Songs Of Surrender

I think the easiest way to explain it is that they successfully stripped out all that makes U2 great. What’s left is this.

This album was released 3/17/23. Look at how many 1-star reviews with maybe one word like "Ugh" or "Horrible" were written BEFORE THE ALBUM CAME OUT. The 1-star reviews don't talk about the album, while the longer and more thoughtful reviews DO talk about it. After sitting with the album for two months or so, I have to say--it exceeds all expectations. It's basically the U2 Songbook Unplugged album. The "changed lyrics" were overhyped. Very few songs have lyric changes. I've always loved U2 unplugged. The unplugged Stuck in a Moment has always been better than the album version. And for people saying "record something new," U2 has put out more recent albums of new material than just about any act of their age that you could name. So chill. This was their pandemic unplugged version. And it's cool to hear the songs without the bombast. Some of the stuff from 2000 forward has been overproduced to the point where unplugged and live versions are better than the albums. So many bands put out a million compilations. Honestly...this collection earns 5 stars. It's an incredible songbook, the unplugged arrangments are well thought out (with maybe the only criticism being that I can barely tell if Adam or Larry are ON it--it's a Bono and the Edge affair), and it's not a mindless retread. And the unplugged aspect actually makes the collection of songs hang together with a similar style and feel in a way that these 40 STUDIO recordings NEVER could because of the variety in styles and eras.

I takes awhile but it’s growing on

I've wanted a stripped down/acoustic U2 album for a long time. Nothing wrong with the idea, but weird arrangements and singing intonations make this a disappointing result.

I like the change up but a little slow. A lot of these thrive based on their hard hitting beat, etc. Overall a cool add to my collection but would be more excited to see new songs. Overall a cool item for 20 bucks.

Loooong time fan. I didn’t want to write this review, because I would never add fuel to make U2 breakup, but this is not good. U2 is an anthem band, I get that age makes something’s better, but not here. Please go back to Boy or War or Unforgettable Fire and remember the roots. This is a phone in album and it doesn’t inspire me. It is depressing. And I own many bootleg albums with remixes. Man I miss the boys!!

I purchased this album yesterday and have listened to it on repeat ever since. I’m a huge U2 fan and love the original songs BUT I also love these reimagined versions. The band has found a way to make the songs even more beautiful, emotional and soothing.

Remember that program on MTV called Unplugged? I’ll never forget watching Nirvana on that show. I already owned most of these songs by U2 but really enjoyed hearing these stripped down versions of the songs. Now I get to listen to these songs while reading Bono’s memoir. Evokes so many memories but also strengthens my faith and love for Jesus.

It’s funny how many U2 fans feel we need to qualify our review with “I’ve been a lifelong, undying fan of U2 since…” before we declare what we really think of this album. If you love these songs, then you should just listen to the originals because these acoustic, stripped down versions lack so much of what makes us love the first versions. The little details are missing from them. The passion and Bono’s vocals is missing. The memories we built around the songs from when we first heard them is missing. It’s kind of like in coming to a live album. You recognize this song’s, but they don’t quite do it for you. I don’t begrudge them for releasing this at all, good for them for trying something new (with something old). For me, I’ll just pop in Achtung Baby while I wait for their Vegas shows in the fall.

After reading the negative reviews, I had to listen for myself, and I am glad I did! The stripped down songs provide a fantastic sound track! Two plus hours of new music, clear lyrics and subtle instrumentation will delight true U2 fans. I can not get enough of this 40 song masterpiece.