Erasing the muscular power of an amplified rock combo, Edge explores ways to let other elements shine. In particular, the focus is on Bono’s older yet still powerful voice, devoid of posturing and mannerisms, really digging into meaning and melody. The subtle rumble of Adam Clayton’s bass and tastefully executed percussion from Larry Mullen Jr make themselves felt in all the right places, with full band arrangements breathing new life into a smattering of undernourished songs.
If their creative missteps in the past two decades have generally been caused by their twin determinations to keep up with modern pop and relentlessly pursue music that works in stadia, then here they’ve cut themselves free from all of that. Ultimately, it may be a watershed moment. By stripping it all back down, in some ways, they’re bigger. [Apr 2023, p.84]
Neither a disaster on the level of their iTunes launch, nor a triumph to match Zoo TV, Songs of Surrender sits somewhere in the middle of that sliding scale of success.
There is disappointment that a number of U2’s big-hitters don’t translate well on ‘Stories For Surrender’, but this revision hasn’t been a totally fruitless endeavour: you just have to dig a little bit deeper to find the reimagined material that’s truly worth savouring.
Nothing here is unforgettable or in danger of replacing its original. The arrangements are formulaic, regressing back to the stripped-down candlelit era of the original MTV’s Unplugged. At worst, Songs of Surrender is an overindulgence. At best, it’s a pleasant interlude.
Was slightly worried when the singles were released, as it’s always hard to warm to new versions of such beloved and well known songs. But,Was slightly worried when the singles were released, as it’s always hard to warm to new versions of such beloved and well known songs. But, this album as a whole has reinvigorated and improved upon so many of U2’s songs, both hits and deeps cuts. I know this is an album that’ll only grow on me even more as I listen. Thank you to U2 for the many years of music that means so much to me.…Expand
Pretty underrated for the quality on hand here. Sound quality has high marks here. Followed by Bono’s weighty voice, which still soundsPretty underrated for the quality on hand here. Sound quality has high marks here. Followed by Bono’s weighty voice, which still sounds pretty good here. The band is stripped down, but suits the music well. The only thing I can criticize is the lack of variety most of the songs have the same feel. But it’s a great feel. I skip a few songs on here but most are great representations of what made the originals so great. I am thinking about getting the deluxe box version of this on vinyl as it would be a nice escape from my daily life from time to time and the box is beautiful. Either way just stream it. Recommended for long time fans.…Expand
The deeper cuts are where this shines. A lot better than I was expecting. Best tracks are The Little Things that Give You Away, Stories forThe deeper cuts are where this shines. A lot better than I was expecting. Best tracks are The Little Things that Give You Away, Stories for Boys, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Dirty Day, Stay, Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, Invisible and Every Breaking Wave. Their biggest songs - One, WOWY, Streets, ISHFWILF don’t fare as well but nothing too bad. I Will Follow is excellent. Overall an interesting project with more hits than misses. Mid 8 for me.…Expand
"Songs of Surrender" is a meritable project in many ways. A refined and reflective take on some of the best songs written by the band over the"Songs of Surrender" is a meritable project in many ways. A refined and reflective take on some of the best songs written by the band over the last half century or so. SoS serves to show how great U2 were across the many creative peaks of their career. Ironically, more often than not, the versions on this album make this listener want to dig out the originals. It is doubtful whether this album would have been made had the Covid19 pandemic not happened but that event that caused the world to stop in its tracks resulted in lots of bonus projects when artists were unable to tour. The minimalist production and stripping of Edge's guitar effects shows two things; firstly, just how straighforward U2's songwriting actually is and also how much of a pioneer he is with guitar tones. The backseat taken here by Larry and Adam highlights just how crucial they are to the bands sound. Their stock rises in their relative absence. It is Bono's vocals that take centre stage and steal the show. His voice is not what it was but it is somehow much more interesting now, especially in the context of this album. There are no bad songs here but very few versions match the energy or spirit of the originals. The versions of "Invisible", "Vertigo" and "Beautiful Day" come close. I'd also somewhat contoversially argue that the version of "Bad" on SoS is better than the original. The definitive versions of "Every Breaking Wave" and "Get Out of Your Own Way" can be found here too. A decent (if a bit of a long) listen for U2 fans. Unlikely to attract new fans. I would like to see the band take a similar approach to recording new material with more of an input from Larry and Adam.…Expand
Un disco privo di graffi di lotta continua, un disco che poteva prendere come titolo unplugged, hanno tolto la verve alla nuova generazioneUn disco privo di graffi di lotta continua, un disco che poteva prendere come titolo unplugged, hanno tolto la verve alla nuova generazione distogliendola dalla merda della musica moderna. Da persona adulta, ho ancora bisogno di sentirmi vivo, non in un angolo a cercare di percepire ricordi.…Expand
Behold: MTV Unplugged reimagined as a torture device. The folks over at Gitmo are getting creative! But U2 deserve an award of some kind. NotBehold: MTV Unplugged reimagined as a torture device. The folks over at Gitmo are getting creative! But U2 deserve an award of some kind. Not every band can turn their most exciting material into lifeless, mind-numbing gruel.…Expand
