Easier taking big Pharma money than being musical artists I guess. Horrid.

I understand the tie in to Bono’s book. But, they supposedly have lots of new material to record, and they come up with this? I bought the first album in the month it was released back in 1980, and have bought everything since, but will skip this one. Yes, U2, I have spent thousands on shows and albums and given you a great life, as you often thank your fans, but no more. Give something back that is new and 100% original, not un-plugged versions.

Beautiful versions. It’s not new stuff… I don’t expect that. This is an acoustical version of their songs. Very relaxing, instrumental and calming. Absolutely love it.

Beautiful. Inspiring. It’s an incredible reworking of their songs and their classics that are now different. But at the same token, it follows the same path as an “unplugged” album that so many bands use to do and we loved. Streets and Stories for Boys stand out. So do City of Blinding Lights and With or Without You and The Fly. Keep the originals in mind, but don’t for a second believe it’s simply “stripped down” versions of those songs. These are different. And I think most fans, especially after a few listens, will find this collection to be extraordinary

This is a big hot mess! Absolutely a waste of time listening to. We all have these songs, we don’t need to re-buy them. There is really nothing worth checking out here. It was a painful 2 hours plus listening to this. Is this U2 saying they are done? Cannot think of something new to do? Or is the mighty Bono done? Stream this hot garbage first before you pay money for it.

I really enjoy hearing them reimagine these songs. You can see each member’s personality in the songs that they chose and the manner in which they were rearranged. My personal favorite is Edge’s. I’m a car singer, and this collection is lots of fun to croon to on the road. Lots of artists did vanity projects during COVID, and this surely isn’t among the worst.

Some of these are better than the originals! At first I was suspicious they were re-recording old songs as a gimmick, but the new documentary A Sort of Homecoming puts this recording project into perspective. They wanted to capture the sound they have when performing live in the present day. I have always been a fan of U2 live shows more than the studio albums and I have quite a collection of live show bootlegs for that very reason. The live songs really do sound different from the studio albums we all got used to on the radio. This collection captures the magic of the loudest Irish folk band ever. If you enjoy the U2 concert experience, which always includes a stripped down acoustic segment where they slow down and create a floating dreamscape, this collection is awesome.

May be an album for lifelong fans. Not sure fans who just dig on the hits will get it. I love the intimacy of it.

This is such an enjoyable surprise. I was not expecting to like this after hearing the first couple pre released songs. I had it playing while doing stuff around the house, and I enjoyed so many of these reimagined versions. Not necessarily better than the originals but these versions offer a softer and unique interpretation that allows me to listen to these songs even in a quieter mood. Stand outs are Stories Fir Boys, The Fly, Desire, If God Will Send His Angels, and Bad.

The songs are so beautiful, raw and acoustic. Ignore the bad reviews. It’s so stunning, mellow and a lovely album to put on for an evening with friends, or drive to. If you love stories and lyrics, it’s a whole new appreciation of their songwriting and magical vocals

It's so great hearing the boys re-up with their best and bravest from all these years. Some very cool stuff. Reading these one star reviews really helps you understand why Dylan picked up an electric guitar. Relax everybody. 1) it's 20 bucks, that's what you pay for a soda and pocorn at the cineplex, 2) PREVIEW BEFORE YOU BUY, yeah? and 3) Open your hearts and minds, if anyone is ripping us off for dough it's Apple and the record company, NOT U2 themselves, jeezus wept. #U2 Rocks!

Absolute trash! Pathetic attempt to milk more money from their fans.

This album is definitely a cash grab to cash in on the success of Bono's autobiograpy Surrender. Before I choosing to buy it, I listened to the snippets of the songs. A majority of the album would seem unbearable to listen to. I don't know how long Larry has been dealing with his injury, but he is practically a no-show on this album. I can see this album being used to play on an elevator. This is definitely a hard pass, I'll save my money for when the band releases something more energetic and uplifting. I just hope that they don't look to premiere these rehashed versions of their classics when they play in Las Vegas. Word of advice, stay true to who you guys are.

Ugggghhhh. This is the first U2 Album I won't buy. Every song sounds the same. Little dynamnic. It just makes me want to listen to the old versions and reminds me of how much better those were. One song sounded ok: 11 O'Clock was ok.

This is horrible

At nearly 3 hours it’s amazing to hear the stripped down and raw message anthems that U2 fans have gotten so used to. Edge’s acoustic guitar is the real star on many of these songs, breaking down his sometimes simple complexity in sound and rhythm to the bare essentials provides a coffeehouse vibe or the feeling you are listening to the boys in your living room.

These songs are a deeper understanding and passion when accompanied with Bono’s memoir, “Surrender”

As a long time U2 fan, it’s wonderful to hear these songs reimagined by the group. True U2 fans will appreciate the work that it takes to add new layers of intimacy to this group that has been a voice of inspiration for the last 40 years!

When I first heard they were coming out with a album of old songs being redone, I thought they were going to fix the ones that needed to be "fixed". Instead, these are stripped down versions of some of their hits. What made these songs great is the energy... so why would they want to take it away? U2 fans like myself will enjoy it but the real worth to me is I will use them in mixes with the originals.

My feeling of ambivalence toward U2 is rivaled only to how I feel toward R.E.M. Both bands were highly formative to my musical growth, and yet they’ve both produced some real stinkers along the way. This “new” collection from U2 takes the cake. However Bono, et al. try to spin it, this is a pointless collection that epitomizes the worst excesses of the MacPhisto character that was created twenty-plus years to mock the very thing they’ve now become.

I think old age is getting to them.

Each band members take on how to turn their songs into a lounge vibe.

I still have a stronger emotional attachment to the originals, but it’s nice to listen to variations.

Go away and raise some goats

I was pleasantly surprised with this album. I was originally disappointed with the first few songs that dropped. However after listening to the whole album I find it cohesive and enjoyable. Sure Bono is a little full of himself but I think the edge did a great job of putting these songs together. Also I had forgotten how many great songs are in there catalogue it’s kind of unbelievable that these four lads could write so many dare I say classic songs. I think one of my favorites so far is the Fly. I am still hoping they will still put out some more songs well into their sixtes

I first heard U2 in 1984 and these re-imagined versions make sense in that context, while sounding beautiful in their own way.

The energy of every song on this album has been sucked away, horrible.

If you go in expecting these to sound exactly the same as the original versions, yes, you will be disappointed. But that's not the point of this album. The idea behind it was to take each song and change the arrangement, strip it down in some places and bolster it in others. Does it work? Not always, hence the four stars, but in most cases yes. Some of these songs take on a beautiful, meditative quality. Ultimately, these rearrangements are neither better nor worse than the original -- just different, and still a great listening experience.

We all age! I saw the lads for the first time in the Minneapolis Auditorium March 19, 1985–Unforgettable Fire Tour. I loved the youthfulness of that album and tour. I was 16 years old. The lads were in there 20’s. Now, I am 53 and the lads are in their 60’s. This album beautifully shows how they have matured as musicians—more lyrical and rhythmical. Now they can explore the depths of these previous songs and express nuances I never imagined. This album may even reach out to a different generation who has more acoustic sensibilities—like my children who struggle with the younger lads albums. Nonetheless, the lads I love are maturing like a good Cabernet Sauvignon in a whiskey barrel. I love this album.

Just terrible. I could barely get through it. So many of these songs are attached to some core memories and have been with me through so much of my life, and they hold so much meaning. This album should have been titled How To Dismantle An Amazing Catalog. It’s like taking something so beautiful and giving it unnecessary cosmetic surgery and turning it into something grotesque and unrecognizable. This mess should have never seen the light of day.

This is so boring! U2 is in need of reinventing themselves again! I just deleted this from my library because I want nothing to do with this. It’s sad because I like U2

Just went through the snippets on apple ..That was enough for me..

This set is beautiful. And I will listen over and over again in my War Tour tshirt lol

I love what I’ve heard so far! Bono mentioned that music is mostly listened to with AirPods now and they’ve stripped these songs now to be more intimate. I believe this album is a MUST for U2 fans!

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Beautifully raw & stripped down.

Why

Not a money grab, not done out of contractual necessity; passionate look back by the band (seems more like 85% Edge) at their entire catalog from their perspective at retirement age. Some of the hits are still so good, but some of the lesser known non-singles might be the true gold here.

Lucky to have these alternate versions

What the f&*% is wrong with the morons rating this one star? Are they aware that these geniuses have been writing new music since at least 1979? How many of you ignorant as&hol$s were even born yet? I absolutely LOVE these remakes! Keep it up lads!

A beautiful rendition of some of U2’s best songs. Their evolution as a band, as poets and as activists as well as their life long friendship continues to endure and grow.

Brilliant

I don’t get this release. Maybe as just a fan club bonus but not worth the money to purchase.

just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it’s bad. it’s cool to hear these stripped down to really *hear* the lyrics!

Too lazy to produce something better than this?

Maybe sick of the sight of each other?

I’d much rather listen to Yoko Ono sing Huey Lewis Greatest Hits.

Songs sound like U2 surrendered as stated in the title and gave up producing music. I mean in what scenario would you say, I think I’m going to listen to U2’s latest album? I thought Songs of Experience had some good tunes that grew on me. Guess nothing is left in the tank.

Having really enjoyed these songs for years it’s really fun to hear a different idea behind some of these songs. I love it. Ear candy.

I get that people get tired when they're old. Most of the time, people don't try and sell their tiredness to other people. Not so for U2. HARD PASS.

First things first. If you are looking for the greatest hits album, this is not it. If you’re going to be upset because the song is too different from the original, just go listen to the originals.

I just finished listening to the whole thing- all 40 songs in order. I’ve been a fan since I was 13. I didn’t know what to expect with this album. Was it just going to be a bunch of acoustic versions? I was prepared to be underwhelmed. Instead, I was reminded of why U2’s music spoke to me in the first place. Sincere, thoughtful lyrics (sometimes altered in their reimagined state), brought to life with a very stripped back sound. They’re the same songs, but they’re not the same.

Some of my faves from the first listen through:

11 O’clock Tick Tock

Bad

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

The Little Things That Give You Away

I didn’t love every single track on this album, but overall I have really enjoyed these reimaginings. It’s ok if not everyone does. People can like what they like.

Best drop in a long time.

Longtime fan here since the 80’s. Wow, this is an album that should never have been made. Bad arrangements, bad production, bad idea, and Bono’s voice has seen better days and is so pitchy now. Some auto tune would have been good here. I think “Desire” made my ears bleed it was so badly done. Why do this to your fans with this awful stripped down version of your songs. I felt like I was listening to some guy at a local bar that thinks he can sing karaoke. So very disappointed in this release. We love the songs the way they originally were! I recently listened to the entire Joshua Tree album again, which to me is a perfect album,

and one of my favorites from any artist. Every single song is amazing and still sounds as good today as it did back then.

The cynical will say cash grab. I think this Bono and the boys asking us if the songs hold up, stripped of all the (admittedly incredible)production. Can they be put out there by 4 guys like me either approaching or past our 60th trip around the sun and still resonate? Yes. They can. Thanks Bono, Edge, Larry and Adam. Been with you from the beginning and with you for the rest of the ride. Pax.

Love them or hate them, U2 was never a band that was afraid of evolving their musical style.

Long story short, I’m not sure how I feel about some of these arrangements. Some of the new versions of these songs work really well in this stripped down format. Others feel like they are lacking something without all the pomp and bombast.

That said, I don’t think Bono has ever sounded better than he does right now.

City of Blinding Lights and Walk On are probably one of my favorites on this collection.

These just sound like weak renditions of the originals.

Want some new material from the band not remakes of their own songs

Grabbing a bag. This is rehashed and still is awful.

Comparing the originals to these songs is like comparing apples, to, well, rotten apples! So disappointed. Thankfully, they won’t be forcing this onto our iPhones like that other dreadful album. Nothing good lasts forever.

I love U2, it's my all time favorite band but, I dont know what the point of this album is, at least as far as i have heard. It is a bit bewildering! Granted, I have only heard what they have released so far but it kind of sounds like they raced through this in a couple of hours, went home and figured, meh, good enough!

🤮 wow this is god awful!

Call it re-imagined, for accompanying a book, or whatever. Just sounds like an extended MTV “unplugged” session.

Not complaining, the past couple of years put a damper on many artist projects. But not impressed. Perhaps you or someone else will be. An that’s ok too.

Please do something new

Love the idea of the reimagined songs, done by the actual band. A remake by the originals, great idea. This album doesn’t negate the original songs which are classics and rock. This is a paired down companion and I’m here for it!

Anyone who'd buy this album already has every song on it. To counter this album, U2 ought to be forced to put out a new album with 40 songs, all 40 written in six months. They dive inward too much. They take a song and tweek it to death. It's like a depressed person who won't stop focusing on herself and leave the house. Stop trying to perfect songs that are already perfect. Give us 40 raw versions of new songs. I bet it'd catapult them into relevance again.

These were songs reimagined and stripped down during lockdown specifically to be a companion to Bono's autobiography, Surrender, where each chapter is a song title relevant to that time in Bono's life. In that context, this is a fantastic companion to that book.

If you want the originals (you already have them, most likely), Apple Music has a playlist with all the same songs.

Not sure why people feel the need to be so negative on the first few releases. They spent time during quarantine paying tribute to what got them here. Some different versions. The original versions still exist, so relax. Also, they do have not one, but two albums of new material coming in the next couple of years. I am happy they are still together and still making beautiful music. Legends for sure!

Says we’re outta ideas like this debacle. Why this is a good idea is beyond me….

I’ve heard the first two songs in full and 30 seconds of One and I’m not sure what U2 has done. They sound like a lounge act that has butchered their songs. I’ve seen them live 14 times since Achtung Baby but their last two albums haven’t grabbed me and it doesn’t appear that #U2SOS40 will either. Maybe the SOS is a cry for help vs. an acronym for their album title.

Reading the reviews that are already here- I see how incredibly narrow minded people really are. It has to be exactly like they’ve heard it ten thousand times before or it’s the end of the world. Personally, I find that boring. This feels like they are trying something similar to Peter Gabriel’s “You Scratch My Back and I’ll Scratch Yours” project. Well, that was brilliant. I’ve previewed the three tracks they have available, and I’m excited. This is what true “artists” do: they experiment with their music. Unfortunately, we’re so used to garbage in America, we don’t know what a true “artist” is. So you know- U2 are the real deal.

40 Amazing songs that have a new story to share. Retold through the eyes of men that have grown up, triumphed, and still reach for the unknown. Thank you, U2

What the heck is this? I don’t understand why they did this.

This band hasn't had a good album in almost two decades! Not only can they not write good music anymore, theyve been reduced to rerecording and butchering some of their classics.

As a life long fan, this is painful to listen to. I did the pre-order like most die hards but even I won't be paying for it. WOWY was beyound the pale. I think I saw Bono say like this is how the song would sound new if it was done today. Ouch, cause that means they are done. This isn't good. Don't even get me started on the remixes from the Joshua Tree Deluxe edition..Going to cancel the pre-order now.

The glory days are over.

I just listened to PRIDE, or should I say started to couldn't get to the verse because this version sounds really bad. U2 forgot that not only was this song so powrerfull because of the lyrics but also the delivery of the attitude which they had in their younger years. A better idea was to package all these songs with the original version as an anthology album. I guess their days of innovation are long gone. U2 has finally become a Dinosaur band. As Bono said in GOD part II "they glorified the past while future dries up" I guess that is U2's current motto

Unexpected and thrilling to see the lads give us alternate versions as we wait for the next proper album. This is not sitting back on your laurels and rehashing something, a lot of effort was put into this and it shows, thx!!!

What on earth has become of this once stellar band? How bout release a new album of original content? Why even do this? I couldnt make it through “Pride..” without cringing. Just a soulless cash grab. Now disney is doing some documentary. What next? These guys used to be the pinnacle of music excellence. Just sad this is what theyve become.

Stripping back to the essential elements brings a new, raw power to some beloved U2 tracks…and some deep cuts!

Maybe they’re too old to write the new songs,I admire U2 and I love U2 songs from Joshua tree to songs of innocence,but This album,I guess I will listen to the old ones.

Ca$h Grab

How much money do they need?

This album is going to as bad when they forced themselves onto everyone’s iPods

I’ll spend my $ on something worthy of my time and resources. The originals made U2 wealthy and famous for a reason. 🤭

Heard An Cat Dubh in my Jeep last night and wondered where on earth is “this” band. Love their original music but this screams money grab and stall tactic while Larry heals up. These tracks sound like elevator music. I can’t stand bands repackaging older material and reselling it to product craving fans. They get richer and we get little in return. Give me new music or unreleased live or rarities. Not some Frank Sinatra sounding U2 remake of songs I’m kinda sick of.

Just spent 19.99 on the preorder of a long awaited compilation of U2 hits and am so very disappointed with the first song

I was skeptical at first, but really liked the new arrangement of Pride. Why not take a crack at songs written & etched in our consciousness with a sound from a virtual lifetime ago. Can enjoy them both.

Can't wait to hear The Fly.

I listened to Beautiful Day, and I think they forgot to invite Larry Mullen to the recording session for the song. Listening to it without his thundering drum kit, it lost its anthemic sound. I don’t know why they are downplaying Larry’s drums on the tracks so far.

Lazy.

Have you guys given up on New Music?

I am glad to hear that the laddies are still together, hence the 2 stars, but only hearing one song that is a rearranged acoustic, campfire of older releases is frankly disappointing. Maybe there is a gem or two to be heard, but a a time when rock n roll is yearning for something to take us back to better days, I was hoping for a rejuvenated re -claim of greatness rather than some fun sing alongs while rotating marshmallows with the kids.

Is U2 ever going to record new music? I already have many of these songs on previous purchases. I’m not interested……

What is going on here?

If “One” is an indication of the style we can expect for the other 39, this album won’t make my collection. I’ve been a fan of U2 since the early ‘80s, but their work of late leaves me longing for the past.

what am I listening too??? Re-recordings their best songs? I don’t like what I have heard so far. They should focus on new music.

What the heck is this?