U2 - Songs Of Surrender (2 LP, 2023 Limited Edition Blue Vinyl)
Songs Of SurrenderCheapest atimusic.uk
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3.9
Average of 24 reviews
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First off, let me give a big shout-out to the presentation. Instead of a gatefold cover for the double LP, each record got its own proper sleeve. Plus, the song lyrics are clearly printed in black and white, which is awesome. Thumbs up for that. We had a good chuckle at the design of the records, though. Each one features the faces of the four band members—Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen, and Adam Clayton—on the respective sides of the vinyl. The needle of the turntable ends up poking through an eye, or sometimes the forehead or cheek. That can't have been intentional… U2 says that the 16 songs on Songs of Surrender were originally recorded when they were young men. Now, they and their fans have grown older, and the songs still mean a lot to them. But they'd interpret them differently today, and that's what this album is about. What Bono and the gang mean by a modern interpretation becomes clear right away with the album opener, One. The tempo is adjusted (much slower), the instruments are more subdued, and Bono's voice takes centre stage. It works for many tracks, but it's a bit tricky with songs like Where The Streets Have No Name, Pride, or even the protest song Sunday Bloody Sunday. Our feet start tapping, and we want to shout at Bono to pick up the pace. Of course, that's not possible, so we give the turntable a nudge and switch from 33 to 45 RPM. Now we've got some momentum, but Bono's voice sounds a bit like Mickey Mouse 🙂 So, that's not really an option. We get the idea behind reinterpreting well-known songs and setting a new focus. However, these songs are so ingrained in us that the slower tempo just doesn't work. The post-punk urgency is replaced by intimacy, so Bono's mature and pleasant voice comes through better. On the other hand, the instrumental punch that underscores the band's important messages is lost. In the end, everyone will form their own opinion, but we would have liked a bit more variety in this reimagining. In our review, we rate U2's Songs of Surrender a solid 3 out of 5 stars. dervinylist.com
Translated automatically,This record sounds fantastic. I'm also a fan of the changes made from the original.
MUSICAL BLUES I'm usually up for creative takes on classics, but wow! Larry and Adam are barely noticeable. Bono's voice is flat as a pancake, except when he tries and fails at high notes, and the Edge just strums away without any real punch. The packaging is underwhelming too—it's not even a proper box, just a flimsy magazine holder. Sure, having lyrics on each cover is cool, but a booklet would've been better. And what's with Bono's cover photo? He looks as gloomy as I feel after listening to all 8 sides of what feels like a musical funeral dirge. This could've been a uplifting gift to fans post-covid, but it seems like inspiration was another victim of the virus that the band battled during this project. That being said, as a U2 fan since their early Irish singles and a DJ who was one of the first to spin them before 'Boy' dropped in the US, it's still an intriguing listen. Maybe their way of saying 'The end isn't coming, it's not coming. THE END IS HERE' sometimes... 'How long, to sing this song?'
Fans of U2 who know their earlier stuff will find this interesting. I quite liked the new takes, but it's not something that makes me want to play them over and over. Having nearly all of U2's work on vinyl, I'm glad to have this in my collection. The mastering, though, is a letdown. The bass can get a bit muddled.
I've really appreciated the fresh take on these timeless pieces. I get that some purists might struggle to move on from the original versions, but I've managed to set aside any biases and fully immerse myself in the experience. Sure, some tracks resonated more with me than others, but all in all, it's been a worthwhile journey. As for the quality, my copy is top-notch. The recording is crisp and clear. No unwanted noise or interruptions between tracks. The dynamic range is impressive. For me, this was a solid investment. It's a valuable addition to my collection.
| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
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| 31 Mar 2025 | £23.99 | £47.72 |
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