Gigaton: Official album thread

[steveddievedder]

Ive listened to Gigaton a lot more than I ever do with any new album and it just gets better and better for me, especially the first 4 songs. Although I am starting to see why people don't dig Retrograde so much, it's the one song I look forward to least.

But, and I think I've read a few comments like this, my son LOVES it. He's not even 2 and he wants to listen to Buckle Up constantly, this album is the only one he actively asks for, or just hits the start button on himself. I can't work out if it just because the songs are good, or if there's something specific in there that makes it work for kids.

Anyway, I'm just trying to cheer myself up with Gigaton chat as I should in Zurich right now still sweating from my third show of the week, instead of sitting at home.

[surfndestroy]

I'm amazed by the reaction that this album has gotten, because to me it just sounds like a (slightly different) continuation of the crap songwriting on their last 3 albums.

But it does make me happy that PJ is getting some love again.

I can certainly appreciate that not everyone is going to love this album, but i have a hard time imagining anyone lumping it in with the prior two albums.

For me, Gigaton answered the question: "if Pearl Jam released an album that sounded like they cared, that showed a level of inspiration and craft beyond the perfunctory nature of the last decade of their career, would my fandom be reactivated?" The answer, as it turns out, is "not really." The first sign was when everyone here was raving about DOTC and I just felt like... "huh." They do just about everything right on Gigaton, but I think their sound and their overall creative identity just doesn't resonate with me anymore. That's cool, it's not Gigaton's fault, I'm just not really in the market for this type of music right now. I don't see myself revisiting the album beyond "Buckle Up" and "Take the Long Way," both of which are fantastic songs that I genuinely enjoy, and both of which kind of don't sound like 2020 Pearl Jam. While there is a lot to admire on the rest of Gigaton, I'm totally cool with appreciating it from a distance, and being glad that it makes other people happy. It's as amicable a breakup as you could have.

That sums up how I feel about it. except I would add that Ed’s vocals just kill anything I like about it.

[RockPusher]

Every time I hear "Quick Escape" I think- this makes grunge feel relevant again.

[PHATJ]

Every time I hear "Quick Escape" I think- this makes grunge feel relevant again.

I have the same general feeling. And QE is still my favorite song on the record.

[VinylGuy]

Im not sure my favorite.....it might be Dance Of The Clairvoyants. QE is somewhere close for sure.

[Birds in Hell]

I'm amazed by the reaction that this album has gotten, because to me it just sounds like a (slightly different) continuation of the crap songwriting on their last 3 albums.

But it does make me happy that PJ is getting some love again.

I can certainly appreciate that not everyone is going to love this album, but i have a hard time imagining anyone lumping it in with the prior two albums.

For me, Gigaton answered the question: "if Pearl Jam released an album that sounded like they cared, that showed a level of inspiration and craft beyond the perfunctory nature of the last decade of their career, would my fandom be reactivated?" The answer, as it turns out, is "not really." The first sign was when everyone here was raving about DOTC and I just felt like... "huh." They do just about everything right on Gigaton, but I think their sound and their overall creative identity just doesn't resonate with me anymore. That's cool, it's not Gigaton's fault, I'm just not really in the market for this type of music right now. I don't see myself revisiting the album beyond "Buckle Up" and "Take the Long Way," both of which are fantastic songs that I genuinely enjoy, and both of which kind of don't sound like 2020 Pearl Jam. While there is a lot to admire on the rest of Gigaton, I'm totally cool with appreciating it from a distance, and being glad that it makes other people happy. It's as amicable a breakup as you could have.

I liked DOTC a lot (and still do) - but otherwise this is me too.

[VinylGuy]

I get that, but it feels weird that you dont think that can change with time. Pretty much every album from PJ changed for me with time.

Riot Act was great when it came out and then seemed like a half baked album. Since last year it gained again its status of great album. Avocado was amazing at first and then dropped a lot. This year it got me hooked again, and its up there with their best work.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Yeah I've stopped listening to most of it, except for Buckle Up and DotC. But it is holding firm for me as being as good as ST, which is a good thing.

[Tj]

Just boosted this to 4 stars from 3. That is do to my love of the first three songs. Retrograde is working well as evening trail run song.

[epilogue]

Every time I hear "Quick Escape" I think- this makes grunge feel relevant again.

Interesting. The song doesn't strike me as particularly grunge.

[Monkey_Driven]

I'm amazed by the reaction that this album has gotten, because to me it just sounds like a (slightly different) continuation of the crap songwriting on their last 3 albums.

But it does make me happy that PJ is getting some love again.

I can certainly appreciate that not everyone is going to love this album, but i have a hard time imagining anyone lumping it in with the prior two albums.

For me, Gigaton answered the question: "if Pearl Jam released an album that sounded like they cared, that showed a level of inspiration and craft beyond the perfunctory nature of the last decade of their career, would my fandom be reactivated?" The answer, as it turns out, is "not really." The first sign was when everyone here was raving about DOTC and I just felt like... "huh." They do just about everything right on Gigaton, but I think their sound and their overall creative identity just doesn't resonate with me anymore. That's cool, it's not Gigaton's fault, I'm just not really in the market for this type of music right now. I don't see myself revisiting the album beyond "Buckle Up" and "Take the Long Way," both of which are fantastic songs that I genuinely enjoy, and both of which kind of don't sound like 2020 Pearl Jam. While there is a lot to admire on the rest of Gigaton, I'm totally cool with appreciating it from a distance, and being glad that it makes other people happy. It's as amicable a breakup as you could have.

Good perspective

[Leatherhead]

I'm amazed by the reaction that this album has gotten, because to me it just sounds like a (slightly different) continuation of the crap songwriting on their last 3 albums.

But it does make me happy that PJ is getting some love again.

I can certainly appreciate that not everyone is going to love this album, but i have a hard time imagining anyone lumping it in with the prior two albums.

For me, Gigaton answered the question: "if Pearl Jam released an album that sounded like they cared, that showed a level of inspiration and craft beyond the perfunctory nature of the last decade of their career, would my fandom be reactivated?" The answer, as it turns out, is "not really." The first sign was when everyone here was raving about DOTC and I just felt like... "huh." They do just about everything right on Gigaton, but I think their sound and their overall creative identity just doesn't resonate with me anymore. That's cool, it's not Gigaton's fault, I'm just not really in the market for this type of music right now. I don't see myself revisiting the album beyond "Buckle Up" and "Take the Long Way," both of which are fantastic songs that I genuinely enjoy, and both of which kind of don't sound like 2020 Pearl Jam. While there is a lot to admire on the rest of Gigaton, I'm totally cool with appreciating it from a distance, and being glad that it makes other people happy. It's as amicable a breakup as you could have.

Good perspective

I think I feel like this with the new TOOL album, but I still intend on really digging into that album at some point. TOOL was probably my favorite band before Pearl Jam, but the connection was never as strong. I mean WES has almost brought tears to my eyes on occasion.

[Rangi Guy]

I'm amazed by the reaction that this album has gotten, because to me it just sounds like a (slightly different) continuation of the crap songwriting on their last 3 albums.

But it does make me happy that PJ is getting some love again.

I can certainly appreciate that not everyone is going to love this album, but i have a hard time imagining anyone lumping it in with the prior two albums.

For me, Gigaton answered the question: "if Pearl Jam released an album that sounded like they cared, that showed a level of inspiration and craft beyond the perfunctory nature of the last decade of their career, would my fandom be reactivated?" The answer, as it turns out, is "not really." The first sign was when everyone here was raving about DOTC and I just felt like... "huh." They do just about everything right on Gigaton, but I think their sound and their overall creative identity just doesn't resonate with me anymore. That's cool, it's not Gigaton's fault, I'm just not really in the market for this type of music right now. I don't see myself revisiting the album beyond "Buckle Up" and "Take the Long Way," both of which are fantastic songs that I genuinely enjoy, and both of which kind of don't sound like 2020 Pearl Jam. While there is a lot to admire on the rest of Gigaton, I'm totally cool with appreciating it from a distance, and being glad that it makes other people happy. It's as amicable a breakup as you could have.

Good perspective

I think I feel like this with the new TOOL album, but I still intend on really digging into that album at some point. TOOL was probably my favorite band before Pearl Jam, but the connection was never as strong. I mean WES has almost brought tears to my eyes on occasion.

This and the new Tool album are pretty much all I'm listening to on a semi-regular basis.....more often the new Tool though

[stip]

its okay to not like a band anymore. Tool is a great example for me - used to be my third favorite band and now I find even the stuff they are doing right just doesnt speak to what I am looking for right now

[epilogue]

Listened, front to back, again on a solo early morning walk. Still an engaging and emotional record. And it just sounds so great, too. I'm so happy to have it. I don't think I expected to appreciate and crave a new Pearl Jam album ever again -- certainly not to this degree. This thing is such a balm.

[VinylGuy]

I always expect to be in love with a pj album. Except for LB, it always happened. Gigaton, exceeded my own expectations with how good and great it sounds.

[VinylGuy]

its okay to not like a band anymore. Tool is a great example for me - used to be my third favorite band and now I find even the stuff they are doing right just doesnt speak to what I am looking for right now

yeah. this is super true.

[epilogue]

I always expect to be in love with a pj album. Except for LB, it always happened. Gigaton, exceeded my own expectations with how good and great it sounds.

Sure. I expect to love a new Pearl Jam album, too, in that way that fans love things. That's why I'm still a fan and I keep buying their shit. But I don't expect to be moved the way I used to. At this point in there career, I expect a decent enough record with two or three songs that I adore and maybe one that I don't care for at all. Gigaton far exceeded my wildest expectations for what a new Pearl Jam album, at this point in their careers, could be/do.

[epilogue]

After today's listen:

1. Dance of the Clairvoyants
2. Quick Escape
3. Comes Then Goes
4. Retrograde
5. Alright
6. Who Ever Said
7. River Cross
8. Superblood Wolfmoon
9. Seven O'Clock
10. Buckle Up
11. Take the Long Way
12. Never Destination

[VinylGuy]

I always expect to be in love with a pj album. Except for LB, it always happened. Gigaton, exceeded my own expectations with how good and great it sounds.

Sure. I expect to love a new Pearl Jam album, too, in that way that fans love things. That's why I'm still a fan and I keep buying their shit. But I don't expect to be moved the way I used to. At this point in there career, I expect a decent enough record with two or three songs that I adore and maybe one that I don't care for at all. Gigaton far exceeded my wildest expectations for what a new Pearl Jam album, at this point in their careers, could be/do.

i get that, i guess im lucky that even LB has moments were im totally moved. Sirens for example, or Yellow Moon they just get me.