As an exclusive treat to NME.COM readers, you'll be among the first people to hear the new U2 album, 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' today (November 16).

If you've read the glowing review in the NME (9 out of 10 by Dan Martin), you'll want to have a listen for yourself.

Hear 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'

As previously reported on NME.COM, U2 have revealed that they will kick off their world tour on March 1 in Florida.

The band will play around 35 arena shows across the US for the first leg of the jaunt, then 30 stadium gigs in Europe before returning to North America for a further 35 arena dates. The group will then head to Japan and Australia.

Snow Patrol and Scissor Sisters are rumoured to be the support acts.

U2 manager Paul McGuinness told Billboard that no decision has been made, but added: "We love Snow Patrol. Their producer Jacknife Lee, also worked on U2’s album and they’re Irish. There’s a close connection."

U2’s 2001 'Elevation' tour grossed $104 million from 106 shows worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore.
- NME.com

I've had this CD since Friday Nov 12th- it's good.

no thanks, Mr. Pusher Man

I rather wait until Monday...then I'll buy it...

I'm waiting until midnight on the 23rd to hear it for the first time. In the meantime, I'm getting by on the b-sides and outtakes that have leaked from the sessions (Fast Cars, Are You Gonna Wait Forever, Mercy).

Axchi696 said:

Neon Lights?

I just can't get into that one yet; I'm still waiting for it to grow on me. Hell, I just "got" Holy Joe, and that came out back in 1997.

Stripe said:

GrayKing said:

I got bored of the last one after two plays & will avoid this one like the plague. "All that you..." was U2 on 1 this will be more of the same.

Farfunknugin said:

Do u work at Rolling Stone? Cuz they're either tone-deaf or posses the ability 2 review albums without hearing them too.

Axchi696 said:

where'd you get those!I read about that "fast cars" song.

The forum at www.interference.com is an excellent source for U2 stuff.

rockwilder said:

bananacologne said:

I used to hate U2 until "Achtung Baby". Loved everything they did up to and including "Pop". I was expecting great things from "All That ...", but almost every track on it reminded why I'd originally hated them. I take it "Please Drop An Atom Bomb On Our Collective Heads And Make Mr Shifter Happy" is "All That ..." Part 2? The reviews have said that the album is firmly stuck in the band's Mullet at Red Rocks era. Is that so?
[Edited 11/18/04 1:25am]

Shapeshifter said:

That is exactly how I feel, and that's also what I have heard about this album. My favorite album was Zooropa when they were moving in bold new directions for them, but still writing songs. They seemed ultramodern. But now U2 is a U2 tribute band who have been listening to The Hives and Unforgettable Fire.

CinisterCee said:

You're right about Zooropa. Very underrated album that. Ditto Passengers and the flawed but still fascinating Pop.

Of the current, pension-planning, radio-friendly-unit-shifting-stadium-filling U2, you're being kinder than this reviewer from "Time Out" (London):

"Miracle Drug" and "Crumbs From Your Table" suggest lusty Travis singles [i](Travis - AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!) ... The central "City of Blinding Lights" might also be classic U2 but in 2004 it sounds like Robbie Williams beefed up by Bob Clearmountain. Not good.[/i]
[Edited 11/18/04 3:06am]

Pfft!

GangstaFam said:

Meaning ...?

Shapeshifter said:

Why do you hate 80's U2 so much? And why are people comparing their new thing to their roots. I think of it as phase 3.

I agree - the 90's was their best period, but how can you deny an album like "Boy"?

GangstaFam said:

Deny I've got it, you mean?
[Edited 11/18/04 5:19am]

When I say they sound like 80s U2, I personally am not comparing them to Boy or October.

Shapeshifter said:

I dunno that it will be so much a throwback, as it will part of a new era. Seems to me you like one very distinctive phase of U2's career (nothing worng with that).

I've always said that U2 has several distinct eras, usually comprising a trilogy of discs (with a side thrown in for good measure, on occasion. In each era, the discs had a certain sound, with many lyrical themes running throughout:

First era (U2 as a "Rebel Band"):
Boy
October
War
Under A Blood Red Sky (live disc, thus a side)

Second era (U2 discovers the good and evil of America):
The Unforgettable Fire
Wide Awake In America (little EP with a couple B-sides and live cuts. Definitely a side)
The Joshua Tree
Rattle & Hum

Third era (U2 discovers Irony):
Achtung Baby
Zooropa
Passengers (a project with music for films, done under a psuedonym. Side)
Pop

Current (U2 at midlife.):
All That You Can't Leave Behind
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

yeah JediMaster described it best.. they seem to have decided to go back to their "Second Era", not as the rebel U2, but as the "examining America" U2 of the mid-to-late 80s.

JediMaster said:

Hmm, that's a nice summary. As someone who hasn't heard the soundtrack of A Million-Dollar Hotel (other than The Ground Beneath Her Feet), could you tell me if it's worth hearing in its entirety, if it has a dominant 'U2 sound', and if it fits into the third era as a side project, or in the current era as a side-project?

booyah said:

Such a good question. I would almost put it in with their current era!

Although I haven't heard the new CD yet, I'm going by the critics' assessments that it has less synth and more guitar, so I'm going to file the Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack more in line with the Passengers CD. The entire album is very synth driven; there are few true "guitar" moments in it. It's a worthwhile purchase, however. "Stateless" and especially "Ground Beneath her Feet" are excellent tracks, and the Bono songs also are worthy.

Axchi696 said:

Thank you!!

Y'all who are doggin U2's 80s output gotta be high on some seriously bad shit.

I listened to the new one on XRT in Chicago last week and, yes, it does hark back to the old days...but...um...THATS A GOOD THING! The best thing they did was get away from that Pop shit.

Pagey said:

one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

Axchi696 said:

That's a good assessment there.