U2 was not just one of the seminal rock bands of the Eighties and Nineties; they are one of the greatest rock bands in the history of Rock & Roll. The Dublin quartet had already been established as a very talented group, but they skyrocketed to superstardom with their 1987 release, "The Joshua Tree." The band was on top of the world and one of the biggest names in the music business when they decided to stretch their influence from radio stations to theatrical houses with the concert film "U2: Rattle and Hum." Lead singer Bono had become a poster boy rock star and the band who thrived on putting on the big shows strived to deliver a more personal look into the band with documentary segments spaced between songs in the film. Unfortunately, where "The Joshua Tree" sizzled the airwaves, "Rattle and Hum" fizzled in the projector booths.
"Rattle and Hum" is a nice little collection of many of U2´s hits from both "The Joshua Tree" and their earlier albums. In some ways, it feels like an early Greatest Hits presentation via live music videos. If you are a fan of U2´s music, then "Rattle and Hum" is perfectly acceptable as a musical entry in one´s collection. However, as a film, "Rattle and Hum" suffers miserably. A few quick interview segments are pieced together where the band is given time to discuss their influences and what makes them tick. However, the bandmates typically laugh their way through the interviewing moments and provide very little information on who these men are and why they play their music. They are self-serving moments for Bono and the other men and by entertaining themselves, they are completely ignoring the audience that this film was intended for. "Rattle and Hum" feels as if it were made solely for U2 and not for their fans.
Not every track is an arena-based live rendition of an album track. "When Love Comes to Town" finds BB King jamming with the band in one of the rare moments where the band gives insight into their influences. "Angel of Desire" and "I Still Haven´t Found What I´m Looking For" find interesting backing instruments and vocals that breed new life to the tracks. The band dabbles in covers and deliver a raucous performance of Bob Dylan´s "All Along the Watchtower." The song list mentions the Rolling Stones´ "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Ruby Tuesday," but disappointingly, only a few lines are sung from each of the classic tunes. I had hoped for complete versions and feel the tracks should not have been even listed as ´selections.´ It is comforting and enjoyable to hear some of my old U2 favorites brought to life in a new light, but "Rattle and Hum" is still left feeling like that bonus disc of outtakes you find in a box set.
"Rattle and Hum" is a nice little collection of many of U2´s hits from both "The Joshua Tree" and their earlier albums. In some ways, it feels like an early Greatest Hits presentation via live music videos. If you are a fan of U2´s music, then "Rattle and Hum" is perfectly acceptable as a musical entry in one´s collection. However, as a film, "Rattle and Hum" suffers miserably. A few quick interview segments are pieced together where the band is given time to discuss their influences and what makes them tick. However, the bandmates typically laugh their way through the interviewing moments and provide very little information on who these men are and why they play their music. They are self-serving moments for Bono and the other men and by entertaining themselves, they are completely ignoring the audience that this film was intended for. "Rattle and Hum" feels as if it were made solely for U2 and not for their fans.
Not every track is an arena-based live rendition of an album track. "When Love Comes to Town" finds BB King jamming with the band in one of the rare moments where the band gives insight into their influences. "Angel of Desire" and "I Still Haven´t Found What I´m Looking For" find interesting backing instruments and vocals that breed new life to the tracks. The band dabbles in covers and deliver a raucous performance of Bob Dylan´s "All Along the Watchtower." The song list mentions the Rolling Stones´ "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Ruby Tuesday," but disappointingly, only a few lines are sung from each of the classic tunes. I had hoped for complete versions and feel the tracks should not have been even listed as ´selections.´ It is comforting and enjoyable to hear some of my old U2 favorites brought to life in a new light, but "Rattle and Hum" is still left feeling like that bonus disc of outtakes you find in a box set.
U2 was not just one of the seminal rock bands of the Eighties and Nineties; they are one of the greatest rock bands in the history of Rock & Roll. The Dublin quartet had already been established as a very talented group, but they skyrocketed to superstardom with their 1987 release, "The Joshua Tree." The band was on top of the world and one of the biggest names in the music business when they decided to stretch their influence from radio stations to theatrical houses with the concert film "U2: Rattle and Hum." Lead singer Bono had become a poster boy rock star and the band who thrived on putting on the big shows strived to deliver a more personal look into the band with documentary segments spaced between songs in the film. Unfortunately, where "The Joshua Tree" sizzled the airwaves, "Rattle and Hum" fizzled in the projector booths.
"Rattle and Hum" is a nice little collection of many of U2´s hits from both "The Joshua Tree" and their earlier albums. In some ways, it feels like an early Greatest Hits presentation via live music videos. If you are a fan of U2´s music, then "Rattle and Hum" is perfectly acceptable as a musical entry in one´s collection. However, as a film, "Rattle and Hum" suffers miserably. A few quick interview segments are pieced together where the band is given time to discuss their influences and what makes them tick. However, the bandmates typically laugh their way through the interviewing moments and provide very little information on who these men are and why they play their music. They are self-serving moments for Bono and the other men and by entertaining themselves, they are completely ignoring the audience that this film was intended for. "Rattle and Hum" feels as if it were made solely for U2 and not for their fans.
Not every track is an arena-based live rendition of an album track. "When Love Comes to Town" finds BB King jamming with the band in one of the rare moments where the band gives insight into their influences. "Angel of Desire" and "I Still Haven´t Found What I´m Looking For" find interesting backing instruments and vocals that breed new life to the tracks. The band dabbles in covers and deliver a raucous performance of Bob Dylan´s "All Along the Watchtower." The song list mentions the Rolling Stones´ "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Ruby Tuesday," but disappointingly, only a few lines are sung from each of the classic tunes. I had hoped for complete versions and feel the tracks should not have been even listed as ´selections.´ It is comforting and enjoyable to hear some of my old U2 favorites brought to life in a new light, but "Rattle and Hum" is still left feeling like that bonus disc of outtakes you find in a box set.
"Rattle and Hum" is a nice little collection of many of U2´s hits from both "The Joshua Tree" and their earlier albums. In some ways, it feels like an early Greatest Hits presentation via live music videos. If you are a fan of U2´s music, then "Rattle and Hum" is perfectly acceptable as a musical entry in one´s collection. However, as a film, "Rattle and Hum" suffers miserably. A few quick interview segments are pieced together where the band is given time to discuss their influences and what makes them tick. However, the bandmates typically laugh their way through the interviewing moments and provide very little information on who these men are and why they play their music. They are self-serving moments for Bono and the other men and by entertaining themselves, they are completely ignoring the audience that this film was intended for. "Rattle and Hum" feels as if it were made solely for U2 and not for their fans.
Not every track is an arena-based live rendition of an album track. "When Love Comes to Town" finds BB King jamming with the band in one of the rare moments where the band gives insight into their influences. "Angel of Desire" and "I Still Haven´t Found What I´m Looking For" find interesting backing instruments and vocals that breed new life to the tracks. The band dabbles in covers and deliver a raucous performance of Bob Dylan´s "All Along the Watchtower." The song list mentions the Rolling Stones´ "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Ruby Tuesday," but disappointingly, only a few lines are sung from each of the classic tunes. I had hoped for complete versions and feel the tracks should not have been even listed as ´selections.´ It is comforting and enjoyable to hear some of my old U2 favorites brought to life in a new light, but "Rattle and Hum" is still left feeling like that bonus disc of outtakes you find in a box set.
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