How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (Shadow Album)

For the 20th Anniversary of "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," U2 remastered the original record and released a bevy of remixes as well as the entire Verigo Live from Chicago show from 2005, but the big ticket item was something they called "How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb" - a Shadow Album - of 10 songs that didn't make HTDAAB. The reaction to this Shadow Album has been resoundly positive - even the haters have been quiet about it. But is that because its been so long since U2 has released something that sounds so fresh and exciting? Or is it because these songs are so unadorned and, not so fussy...that it speaks to what's been missing and so frustrating about U2's output the last decade or so? From the critics to long time fans - and even Oasis' Noel Gallagher chimed in - they're all asking the same question: "Why the hell didn't these songs make it onto HTDAAB?" We take a deep dive into all that and even give our picks for the 12 songs that whould make a definitive HTDAAB.