Song of the Moment: Sirens

[Heathen]

future days is the only one of these songs (no wait, sirens too) that I can understand a strong hostile reaction to. Not like it fine. But L-bolt and LTRP both have a lot of really good things happening in them, and just don't seem like songs it should be easy to hate.

LTRP's Shaniatwainism is painful, that alone is hatred-worthy.

[Release_Me]

I don't know what to say other than the polls show more people like the song than those who don't. There's no other point.

Uh, cool...?

I still can't fathom what relevance that has to the discussion at hand but I doubt there's much to be gained by chewing it over further.

It feels as though you're countering an argument nobody is making.

That makes 2 of us.

Guys, we're just wrong for not liking Sirens.

I'm gonna go listen to Crown of Thorns and think about how wrong I am. Enjoy the Sirens, guys.

I made a general statement about people either coming around to liking it or not accepting it as a Pearl Jam song, based on the reactions I read here. Suddenly, all those who despise the song get defensive and start explaining how they don't like it because it's just not good. Well, my post wasn't directed at you then. I'm talking about those who despise it just because it's a Pearl Jam song and something they didn't want or expect Pearl Jam to do. If you don't like it, feel secure in your reasons for not liking it. Not a big deal.

The argument started precisely because you said people were going to either a) come around or b) not accept it as a Pearl Jam song. That just makes it look like those are the only two options, and that it's impossible to c) accept it and still not like it.

It did? Then I should have specified those are not the only two options. I always thought people who didn't like the song because they just didn't like it wouldn't feel like I was addressing them.

That's often how people will read "either a or b".

Only I never specified the options as 'either a or b' to give the impression that those are the only available ones.

This post in particular doesn't read like you're in any way open to 'option c':

Once you get past the initial 'WTF did I just hear? Is that a Pearl Jam song?' You will get to appreciate the fact that this is really one of the best things they have ever done. Or you won't because you just can't accept that they made this song.

Oh, yeah. I missed out "or you could something else". I thought that was inherent.

I just wrote down what I had seen over the last few days. If you don't fall into either category, you know you don't. Why waste so much time arguing over why I explicity didn't state a third option?

Probably for the same reason that would make people who like this song feel insulted if I came and say "Once you get past the initial new Pearl Jam excitement you will get to realize this song is really one of the worst things they have ever done, or you won't because you just can't accept that Pearl Jam could ever make a bad song". And they'd be right.

But people who genuinely like this song and yet don't like the songs/albums in the middle period wouldn't feel insulted. They would know they don't fall in either category and hence the post isn't addressed to them. They'd just go about their business and listen to Sirens, watch the video and feel good about life.

[stip]

We have had years of fixer bashing to harden our hearts

[Release_Me]

A big reason why many, many people grew to love Pearl Jam in the first place was their anti-rock star attitude combined with their amazing songwriting and musicianship. These people could appreciate everything the band done through most of their career because they were always putting out material that was a little off-the-road, albeit with some very radio friendly songs thrown in there, but even those had anti-pop elements to them that people respected, like how Last Kiss was recorded during a sound-check and released as a fan-club single and thein solely for charity on a compilation. They didn't make Last Kiss for the fame or money. That's just an example.

Sirens, however, reeks of a band that is grasping for the mainstream with the ultimate stereo-typical power ballad formula. This is exactly what PJ were AGAINST for so many years, and the reason many people loved them over those years. So, essentially for those people, myself included, we are having a hard time dealing with the fact that our favorite band that we loved for their anti-rock star attitudes are now going for that rock star throne.

This song might do the opposite of what Vitalogy started and No Code finished...

or maybe there's been a part of some of them (certainly mike, who wrote it) who always liked those kinds of songs and wanted to write one.

and yes, this is a single, but you should release the song with the widest appeal as a single because the point of a single is to attract attention to your new music. The people already on board don't need it. And in today's tribal music market releasing an insular single is pretty pointless. You could make a statement with Who You Are in 1996 because everyone would hear it. That's not the case today.

Yes, that's evident about Mike. He was always my least favorite

I'm not saying they shouldn't have released it as a single. If you're gonna write a single, then release it. I'm just explaining why many of us dislike this song.

For me its a combination of that and the fact that it is such a straightforward power ballad, nothing to make it a little different or twist it on his head or make it a little pearl jam. Which is probably what they wanted, I just don't know why. They could have had a single with wide appeal that was still a little interesting. Obviously they're not making music just to make me happy, and they're gonna do what they want, but yeah. Roll on the rest of the album.

The most Pearl Jam thing about it is they took an 80s power ballad song structure, made it almost six minutes long but didn't insert a chorus or any part which could be easily identifiable to sing along to. The vocal melody of Sirens is perhaps the most challenging of all the new songs. And this is supposed to be a radio friendly song. That's Pearl Jam for you.

I guess I just don't find the vocal melody that interesting/challenging. That entire last verse that's repeated (they're doing this a lot lately, or have I just never noticed before?) Is completely sing along-able with your hairbrush in one hand and your other fist clenched and in the air to me. It's catchy to the point it was stuck in my head all last night and I dislike the damn song!

You have been Siren-ed! The point is, there is no immediately catchy melody or chorus, ala Getaway. You need multiple listens to figure out what's going on and be able to sing along. So it's not really a radio friendly tune in that respect. It's more of a grower than any of the other songs we've heard. That is the most Pearl Jam thing about this song. They took an 80s power ballad song structure and made it into a grower without any real chorus or climax or anything which would make those 80s songs big hits. And yet people (most here) love it or at least like it. If you don't, that's fine.

[griffinxi]

Starting to dig this song a bit-- I've only listened to it three times and it's been buzzing around my head pretty much constantly. There are some nice guitar accents underneath that remind me of The Smiths somehow-- the association is very vague, I can't recall what I'm thinking of. It's a cozy feeling.

[Sgt. Crackpot]

For the record: I've been thinking, and talking, and thinking, and talking, and I understand why for some people "Sirens" was the final nail in the coffin. I understand why it seems like the last assault (which overall has been cumulative) from a band with, for some, different values than the ones we signed up to. And while I don't always feel like that myself (it's easy to feel like it sometimes) I won't deny anyone the right to the anger and disappointment. I've sort of been doing that, and I was wrong to be doing that. There are some deeply intelligent people pretty pissed off right now. I'm not one of them, but I get it.

It's not just Sirens though. LB, LTRP and FD had me raging but somehow this one doesn't. I completely understand how any or all of those mentioned can elicit these reactions.

This song is like each member of the band gently ejaculated into my ears. But, BOB focused too much on the delivery and sprayed it around little too much. Matt had a couple of strokes that were out of time, so he fluffed up his orgasm a little. Stone and Jeff were in such unison, that they decided to stroke each other and had a brilliant simultaneous come explosion together. Mike enjoyed himself too much, and had a big (and slightly unnecessary) solo burst of jizz and sprayed it all over the place like a show-off. And Eddie just smoothly and confidently handled himself in a way that he hasn't enjoyed for years, and had such an intense orgasm that it was followed by many oohs and ahs.

[McParadigm]

future days is the only one of these songs (no wait, sirens too) that I can understand a strong hostile reaction to. Not like it fine. But L-bolt and LTRP both have a lot of really good things happening in them, and just don't seem like songs it should be easy to hate.


I think people may throw the word hate around a bit too easily.

Happiness = Reality - Expectation

Expectation is a defining quality of preference. All that's happened here is that the band made a record that went outside some people's expectations for music they listen to in general, but that for others didn't even leave their expectations of this band specifically. There's always going to be an expectations gap with a new album, but its perhaps rare for it to be this extreme.

[stip]

Welp, I'm off the sirens train now

[stupidmop]

I guess I just don't find the vocal melody that interesting/challenging. That entire last verse that's repeated (they're doing this a lot lately, or have I just never noticed before?) Is completely sing along-able with your hairbrush in one hand and your other fist clenched and in the air to me. It's catchy to the point it was stuck in my head all last night and I dislike the damn song!

You have been Siren-ed! The point is, there is no immediately catchy melody or chorus, ala Getaway. You need multiple listens to figure out what's going on and be able to sing along. So it's not really a radio friendly tune in that respect. It's more of a grower than any of the other songs we've heard. That is the most Pearl Jam thing about this song. They took an 80s power ballad song structure and made it into a grower without any real chorus or climax or anything which would make those 80s songs big hits. And yet people (most here) love it or at least like it. If you don't, that's fine.

Never! I will take my disproportionate hatred to the grave! Plus Crackpots last post just scarred every future listen of this song for life I think.

[Heathen]

I don't know what to say other than the polls show more people like the song than those who don't. There's no other point.

Uh, cool...?

I still can't fathom what relevance that has to the discussion at hand but I doubt there's much to be gained by chewing it over further.

It feels as though you're countering an argument nobody is making.

That makes 2 of us.

Guys, we're just wrong for not liking Sirens.

I'm gonna go listen to Crown of Thorns and think about how wrong I am. Enjoy the Sirens, guys.

I made a general statement about people either coming around to liking it or not accepting it as a Pearl Jam song, based on the reactions I read here. Suddenly, all those who despise the song get defensive and start explaining how they don't like it because it's just not good. Well, my post wasn't directed at you then. I'm talking about those who despise it just because it's a Pearl Jam song and something they didn't want or expect Pearl Jam to do. If you don't like it, feel secure in your reasons for not liking it. Not a big deal.

The argument started precisely because you said people were going to either a) come around or b) not accept it as a Pearl Jam song. That just makes it look like those are the only two options, and that it's impossible to c) accept it and still not like it.

It did? Then I should have specified those are not the only two options. I always thought people who didn't like the song because they just didn't like it wouldn't feel like I was addressing them.

That's often how people will read "either a or b".

Only I never specified the options as 'either a or b' to give the impression that those are the only available ones.

This post in particular doesn't read like you're in any way open to 'option c':

Once you get past the initial 'WTF did I just hear? Is that a Pearl Jam song?' You will get to appreciate the fact that this is really one of the best things they have ever done. Or you won't because you just can't accept that they made this song.

Oh, yeah. I missed out "or you could something else". I thought that was inherent.

I just wrote down what I had seen over the last few days. If you don't fall into either category, you know you don't. Why waste so much time arguing over why I explicity didn't state a third option?

Probably for the same reason that would make people who like this song feel insulted if I came and say "Once you get past the initial new Pearl Jam excitement you will get to realize this song is really one of the worst things they have ever done, or you won't because you just can't accept that Pearl Jam could ever make a bad song". And they'd be right.

But people who genuinely like this song and yet don't like the songs/albums in the middle period wouldn't feel insulted. They would know they don't fall in either category and hence the post isn't addressed to them. They'd just go about their business and listen to Sirens, watch the video and feel good about life.

Your logic is very weird to me. A post like that isn't addressed to anyone in particular, it's a general statement. "If you're a PJ fan you are an idiot or you have shitty taste in music" doesn't mean "well actually maybe you're neither".

[harmless]

For the record: I've been thinking, and talking, and thinking, and talking, and I understand why for some people "Sirens" was the final nail in the coffin. I understand why it seems like the last assault (which overall has been cumulative) from a band with, for some, different values than the ones we signed up to. And while I don't always feel like that myself (it's easy to feel like it sometimes) I won't deny anyone the right to the anger and disappointment. I've sort of been doing that, and I was wrong to be doing that. There are some deeply intelligent people pretty pissed off right now. I'm not one of them, but I get it.

It's not just Sirens though. LB, LTRP and FD had me raging but somehow this one doesn't. I completely understand how any or all of those mentioned can elicit these reactions.

This song is like each member of the band gently ejaculated into my ears. But, BOB focused too much on the delivery and sprayed it around little too much. Matt had a couple of strokes that were out of time, so he fluffed up his orgasm a little. Stone and Jeff were in such unison, that they decided to stroke each other and had a brilliant simultaneous come explosion together. Mike enjoyed himself too much, and had a big (and slightly unnecessary) solo burst of jizz and sprayed it all over the place like a show-off. And Eddie just smoothly and confidently handled himself in a way that he hasn't enjoyed for years, and had such an intense orgasm that it was followed by many oohs and ahs.

This post is so great.

[Fuzzcharger]

For the record: I've been thinking, and talking, and thinking, and talking, and I understand why for some people "Sirens" was the final nail in the coffin. I understand why it seems like the last assault (which overall has been cumulative) from a band with, for some, different values than the ones we signed up to. And while I don't always feel like that myself (it's easy to feel like it sometimes) I won't deny anyone the right to the anger and disappointment. I've sort of been doing that, and I was wrong to be doing that. There are some deeply intelligent people pretty pissed off right now. I'm not one of them, but I get it.

It's not just Sirens though. LB, LTRP and FD had me raging but somehow this one doesn't. I completely understand how any or all of those mentioned can elicit these reactions.

This song is like each member of the band gently ejaculated into my ears. But, BOB focused too much on the delivery and sprayed it around little too much. Matt had a couple of strokes that were out of time, so he fluffed up his orgasm a little. Stone and Jeff were in such unison, that they decided to stroke each other and had a brilliant simultaneous come explosion together. Mike enjoyed himself too much, and had a big (and slightly unnecessary) solo burst of jizz and sprayed it all over the place like a show-off. And Eddie just smoothly and confidently handled himself in a way that he hasn't enjoyed for years, and had such an intense orgasm that it was followed by many oohs and ahs.

This post is so great.

I came just reading it. If only the song was as good as that post makes it sound.

[Got Some]

Another that gets better with every listen.

[harmless]

Welp, I'm off the sirens train now

Que?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

i tried to read through all the pages since i left last night and couldnt make it through all of them, just not enough time

anyway, ive still got this song in my head after my first 2 listens, and i can say that i think its silly to try and say its the greatest thing pearl jam has ever done( at least this early on ) but its pretty damn good IMO.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Welp, I'm off the sirens train now

why is that?

[4/5]

I still don't see what's apparently so un-Pearl Jam about the song.

Neither do I.

I've still only heard it the three times, but I want to hear it again, which is more than I could say for MYM.

[Lounge Lizard]

This thread is in desperate need of a Sarge gif.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

I still don't see what's apparently so un-Pearl Jam about the song.

Neither do I.

I've still only heard it the three times, but I want to hear it again, which is more than I could say for MYM.

i am still pretty into MYM, but i let myself listen to that one about 10 or 11 times, ive only heard sirens 2 times and really want to hear it more

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

This thread is in desperate need of a Sarge gif.