I somewhat took pride in the fact that the mainstream media blasted U2 for this album/movie, but I could appreciate the brilliance of the music.
R&H means alot to me, mostly because it was the first album I bought after JT. The reason it was so special was because JT had sucked me in, taking me from a melody loving popaholic, to really understanding what meaningful music was about (think going from Thriller to Mother of the Disappeared). Music meant so much more to me after JT, and I've always appreciated U2 for being that influence. I think it was because of that love for JT that the anticiaption for R&H was my first real "jones" session for music. I couldn't get enough of the band, and listened to all I could after JT, but I wanted new stuff, and R&H gave that. Simply put, I was amazed. Songs that I never thought I'd enjoy all the sudden sounded incredible to me. Lyrics became something I understood to be as, if not more, important than the music itself, and R&H offered some great songs. Honestly, I still consider Love Rescue Me as one of the best on the album.
Two things I remember from back in 88.
Memory #1: Listening to R&H the day it came out in my 76 Chevy Monte Carlo (more boat than car) on my way to work and back for a week straight. With so many songs on the album, it took a while to run through it a few times.
Memory #2: Me and my friend getting our buzz on before going and checking out the movie in the theaters. I probably wouldn't have remembered too much about that night, if not for the fact I had to change a fucking blowout on that same POS 76 Monte Carlo mentioned above.
Anyone ever try changing a tire while buzzed? I think I dropped the car on my foot, but can't quite remember...
R&H brings back some good memories of some good times.