Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[harmless]

See that article was vaguely backhanded.

it's fairly self-evident that these tracks would have sounded better if recorded at literally any other time in Pearl Jam's history. The occasional presence of an orchestra is just bewildering: this is a band that reaches their emotional highs through blood, sweat and tears, not symphonic gimmicks.

I agree with that though.

Sirens will be extra cheesy because we all know its going to come from a place of 100% pure sincerity. Not 'hey we wrote a totally 80s ballad lols' but 'our most beautiful song ever ever'

Yup, I agree. But these guys, they're just into that yanno? They're big goofy cheeseballs. They've been pretty transparent about that for a loooong time now, but they generally played to a music scene that required something cooler and more alternative than that. One wonders whether Ed might've been Bon Jovi from the start if he'd felt he could make it that way, but that's probably super insulting.

[Lounge Lizard]

Also, that English review gives me hope for the record.
I generally disagree with everything they write about Pj since none of them journalists in the Uk know really anything about Pj outside the big headline moments, Ten, Kurt, Roskilde.
So this album is probably awesome

what English review?

[harmless]

Also, that English review gives me hope for the record.
I generally disagree with everything they write about Pj since none of them journalists in the Uk know really anything about Pj outside the big headline moments, Ten, Kurt, Roskilde.
So this album is probably awesome

what English review?

The one from London a couple of pages back.

[Kevin Davis]

Cheesiness is increasingly becoming a word I think needs to be defined with examples before being used.

In a broad sense, I think "cheesy" (or "corny," or any of its many synonyms) typically refers to something that feels emotionally phony despite the fact that it is manipulated and manufactured to be just the opposite. Think of those big Nashville ballads sung from the perspective of dads giving their daughters away to be married, or soldiers coming home from the war in pine boxes while the entire town of Pissville, Kentucy stands by saluting, unable to decide if their tears are tears of grief or tears of pure American pride. Really just listen to a pop country station for a half hour and you'll have a pretty good understanding of the term.

To use a more relevant example, I would cite the difference between hearing "Future Days" with all the accompaniment from Wrigley, and hearing the unadorned inner-ear monitor thing that leaked, with just Eddie and the guitar. The latter is a naked and honest sentiment (albeit not a particularly exciting one, and not a particularly great song), but when you bring in the piano, the strings, etc. you get this feeling of someone behind the curtain really trying to sell that emotion, to put it across in a theatrical, unduly dramatic way. That's where the manipulation comes in, and I think where most people get off the wagon.

[dimejinky99]

This thread moves at break neck speed

[Thejambi]

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

This thread moves at break neck speed

yep

[harmless]

This thread moves at break neck speed

[harmless]

Cheesiness is increasingly becoming a word I think needs to be defined with examples before being used.

In a broad sense, I think "cheesy" (or "corny," or any of its many synonyms) typically refers to something that feels emotionally phony despite the fact that it is manipulated and manufactured to be just the opposite. Think of those big Nashville ballads sung from the perspective of dads giving their daughters away to be married, or soldiers coming home from the war in pine boxes while the entire town of Pissville, Kentucy stands by saluting, unable to decide if their tears are tears of grief or tears of pure American pride. Really just listen to a pop country station for a half hour and you'll have a pretty good understanding of the term.

To use a more relevant example, I would cite the difference between hearing "Future Days" with all the accompaniment from Wrigley, and hearing the unadorned inner-ear monitor thing that leaked, with just Eddie and the guitar. The latter is a naked and honest sentiment (albeit not a particularly exciting one, and not a particularly great song), but when you bring in the piano, the strings, etc. you get this feeling of someone behind the curtain really trying to sell that emotion, to put it across in a theatrical, unduly dramatic way. That's where the manipulation comes in, and I think where most people get off the wagon.

Do you listen to any music where you *know* you're being manipulated in this way, but it works?

[Mike]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

[harmless]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

The same argument happens in poetry. 'Earnestness' and 'sentiment' is baulked at, and if everything isn't expressed in the subtlest, lightest of touches, or with a thick layer of irony, it'll have vast swathes of snide detractors.

[Mike]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

The same argument happens in poetry. 'Earnestness' and 'sentiment' is baulked at, and if everything isn't expressed in the subtlest, lightest of touches, or with a thick layer of irony, it'll have vast swathes of snide detractors.

I understand wanting something more subtle sometimes and not enjoying earnestness all the time but I always really disliked earnestness as a criticism.

[McParadigm]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

The same argument happens in poetry. 'Earnestness' and 'sentiment' is baulked at, and if everything isn't expressed in the subtlest, lightest of touches, or with a thick layer of irony, it'll have vast swathes of snide detractors.

Expectations regarding poetry seem to be pretty regional in design, in my experience. In the American Plains, for example, naturesque imagery and vaguely unsettling (but never gross or offensive) reference points go over really well. In the South, action and a sense of awe are what get you there.

[stupidmop]

On the pit

Sirens showing up on Rdio!
If you search "Sirens Pearl Jam", the song pops up! Must be a mistake....check it out before they catch it. Sounds fantastic, love the song.

http://www.rdio.com/

? maybe you gotta sign up/in though

[harmless]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

The same argument happens in poetry. 'Earnestness' and 'sentiment' is baulked at, and if everything isn't expressed in the subtlest, lightest of touches, or with a thick layer of irony, it'll have vast swathes of snide detractors.

I understand wanting something more subtle sometimes and not enjoying earnestness all the time but I always really disliked earnestness as a criticism.

[sward]

I get the dislike for cheesiness but I always had a hard time understanding the criticism for earnestness. Is there a song some of you dislike because it's too earnest?

The same argument happens in poetry. 'Earnestness' and 'sentiment' is baulked at, and if everything isn't expressed in the subtlest, lightest of touches, or with a thick layer of irony, it'll have vast swathes of snide detractors.

I understand wanting something more subtle sometimes and not enjoying earnestness all the time but I always really disliked earnestness as a criticism.

I like earnest. In fact, if I was labeling... The End to me is earnest and is a song I love. I find Just Breathe between sappy and earnest and well, I haven't had a song I could call cheese as of yet. So here's to hoping Sirens falls between Sappy and Earnest.

[Mike]

On the pit

Sirens showing up on Rdio!
If you search "Sirens Pearl Jam", the song pops up! Must be a mistake....check it out before they catch it. Sounds fantastic, love the song.

http://www.rdio.com/

? maybe you gotta sign up/in though

Let's investigate this.

[Acidfuel]

its there, im listening righ now

[stupidmop]

Graabbb ittttt

[Acidfuel]

download the app, its free

Im at work, cant record it