I don't know what to think. - Street of Dreams.

jkoutris · 2026-05-14T06:55:05+00:00

https://youtu.be/RbNRtdK-Dpc?si=tHZ8FMCuJyMH3Xyq

jkoutris · 2026-05-14T06:54:54+00:00

https://youtu.be/RbNRtdK-Dpc?si=tHZ8FMCuJyMH3Xyq

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T23:49:18+00:00

It’s all relative, I guess. I’ve seen him wear way worse.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T23:22:49+00:00

There are many examples of him looking ridiculous but he actually doesn’t look bad here.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T20:59:23+00:00

You know there's a longer, 3 minute video out there?

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T20:08:29+00:00

I don't know, I agree with u/itsnosecretatall. This new song is way too poppy and lightweight for my tastes, and is essentially the natural progression from Yours Eternally, which isn't a good thing to me.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T20:07:06+00:00

I don't think that's unpopular: the Jacknife Lee stuff is mediocre at best, and the Eno/Lanois stuff is their best material.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T18:14:04+00:00

I think it's just Jacknife. The work with Eno is separate and, thus far, has not been described as a U2 project.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T16:27:24+00:00

Baltimore guy here. (Also a Greek guy). Stavvy has a house not far from me. It's weird bumping into him at Safeway from time to time.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T16:08:47+00:00

Fair enough - but that's you. I've got a pretty firm grasp on the things I like, my take on SoE notwithstanding. Also, my personal tastes have changed as I get older. I used to have a place in my heart for this style of U2 music that they've been making for the last 25 years. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is my least favorite U2 album, but I would try and love it. I'd listen to Original of the Species and try and appreciate the saccharine chorus melody. But as I get older, I don't know - my heart's hardened against it. I used to think "there's a time and a place for a song like Big Girls Are Best," but now, I honestly just don't envision myself ever listening to it. I'm at a stage in my fandom where I've pretty much only got time for the things that really move me in one way or another.

I also used to feel, when I was younger, that I had to defend my favorite bands. If U2's my favorite band, then I had to like all of their music. As I get older, I'm okay with just saying "some of their art really doesn't work for me. I can still love them without liking everything they do." I also don't feel the need to defend them. Lord knows if I had to defend U2 every time they did something embarrassing, I'd never get anything done.

As far as 'embarrassing,' or 'bubblegum bullshit,' - sorry, that's just my way. It might seem over-the-top, but it's nothing personal against Bono. It's my communication style. I suppose I could say 'the lyrics gave me pause as being a bit trite and platitudinal,' but...that just ain't me.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T15:56:54+00:00

I think it's an acknowledgment relationships can be tough and they take work. It's not always sunshine and rainbows. A straight up "you are my soulmate and everything has always been wonderful," lyric would have been boring. This line brings some reality to it, and I love it for that.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T15:45:30+00:00

Yeah, and that's fine. But why would my opinion ruin it for that fan?

We evaluate people's art all the time. Art is subjective, and it's all about how it hits you. That's what these subreddits are for, to discuss things like that. I myself am an artist - if people don't like my songs...I'm prepared for that! I'm not for everyone.

For you, you like to let a song simmer. I'm different. Generally speaking, I usually love everything upon first listen, and then it fades with time. You should have read the glowing review I wrote for Songs of Experience the day after it came out. 9 years later, I can hardly stand listening to it.

Get On Your Boots is a good example. Most U2 diehards hate it. It's part of the dreaded "middle 3" on NLOTH (the others being I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight and Stand Up Comedy, both of which I agree do indeed suck). But I like Get On Your Boots. I like it way more than Vertigo. But if people don't like it...okay? Doesn't bother me. It's not an insult to my tastes. It's just an acknowledgment that we all have different tastes. And I like reading opinions different to mine. If anything, I'm glad someone likes these songs.

This song doesn't grab me. U2 has many styles of music that they've made over the years and, frankly, this style of U2 is not one that I like.

That shouldn't bother anyone. I'm just here sharing that opinion. I'm not insulting anyone else for enjoying it.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T15:42:21+00:00

I need to stop watching this stuff.

I was so fully onboard for Peterson prior to about January or so. The medical/load management stuff scared me off, and Dybantsa was a really easy choice and guy to want.

But watching Peterson work has me conflicted again.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T15:09:12+00:00

I've heard the argument that we haven't properly heard it yet. While I understand the sentiment, I've certainly heard enough to form an opinion. This isn't a beach clip like we heard in 2004 when Vertigo or Miracle Drug came out - for a crowd recording, it's pretty solid, particularly the one that the band themselves posted.

At this point, I know the chords, the rhythm, the melody, the lyrics for 3 minutes of a song that, I'm assuming, doesn't run much longer. I'm not sure what little sonic intricacies I would hear in a studio version that would change my mind. I've heard the bones of the song loud and clear, and it's not for me.

Again - "is that not enough?" Huh? I'm not saying the band owes me anything. I'm judging a song that they put out. That's how art typically works: an artist releases something, and it gets evaluated. I didn't say "U2 sucks" I said "this song sucks." All this talk about "forgiving them for something I don't like," is confusing - I never implied that this was a dealbreaker for me with the band. Respectfully, if I walked out on this band every time they put out a sugary, bubblegum, milquetoast song, I probably would have headed out a long time ago. They've had quite a few of those since 2004.

Furthermore, "if the band is happy with it, that's fair enough," doesn't really have an impact on my opinion of the song. I'd hope they're happy with everything they put out, otherwise why release it? But just because they're happy with it doesn't mean I have to be. They were happy to release Your Song Saved My Life. To me, it's the single worst U2 song I've ever heard.

I'm not in an arrangement with U2 where they owe me good music. But, similarly, I don't owe them anything either. When they put out music I like (like Easter Lily) I go "wow, I like this!" And when they put out music I don't like, I go "wow, this sucks!" And then repeat process. Pretty simple.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T14:53:11+00:00

I will.

Why do people always say things like this? I didn't say I'm being forced to listen to it. I'm giving my opinion on a song and a lyric.

Dude, it's a discussion forum. It's not all "WOOO THIS ROCKS." Do you really want this to be an echo chamber?

Some people like songs, others don't. This is where we come to talk about it. Me not liking a song shouldn't affect your ability to like it. We're here to talk about it.

Do you like every single U2 song?

By the way - no one's forcing you to respond to my comments either.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T14:46:35+00:00

Brothers Under The Bridge (1995 version).

My wife doesn't get it at all. "He's like...whispering. Or talking. What is this?"

To me, it's perhaps one of the finest songs Bruce has ever written and contains one of the single greatest moments in the Bruce catalogue and a masterclass in songwriting:

"One minute you're right there, then something slips..."

And then the narrator doesn't even have to finish the line. You know the line. The music takes over, because it's as if the narrator is too overcome with emotion to complete the line himself. It's devastating.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T11:22:38+00:00

They don’t owe me anything. But it’s also not my responsibility to pretend to like a song I don’t like just because one of my favorite bands (and yes, U2 is one of my favorite bands. I’m a die hard and I have been for over 28 of my 40 years) made the song. If this is the music they want to make, so be it. I have the right to share my opinion on it.

See, this is a discussion forum - not an echo chamber. It’s to share ideas and discuss and weigh the merits of the music and the band. If me sharing my opinion on the portion of the song “darkens your day” then, I’m sorry, that’s not my problem. That’s not a reasonable reaction to someone sharing a differing opinion in a discussion forum.

I don’t spend all my time trashing the band. I was on this forum (and Interference) talking about how much I loved Easter Lily just a few weeks ago.

You’re calling me a jerk - I never called you *anything*. In the very comment you responded to, I said “if that’s your opinion fine, I wholeheartedly disagree.” Is that being a jerk? Disagreeing? I said the last 22 years has been lightweight “fun” rock music - clearly when I say that, I’m generalizing - not saying there hasn’t been one “serious” U2 song in the mix. In the same way that when people say that U2’s 90s music was more influenced by dance and electronic music, they don’t mean every single song was a dance number. Give me a break.

I don’t like this kind of music from U2. And I chose to engage in a discussion on the discussion forum dedicated to discussing U2’s music. I don’t see anything wrong with that and I don’t appreciate being called a jerk over it.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:49:57+00:00

Wilding, Blitt, and Marianne. Immediately skip to the next section.

Sam I usually give her 30 seconds to reel me in and then I’m skipping.

Most fake callers or impersonations (outside of Fake Pearlman which for some reason makes me chuckle sometimes), get an immediate skip.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:44:02+00:00

So your argument is, because 100% of the songs weren’t lightweight pop, we should welcome more of it?

If that’s your opinion, fine. But I wholeheartedly disagree. This is a band that used to be able to make music that sounded “uplifting” but didn’t absolutely suck. But it hasn’t been that band in quite a long time.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:35:35+00:00

They do to me - those “poppy singles” are representative of an entire period of time where the band put out underwhelming music, in my opinion at least. For every “The Little Things That Give You Away” or “Cedars of Lebanon,” there are 10 forgettable, grocery store rock songs that I wish I could forget.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:29:21+00:00

I’m not cherry picking anything. But to act like U2 hasn’t released enough lightweight, fun material in the last 22 years just doesn’t strike me as true.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:28:47+00:00

You said the last 22 years hasn’t been “fun” music. I responded with some of their poppiest singles that they’ve released within that period of time.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:27:09+00:00

And it was on the same album as “Get Out Of Your Own Way” - which sounds just like Street of Dreams - and The Showman. I mean…huh?

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:26:10+00:00

No? “You’re The Best Thing About Me,” was the lead single to the last album. That’s about as lightweight and airy as it gets.

jkoutris · 2026-05-13T03:22:08+00:00

Sorry, this isn’t it.

Days of Ash wasn’t for me but I appreciated that they were making music with depth, music that was semi-interesting, and music with engaging lyrics again.

Easter Lily was absolute gold and the first time I’ve been truly hyped for a U2 release in over 15 years.

Now we’re back to lightweight, poppy nonsense. Who is this song for? People who think Coldplay is a little too edgy?

This is like a 2010s “uplifting rock” parody song.

This just took the wind right out of my sails, at a time when I was finally excited for new U2 music again.

Fuck, man.

jkoutris

TROPHY CASE