Instead of politics let’s argue U2 albums. I’ll start with an album I feel strongly about, the album that got me into this band...Rattle & Hum.
Rattle & Hum - 9/10
1.
Helter Skelter - 8/10A solid cover and good opener. Sets the tone that this won’t be an ambient, arty, or experimental album, but more in your face, harder, and passionate.
2.
Van Diemen’s Land - 8.5/10Sits in between two big rock songs, showcasing the Edge. Fragile and sparse and feels like an old Dylan song.
3.
Desire - 10/10To this day their best rock single. 3 minute power pop in the same vein of those mid 60’s power pop rock songs by the Who, the Stones, the Kinks, etc...
4.
Hawkmoon 269 - 10/10My favourite U2 rock song. Primal and passionate, the tension buildup until Bono let’s loose. Larry absolutely shines on this one. It’s really a shame they never made this a live staple.
5.
All Along The Watchtower - 8/10Songs been covered a million times, but I like this version. Bono really coming into his prime as a vocalist. He has a power and confidence in this period he didn’t show before.
6.
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - 7/10Great song but don’t really see why this version was included on the album. Should have left it for a b-side.
7.
Silver & Gold - 7.5/10I don’t consider Freedom for my People a U2 song so I’m skipping to Silver and Gold. I like this version better then the studio and Bono’s lyrics are top notch, similar to Dylan protest songs. I graded a little lower because of the preaching which should have been cut out. It may work in the live setting in the moment, but after repeated listens it gets tiresome.
8.
Pride - 8.5/10My favourite version of this song, but much like I Still Haven’t Found, I don’t think songs that appeared on prior albums needed to be included.
9.
Angel of Harlem - 10/10One of my favourite pop/rock songs- by anybody. 60’s soul with a U2 twist. Great melody, lyric, and vocals from Bono. U2 has struggled with pure pop songs but in this era they were writing great ones: I still think if they had done a proper version of She’s a Mystery for this album and released it they would have had another number 1. Angel of Harlem would have fit in well in Exile on Main St. era Stones. I bet they would have done a stellar version of it.
10.
Love Rescue Me - 10/10I know others don’t, but I love this song and it’s a style I wish they explored more. Bono once again with great lyrics and vocal. It’s to bad we never got to hear the version Bob Dylan sang, which Bono called “astonishing”.
11.
When Love Comes to Town - 8/10Cool song with great lyrics. Not a style we’ve really seen before or after from them, but it shows they can write a nice little bluesy rock song.
12.
Heartland - 9.5/10Simply gorgeous. A song that takes you on a trip through deserts dry and cool green valleys. Forgotten classic.
13.
God Part 2 - 9/10Another forgotten classic. One of U2’s better rock songs where the Edge, Adam, and Larry really shine. This song should have made an appearance on some subsequent tours.
14.
Bullet the Blue Sky - 7.5/10See I Still Haven’t Found and Pride. Great version but doesn’t need to be on the album.
15.
All I Want Is You - 10/10Probably U2’s best album closer and one of their great ballads. Bono with a great delivery and lyric. Edge with a nice melodic solo. Beautiful way to close a special album.
In terms of studio tracks, this is one of the bands best albums. Individually each member shines. Some great moments from the Edge and Adam, Larry has never been better, and Bono is in peak form both lyrically and vocally which he would carry well into the 90’s.
Add She’s A Mystery and take out the 3 tracks that had previously appeared on albums and Rattle & Hum is a 10/10.