U2

“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”

Interscope Records

11 tracks @ 49:08

What's this?

Back in the day when I was still listening to lots of secular music, U2 struck me as one of the last rock bands to have a social conscious. I stopped listening to U2 after the “Joshua Tree” record. Later releases really didn't speak to me either.

I do admire Bono. He's used his platform to advance social causes, not by merely being a celebrity spokesperson but by being an activist. And when he's called on the United States government, it's not to perform at some campaign rally or political convention or White House Christmas party but to lobby for real change and action, to help the helpless and hopeless. Really, who among us would be aware of Third World debt if it were not for Bono? Why did Bono make an appeal to U.S churches on the AIDS crisis in Africa and not the other way around?

It's not my intent to elevate the man to sainthood, as we ALL are sinners. But one only needs to read the January issue of CCM magazine to learn how much of an influence U2 has on Christian artists. ChristianityToday.com also did a recent, excellent feature on the band, including its contradictions. But again, in matters of faith, who amongst us doesn't have paradoxes?

I'll say this about “Atomic Bomb;” I've heard many songs (and occasionally entire CDs) by Christian artists that fall short of the spirituality and faith expressed in this record.

“Vertigo,” the record's first single (and part of the hype machine-sorry but I'm not buying an iPod), ends with the lyric “Your love is teaching me how to kneel.” There are not a lot of songs on mainstream radio that reference humility, let alone prayer.

“Crumbs from Your Table” comes from Matthew 15: 21-28. However, the person referred to in this song does not have the great faith of the woman in the Bible verses. “You speak of signs and wonders, I need something other.”

In “All Because of You,” Bono sings “I was born a child of grace.” The final song, “Yahweh,” has a clear reference to Matthew 5:14. It also contains the plea, “Take this soul, stranded in some skin and bones, take this soul and make it sing.” Is there a Christian radio station out there brave enough to play this song? If so, I hope it's not because of the usual motives-hits. Some time I'd love to address the issue of just what is a Christian hit song any way? Chart success? Does God really care about chart success?

U2 has done a lot of politically oriented songs. “Love and Peace or Else” follows in that tradition. Referring to the Middle East , “the troops are on the ground, are about to dig in, where is the love?” I don't know about you, but I have never heard the words “love” and “ Iraq ” used together by any of our leaders.

In many ways, this is U2's most mature record. I hope another four years doesn't pass before their next record.

Finally, what's the answer to the situation posed in the title? I read that Michael W. Smith was paying a visit to the band (MWS receives a thank you in Bomb's liner notes). Bono asked MWS what he thought the answer was. MWS didn't know. “Love,” Bono said.

When will we ever get it?

- Rob S.