Rattle and Hum

Rattle and Hum
Artwork for compact disc release
Studio album with live tracks by
U2
Released10 October 1988
Recorded1987–1988
VenueVarious locations
Studio
GenreRoots rock[1]
Length72:27
LabelIsland
ProducerJimmy Iovine
U2 chronology
The Joshua Tree
(1987) 		Rattle and Hum
(1988) 		Achtung Baby
(1991)
Singles from Rattle and Hum
  1. "Desire"
    Released: 19 September 1988[2]
  2. "Angel of Harlem"
    Released: 5 December 1988[3]
  3. "When Love Comes to Town"
    Released: March 1989
  4. "All I Want Is You"
    Released: 12 June 1989

Rattle and Hum is a hybrid live/studio album by Irish rock band U2, and a companion rockumentary film directed by Phil Joanou. The album was produced by Jimmy Iovine and was released on 10 October 1988, while the film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and was released on 27 October 1988. Following the breakthrough success of the band's previous studio album, The Joshua Tree, the Rattle and Hum project captures their continued experiences with American roots music on the Joshua Tree Tour, further incorporating elements of blues rock, folk rock, and gospel music into their sound. A collection of new studio tracks, live performances, and cover songs, the project includes recordings at Sun Studio in Memphis and collaborations with Bob Dylan, B. B. King, and Harlem's New Voices of Freedom gospel choir.

Although Rattle and Hum was intended to represent the band paying tribute to legendary musicians, some critics accused U2 of trying to place themselves amongst the ranks of such artists. Critical reception to both the album and the film was mixed; one Rolling Stone editor spoke of the album's "excitement"; another described it as "misguided and bombastic".[4] The film grossed just $8.6 million, but the album was a commercial success, reaching number one in several countries and selling 14 million copies. The lead single "Desire" became the band's first UK number-one song while reaching number three in the US.[5] Facing creative stagnation and a critical backlash to Rattle and Hum, U2 reinvented themselves in the 1990s through a new musical direction and public image.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference allmusic-review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 40.
  3. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 43.
  4. ^ Gardner, Elysa (9 January 1992). "U2's 'Achtung Baby': Bring the Noise". Rolling Stone. No. 621. p. 51. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  5. ^ McGee (2008), p. 119