by Chris Alexion, Copyright February 13, 2006, all rights reserved. 169 views
My friend Chris Yokel recently posted about U2's big night at the Grammys, which reminded me that I've been meaning to write a review of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. This album scored U2 their second album of the year award, one of five awards the British rockers snagged at the 2006 show.
Listening to U2 is like drinking SoBe or Starbucks; you simply feel cool doing it. And it's no wonder. Bono and company have been rocking since before I was born, and they've used the experience to hone their craft to perfection. The result is is blend of sleek, guitar-drenched rock and euphonic ballads that becomes very hard to turn off.
The first part of this combination–the aggressive British rock–shows up in "Vertigo," "Love and Peace or Else," and "All Because of You." The sound is confident without pretentiousness. The other side of U2's sound–the melodic, almost soothing tracks–come out nicely in the hands of Bono, whose vocals switch effortlessly to capture both kinds of rock. The best of these songs are "Miracle Drug" and "Yahweh," though ranking isn't easy.
Lyrically, Bono gives us thoughtful and memorable lines. "I am you and you are mine / Love makes nonsense of space And time… will disappear / Love and logic keep us clear / Reason is on our side, love… / The songs are in your eyes / I see them when you smile / I've had enough of romantic love / I'd give it up, yeah, I'd give it up / For a miracle, a miracle drug, a miracle drug." One of my favorites, "All Because of You," is also catchy: "I like the sound of my own voice / I didn't give anyone else a choice / An intellectual tortoise / Racing with your bullet train."
At times, Bono's lyrics are (purposefully?) vague about their object: human relationships vs. God. But the album's closing track, "Yahweh," leaves no doubt:
Take these shoes, click clacking down some dead end street.
Take these shoes and make them fit.
Take this shirt, polyester white trash made in nowhere.
Take this shirt and make it clean, clean.
Take this soul stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul and make it sing
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I'm waiting for the dawn
Take these hands, teach them what to carry
Take these hands don't make a fist
Take this mouth, so quick to criticise
Take this mouth, give it a kiss….
Take this city.
A city should be shining on a hill.
Take this city if it be your will.
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart…
And make it break.
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