Music is a Strange Hobby

Excellent first thoughts on U2's new album,How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, detailing much of the musical excellence that one's come to expect from U2.

There's also a challenge facing music fans and critics alike when listening to How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb: Is it good enough for U2 to be U2 and create good songs in their signature style or must they continue the Achtung Baby-Zooropa-Pop trajectory of constant reinvention and pushing the limits of their sound? Your answer to these questions will probably have a lot to do with your reaction to the new album. I'll break it down, song by song.

A more detailed review is at blogcritics, but still early thoughts.

The album title is provocative, and warrants further deconstruction. It reminds one of college textbooks, or hobbyist manuals, but who would be in such a college, and what kind of hobby? Apparently, the answer to the eponymous question is 'Love', which is somehow not quite satisfying.