"How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - U2

20th Anniversary Collection

Track Listing (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)

Track Listing (How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb)

Boxed Set Contents (Remixes and Live from Chicago):

Track Listing Notes:

The track timings above reflect the vinyl version of Vertigo: Live from Chicago 2005 release included in the 8-disc vinyl box set. Overall the show on CD is longer than that on LP. Notable differences between vinyl and CD are below:

  • “Cry” / “The Electric Co.” runs 05:52 on the LP vs 05:45 on CD
  • “Miracle Drug” runs 04:09 on the LP vs 04:17 on CD
  • “One” runs 06:31 on the LP vs 07:27 on CD
  • “Mysterious Ways” runs 06:10 on the LP vs 07:06 on CD

Additionally, the version on CD is split across two discs, instead of six sides, so has far less fade ins and outs. Both the CD and LP versions fade in for “City of Blinding Lights” and “Running to Stand Still” and both fade out for “40” and for “Bullet the Blue Sky”. Additionally on LP “Cry / The Electric Co.”, “Miracle Drug”, “One”, “Mysterious Ways” all fade out at the end of the track, and “An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart”, “Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own”, “Zoo Station” and “All Because of You” all fade in.

Background Information

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was originally</em> released on November 22, 2004 in most countries. Exactly 20 years later, U2 released a series of 20th anniversary editions celebrating the anniversary of the album and of the 20th anniversary of the Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago release. The collections included the original album, remastered, with the bonus track “Fast Cars” on all formats. Formats with extra material will include a remastered audio version of Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago, a 10-track disc of demos titled How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb including previously unheard material, and a collection of remixes including a number of never before released remixes.

The official announcement started with the posting of a 24-hour countdown on U2.com, and the release date being displayed in a video when playing the original album on Spotify. The countdown counted down to 12 noon (Eastern) September 26, 2024, where the release of the album was announced. A few minutes before the announcement longtime friend, Dave Fanning, took to the air with Beta da Silver on the 2FM Drive show, and played “Country Mile” and “Picture of You (X+W)”. The two tracks were officially released as a double A-Side single with the announcement. Both “Picture of You (X+W)“ and “Country Mile“ were also distributed to radio for promotion. Lyric videos for both were launched on YouTube.

On October 14, 2024, two short one-minute clips were released of “Happiness” and “Luckiest Man in the World” to be used via Facebook / Instagram in reels. On October 24, 2024, an additional full single was released, “Happiness“. The song was sent to radio for promotion, commercially released, and had a lyric video debuted on that day. A special first listen was done via Apple Music with Zane Lowe.

On November 22, the album was released, and an additional single, “Luckiest Man in the World” was released to radio. A lyric video for the song was also issued. The band participated in a number of radio and television interviews the week of the release. Via YouTube, U2 also streamed a new 4K version of Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago, as well as a 10 minute video of interview footage from 2005. Additionally 18 visualizer videos were launched on YouTube covering most of the songs on the Dismantle and Re-Assemble albums. Excluded were the four songs with lyric videos. The week of the release also saw U2 host a number of Dolby Atmos listening parties for fans ahead of the release.

The album was released with the following formats, all formats are audio only:

  • Album on 2-disc black vinyl
  • Album on 2-disc ‘ink spot” red and black vinyl (available via U2.Com / Universal only)
  • Album on red and black cassette (available via U2.Com / Universal only)
  • Album on single CD in gatefold card sleeve
  • Digital release of album (High resolution and Atmos available)
  • Digital release of album, with 10 track demo disc (Re-Assemble Edition – High resolution and Atmos available))
  • 5-CD Deluxe box set (Album, demos, remixes, Live from Chicago)
  • 8-LP Deluxe box set (Album, demos, remixes, Live from Chicago on black vinyl)

Unlike the last two box sets, it appears that the full contents will not be available on streaming services, and only the main album and the Re-Assemble demos will be available when the album launches. Vertigo 05: Live from Chicago was released in 2005 and celebrates its own 20th anniversary next year. This is the first time it has been released in an audio format. The audio is remastered and newly edited for this release.

In Japan, a standalone version of the album will be released on SHM-CD formats. There will also be a SHM-CD release of the box set in Japan. Both of these will be domestic releases and not available elsewhere. Those that purchase either format early via Amazon in Japan will also receive a special “mega jacket”, a 24-cm by 24-cm print of the front cover. At other retailers in Japan early purchases will come with a 110×100mm sticker of one of two designs. (See catalog section below for more details.)

Additionally, the week after the main release, two special releases will be released on Black Friday, November 29, 2024. The demos LP will be released as a standalone album, How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb. Unlike the version in the box set, the RSD release will be on black and red marble vinyl, and will include a slightly different album cover. The demo album will also be released to digital services by itself on this day. We have a separate discography entry for this specific release.

The contents of the boxed sets are spread out over multiple discs, but are the same in each format (CD and vinyl):

  • How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (the album, single disc on CD / double disc on vinyl)
  • How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb (10-track demo album, single disc on CD / single disc on vinyl)
  • Vertigo: Live from Chicago 2005 (2-disc on CD / 3-disc on vinyl)
  • B-Sides and Remixes (1-disc on CD / 2-disc on vinyl)
  • The box sets will be packaged with a book of Anton Corbijn photography

Videos taken from the show in Chicago are being used to promote the anniversary release on YouTube, as well as some additional documentary footage:

The gem of this collection is the 10-track demo disc in the deluxe sets, which includes a number of tracks released here for the first time. “I Don’t Wanna See You Smile” previously appeared on “The Complete U2“ and “Are You Gonna Wait Forever?” was a B-side to the original “Vertigo” single. The other tracks are new versions, or completely new to us songs. “Picture of You (X+W)” is an alternate version of “Xanax and Wine”, which eventually became “Fast Cars”. The Edge’s “Theme from The Batman” will be included as well, the instrumental piece was the title track for the cartoon, The Batman in 2004. “All Because of You 2” is a new version of the song, adding to the version that previously available on “The Complete U2“ and Medium, Rare and Remastered.

Other titles are new songs for the band including “Evidence of Life”, “Luckiest Man In the World”, “Treason”, “Country Mile”, and “Happiness”.“Treason“, a song that Bono developed with Dr. Dre and Dave Stewart in 2002, and further developed in studio with U2. Dr. Dre doesn’t appear on this version, but Dave Stewart does, co-producing with Jacknife Lee and adding guitar. Dr. Dre’s protege, Mike Elizondo is credited with programming. Backing vocals are by the Gateway Ambassador Singers. “Mercy”, a fan favourite, leaked in 2004, does make an appearance as “Luckiest Man in the World” with some changes in lyrics.

To date, very little merchandise has been made available for this release in comparison to past campaigns. On November 13, bundles containing the black and red ink-spot vinyl of Dismantle were added to the band’s website. One bundle came with an illustrated tote bag, and the other came with a T-shirt. Both the tote and T-shirt could also be purchased separate. On November 22, an additional Live from Chicago T-Shirt was added to celebrate the streaming of that live show. A special offer to fans who had applied to attend listening parties allowed fans to buy another tote, with a 3-symbol design. (At this time, the link provided has not worked for any fans.) The 3-symbol tote was also made available via Spotify when streaming the album, and is fulfilled via U2.com. In comparison to these 4 items, over 25 items were made available with a similar box set launch for All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

Liner Notes

Related Promotional Videos

Related News

Catalog of Releases