Have you got many albums in your collection that you don’t like to admit owning or playing? Some that you keep quiet about but still enjoy hearing. There are lots of reasons why a particular album might be your guilty pleasure.
Perhaps they aren't the style of music that you normally listen to. Maybe everyone knows you are heavily into classic rock or metal, but you've got a sweet soul or RnB disc that you love. Or maybe it’s as far as a real cheesy pop album that you have tucked away for when the time is right to hear it again.
It could be a perfectly respectable album from a top artist, but perhaps not their best work. At times, the critics can be harsh, and the public perception of an album can be lowered. Or maybe the artists themselves have gone out of favor and are seen as dated and unpopular. But no matter what, the album remains relevant and liked by you and still gets played.
Five great guilty pleasure albums
I’ve certainly got several albums like that. There is a bit of a theme linking some of them in that they bring back warm and happy memories from when I bought them or heard them first. Here are five great albums that others might keep quiet about owning, still liking, or playing them.
U2 - Rattle And Hum
U2 divided critics and fans with their mix of a studio and live album, Rattle And Hum, in 1988. It’s either an ego-driven project full of self-importance or a genuine attempt to revisit the band's music in the light of past rock, gospel, and blues heroes. Now who would even think about an ego where Bono is concerned? Apart from Bono himself, of course.
The album sold plenty of copies and was a commercial success. I reckon it stands up well though. It’s strong musically and has some great tracks. It even provided the band's first UK number-one single with “Desire." Another single, “When Love Comes To Town,” featuring B.B. King, was a chart success too. The live songs are a great add-on, some of their top songs and some covers, all sound excellent.
This isn’t an album most U2 fans would point at as a high point among all those they have released. I’m not saying it’s their best album or even close to that, but it’s not a bad one by any means and doesn't deserve the stick it gets. Sure other U2 records are a better playing choice, but this one still gets airtime for me.
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