Gigaton: Official album thread

[Ms Harmless]

the 8th Wonder of Pearl Jam

[evenslow]

Everyone still has their trademark songwriting behaviors and logic, but it just feels like there’s such a different creative leadership behind this album. Like, someone with an idea got a hell of lot of leeway to put their fixin on everything.

well, stone claims it's ed.

i claim it's josh.

Could be both.

I doubt very much that Josh was given any real creative leadership with regard to performances, compositions, or song selection. More likely he did a great job of managing personalities and subtly nudging the band in certain directions (or avoiding others) without overtly taking the reins.

so more like a love boat lieutenant

my guess is that he created an open environment with an upbeat, positive, young, encouraging attitude. a "let's just try it" approach.

[Ms Harmless]

I doubt very much that Josh was given any real creative leadership with regard to performances, compositions, or song selection. More likely he did a great job of managing personalities and subtly nudging the band in certain directions (or avoiding others) without overtly taking the reins.

so more like a love boat lieutenant

Let's assume that was his role. Because you're right:

Why would these 5 Hall of Famers who have made some of the greatest songs of the last 30 years just hand the keys to him?

They wouldn't do that. But it's clear he had an influence on how these guys have shifted from what they sounded like 7 years ago... which is to be expected.

I hope he produces the next one

[EJ]

I doubt very much that Josh was given any real creative leadership with regard to performances, compositions, or song selection. More likely he did a great job of managing personalities and subtly nudging the band in certain directions (or avoiding others) without overtly taking the reins.

so more like a love boat lieutenant

Let's assume that was his role. Because you're right:

Why would these 5 Hall of Famers who have made some of the greatest songs of the last 30 years just hand the keys to him?

They wouldn't do that. But it's clear he had an influence on how these guys have shifted from what they sounded like 7 years ago... which is to be expected.

My uninformed guess/hope is that Jeff put his foot down on the BOB effect of the last albums. And, he is the actual mastermind behind this. And, Josh just followed his lead.

[Jaeti]

The "government" section of lyrics is holding me back on River Cross. It's beautiful, but then I get bucked off the horse a bit right when this whole wonderful near-hour of music is winding down.

It's a little too on the nose. The rest of it is gorgeous.

Yeah, although, I just this moment checked the song thread and gave the lyrics a read now that a draft is up. Seeing them visually actually helped lessen how clunky it's felt to this point. Which I kind of knew would happen based on how my brain works, but, still, maybe now I can get on with focusing on all that's great about it.

if you let this ruin the beauty of this song the problem is you.

i hope this has scared you straight.

I will fight valiantly.

[Brett]

I doubt very much that Josh was given any real creative leadership with regard to performances, compositions, or song selection. More likely he did a great job of managing personalities and subtly nudging the band in certain directions (or avoiding others) without overtly taking the reins.

so more like a love boat lieutenant

Let's assume that was his role. Because you're right:

Why would these 5 Hall of Famers who have made some of the greatest songs of the last 30 years just hand the keys to him?

They wouldn't do that. But it's clear he had an influence on how these guys have shifted from what they sounded like 7 years ago... which is to be expected.

I wouldn't be so sure. Based on some of the fragments we've gotten re: the Lightning Bolt recording process, I think O'Brien was largely in control at that point. I might be completely off base, but I think the band brought in riffs and ideas for those songs and BO'B chose which ones would be fully fleshed out and largely guided the structuring and arranging of the compositions. So there may be precedent to cede the reins to another producer, though I think you're right that they did not do so here. I agree with EJ that it seems as though Jeff was a large influence on how this album turned out and that he may have swayed Eddie's choices (as he's been credited with the final song selections).

[elliseamos]

I doubt very much that Josh was given any real creative leadership with regard to performances, compositions, or song selection. More likely he did a great job of managing personalities and subtly nudging the band in certain directions (or avoiding others) without overtly taking the reins.

so more like a love boat lieutenant

Let's assume that was his role. Because you're right:

Why would these 5 Hall of Famers who have made some of the greatest songs of the last 30 years just hand the keys to him?

They wouldn't do that. But it's clear he had an influence on how these guys have shifted from what they sounded like 7 years ago... which is to be expected.

I wouldn't be so sure. Based on some of the fragments we've gotten re: the Lightning Bolt recording process, I think O'Brien was largely in control at that point. I might be completely off base, but I think the band brought in riffs and ideas for those songs and BO'B chose which ones would be fully fleshed out and largely guided the structuring and arranging of the compositions. So there may be precedent to cede the reins to another producer, though I think you're right that they did not do so here. I agree with EJ that it seems as though Jeff was a large influence on how this album turned out and that he may have swayed Eddie's choices (as he's been credited with the final song selections).

I mean, from the beginning (momma-son) it's been Ed putting lyrics to the music of the other members. That's been more and less apparent during specific recording sessions, but in a way Ed's always had, and still has, final say because he's the one singing it. I'm sure that inspires them to write songs in a certain way or along certain lines to get Eddie to be more interested. This album seems like Ed was more willing to attempt different types of songs/styles, or maybe he was willing to concede more control over what he'd sing over to others. That said, there is a huge difference between "the band & Ed" agreeing to cede control to BOB as opposed to Josh Evans.

[Ms Harmless]

this album hasn't left my ears since I got it; if I'm awake I'm listening to it

[Homeboyd]

Who Ever Said was stuck in my head all day...in a good way. Starting to really love the song

How long before the honeymoon period is over and I can trust myself on these songs?

[Jaeti]

How long before the honeymoon period is over and I can trust myself on these songs?

Not until we have a vaccine.

[blueviper]

The band seems reinvigorated on this album.

[spike]

some solid codas on this one

[McParadigm]

Trying to figure bands that made albums this good this late in the game.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[WtOB?]

yeah, but how many of them went dud for a decade then (potentially) bounced back?

[Homeboyd]

Trying to figure bands that made albums this good this late in the game.

Bruce Springsteen made The Rising at roughly the same age as Ed is now...and then made 2 or 3 albums over the next decade that were very good. It's a little different because Bruce basically makes Bruce albums if that makes sense but he immediately jumped to mind.

Fun fact I just looked up - The Rising was Bruce's first album in 7 years and first with the E-Street band in 18 years. And I know people are, let's just say divided on Bruce, but that album is brilliant.

[spike]

stones' voodoo lounge? they were younger at the time but in their 50s.

[spike]

uncle neil in his 50s when he released broken arrow, which is great.

[Sgt. Crackpot]

My first listen of this will be the physical CD and reading the liner notes. By the sounds of it, this album deserves that.

[LoathedVermin72]

There are plenty of bands who have made albums better than this 30 years into their career...this album isn't THAT good