Gigaton: Official album thread

[bune]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

that's what I read (and am reading) through this thread. when the fans of something make you start to hate it, maybe it's the fans who are the problem.

[Strat]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

The negativity is exhausting, but he stated "The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches"

This is different than "You guys are so negative and hate the band so much and RM is ehxuasting"

Discussing pearl jam and those things that we love about the band, and discussing how/where it seems they are lacking in these areas in which we originally fell in love with, is a perfectly fine and healthy discussion to be had. Its borderline pit of him to come in and suggest otherwise.

[stip]

I mercifully missed a few hundred pages of it, I think.

[stip]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

The negativity is exhausting, but he stated "The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches"

This is different than "You guys are so negative and hate the band so much and RM is ehxuasting"

Discussing pearl jam and those things that we love about the band, and discussing how/where it seems they are lacking in these areas in which we originally fell in love with, is a perfectly fine and healthy discussion to be had. Its borderline pit of him to come in and suggest otherwise.

Sure, but think about the issue you took with Mikeyisgod (I think you did, apologies if not) for his criticism of DotC which largely revolved around 'this isn't the pearl jam I love and therefore sucks', or could easily be interpreted that way. Is it that different?

[bodysnatcher]

Greer encouraged the band to mix “Gigaton” in Dolby Atmos and present it in that format at today’s playback to highlight Evans’ production work. Indeed, “Gigaton” is believed to be the first album released by the Universal Music Group in Dolby Atmos sound. “It’s such a unique way to experience the album and appreciate the level of effort the band put into it,” says Greer.

holy shit

This is an interesting discovery. My car has Bose speakers, and there’s a setting on them where you can have them create a multi-channel immersive surround sound. I typically leave this off bc it screws with the soundstage and feels like it’s trying to make a studio song sound like its live or something. And depending on the song it feels unnatural. I just keep it off since usually it doesn’t add much.

I tried turning it on for DotC, and it sounded extremely good. The first time that setting has ever enhanced a song in the car.

[Strat]

Also, a number of people here have experience with mixing, mastering, recording, of music and all that goes into it. Its fasincating to hear there thoughts on recent releases pearl jam have done and why many people feel distant to modern day pearl jam and how it relates to some of these studio techniques.

These are awesome discussions.

"oh but its pealr jam dont make me choose between cant dney me and dance of the clarvoyants!!!". Fuck that.

[Strat]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

The negativity is exhausting, but he stated "The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches"

This is different than "You guys are so negative and hate the band so much and RM is ehxuasting"

Discussing pearl jam and those things that we love about the band, and discussing how/where it seems they are lacking in these areas in which we originally fell in love with, is a perfectly fine and healthy discussion to be had. Its borderline pit of him to come in and suggest otherwise.

Sure, but think about the issue you took with Mikeyisgod (I think you did, apologies if not) for his criticism of DotC which largely revolved around 'this isn't the pearl jam I love and therefore sucks', or could easily be interpreted that way. Is it that different?

I probably made fun of him for not liking Cropduster.

And i dont feel like those two points are similar to what i was just discussing at Tuolomne?

[oneway23]

“The boys”

A rare moment of public-facing sentimentality on my part. I do agree, it really was a bit strong.
I will flog myself appropriately.

Have you watched "The Boys" on Amazon Prime? A fine show!

[swan]

Hey y'all, haven't had the time to go back & read everything that's happened since the event yesterday. It's awesome that an RM poster was there.

My friend who has been briefly discussed much earlier in the thread (Seattle producer/engineer, co-owner of London Bridge) was also in attendance. Since the details of the event are out there publicly, I can share what he told me. Not a lot of new info but thought you would appreciate it. It was super exciting when I saw his first message. Posted verbatim below:

"I may be in an Uber on the way to listen to the whole new PJ album in LA. Here’s to hoping phones aren’t confiscated"

"It’s at a studio and mixed in Atmos, which is crazy 360 sound. This is the first play of the whole album for the label and allllll the peeps"

"Well boys... opinions are going to be all over the place on this one!
The songs... linger. I found a lot of it very moving.

That doesn't sound promising. Something moving that lingers... that could be a description of a fart.

So.... is he saying that Gigaton stinks?

No, he said "I dig it, it's a deep dive in a good way"

[Anders]

The one question remains...

Why is this being released on March 27th??

Jeez....

Maybe it’s the 30th anniversary of Stone asking Mike to play with and start a band with him, the real start of Pearl Jam.

[evenslow]

Hey y'all, haven't had the time to go back & read everything that's happened since the event yesterday. It's awesome that an RM poster was there.

My friend who has been briefly discussed much earlier in the thread (Seattle producer/engineer, co-owner of London Bridge) was also in attendance. Since the details of the event are out there publicly, I can share what he told me. Not a lot of new info but thought you would appreciate it. It was super exciting when I saw his first message. Posted verbatim below:

"I may be in an Uber on the way to listen to the whole new PJ album in LA. Here’s to hoping phones aren’t confiscated"

"It’s at a studio and mixed in Atmos, which is crazy 360 sound. This is the first play of the whole album for the label and allllll the peeps"

"Well boys... opinions are going to be all over the place on this one!
The songs... linger. I found a lot of it very moving.

That doesn't sound promising. Something moving that lingers... that could be a description of a fart.

So.... is he saying that Gigaton stinks?

No, he said "I dig it, it's a deep dive in a good way"

ok, swan, time to man up and dig for more info. sure, you might possibly annoy him to the point of ruining your friendship, but username evenslow on the message board red mosquito will be sated for three seconds before asking you for more.

[evenslow]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

1000% agree with this but at the same time can believe this...

from my perspective, LB is perhaps the only Pearl Jam album without an overriding aesthetic. it's a true hodgepodge. a grab bag without a coherent thru-line. i like when an artist or a band approaches a piece of art with an overarching thought in mind about what they are trying to say, be it thematically or sonically. i was really hoping gigaton would deliver on that.

you can be tired of the blatant negativity and have considered criticism of where they're at in their career.

[Strat]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

1000% agree with this but at the same time can believe this...

from my perspective, LB is perhaps the only Pearl Jam album without an overriding aesthetic. it's a true hodgepodge. a grab bag without a coherent thru-line. i like when an artist or a band approaches a piece of art with an overarching thought in mind about what they are trying to say, be it thematically or sonically. i was really hoping gigaton would deliver on that.

you can be tired of the blatant negativity and have considered criticism of where they're at in their career.

Tuolomne should spend less time trying to shut the criticism down and more time just engaging and discussing. That is what i feel. And, trust me, as a rehabilitated pj apologist, its best to just sit cozy and enjoy discussions on all aspects of pearl jam.

[stip]

In defense of Tuolumne, he isn't talking about people being dissatisfied or critical as much as the relentless negativity and viciousness -which maybe was playful to some people but made it really difficult to actually enjoy the music for others. It's one of the reasons I walked away. There was no music coming and I was tired of just listening to people shit on stuff I cared about. There is enough of that in the rest of the world, and I don't need it in my escapes.

Maybe I'm just reading my own experience into his comment.

1000% agree with this but at the same time can believe this...

from my perspective, LB is perhaps the only Pearl Jam album without an overriding aesthetic. it's a true hodgepodge. a grab bag without a coherent thru-line. i like when an artist or a band approaches a piece of art with an overarching thought in mind about what they are trying to say, be it thematically or sonically. i was really hoping gigaton would deliver on that.

you can be tired of the blatant negativity and have considered criticism of where they're at in their career.

of course you can. it would be boring if you couldn't.

[numbers]

From what I can interpret from these descriptions, I feel like the song variety and the possibly more layered work could make it fall into an attempt at Yield/Binaural territory.

And, I feel fortunate they're still around. It is very rare to have band situations where people are even around, together, and alive much less have an opportunity to put out a song like DoTC.

Some of the fan entitlement over the last 15 years, as if the band is required a certain level of customer service in terms of creative approach, is nauseating to me. I want them to make something that represents where they are spiritually at as accurately as possible. Whatever that is. If they can accomplish that to a successful degree, then it's good art to follow. The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches, is a fanbase that has lost it's way more than the band themselves. They are not a fuckin jukebox.

Once the band made the transition into a merch machine that tries to bleed fanatics dry, I think it became OK to criticize their lack of creative output.

[Strat]

From what I can interpret from these descriptions, I feel like the song variety and the possibly more layered work could make it fall into an attempt at Yield/Binaural territory.

And, I feel fortunate they're still around. It is very rare to have band situations where people are even around, together, and alive much less have an opportunity to put out a song like DoTC.

Some of the fan entitlement over the last 15 years, as if the band is required a certain level of customer service in terms of creative approach, is nauseating to me. I want them to make something that represents where they are spiritually at as accurately as possible. Whatever that is. If they can accomplish that to a successful degree, then it's good art to follow. The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches, is a fanbase that has lost it's way more than the band themselves. They are not a fuckin jukebox.

I think it OK to criticize their lack of creative output.

*FTFY

[evenslow]

From what I can interpret from these descriptions, I feel like the song variety and the possibly more layered work could make it fall into an attempt at Yield/Binaural territory.

And, I feel fortunate they're still around. It is very rare to have band situations where people are even around, together, and alive much less have an opportunity to put out a song like DoTC.

Some of the fan entitlement over the last 15 years, as if the band is required a certain level of customer service in terms of creative approach, is nauseating to me. I want them to make something that represents where they are spiritually at as accurately as possible. Whatever that is. If they can accomplish that to a successful degree, then it's good art to follow. The whole idea of people wanting specific tempos, styles, lyrics, and technical approaches, is a fanbase that has lost it's way more than the band themselves. They are not a fuckin jukebox.

I think it OK to criticize their lack of creative output.

*FTFY

well done

[96583UP]

I hope this album sounds more like ‘Obey They Law of the Heart’

[scrub12]

Moar Gigaton articles, although this one definitely isn't as detailed.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/colu ... rammy-week

Turns out Eddie Vedder is quite the gracious host. The Pearl Jam frontman poured tequila shots and toasted with guests Friday (Jan. 24) during an intimate listening party at L.A.’s NeueHouse for the band’s 11th studio album, Gigaton, due March 27 on Republic Records imprint Monkeywrench.

After an introduction by Republic CEO Monte Lipman, a chill but visibly excited Vedder took the mic to welcome the crowd and pull back the curtain on the band’s first studio album since 2013’s Lightning Bolt.

“There’s a mystery to the creative process,” Vedder said. “Sometimes there’s an element that lands on it. You can pray, you can meditate -- but sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. To say there was some magic involved with this [album] would be more self-confidence than I’ve ever had… but I think you’re going to hear it.”

Produced by the band with longtime collaborator Josh Evans, Gigaton was mixed and presented in Dolby Atmos, which accentuated the elaborately layered sounds that interplay across the 12 tracks. Evans told the audience Dolby Atmos “helps us share with you how we hear it in our minds.”

The playback event followed the release of first single “Dance of the Clairvoyants,” which dropped earlier this week with a retro-vibe effervescence and funk, and a palpable nod to Talking Heads-era David Byrne.

Earlier this month, Pearl Jam treated fans to an Internet scavenger hunt-style reveal of the album’s cover art, which features an image captured in Svalbard, Norway of an ice cap gushing meltwater. When viewed via the Gigaton Instagram filter, augmented reality appears to show the water in motion.

When not up mingling, Vedder -- the only Pearl Jam member at the event -- sat intently taking in the album, swaying to the beat and even indulging in a little air-drumming. At the conclusion, he thanked the myriad collaborators who helped bring Gigaton to fruition, and offered a personal reflection.

“Even I was a little moved at the end. That’s a good sign,” Vedder said before thanking his “new drinking buddies” and noting, “I’ve never had this much tequila in the afternoon.”

[stip]

I like hearing the phrase elaborately layered - especially since it is used to such good effect in DotC.