U2 Reassembles Unheard Treasures for ‘How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb’

Once upon a time, the music industry could be counted on to release a spate of greatest hits and live albums every holiday season to make readymade gifts. During the CD era, rereleases of classic popular albums heralding bonus content and remastered or remixed versions of known material became popular, explaining why there are approximately 784 versions of “Dark Side of the Moon” on the market. As streaming has come to rule the roost, the latter has abated somewhat, although anniversary packages still pop up from artists whose fan bases are willing to buy vinyl or lavish CD packages. 

Such is the case with U2, who, even as their career has naturally slowed since their lengthy run starting in the mid-1980s as the biggest band in the world, still rule the rock‘n’roll roost, with only Coldplay equaling their stature worldwide. The Irish quartet has recently released “How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb,” paring a remastered version of their 2004 album “How to Disassemble an Atomic Bomb” with multiple previously unreleased songs recorded, although ultimately left aside for the original album, which between its lead song “Vertigo” and the album itself won eight Grammys in 2005 and 2006.

We start with the known album. Does the remaster make much difference? Not really. It sounds nice, with more presence, but in and of itself, it does not add a lot to the original. It warrants mention that the original is replete with songs showc asing U2 at the top of their game, with “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” penetrating the hearts of everyone who has said goodbye to a parent on this earth.

And what of the new material? The rule of thumb is when previously unreleased songs from any given recording session finally appear, one quickly discovers why they did not initially see the light of day. This time is an exception to the rule.

“Picture of You (X+W)” kicks things off with raw energy not unlike “Vertigo,” The Edge eschewing much of his usual lavish guitar sonic treatments in favor of straight-ahead dry distortion and rock energy. “Evidence of Life” is a crunchy, thoughtful, rocking snarl. “Luckiest Man In the World” has the classic U2 chime and rhythm in spades as Bono scratches out an earthy, complex love song with his typical keen lyrical styling.

I’m ripping the stitches, you’ve been bandaging up
I’m digging the ditches for relics of your love
Love hears when I lie, love puts the blue back in my eye
The sand inside the pearl, you were the luckiest man in the world

If you’re hunger, well, let me feed it
If your heart is full, I’ll be there to bleed it
And happiness is for those who don’t really need it
You can love me if you must
But why you always love me without trust?

“Treason” is as funky as U2 gets, with sparse instrumental backing placing the focus on Bono’s vocal line, heralding back to the band’s “War” days. “I Don’t Wanna See You Smile” is a brief snippet that manages to feel complete while leaving the listener wanting more.

Gravity it’s not pulling me
I won’t be a picture with no sound
Decaying, I’m praying
You are my abbot
I need the ground to kneel upon
And love can be a song
I don’t want to see you smile

“Country Mile” sounds like it could have come from the band’s 2000 album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” as it carries strong threads of that album’s return to the classic 1980s U2 sound after the experimental 1990s efforts “Zooropa” and “Pop.” “Happiness” is an okay mid-tempo slow burner but drags compared to the other newly released songs. No such malaise afflicts “Are You Gonna Wait Forever?” with The Edge merging chime and crunch underneath Bono’s soaring vocal on a pure slice of triumphant anthem excellence. “Theme From ‘The Batman’” is an acceptable instrumental, while “All Because of You 2” is an engaging take on the song best known in a somewhat reworked version for its inclusion on the original album.

All in all, the newly released tracks would have made a solid album in and of themselves. They are a welcome addition to the U2 catalog, and fans are greatly encouraged to seek them out. Unreleased material that 20 years later makes for thoroughly enjoyable listening is a rare feat indeed; but then again, U2 didn’t ascend to the top of the popular music mountain because girls thought they were cute. “How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb” is no dud.