Let’s talk about Rattle and Hum.
I may be the odd duck here, but Rattle and Hum is my favorite U2 album. I love the combination of live and studio cuts, and the Americana influence on the sound. There isn’t a bad tune on the album. Some highlights:
*Hawkmoon 269* : a massively underrated and seemingly forgotten tune. The ominous instrumental atmosphere, Bono’s low range, and the harmonies at “the night has no end” section are some of the reasons I love it. Randomly, Bob Dylan played organ on this. I think he must have happened to be in the studio mainly for Love Rescue Me which he cowrote. Apparently 268 comes from the fact that this is the 269th mix they did of the song.
*I Still Haven’t Found… (live gospel version)* :this is actually my favorite version of the song. The choir just makes me feel so deeply. When the gospel bridge comes in over a distinctly U2 instrumental, it is such a creative and effective hybrid of genres.
Even the covers are good. As a massive Beatles fan, I think I actually prefer U2’s Helter Skelter. They also slay All Along the Watchtower. It’s funny to see the film where they are learning the song moments before playing/recording it live, and noticing that Bono doesn’t remember all of the lyrics but repeats some and adds his own little bit “the rest is up to you” off the cuff.
Speaking of the film…they do come off as a bit pretentious and self mythologizing at times (some of the stage banter feels too scripted), which may have contributed to the negative critical reaction to the film/album. But this has got to be peak Bono (in every way). And I kind of like when they look like they are trying too hard to be cool, because it just shows them being real people. It’s a bit goofy.m but…It’s also exhilarating to watch a band play these massive concerts before in ear monitors and click tracks became standard, having to trust each other on the subtleties of arrangements and doing a bit of improvising.