REVIEW: U2 - SONGS OF SURRENDER

3.5/5

The Edge Of Glory. 

'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis has some friendly advice for the likes of U2, Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen. The knives are not out for the Halloween star, but she says she's getting a little older (same). She'd just like them to start their epic three-hour sets a little earlier (OMG SAME!) like a Sunday afternoon movie matinée. Then they can let rip like Jim Carrey in 'Liar Liar' as all of us in a lift, true lies. We just wish we got a heads-up when taking a detour from Times Square back in the day in New York that they were actually playing for free and bringing out the Boss Springsteen as a surprise. U2 can't seem to escape the jokes like that legendary one from the late great Robin Williams about every time Bono claps his hands (we won't spoil the punchline, hit up YouTube). Or the disdain they got for releasing an album automatically back when we all used iTunes. But then again 'Songs Of Innocence' was graciously for free. Now 'Songs Of Surrender' could leave Jamie Lee running like Michael Myers was in the house again. 40 tracks for almost three hours. All rerecording down to '40' too. 

Shall we go through them all? HELL NO! These articles are long enough. But in black and white portraits like the 'Boy' that came before them like a Nirvana 'Never Mind' you'll soon 'Surrender' to these songs like a Maggie Rogers' sophomore set. Whether you're a mega-single 'Beautiful Day' fan with 'Vertigo'. Or if you prefer sitting under a 'Joshua Tree' with undeniable, unforgettable fire classics like 'Where The Streets Have No Name'. Fans who with or without U2, still haven't found what they're looking for when it comes to one of the world's best bands of all-time. Hate all you like. Sometimes it's hard to love. What's gone from laughing lovingly at Bono giving The Pope his iconic sunglasses to films named 'Killing Bono', you still can't deny the legendary legacy of this act. Not to mention all they've done for the world in the name of love and peace. Once more in the name of love. 

The urgency of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'. The plea to the late, great INXS frontman (the best of all-time) Michael Hutchence ('Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of'). They're all here to hear (although we miss 'Batman Forever's' 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me') in real and raw, stripped-down form for your acoustics. They've done this before. Like William Orbit's 'Electrical Storm' remix and new mix's of the dominating 'Discotheque' and nuanced 'Numb' off their second compilation of classics ('The Best Of 1990-2000'). And in what some might see as a glorified greatest hits, you may wish for more like the times of fellow Irish rocker Hozier's new three track EP ('Eat Your Young') also released this week. 

Yet legendary like McDonagh, Gleeson and Farrell from 'Bruges' to 'Banshees' this reunion reminds us of the good old days when albums were albums and artist tracks were exactly that. Aside from a redefining 'Desire' there's not much of this music that is more outstanding than their originals. But this is just different and celebratory at least. Even if those embarking on their forthcoming world tour will probably hope they switch-up their amazing sets to the classics like a Lionel Richie country 'Tuskegee'. Yet all you need to hear is 'Walk On' dedicated to Ukraine to see we still need bands like this in the world. Now more than ever. Looking for a beautiful day again. One world. One love. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Beautiful Day', 'Walk On (Ukraine)', 'Desire'.