 Much like their previous album "All That You Can't Leave Behind" (2000), the record exhibits a more mainstream rock sound after the band experimented with alternative rock and dance music in the 1990s.It was produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production from Chris Thomas, Jacknife Lee, Nellee Hooper, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Carl Glanville.Looking for a more hard-hitting sound than that of their previous album, U2 began recording "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" in February 2003 with Thomas.