# U2 "how to build/dismantle an atomic bomb"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620 "2004-11-19T06:14:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/21 "2004-11-21T16:47:59Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > And to think I got on the SDMB to see if others were cringing about the embarrassing way Bono was mugging for the camera . . . Not at all. I figure if you’re going to perform , PERFORM. Put on a show. Don’t pretend like you’re embarrassed to be there. You’re a rock star; play the part. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/22 "2004-11-21T21:20:34Z")
I just got the DVD from the Elevation tour of 2001, which I saw live in Stockholm. What was remarkable about that tour was that they essentially made a club tour for arenas. Bass, guitar and drums with Hewson on song and occasionally guitar. It was kinda brave of them to do something that… naked, I guess. Also maybe a reply to the criticism that they were getting to big for their own good. It was an amazing concert and the DVD is top notch. When they do “Desire”, almost unplugged, standing in the middle of the audience, it’s quite certain that they are demi-gods. And I don’t care if Bono is in love with himslef, the camera and all his political self importance or whatever criticism is thrown his way - He _is_ a god on stage, plays the part perfectly and that’s how it should be. I’m not gonna pay €40 to see a guy mumble and turn his back towards the audience, I want a frikkin show. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/23 "2004-11-22T00:36:43Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > And to think I got on the SDMB to see if others were cringing about the embarrassing way Bono was mugging for the camera . . . Nah, that’s been part of the act since at least ZooTV. I fully agree with **The Gaspode** on the issue - U2 puts on an incredible show, and Bono’s ego really only helps in that area. At least he’s honest on the new album, with the lyric “I like the sound of my own voice/I didn’t give anyone else a choice” ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/24 "2004-11-22T06:31:56Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Nah, that’s been part of the act since at least ZooTV. I fully agree with **The Gaspode** on the issue - U2 puts on an incredible show, and Bono’s ego really only helps in that area. At least he’s honest on the new album, with the lyric “I like the sound of my own voice/I didn’t give anyone else a choice” Granted, I can’t claim I’d complain if Bono gave me a lap dance . . . ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/25 "2004-12-05T23:32:35Z")
Sorry to bump this thread, but I have some “hard info”, as it were. U2 were on _Friday Night With Jonathan Ross_ (a UK talk show) a couple of days ago, and Bono mentioned in passing that they were "originally going to call it ‘How to _Build_ An Atomic Bomb’, but they changed it. He didn’t elaborate on why they changed it, though. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/26 "2004-12-05T23:48:42Z")
I like it a lot better than _AYCLB_, about which I was fairly lukewarm. (Everybody seemed relieved that they were getting away from what they had done with _Achtung Baby_/_Zooropa_/_Pop_, but I liked those albums. I don’t want them to make _The Joshua Tree_ again–they already made it once.) I anxiously await the tour. I saw them on both the PopMart and the Elevation tours, both of which kicked tremendous ass. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620/27 "2004-12-06T12:49:51Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > I don’t visit iTunes since I’m Canadian, so I can’t get any songs off it, [Time to start](http://www.apple.com/ca/itunes/), and it’s cheaper than in the U.S. too! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u2-how-to-build-dismantle-an-atomic-bomb/275620.md?page=1)