appeared on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the Pop 100, and the Hot 100.
"City of Blinding Lights" was the third UK release. It peaked at number 2 and spent nine weeks on the chart. It also placed on the US Adult Top 40.
The second single in the US was "All Because of You". Although it received some airplay on rock radio, reaching number 6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 20 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, the song had little mainstream exposure. When released in the UK, it peaked at number 4 but only spent four weeks on the chart.
"Original of the Species" was released as a promotional single in the US. It peaked at number 6 on the Triple A Chart according to mediaguide.com and the video has reached number 12 on VH1's top 20 video countdown. The track has also made brief appearances on the Hot AC charts according to Radio and Records and MediaGuide.
Reception
[edit]Critical reaction
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 79/100[26] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Blender | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B[29] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 9/10[32] |
Pitchfork | 6.9/10[33] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uncut | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized score out of 100 to ratings from critics, the album received an average score of 79 based on 26 reviews.[26] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone described it as "grandiose music from grandiose men, sweatlessly confident in the execution of their duties", believing the album was well served by not tamping down Bono's ego or ambitions. Sheffield praised "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own", calling it "a reminder that what makes U2 so big isn't really their clever ideas, or even their intelligence — it's the warmth that all too few rock stars have any idea how to turn into music".[35] Johnny Davis of Q said that the Edge's guitar playing "makes this record" with his "arsenal of guitar noises that bring to mind a particularly impatient boy with a new box of indoor fireworks". Responding to Bono's quote about the group wanting to stave off a decline, Davis said, "They've succeeded in not becoming crap quite admirably."[34] Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times called the album "triumphant", praising U2's "journey from adolescence to maturity" over their career as one that few groups could make "with their creative vision so fully intact". He said that Bono lyrically "explores epic themes, from faith to family, with such indelible grace that the CD stands with 'The Joshua Tree' and 'Achtung Baby' as one of the Irish quartet's essential works".[31] Dan Martin of NME called it "a classic U2 album, but also a breathtakingly modern heavy fucker", adding that "Bono's genius is that his inner monologue is so huge and heroic that it matches the scale of the music".[32] Steve Morse of The Boston Globe called it a "nakedly honest, uplifting album" and their most personal one since The Joshua Tree. He called it "a joy to see the group rekindle its shimmering '80s guitar-pop sound" and was encouraged that their music "comes so strongly from the gut once again, without the latest techno-experimental production techniques."[37] Ann Powers of Blender called the album a "tour de force of tune and mood", adding, "because U2's sound has come to signify an open heart... it nearly always feels fresh, the way a new flame does". She thought that Bono lyrically "wields sentimentality like a switchblade" but also said that "U2's music is so broad and welcoming it can express ardor equally well for Christ, wives, supermodels, children or Bishop Desmond Tutu".[28]
Stephen Troussé of Uncut called it "their most unabashedly strident record since The Unforgettable Fire" and said that songs such as "City of Blinding Lights" and "All Because of You" gave "the sense of a band flexing muscles they haven't used in years". He remarked about the melancholic undertow of Bono's lyrics, believing that the "lines that stay with you speak of a creeping malaise".[36] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said that the album "may be unadventurous and melodramatic, but it is packed with disarming moments". He thought the group had embraced the clichéd elements of their 1980s music but said, "Driven by a ferociously powerful rhythm section, U2 sound pleasingly raw, particularly next to the current wave of stadium rock pretenders". He lamented the abandonment of their 1990s experimentation, but appreciated their retention of self-awareness, concluding, "it seems highly unlikely anyone will laugh at U2 again".[30] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly questioned U2's motivations for back-pedaling musically but called them "one of the few remaining bands who can make pop-chart lust work for them, as Atomic Bomb intermittently demonstrates".[29] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune said that the record "marks a retreat from innovation and daring, and re-immerses the Irish quartet in the comfort zone of its earliest successes". He believed the band had "settl[ed] into middle age by recycling its best riffs and ideas" and that those musical ideas were "destined to pale in coming years as second-hand versions of those classic albums".[38] Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork called the record "brash, grungy, and loud" but not "especially surprising", judging it to contain a "tiny handful of outstanding tracks and a whole mess of schmaltzy filler". She criticised Bono's "vague, cliched observations, his sentiments always awkwardly bombastic or hopelessly maudlin" and thought the album's biggest issue was "that it sounds so much like U2".[33] Keith Harris of The Village Voice said that the lyrics were marred by "legions of rampant clichés" and that the album's producers "simply construct a U2 album in miniature, mixing in the Edge's processed-guitar trademark whenever you fear they're straying into unforgivable un-U2ness. That's just not enough."[39]
Commercial performance
[edit]Following its 22 November 2004 release, the album debuted at number one in 34 countries,[40] including the US Billboard 200 (with sales of 840,000),[41] the UK Albums Chart, and the Australian ARIA Charts. The album has sold 9 million copies worldwide.[42] According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 3.3 million copies in the US through March 2014.[43]
Accolades
[edit]How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was rated the best album of 2004 by USA Today, Paste, and The New York Times. Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times called it the second-best album of the year, and it was ranked fourth respectively by Q in its list of the best albums of the year. The Village Voice rated it the eighth-best album of 2004, while PopMatters ranked it 25th. It was included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2004.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and its songs won eight Grammy Awards overall in 2005 and 2006, sweeping all of the categories in which they were nominated. In 2005, "Vertigo" won in three categories: Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Short Form Music Video. In 2006, "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" was awarded Song of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, "City of Blinding Lights" was awarded Best Rock Song, and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb won for Best Rock Album and Album of the Year.[44] The album producer's Steve Lillywhite was also awarded Producer of the Year, Non Classical in 2006.
Rolling Stone rated it the 68th-best album of the decade,[45] while "Vertigo" was ranked the 64th-best song.[46] Despite all of the critical acclaim for the album, Bono would later state that "[t]here are no weak songs. But as an album, the whole isn't greater than the sum of its parts, and it fucking annoys me."
Vertigo Tour
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/U2_Vertigo_Tour_Toronto_2005_stage.jpg/220px-U2_Vertigo_Tour_Toronto_2005_stage.jpg)
In support of the album, U2 launched the Vertigo Tour, which featured five legs and a total of 131 shows. The first and third legs featured indoor concerts in North America, while the second and fourth legs featured outdoor concerts in Europe, Mexico and South America, respectively. The final leg, which saw the band touring the Pacific, was delayed due to an illness suffered by The Edge's daughter Sian. The stage design of the indoor Vertigo Tour shows was a stripped-down, intimate affair for the fans and featured an ellipse-shaped B-stage extending from the main stage. In total, the Vertigo Tour had sold 4,619,021 tickets for a total gross of $389 million; the gross was the second-highest such figure ever.[47] Three concert films depicting the tour, Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago, Vertigo: Live from Milan, and U2 3D, were recorded.
Track listing
[edit]All lyrics are written by Bono except where noted; all music is composed by U2
No. | Title | Lyrics | Producer | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Vertigo" | Bono and the Edge | Steve Lillywhite | 3:14 |
2. | "Miracle Drug" | Bono and the Edge | Lillywhite; Carl Glanville,[a] Jacknife Lee[a] | 3:59 |
3. | "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" | Chris Thomas; Lillywhite,[a] Nellee Hooper[a] | 5:08 | |
4. | "Love and Peace or Else" | Bono and the Edge | Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois; Thomas,[a] Lee,[a] Flood[a] | 4:50 |
5. | "City of Blinding Lights" | Flood; Thomas,[a] Lee[a] | 5:47 | |
6. | "All Because of You" | Lillywhite | 3:39 | |
7. | "A Man and a Woman" | Lee; Lillywhite,[a] Glanville[a] | 4:30 | |
8. | "Crumbs from Your Table" | Lillywhite; Lee[a] | 5:03 | |
9. | "One Step Closer" | Thomas, Lanois; Lee[a] | 3:51 | |
10. | "Original of the Species" | Lillywhite; Lee[a] | 4:41 | |
11. | "Yahweh" | Bono and the Edge | Thomas | 4:21 |
Total length: | 49:03 |
No. | Title | Lyrics | Producer | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
12. | "Fast Cars" | Bono and the Edge | Lillywhite | 3:43 |
Total length: | 53:09 |
Notes
- ^[a] – additional production
- "Fast Cars" is a bonus track on the Japan, UK and Ireland CD edition, Special Limited Edition in all regions, and the digital version, included in The Complete U2. A new mix was featured on the "All Because of You" single.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "U2 and 3 Songs" (The Documentary) | 20:02 |
2. | "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (Studio Performance) | 5:09 |
3. | "Crumbs from Your Table" (live in studio) | 5:00 |
4. | "Vertigo" (Temple Bar Mix) | 3:08 |
5. | "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (Acoustic Couch Mix) | 4:43 |
6. | "Vertigo" | 3:23 |
Total length: | 43:00 |
Note
- Handwritten lyrics for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" are included on the DVD as an Easter egg.
Personnel
[edit]U2[48]
- Bono – lead vocals, additional guitar (tracks 2, 9, 11), piano (5)
- The Edge – guitar, backing/additional vocals (1–7, 9, 11), piano (2, 4–5, 10–11), keyboards (3), additional percussion (7), synthesiser (10–11)
- Adam Clayton – bass guitar
- Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion, backing vocal (2)
Additional performers[48]
- Jacknife Lee – synthesisers/additional synthesisers (1–2, 4–5, 7–10), programming (2, 4), keyboards (6), additional guitar atmospherics (8)
- Daniel Lanois – additional guitar and pedal steel (9), mandolin (11), shaker (4)
- Carl Glanville – additional percussion and synthesisers (2)
- Brian Eno – synthesisers (4)
- Fabien Waltmann – programming (3, 5)
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
Decade-end charts[edit]
|
Weekly singles charts
[edit]Year | Song | Peak | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IRE [124] |
AUS [125] |
BE (Wal) [126] |
CAN [127] |
UK [128] |
US [127] |
US Pop [127] | ||
2004 | "Vertigo" | 1 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 10 |
2005 | "All Because of You" | 4 | 23 | 36 | 1 | 4 | — | — |
"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" | 3 | 19 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 97 | 87 | |
"City of Blinding Lights" | 8 | 31 | 23 | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
"—" denotes a release that did not chart. |
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF)[129] | 3× Platinum | 120,000^ |
Australia (ARIA)[130] | 4× Platinum | 280,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[131] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[132] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[133] | 2× Platinum | 250,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[134] | 5× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[135] | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[136] | Gold | 21,348[136] |
France (SNEP)[137] | Platinum | 300,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[138] | 3× Gold | 300,000^ |
Greece (IFPI Greece)[62] | Platinum | 20,000^ |
Hungary (MAHASZ)[139] | Gold | 10,000^ |
Ireland (IRMA)[140] | 10× Platinum | 150,000^ |
Japan (RIAJ)[141] | Platinum | 250,000^ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[142] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[143] | Gold | 40,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[144] | 3× Platinum | 45,000^ |
Poland (ZPAV)[145] | Gold | 20,000* |
Portugal (AFP)[146] | 3× Platinum | 120,000^ |
Russia (NFPF)[147] | Gold | 10,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[113] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[148] | Platinum | 60,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[149] | 4× Platinum | 1,200,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[150] | 3× Platinum | 3,300,000[43] |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI)[151] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000* |
Worldwide | — | 9,000,000[42] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
[edit]- ^ "U2 and 3 Songs" documentary within the DVD packaged with the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Endrinal, Christopher (2008). Form and Style in the Music of U2. Florida State University. p. 12.
- ^ Martin, Dan (5 January 2005). "The Gospel According to U2 - Part Two". NME.
- ^ a b c McCormick (2006), pp. 317–321
- ^ Fricke, David (30 December 2004). "U2 Drops Bomb". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d Tyrangiel, Josh (22 November 2004). "Mysterious Ways". Time. Vol. 164, no. 21. pp. 80–83. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ McGee (2008), p. 266
- ^ Newman, Melinda (27 November 2004). "Bombs Away! U2 Sets Sights on Top of Charts". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 48. pp. 1, 64.
- ^ McCormick (2006), p. 329
- ^ "Police hunt for 'stolen' U2 album". BBC News. BBC. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "'Vertigo' Early?". NME. 23 July 2004.
- ^ "U2 Album Leaks Online". NME. 8 November 2004.
- ^ "U2'S 'Bomb' Will Not Drop Early!". NME. 9 November 2004.
- ^ Deevoy, Adrian (November 2004). "U2 Walk on Water!". Blender. pp. 112–120, 122.
- ^ "> News > Mercy in the Rain in Zurich". U2. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ Fast, Susan (2008). "Music, Contexts, and Meaning in U2". In Everett, Walter (ed.). Expression in Pop-rock Music: Critical and Analytical Essays. Routledge. p. 176. ISBN 9780415979597.
- ^ Crouteau, Roberta (30 November 2004). "Michael W. Smith: Ready for His Close-up". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "Torino, Torino..." U2.com. Live Nation. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "The root cause of a lot of the problems in politics is hardness of the heart". U2 Sermons. 12 January 2005. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ McCormick (2006)
- ^ "U2 Setlist Archive-U2 Vertigo Tour Leg III/North America". u2setlists.com. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
- ^ a b c d McCormick (2006), p. 325
- ^ Interview with Bono and Edge for promotion of How to Dismantle ..., u2achtung.com, undated.
- ^ Transcript: Bruce Springsteen Inducts U2 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame u2station.com. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
- ^ a b "Reviews for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb by U2". Metacritic. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb – U2". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ a b Powers, Ann (December 2004). "U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Blender. No. 32. p. 132. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ a b Browne, David (26 November 2004). "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Entertainment Weekly. No. 794. pp. 115–116. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (19 November 2004). "You're not laughing any more". The Guardian. sec. Friday Review, p. 20. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (21 November 2004). "U2's spirit is still on an upward drive". Los Angeles Times. p. E43. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ a b Martin, Dan (13 November 2004). "U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". NME. p. 55.
- ^ a b Petrusich, Amanda (21 November 2004). "U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ a b Davis, Johnny (December 2004). "U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Q. No. 221. p. 126.
- ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (9 December 2004). "'Bomb' Hits Big". Rolling Stone. No. 963. p. 172. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ a b Troussé, Stephen (December 2004). "U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Uncut. No. 91. p. 136. Archived from the original on 5 February 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ Morse, Steve (23 November 2004). "U2 returns to soulful form on 'Atomic Bomb'". The Boston Globe. pp. C1, C6. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ Kot, Greg (21 November 2004). "Secondhand U2". Chicago Tribune. sec. Arts & Entertainment, p. 8. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Harris, Keith (24–30 November 2004). "No More Than a Feeling". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 24 November 2004.
- ^ "U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb - Music Charts". Acharts.us. 4 July 1987. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ Whitmire, Margo (1 December 2004). "U2's 'Bomb' Explodes at No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ a b Nichols, Michelle (3 March 2009). "New York City honors U2 by renaming street". Reuters. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ a b Hampp, Andrew; Halperin, Shirley (7 March 2014). "No U2 Album, Tour Until 2015 (Exclusive)". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ^ "U2 Grammy Nominations". grammy.com.
- ^ "100 Best Albums of the 2000s: U2, 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb'". Rolling Stone. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "100 Best Songs of the 2000s: U2, 'Vertigo'". Rolling Stone. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (4 January 2007). "From Joshua Trees To Palm Trees". Billboard.com. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (CD booklet). U2. Island Records. 2004.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Ranking Semanal desde 30/01/2005 hasta 05/02/2005" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 11 February 2005.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in German). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in French). Hung Medien.
- ^ "U2 Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "U2 svrhli atomovku i na Česko" (in Czech). musicserver.cz. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Eurocharts: Album Sales". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 51. 18 December 2004. p. 43.
- ^ "U2: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
- ^ a b "Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Ξένων Aλμπουμ" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2004. 48. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 48, 2004". Chart-Track. IRMA.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "ハウ・トゥ・ディスマントル・アン・アトミック・ボム | U2" [How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb | U2] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Los Más Vendidos 2005 - Top 100 México > Mejor posición (Peak Position)" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Charts.nz – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Hits of the World - Spain". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 18 December 2004. p. 42. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
U2 how to dismantle an atomic bomb.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "U2 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "U2 Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "U2 Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2004". ARIA. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2004"" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2004: Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2004: Alternative Albums"" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2004: Albums" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Chart of the Year 2004" (in Danish). TOP20.dk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2004" (in Dutch). dutchcarts.nl. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Musiikkituottajat - Tilastot - Myydyimmät levyt 2004" (in Finnish). IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Tops de l'Année - Top Albums 2004" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2004" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista - eladási darabszám alapján - 2004" (in Hungarian). Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Best of 2004 - Albums". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Classifica annuale 2004 (dal 29.12.2003 al 02.01.2005) – Album & Compilation" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2004". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "O-Zone foi o grupo que mais vendeu em Portugal em 2004" [O-Zone was the group's biggest selling in Portugal in 2004] (in Portuguese). RTP Notícias. 12 January 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
"How to dismantle an atomic bomb", dos U2, já editado em Novembro, surge em quarto lugar e "Feels Like Home", de Norah Jones, figura em sétimo.
[U2's "How to dismantle an atomic bomb", released in November, comes in fourth place and "Feels Like Home", by Norah Jones, figures in seventh.] - ^ "Top 50 Albumes 2004" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Årslista Album – År 2004" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2004" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2004" (in German). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2004". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2004" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2005". ARIA. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2005" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005: Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005: Alternative Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2005: Albums" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Chart of the Year 2005" (in Danish). TOP20.dk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2005" (in Dutch). dutchchartsnl. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Year End European Top 100 Albums Chart 2005 01 - 2005 52" (PDF). Billboard. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Tops de l'Année - Top Albums 2005" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2005" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Classifica annuale 2005 (dal 03.01.2005 al 01.01.2006) – Album & Compilation" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "年間 アルバムランキング 2005年度" [Oricon Year-end Albums Chart of 2005] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 23 August 2022. Select Álbumes under "Categoría", select 2005 under "Año". Select 33 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
- ^ "Årslista Album – År 2005" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2005" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005" (in German). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Ranking Venta Mayorista de Discos – Anual" (in Spanish). Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "TOP 100 ALBUM DE ENERO A DICIEMBRE DE 2006" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums of the 00's". ARIA. January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "The Noughties' Official UK Albums Chart Top 100". Music Week. London, England: United Business Media. 30 January 2010. p. 19.
- ^ "The Decade in Music - Charts - Top Billboard 200 Albums" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 50. 19 December 2009. p. 164. Retrieved 20 December 2020 – via World Radio History. Digit page 168 on the PDF archive.
- ^ "Search the charts". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2009. Note: U2 must be searched manually
- ^ "1ste Ultratop-hitquiz". Ultratop. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ^ "U2 Singles Positions Search" (in French). Ultratop.
- ^ a b c "U2: Charts and Awards". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- ^ "U2 singles". Everyhit.com. Retrieved 29 October 2009. Note: U2 must be searched manually.
- ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino - U2" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
- ^ "Austrian album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2004". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". IFPI Danmark.
- ^ a b "U2" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
- ^ "French album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (U2; 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2004" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts - 2005 Certification Awards - Multi Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 12 November 2010. Select 2005年8月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 27 February 2019. Type U2 in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 9 August 2011. Enter How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2004 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Portuguese album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Russian album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF). Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2004" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- ^ "British album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "American album certifications – U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2004". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
Bibliography
- U2 (2006). McCormick, Neil (ed.). U2 by U2. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-719668-7.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - McGee, Matt (2008). U2: A Diary. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84772-108-2.
External links
[edit]- How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb at U2.com
- How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb at Discogs (list of releases)