Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[McParadigm]

But you're right, I'm an unthinking fanboy.

That's not remotely what I'm saying.

[VinylGuy]

To be honest I fully admit that I might be missing what others are saying about these songs being average or bland, because rhythm section is what I'm most interested in, then lyrics, then everything else. Other people seem to leap on the guitars first. For most people I guess it's what goes on in the "middle" that makes a song. For me it's the bass/drums and then voice/lyrics.

You once made a comment in the Other Bands section about a record...something like "that piece of crap is the only album by a band I like that I have ever called a piece of crap."

Given the nature of most of your comments in that section I've been operating under the assumption that, once you've hitched your ride to a band, you tend to be all in. Very, very, very, very, very rarely do you express displeasure at a new release by an artist you already like.

not true...he is one of the critical around here.

I love Harmless views on anything.

[Heathen]

You'll still be biased as to what *makes* the song for you in the end though. We all are.

I guess it's mostly the overall feeling expressed by the song, where it takes me, etc. Sometimes a particular element is going to be key in achieving that but I don't focus on an instrument in particular.

[harmless]

But next time anyone needs evidence that some people here have to undermine people in order to justify their negative opinions, there it was.

[McParadigm]

But next time anyone needs evidence that some people here have to undermine people in order to justify their negative opinions, there it was.

You're missing the point completely, harm. I'm not talking about your connection to Pearl Jam (I wasn't talking about Pearl Jam at all), and I'm not accusing you of refusing to see a band's failures. What I'm saying is that when you "fall" for an artist, you bring an intensity to that connection that is distinct. It couldn't remotely be defined as "fanboy," because a "fanboy" is locked in on a single artist and occasionally serves as an apologist or truth-stretcher for that artist. I don't ever get either of those impressions from you.

[Heathen]

To be honest I fully admit that I might be missing what others are saying about these songs being average or bland, because rhythm section is what I'm most interested in, then lyrics, then everything else. Other people seem to leap on the guitars first. For most people I guess it's what goes on in the "middle" that makes a song. For me it's the bass/drums and then voice/lyrics.

You once made a comment in the Other Bands section about a record...something like "that piece of crap is the only album by a band I like that I have ever called a piece of crap."

Given the nature of most of your comments in that section I've been operating under the assumption that, once you've hitched your ride to a band, you tend to be all in. Very, very, very, very, very rarely do you express displeasure at a new release by an artist you already like.

not true...he is one of the critical around here.

It's kinda hard to tell because he changes his mind so often, and will call 'filler' a song he loves. Depending on which half of his posts you read you can think he likes everything or that he's over-critical.

[Juvenal]

Sorry I missed this earlier - is it cool to hate Sirens yet?

[harmless]

I don't change my mind, my opinions are just nuanced. Great songs can be "fillers" depending on how you're using the term. I'm using the term "filler" for these songs because that's the purpose I think they'll serve on the album, I don't think they're the major set-pieces. Generally on Pearl Jam I hope I've made it clear that I grade PJ on a curve, so I'll call a song I'm really excited by now a 5-star song, whilst in the mid-late 90s / early 00s I might not have. I'll call a song excellent if it succeeds in its own right, regardless of history.

[HardTI]

Sorry I missed this earlier - is it cool to hate Sirens yet?

We have to wait to see if it's political enough. Pretty sure it's safe to hate though.

[Iowaska_Experience]

Ah...the inevitable Harmless backlash begins.

[harmless]

My opinion on S/T and Backspacer is that they're both OK, for different reasons, but I wanted something better / different this time and I'm very glad we've got it. That makes me talk about the last two albums in a more negative way than I might have at the time, because it's easier to see their flaws against these songs' strengths.

[Heathen]

Sorry I missed this earlier - is it cool to hate Sirens yet?

We have to wait to see if it's political enough. Pretty sure it's safe to hate though.

Hate the studio version, love the German guy version.

[harmless]

Ah...the inevitable Harmless backlash begins.

Backlash over, it just wound me up.

[Iowaska_Experience]

Ah...the inevitable Harmless backlash begins.

Backlash over, it just wound me up.

I was more referencing the false recriminations being made against you, perhaps unfairly as a result of your high post count in this thread. But that too.

[harmless]

I'm kind of glad to be called positive actually, considering how many hot coals I've heaped upon Brendan O'Brien in the last weeks and months.

[WaitingForBluey]

I have to admit.... I'm actually very nervous about Sirens. As the 4th track, it could really make or break this album. So far everything I have been reading sounds pretty positive and that's without the most intriguing songs yet (MFS, Infallible, Pendulum, YM).

But it's pretty clear from the listening party reviews that Sirens received a very mixed reaction. As in, the ladies all raved about it. The dudes were like... eh? That makes me pretty nervous. It just needs to be better than Just Breathe. That's my target. A song that I don't have to love, but definitely one that I don't want to skip only 4 tracks into the album.

[stip]

He's singing within his register
No screeching. No screaming.

I think you may want to listen to the latter parts of Lightning Bolt before readdressing the above statement(s).

oh it sounds so good there. Same at the end of MYM. It is a great exclamation point. I can see being turned off if it is the entire song (ala johnny guitar, for instance)

To be fair it's just the "thoughts will soon arrIIIIIIVE" part that's grating me at the moment. I like the concept, just don't think it's "in his register" any more. Maybe I'd have preferred a more conservative delivery of that part on record and wouldn't have minded if he wanted to put his nuts on the block a bit more for that bit when played live.

I think that bit at the end of lightning bolt sounds rough . No god with such Miiiieeeeaaaghhhhtttssghthg*coughs up a lung*

Dear Stupidmop,

If you are going to continue to shit on everything I love, then please attach an avatar to your account. You have 1300 posts for fuck's sake.

Sincerely yours,

Stip

Someone turn this into an avatar and ill do it. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8001 ... 0e73_z.jpg

someone please do this

Thanks!

Happy now stip?! I have conformed to your barbaric board ideals. Now everyone knows my true face.

yes.

yes i am

[ccanad]

http://www.clashmusic.com/features/album-preview-pearl-jams-lightning-bolt

All in all I'd say this author doesn't know what he's talking about. LTRP sounds 90's to him? WTF...

...and LB sounds like Animal :S

"I'd rather be.....I'd rather be......I'd rather be like an animal"

"Lightning bolt......Lightning bolt.....Lightning bolt"


Oh man..........that's it, and that's not even close.

The inflection in "Aaaaniiiimuuuuullll" and "Liiightniiiiing Boooooowlt" Is actually not that far off, lol

[harmless]

http://www.clashmusic.com/features/album-preview-pearl-jams-lightning-bolt

All in all I'd say this author doesn't know what he's talking about. LTRP sounds 90's to him? WTF...

...and LB sounds like Animal :S

"I'd rather be.....I'd rather be......I'd rather be like an animal"

"Lightning bolt......Lightning bolt.....Lightning bolt"


Oh man..........that's it, and that's not even close.

The inflection in "Aaaaniiiimuuuuullll" and "Liiightniiiiing Boooooowlt" Is actually not that far off, lol

Yeah, it's an odd observation but I can see it.

[OmegaprimeVKM]

Anyone hear Sirens as virtually an Oasis-esque track?

Listen to acoustic versions of Wonderwall, Everybody's On the Run or Sunday Morning Call and you'll see what I mean.