Some Haunting Iconic Sounds, Bono At His Best (Rattle And Hum - U2)

Member Name: andyoz

Product:	Rattle And Hum - U2
Date:	17/06/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some awesome songs

Disadvantages: To many live tracks

I love U2. Think they have done some stunning songs over the years. Have seen them live a few times and have been blown away. Rattle and Hum came out way back in 1988, before my time really as I was only 7! But years later I bought this album and fell in love with it. It is probably one of U2's most well known albums with some huge tracks on it. But how good is it overall, well here is what I think of the album:

1. Helter Skelter - Poor start. This is a live track, and it's just weak. I don't understand why they would open the album with this song. 6/10

2. Van Diemen's Land - A strange little song. Classic Irish sound to it, certainly not what you would call a U2 song. A nice one though. 7/10

3. Desire - Classic. One of their biggest ever songs, those quick chords repeated over and over, magic. The lyrics are nothing special when you listen to them, but the rythym is just intoxicating. 9/10

4. Hawkmoon 269 - Strange intro, sounds like a fairground ride. Then the songs kicks off. This is a very powerful sounding song, it just feels big. 8/10

5. All Along The WatchTower - Very well known song. Lot's of band do this song. Is another live track which does not sound as good as the other songs on the album. 7/10

6. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Another live version. Has a gospel choir on this version, I'm not keen on it. Prefer the original version, this version is not as good. 7/10

7. Freedom For My People - Little song from some blues guy. Bit weird. 6/10

8. Silver And Gold - Live again, am not keen on the live tracks really. But this one is quite a good track. Although gets very political near the end, as Bono so often does. 8/10

9. Pride - Another massive song. Again this is live. But it still sounds great. Again the original is far better but still enjoy listening to this version. 8/10

10. Angel of Harlem - Brilliant. A really good sound to this one, a track I have always liked. Love the jazz in the background, works so well. 9/10

11. Love Rescue Me - A chilled out little song. Although it does build up near the end. Not one of my favorites on the album. 6/10

12. When Love Comes To Town - Decent song, but just does not quite do it for me. Has B.B King doing some vocals on this track, not to keen on the sound. 6/10

13. Heartland - I do like this one. Has a haunting sound to it, that really send chills down your spine. 8/10

14. God Pt 2 - Another good song, but not a great song. Just more of the same really. 7/10

15. The Star Spangled Banner - Just what it says, played on electric guitar live. 5/10

16. Bullet In The Blue Sky - Another live track. And a poor one in my opinion. Not a big fan of this song anyway, but live it's poor. 6/10

17. All I Want Is You - They need a big finish. They get it! A brilliant finish to the album, beautiful music, beautiful lyrics and just a wonderful song! 9/10

So overall I do really like this album. But there are a lot of songs I tend to skip. Mainly the live ones. There are some classic tracks here though and it's a great listen that everyone should own!

Overall it gets a 8/10

Summary: A classic album by a huge band