Earlier this year, we were told it was unlikely U2 would look at an anniversary edition of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The album celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year. At the time, we were told that the band were working on putting together a compilation album of previously unheard demo tracks which would be the next physical release from the back catalog. It appears that plan has shifted, and those same sources, tell us that the band is indeed now working to assemble an Atomic Bomb anniversary box set to celebrate the 20th anniversary. The band were present in Los Angeles for meetings with their label prior to the current holiday period they have been enjoying. It is believed that they handed over the masters for a box set for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb which is now heading to be pressed to allow it to be in stores later this year. And yes, we expect some of those demos will now appear on this compilation instead.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was originally released in November 2004. We expect that this new collection will be formally announced in September. At this time it has not been announced by U2 or their label, Universal Records. Formats will include basic pressings of the album on vinyl and CD, as well as a deluxe CD, and a bigger boxed set containing additional material. It’s not the only release expected this Fall. U2 have already announced “Zoo TV Live in Dublin“, an EP of live tracks from the Dublin 1993 shows. Additionally, we are expecting a single for the Black Friday Record Store Day release. And we are told that work continues to finalize a film that celebrates Achtung Baby that will show at Sphere.
This new release will feature the original album, b-sides taken from the original singles, as well as remixes and live tracks. We are also told that there will be additional unreleased material included in the set, but at this time the full contents are not known. The previous two box sets, The Joshua Tree and All That You Can’t Leave Behind, were packaged with a live show in audio format as well as several studio extras. The Joshua Tree included a number of new remixes done for the release, as well as an alternate mix of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as new studio content. All That You Can’t Leave Behind included three remixes for new studio content in the box. In each case a song was released ahead of the boxed set to promote the album. In 2017 it was a new remix of “Red Hill Mining Town” and in 2020 it was the acoustic version of “Stuck in a Moment That You Can’t Get Out Of.” Once the contents of the album have been revealed we’ll have a closer look at the breakdown of new and old materials. Like The Joshua Tree and All That You Can’t Leave Behind this box is expected to focus on audio.
How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was produced by Steve Lillywhite, with Jacknife Lee, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Flood also receiving production credits. Work on the album started under producer Chris Thomas.
The How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album came out in 2004, and was accompanied by a number of singles to promote the album. Additional non-album tracks released during the campaign included “Fast Cars”, and its earlier version, “Xanax and Wine”. “Smile” was released via The Complete U2 from the recording sessions, as was “Native Son”, an early version of “Vertigo”. A cover of Kraftwerk’s “Neon Lights” and “Are You Gonna Wait Forever?” also appeared as B-Sides, as did a remix by Jacknife Lee of a Bono / Pavarotti performance of “Ave Maria”.
“Mercy” was one of the songs that was cut at the last minute from the album, and while never released, a studio version of the song leaked in 2004. To date, only a live version of the song has been released. Other songs like “Neanderthal”, “You Can’t Give Your Heart Away” and “All of My Life” haven’t been heard, or if they have, have changed into something else along the way. “Thank You for the Day” went on to be recorded by Daniel Lanois, and “North Star”, like “Mercy”, was tried out on stage during the U2360 tour, and even makes a brief appearance in one of the Transformers films. Beyond the possible demos and the B-Sides that were released, a wealth of material exists from the era in the form of remixes, and edits and live material. We list those later in the article.