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U2 Drops "Atomic Bomb"
by Sarah Hall, September 15, 2004

Forget beautiful day. It's been a beautiful week for U2 fans.

First the Irish rockers were nominated for the 2005 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with Grandmaster Flash, the Sex Pistols and the Pretenders , among others.

Then, on the heels of their Rock Hall nod, the band revealed the title of their long-anticipated new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb .

As previously announced , the rockers' 11th album is set to be released stateside on Nov. 23, one day after the U.K. release date. "Vertigo," the first single from the album is scheduled to go into radio rotation on Sept. 24.

Other singles on the album will include "Crumbs From Your Table," "Yahweh," "City of Blinding Lights ," "A Man and a Woman," "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" and a cover of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights."

Members of U2, particularly frontman Bono , have long been known for their commitment to global political causes .

The atomic bomb reference in the latest album's title ties into several of the band's earlier album titles, including War , Under a Blood Red Sky and The Unforgettable Fire , which featured undertones of violence and rebellion.

Before its title was released, Atomic Bomb made headlines when several rough versions of tracks disappeared from a Nice, France recording studio, making the band fearful that pirated songs would pop up on the Internet prematurely.

So far as the band is aware, however, no early releases have tripped through the wires, a spokeswoman said.

The album is the bands' first release since 2000's Grammy-winning All That You Can't Leave Behind . In 2001, U2's Elevation Tour sold out across the U.S. and Canada , raking in $109.7 million and making the band the top-grossing act of the year.

Now fans are ready for the next big thing from Bono and the boys. Early reports indicate they won't be disappointed.

"I've heard it, it's great. It's the best album they have ever done," U2 chronicler Bill Flanagan said, according to U2.com. "It's going to knock [listeners] out!"

Originally published by Eonline.

Learn more :: Article Archives :: U2 Drops "Atomic Bomb"