Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[Evolution6579]

What I've heard is pretty damn good so far. My 2yo son Isaiah LOVES Mind Your Manners and Getaway and Swallowed Whole.

[Kevin Davis]

Do you see what the people who do like them find appealing, and it just doesn't speak to you, or are you baffled?

Sure. It isn't bad. "Getaway" is catchy, and I like that they're kicking off the record with something other than a grab-you-by-the-throat rocker. "Lightning Bolt" does sound better here than it did at Wrigley (though maybe that's just the sound quality talking). I like the REM influence in "Swallowed Whole." Like I said in my initial post, none of them are without their virtues, and it I did only listen to them once. I tried to specify up front that my response was a first impression, because it certainly was.

But for now it's just not all the way there for me. The songwriting feels undercooked and the production and arrangements feel sterile, unworthy of what I know the band is capable of. Brendan O'Brien said "it sounds like Pearl Jam," and I don't know that I agree; I feel like this could just as easily be any four studio-hired schmoes backing Eddie here. Again, that's a cursory judgment, but that's what we're working with at this point. Without overstating the obvious, it sounds like seven weeks of work spread out over three years.

[Heathen]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

I'd rather rank the fanboys

[harmless]

lets just go back to talking about how great lightning bolt is

Coming out of Backspacer, I couldn't feel more positive about what we seem to be getting here.

The only potential issue here is that coming out of S/T, I couldn't have felt more positive about what we were getting there.

[verb_to_trust]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

[Revelator]

LB (song) fucking kicks, great jam. Could have been epic at the end without the motherfucking fade out. The groove on Getaway is has a badass quality to it. This is shaping up to be better than BS and I liked that album. Just wish we'd get a proper leak....

[verb_to_trust]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

I'd rather rank the fanboys

This actually isn't a bad idea...

[HardTI]

Have we heard from IlluminEddie yet?

[harmless]

Do you see what the people who do like them find appealing, and it just doesn't speak to you, or are you baffled?

Sure. It isn't bad. "Getaway" is catchy, and I like that they're kicking off the record with something other than a grab-you-by-the-throat rocker. "Lightning Bolt" does sound better here than it did at Wrigley (though maybe that's just the sound quality talking). I like the REM influence in "Swallowed Whole." Like I said in my initial post, none of them are without their virtues, and it I did only listen to them once. I tried to specify up front that my response was a first impression, because it certainly was.

That said, it's just not all the way there for me. The songwriting feels undercooked and the production and arrangements feel sterile, unworthy of what I know the band is capable of. Brendan O'Brien said "it sounds like Pearl Jam," and I don't know that I agree; I feel like this could just as easily be any four studio-hired schmoes backing Eddie here. Again, that's a cursory judgment, but that's what we're working with at this point. Without overstating the obvious, it sounds like seven weeks of work spread out over three years.

That's easily explained. Judging by what he said about the other albums, he doesn't know what PJ sound like.

[epilogue]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

[wilkins]

So, shall we go ahead and re-track it with OTE, CC, and LIR?

[dimejinky99]

The music is all very sexy but the lyrics are all really 'hey man,' hippyish

That's what's baking my noodle

[WtOB?]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

[stupidmop]

Fuckin Bo'B

Fuckin hippie Vedder

[BurtReynolds]

i can't see myself ever not skipping lightning bolt on the record. that one is a real stinker.

yeah I thought it had some potential but it's such an annoying song now. yuck.

the lyrics alone make me think I can never grow to like Swallowed Whole.

[BurtReynolds]

Fuckin Bo'B

Fuckin hippie Vedder

yeah

[harmless]

The slightly off-putting effect of the shiny production begins to wear off after a while.

[nyquillyn]

The only thing that stands out to me is the last 30 seconds of Getaway.

[Tj]

My take on these songs doesn't mattermuch because I still really like back spacer alot, so I must not have much taste. Here is my take anyway
Swallowed Whole I like this song alot. It is a extention of Wishlist to my ears. I like that this song will set up Sleeping By Myself. It is not a epic song, but wasn't meant to be, and still comes close to my ears of being really great.

Let The Records Play This puts a big smile on my face . It is a fun song. I dare say great song.

Lightning Bolt Good not great. I like Unthought Known alot better than this. I do have a feeling that this will grow on me. The lyrics are really great on this one.

Getaway I am having a hard time with this song. For some reason I can't let it exist in a vacum. Which makes it really hard. I do like it alot. There is a 80's pub rock feel to this which I find odd for Pearl jam.

The Getaway Mind your manners One two punch is great. Something about this alum is starting to remind me of London Calling not that it will sound that great or be that great. There is just something about this record that is grabbing me. That I have not felt since Yield.

[E.H. Ruddock]

nah lets talk about which members of the forum we like better

I'd rather rank the fanboys

Strat and harmless







Everyone else. I love me some strat and harmless....