U2
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

On November 19, 2004, U2 decided to offer up to fans, critics, and all those who thrive on music in every aspect and form, what BonoVox claims to be their best album ever. Often, statements from various artists are intentionally exaggerated to reassure and re-excite the spirits of those fans who once again wait for a flash of class or "hope," much like a soccer coach who once again fields that 40-year-old star player who can no longer ask anything of his body but still has the same feet to light up a dim stadium.

This album, which deliberately marks a return to the origins, opens with Vertigo, which might not even belong to it given The Edge's exaggerated and raw riff and the very driving rhythm that distances itself from the overall melody. The song is at times pleasant and ideal for opening concerts and making the crowd of fans present jump, but it is certainly banal in itself and not worthy of particular mention. One then moves on to "Miracle Drug", which in its first part so closely recalls the glories of the past that the more attentive listener is already ready to evoke the past. Indeed, the song maintains a good melody and is perhaps the best of the album along with the next track, namely "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own", where The Edge's work and Bono's warm, poignant, and passionate voice blend to try to touch the most hidden chords of emotions, especially in that desperate and breathless cry that seems to want to reach the deceased father wherever he may be. Track number 4 is instead "Love and Peace Or Else", which seems rather inconclusive and self-serving. Different, however, is the discourse for "City Of Blinding Lights", which is very accurate in its smallest details (perhaps too much) and has a good rhythm section and a decent keyboard part. In Bono's intentions, this was supposed to represent a worthy continuation of "Where The Streets Have No Name", but while it is a good song, it does not even remotely approach the strength, impetuousness, and simplicity of the previous one. The last noteworthy song of the album is "Original Of The Species", where Bono's great struggle is evident in trying to recall the notes and vocal power of a time that now seems almost faded given his age and the minor problems he has had.

The other songs, however, are empty, and this deprives the album of that necessary leap to be remembered by posterity. All in all, it is a decent album and perhaps that is why it is criticized... it's like that star player whose ball touch and passes still make people dream, but when they have to chase an unlocking pass capable of putting them in front of the goalkeeper, they feel the weight of the years and the fatigue of their uniqueness.