U2 – Rattle And Hum

U2 – Rattle And Hum (Island 842 299-2, PMDC France, matrix 842 299-2 00A L7 1-L (1988–1990)

A very likely early European PMDC France pressing using the original Island mastering, preserving exactly the raw and analog character this album needs. DR11 combined with low RMS values clearly shows that the mastering was never pushed for loudness and still retains excellent space and dynamic reserve. This is not a flashy modern remaster, but an old-school transfer with natural tonality and outstanding long-term listenability.

The sound is dark, spacious, and highly atmospheric. The live tracks carry impressive hall depth, guitars never become aggressive, and Bono remains naturally embedded in the mix instead of being unnaturally pushed forward. Acoustic and quieter moments such as Van Diemen’s Land and Freedom For My People retain exceptional headroom and breathe beautifully. The album keeps that dusty American-road atmosphere which many later remasters partially lost.

Dynamic Range Values

- Helter Skelter — DR11
-Desire — DR11
-Hawkmoon 269 — DR12
- Freedom For My People — DR13
- Bullet The Blue Sky — DR13
- All I Want Is You — DR12

Peak Levels

- several tracks showing over...
- very conservative peak levels on quieter tracks
- Freedom For My People — Peak -10.45 dB
- The Star Spangled Banner — Peak -8.43 dB

Reference

YES — a highly musical early European pressing with the original dynamic Island mastering. One of those older Island/PMDC CDs that may not sound spectacular at first, but deliver exceptional atmosphere, space, and fatigue-free long-term listening.

Boring. Only saviour is "When Love Comes To Town". Rest is typical U2 over produced sound alike.

This may be the most underrated U2 album ever. People say it's their weakest effort and feels like a scrapbook rather than a proper album, but I like it a lot. The film itself was pretty self-indulgent, so you basically get the best of it here. That said, Bono's onstage announcements on "Helter Skelter" and "Silver and Gold" are overwrought, and "God Part II" is rather sneering. But most of the studio cuts are absolutely bone-chilling, and it sounds like Bono wasn't thinking of himself for once.

Now that I think of it, maybe they should let The Edge sing more often...

This album is straight fire, and the NZ pressing sounds top-notch. It's crazy how this album is still underrated. The tracks on here are straight up gems, reflecting the peak 80s vibe they were known for.

The cassette I submitted features unlisted song "A Day Without Me" on side A after "Luminous Times (Hold On To Love)". Don't know if this was intended by manufacturer, or added by previous owner

Any comments on the sound quality of this? I notices my 2nd and Charles seems to have an influx of these so I am presuming this a repress but not a fully remaster?

This is a spectacular CD. The music is 6 stars out of 5. The world stopped when this came out back in Chicago. All parties/bars in the late 80’s and 90’s played songs from this CD. The songs are awesome. But,,, this vinyl record sounds just OK. Maybe it was mixed/mastered for CDs????? Someday this will get a proper release and it will blow us away again like the CD version did back when.

It's very good yugoslavian press - clear and crisp sound.

This album has been bypassed as this is the latest pressing, 2002? Better off with an original. Maybe a 40th in 2028? Some good stuff on it. It's half album, half compilation I guess.

Considering some of the tracks are recorded live, this is a really good pressing. Whole album is at the same level, no having to turn up or down on tracks which you sometimes get, no noise that should be there, just great music. It's definitely an underrated for U2, but one of the best I think, some killer tracks.