Rattle And Hum
by U2

Rattle and hum, is U2 taking us on a journey of the history of rock. There's covers of The Beatles and Dylan, Hendrix appears on the record, and the band record a handful of songs at sun studios where Elvis recorded his earliest songs. Elsewhere, there's songs about Billie Holiday, references to John Coltrane, Miles Davis and a dedication to John Lennon. It's as if U2 are inducting themselves into the rock and roll hall of fame, as if they are saying, hey, we belong here too. As for the music itself, it's really a two part album, live songs and new studio tracks. Off the studio jobs, desire, Angel of Harlem, and, all I want is you, are the best of 'em, van diemens land is a good protest number, the others so-so. Off the live tracks, included is an absolutely dreadful version of Dylan's, all along the watchtower, did the band know the song? Does the edge know what key they're in? Oh well, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, is enjoyable, but by the time we get to, silver and gold? Yes, Bono, you are starting to bug me. Rattle and hum, is hubristic, pompous and overblown, but some of it's okay, it would have been better and more dignified if they had just released an e.p of new songs. Having said all that, it can be an enjoyable listen. (Edited)

From RoundTheBend TOP 100 COMMENTER 04/18/2016 01:07 | #164043 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

So... in the past few months I've been kind of dogging on this album without even hearing it (recently, I grew up on it)... Damn is it 10 times better than any album ranked near it. It is currently at 144th of the 80s chart of this site. I will agree though I'm still not crazy about the covers, but when you watch the movie... it makes sense. Kinda wish it would have been a 10 song LP or 5 song EP and then I think this thing would have been at least in the top 50.

How does an album with great songs like these get ranked so low? Bias much?

I can think of SOO many albums from the top 50 to 100 of the 80s that don't have this many good songs on it:

Desire
Silver And Gold
Angel Of Harlem
Love Rescue Me
God Part II
All I Want Is You

From RoundTheBend TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/21/2013 01:10 | #69246 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I also agree, that maybe this album would be better with the original songs released as a U2 EP and then release this as a soundtrack... but it is what it is, and in a way, I like it the way it is.

From RoundTheBend TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/21/2013 01:09 | #69245 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Contrary to what most people think, I think this was more an homage to the people they looked up to, NOT, oh we are now on the level with John Lennon, Bob Dylan, etc., rather a humble homage.

I think the fact that Bono, who in my opinion actually was a humble guy at the time, was told he was a pretentious twat because of this, put himself as one in the 90s and then made fun of it with Macphisto, because of this album and misinterpretation of it. The same people that didn't understand this album, also don't understand that. (Edited)

Overall: 9.0

Top Tracks: "Angel of Harlem", "God Part II", "All I Want is You"

Pompous as all hell, but with U2 that's not a valid criticism, kinda just goes with the territory. It's as underrated as it is pretentious, but it's also one of their best collections of songs up to this point. (Edited)