Can't Deny Me

[Tremorman]

Took a few listens to make sense of the music, but I really like it. Feels like a CusineArt blend of Mind Your Manners, Got Some, Force of Nature and By Crooked Steps by Soundgarden (off King Animal).

[Tremorman]

A lot of great bands (think Rolling Stones) have descended into semi-lameness, but none of them can hold a candle to the rapid decline of Pearl Jam. I went from being 100% interested to 0% interested in just a few years. I used to defend them all the time during the No Code/Yield period, but now I'm embarrassed for people to know that I ever liked them.

So you liked No Code and Yield (two of their most popular albums) and then waited another 20 years to stop defending them? That's a weird trip.

[scrub12]

I don't recall this ever being done with previous Xmas singles, which makes me think this is the start of a new album cycle.

[bodysnatcher]

what happens tonight?

[scrub12]

I’m assuming a video or something. Just the way this is being done doesn’t scream Xmas single.

[Anders]

Is this the new WWS? They did similar stuff with that song.

[bodysnatcher]

yeah this definitely isn't feeling like a fan club holiday single.

[96583UP]

thank god i had the foresight to post my dissatisfaction with this song in both the xmas single thread and 11th album rumors thread

phew

see you all over there soon to continue this shitting party

[liebzz]

Like I said, an Ed-less album is the only thing they could do that would get me excited again.

Mirrorball 2

Speaking of NY. All the people complaining about "how bad" the lyrics are and obviously "anti-Trump". This is no where near Lets Impeach the President bad.
I think we, as PJ fans, are getting dangerously close to Metallica fans in our level of disinterest/dissatisfaction. I used to laugh at how part of Metallica fans hated the new music for being, new music that wasn't anything like Metallica. The next album theyd be bitching how they just rehashed their old songs and called them new. Never happy, always mad. I hope that's not where were all headed, and I hope Pearl Jam is a better band and will keep making at least good music. Nothing was great on LB but it had good music at least. Id put this song Cant Deny Me in that category.

I really don't even know if this song is anti Trump. It could just be anti-alt right wing everything.

This has been happening with Pearl Jam fans since the beginning. I can remember people being really upset over every album release, and it intensified by 100 once the internet became a thing. The anger over Riot Act on has been palatable each time.

I have enjoyed each of the albums, though I admit there’s been a drop off in the Obama years.

[epilogue]

yeah this definitely isn't feeling like a fan club holiday single.

To be fair, it probably is. But like Gone it's also a song they'll release to everyone.

[LetMeSleep]

I love everything about this track except the actual track.

The production is rough and the performances aren’t perfect. It takes courage to release something this unpolished at this stage of their careers. Like Ole, this isn’t precious, not one aspect of it is precious. I hope that this was a lesser track of many demos that they liked enough to want to share it but knew deep down it was not catalogue worthy.

Fingers crossed a roughish album is coming soon. My thoughts now are that they probably didn’t want a political track dating an album like Bushleaguer did.

[WtOB?]

apparently radio stations have started playing this.

[HeyGuys]

apparently radio stations have started playing this.

As a punishment when their listeners misbehave?

[Juvenal]

First impressions? I liked it. Chorus is catchy.

Ed's going to struggle with those verses live, though.

[WtOB?]

good to see ya, juvey.

[Juvenal]

good to see ya, juvey.

Hello you sexy bastard

[Birds in Hell]

apparently radio stations have started playing this.

As a punishment when their listeners misbehave?

[bodysnatcher]

My thoughts now are that they probably didn’t want a political track dating an album like Bushleaguer did.

i feel like it's the opposite end of the spectrum as Bushleaguer. that song was very pointed and stubborn in nature, even calling out who it was about in the title. this song is a political song without being political. it's purposefully vague so it can be interpreted in any way the listener wants. it never names anyone... the closest it gets is the phrase "the country you are representing". someone who hates Trump can say this is about Trump. someone in the #MeToo movement can say this is about a male oppressor. someone in the Black Lives Matter group can say it's about the white man (but who in the BLM group is listening to PJ), a pacifist can say this is about the NRA, an employee sick of their boss, etc etc. it's an inoffensive, generic protest that never excludes anyone. maybe its weakness lies within its vagueness.

[coolhotwaves]

The only thing to be thankful for is that this song isn’t on the next album.

[LoathedVermin72]

My thoughts now are that they probably didn’t want a political track dating an album like Bushleaguer did.

i feel like it's the opposite end of the spectrum as Bushleaguer. that song was very pointed and stubborn in nature, even calling out who it was about in the title. this song is a political song without being political. it's purposefully vague so it can be interpreted in any way the listener wants. it never names anyone... the closest it gets is the phrase "the country you are representing". someone who hates Trump can say this is about Trump. someone in the #MeToo movement can say this is about a male oppressor. someone in the Black Lives Matter group can say it's about the white man (but who in the BLM group is listening to PJ), a pacifist can say this is about the NRA, an employee sick of their boss, etc etc. it's an inoffensive, generic protest that never excludes anyone. maybe its weakness lies within its vagueness.

It’s extremely obviously about Trump, man