Songs of Surrender - New album discussion - 6

[dan_smee]

Originally Posted by lazarus

Well there's also a difference between "reimagining" 40 songs and writing 40 from scratch. Don't act like this is the equivalent of making a proper triple album.



I agree with others that they're lazy and that 40 still seems too ambitious for them, but I'll bet a good 25% are versions we've already heard before in similar fashion (Stuck, Desire, Stay, etc.).

Genuinely a bit confused by your posture here - I’m not acting like this is a full triple album - just saying that compiling an extra disc of 14 existing tracks is easier than re-recording and reimagining an extra 25. I don’t think that’s exactly contentious?

Also, you agreeing with others is actually agreeing with me - I made that point as well - they are very lazy and it seems very unlikely. It’s of interest because it’s apparently done and U2songs are reporting it.

[Gonna Run 2 U]

They in essence received an extra year and a half of time to relax and work on stuff because of Covid. Also, the timing for a break for Bono couldn’t have been better. Because of this, maybe they actually will pull off 40 songs to go with the book?

[wolbersu2]

Originally Posted by lazarus

I agree with others that they're lazy and that 40 still seems too ambitious for them, but I'll bet a good 25% are versions we've already heard before in similar fashion (Stuck, Desire, Stay, etc.).

It's arguable that people might not want to pay for 15 old U2 songs in 2022. If they get more bang for their buck, it becomes a more reasonable proposition. And because many will stream it anyway, it's less relevant how it's physically packaged and released.



Doesn't matter to me. At this point, after 30 years of seeing them live, I'm not there because I want to hear the old stuff again, I'm primarily interested in seeing the new material. If I occasionally get to hear an occasional deep cut like Acrobat, Your Blue Room, etc., then great.

I agree. 40 songs is way too much for them. I think they will rearrange the casual soungs like Stuck, Stay, Staring at the sun. Deep cuts would be a surprise. And they are not great at surprises. Heartland Surrender Drowning man Lemon Mercy Your blue Room A sort of Homecoming Unforgettable Fire should be on the album and not just acoustic
Otherwise I'm not interested in this album.

[Registered Dude]

I think we're in for some surprises. There are rumblings that these are not straight up traditional acoustic arrangements.

[womanfish]

It’s difficult for me to get too excited. I am hoping RD is right and it’s more than just acoustic redos. It would be pretty incredible to get a 40 song collection and to be honest it would be best for them. For one it makes a statement. It would be a very impressive undertaking and it would be something that fans would be excited about, the variety would be so great that if there were some duds it wouldn’t matter much. And commercially, it would be a win for streaming, plus they could do a cool 4 vinyl release for the big fans and collectors.

Coming out with 15… eeesh. I just don’t know. The songs would have to be redone really damn special for me to care very much. And if half of them are Walk On, I Still Haven’t, Desire, BD…. Then it would be a one time listen for me. And don’t really see the general casual U2 fan being that taken with it.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally Posted by dan_smee

https://www.u2songs.com/discography/...irvs&fs=e&s=cl

Interesting that they mention all 40 songs being delivered, but acknowledge that a shorter 15 track album has also been mentioned.

i pretty much predicted this when the book details came out.

it's an exact copy of what springsteen did with Tracks - a long version, and a shorter version for those without the patience for the longer set and/or the want to invest extra dollarydoos.

it's also not nearly as necessary to do in the age of streaming as it was when springsteen did it - alas, U2. for a band that was once so ahead of the curve when it came to technology, they've come up with some baffling decisions of late.


i also don't get the "ehrmagad u2 iz lazee they cunt do ferty songs" thing. they songs themselves are already written and for fucks sake what else have they had to do for the past two years?

[DeVaul]

RD typically has more insight than the average poster here so I’m cautiously optimistic. 40 tracks makes for a deeper listening experience than 15 and a way to make a statement of “this is where we were *and* where we are” before going back out into the land of active promotion and live shows

[digitize]

Listening to SOA today for the first time in ages. I had forgotten about “refu-Jesus”.

And, good Lord, little more better.

But there are some real gems on here: Lights Of Home, Little Things, Landlady, Love Is Bigger are all fabulous.

[Registered Dude]

Originally Posted by digitize

Listening to SOA today for the first time in ages. I had forgotten about “refu-Jesus”.

And, good Lord, little more better.

But there are some real gems on here: Lights Of Home, Little Things, Landlady, Love Is Bigger are all fabulous.

Yeah there are some gems on there. I'm genuinely thankful this band continues to record music. We're a long way from their heyday, but when inspiration hits they still have something to say, musically

 

re-fu-je-SUS!

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i have a soft spot in my heart for The Showman and while I get why some may be bothered by the "little more better" part it doesn't bother me at all. it's a moment where bono is taking the piss out of himself - as opposed to, ya know, the savior complex.

i actually think it could have done well as a single, released with a self deprecating video making light of, well, everything that people like to bash bono/the band over.

refujesus, tho

[super fly guy]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

refujesus, tho

I hope RefuJesus was nailed to his cross good.

[DeVaul]

The Showman music video starting with something like the bike accident skit from Fallon could’ve been a viral YouTube moment for them

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

i have a soft spot in my heart for The Showman and while I get why some may be bothered by the "little more better" part it doesn't bother me at all. it's a moment where bono is taking the piss out of himself - as opposed to, ya know, the savior complex.

i actually think it could have done well as a single, released with a self deprecating video making light of, well, everything that people like to bash bono/the band over.

It’s the catchiest song on the album and it baffling that they didn’t think it was more single-worthy than that pseudo-inspo Get Out nonsense.

Also, it got played live, like what, once? For a band that tried to force a crowd singalong with the unwieldy Unknown Caller, you’d think they’d jump at the chance to play one that could actually work.

[DeVaul]

Originally Posted by lazarus

It’s the catchiest song on the album and it baffling that they didn’t think it was more single-worthy than that pseudo-inspo Get Out nonsense.

Also, it got played live, like what, once? For a band that tried to force a crowd singalong with the unwieldy Unknown Caller, you’d think they’d jump at the chance to play one that could actually work.

missed opportunity live, def

[Headache in a Suitcase]

it is also something that seems like the perfect b-stage type song - alas.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

It is what it is but it's not what it seems
This screwed up stuff is the stuff of dreams
I got just enough low self esteem
To get me where I want to go

The showman gives you front row to his heart
The showman prays his heartache will chart
Making a spectacle of falling apart
Is just the start of the show



this is great writing by bono and i know there's another thread on this but really captures the depression angle well. that this song precedes Little Things on the album was not just a coincidental happenstance.

[Gonna Run 2 U]

Even Liam Gallagher loves that song and we know how U2 love to pander to their rock star and political friends

[Hollow Island]

I’m still haunted by the U2 spyware on my iPhone

https://www.washingtonpost.com/magaz...are-my-iphone/

People are still writing about the itunes thing almost 8 years later.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

It wasn't a big deal tho

[DaveC]

"haunted by the U2 spyware" lmao grow up