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Quite carefully and precisely I suppose; which is exactly how U2 put this album together. Dismantling a nuclear weapon is no small matter and nor are the issues dealt with here: death, love, God.. just to name a few. They are always in your face, asking questions, taking names and making no apologies for it - they'll make you take a stand. You either love 'em or hate 'em.

Their latest album, 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' wreaks of U2, and I love it. The familiar piercing and relentless strumming of the Edge sends shivers down my spine and the passion of Bono's voice seems to bring the world to a stand still. Am I queer...? For these guys.. maybe.

They appear just at the right time (just before the Christmas shopping rush) and their lyrics are always so well placed. How the hell do they keep doing it? One can't argue that they always sound the same, because if they did, they would have blown their load 10 years ago. But no. Here they are, middle aged men about to blow the doors down (again) with a spotless new album and monster tour. And the pressure for scoring tickets begins...

TRACKS:
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.

U2 represents a musical balance. They simply operate on a different plain. If it wasn't clear before, it certainly is now. Their album release is a true event and like the Olympics, 4 years is long enough to wait.

The lyrics - man oh man - the English language is ill-equiped to describe what they have done this time around. This album is Bono's personal send off to his father Bob, who died a few years back. Check out the track 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' and you'll understand. You can't listen to this album and not be crippled by it. It's too good.

I can just hear all the blowhards - dissecting every note, using up all the big words in the dictionary trying to describe this album , paragraph after paragraph trying to set themselves apart from the pack... the exact same thing I'm trying to do now.

You know, trying to look like you didn't spend all day picking out your outfit. Trying that cool and casual approach to album reviews - trying to sound hip with words like 'magnum opus' 'sonic atmosphere underscores' and the lesser, 'cool man.'

The album is fantastic, truly spectacular; as if you would think anything less from 'these 4 lads from Dublin.' (Sorry, I just had to say it.)

If you hate U2, well then you'll continue to hate U2 and subsequently rot in hell, if you love them, this album is nothing short of breath taking and if you can just stomach them, there are even a couple of tracks on there for you... too.

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