Dance of the Clairvoyants

[EJ]

I think I'm mostly excited to find out is how this song will work as an album track. Has the potential to be a really interesting concept album.

[oneway23]

A lot of the popular music these days seems to be in this dancy, upbeat, positive style. Many older bands, especially acts of Pearl Jam's ilk, have pivoted to music like this in an apparent effort to derive additional revenue from car commercials; this song should play well live during summer festival season.

Within the context of Pearl Jam, a welcome development. Commend them for expanding the palate, and dig the groove.

Don't want to hop wholeheartedly onto the accelerating hype train just yet, though. Yes, the delivery sounds a bit like Talking Heads, but, putting a danceable rhythm with some funky, choppy guitar is a bit de rigueur these days.

Wife and I have just come from seeing David Byrne on Broadway this past Sunday (unlike anything I've ever seen live), and it occurs to me that Taking Heads pulled truly disparate, and (at the time) exotic threads to weave wholly new, innovative creations, with David Byrne continuing such boundless exploration to this very day.

I realize the level of groundbreaking gene-splicing that Talking Heads engaged in during the 70s and 80s is almost impossible to experience again in 2020, but, IMO, this is a good song in the context of Pearl Jam's journey; let's cool it a bit beyond that. This isn't Talking Heads, it's merely a good facsimile of such experimentation.

I was never a big talking heads fan (though I like some of their stuff a lot), and sounding like the talking heads isn't in itself what makes a song successful, since the talking heads are not the standard by which all music is judged.

What is interesting about this sounding like talking heads is that it speaks to an interest the band has in trying a different direction and incorporating new elements into a familiar template (and it is an exciting influence).

Absolutely, Stip. I've just got all of the Talking Heads comments swirling in my mind while reading the reactions. I would definitely agree with you that this is a major PJ influence which has not really been explored by the band very much in the past, so, in that sense, it's nice to see the boys still willing to acknowledge different ingredients of their musical stew.

I'm merely pointing out an observation that at lot of aging alternative bands seem to be floating in the orbit of this influence at the moment. Maybe it's in a bid to maintain a semblance of relevance in light of a ton of younger bands sounding like this these days? I don't know.

In any case, I'm fine with anything, so long as the band feels vital and fresh as an actual productive entity. There was no worse feeling over the past few years than seeing a band who tours every few years for a couple of weeks with seemingly nothing new to say, except that they were frustrated by not being a creative outlet.

[oneway23]

It's a very different song, but the atmospheric, layered vocals in the outro kind of reminds me of W.M.A

Keen pickup. I like that

[stip]

A lot of the popular music these days seems to be in this dancy, upbeat, positive style. Many older bands, especially acts of Pearl Jam's ilk, have pivoted to music like this in an apparent effort to derive additional revenue from car commercials; this song should play well live during summer festival season.

Within the context of Pearl Jam, a welcome development. Commend them for expanding the palate, and dig the groove.

Don't want to hop wholeheartedly onto the accelerating hype train just yet, though. Yes, the delivery sounds a bit like Talking Heads, but, putting a danceable rhythm with some funky, choppy guitar is a bit de rigueur these days.

Wife and I have just come from seeing David Byrne on Broadway this past Sunday (unlike anything I've ever seen live), and it occurs to me that Taking Heads pulled truly disparate, and (at the time) exotic threads to weave wholly new, innovative creations, with David Byrne continuing such boundless exploration to this very day.

I realize the level of groundbreaking gene-splicing that Talking Heads engaged in during the 70s and 80s is almost impossible to experience again in 2020, but, IMO, this is a good song in the context of Pearl Jam's journey; let's cool it a bit beyond that. This isn't Talking Heads, it's merely a good facsimile of such experimentation.

I was never a big talking heads fan (though I like some of their stuff a lot), and sounding like the talking heads isn't in itself what makes a song successful, since the talking heads are not the standard by which all music is judged.

What is interesting about this sounding like talking heads is that it speaks to an interest the band has in trying a different direction and incorporating new elements into a familiar template (and it is an exciting influence).

Absolutely, Stip. I've just got all of the Talking Heads comments swirling in my mind while reading the reactions. I would definitely agree with you that this is a major PJ influence which has not really been explored by the band very much in the past, so, in that sense, it's nice to see the boys still willing to acknowledge different ingredients of their musical stew.

I'm merely pointing out an observation that at lot of aging alternative bands seem to be floating in the orbit of this influence at the moment. Maybe it's in a bid to maintain a semblance of relevance in light of a ton of younger bands sounding like this these days? I don't know.

Fair enough - this is the only aging alternative band I am tracking so I can't really speak to any larger trends

[oneway23]

In terms of trying new stuff, I kinda feel like this is PJ trying anal.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

The more i listen the more i like it, first time this morning the car it really started to hit me. After 5 times through on the way to work its stuck in my head and thats a great thing

[evenslow]

[greendisease]

Multiple listens at this point and I wholeheartedly dig it. As mentioned, the first introduction of vocals is jarring and gave me a “here we go again” moment, but as soon as that growl kicks in it all seems to come together. That last two minutes is an absolute groove.
Keen to see this live with multiple members of the band singing that outro.
The last few lead singles had me looking forward to the album in the hopes of something better to stave my disappointment. Finally I’m looking forward to an album to get a taste of some more.

[EJ]

Do you think that when Ed sings "boys like to fix and fire things" he in fact acknowledges that The Fixer was a steaming pile of hot cow dung?

maybe they'll have a video with some boys setting a Target store on fire

[DissidentRival4]

I definitely dig it! Looking forward to the whole album.

[oneway23]

Fair enough - this is the only aging alternative band I am tracking so I can't really speak to any larger trends

Beck seems to be making somewhat similar career decisions these days, as an example. Jack White's last album was also heavily based in more atmosphere, texture, and rhythm on the last go around.

Like I said, I AM really enjoying it. I just don't want to see the hype train barrel away just yet. I'm already too late, aren't I?

[lowlight79]

It's not an easy track to take in after 1 listen. That being said, with what I've been through over the last two years. This song is where I am right now.

[evenslow]

man, each guy is adding something so perfectly tasteful to the whole on this (including production).

[dad]

Also, the line sounds like:

Expecting perfection leaves a lot to endure

The second time around, I mean.

I keep hearing that as well.

[Lounge Lizard]

In terms of trying new stuff, I kinda feel like this is PJ trying anal.

Are we still allowed to like it, what's the rule here

[evenslow]

also like how the drums slowly become less electronic on the outro.

[stip]

Fair enough - this is the only aging alternative band I am tracking so I can't really speak to any larger trends

Beck seems to be making somewhat similar career decisions these days, as an example. Jack White's last album was also heavily based in more atmosphere, texture, and rhythm on the last go around.

Like I said, I AM really enjoying it. I just don't want to see the hype train barrel away just yet. I'm already too late, aren't I?

Don't worry. RM knows how to stop a train when the time comes.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[vedder316]

yeah, I like it. gets better with each listen.

I know the girls wanna dance
Clairvoyants in a trance...

[stip]

Also, the line sounds like:

Expecting perfection leaves a lot to endure

The second time around, I mean.

I keep hearing that as well.

Yes

same