Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[BurtReynolds]

Mostly it just vaguely reminds of Mother in parts. Mostly Ed. Seems obvious to me they were making their version of Mother. yep.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

ARE YOU FUCKS STILL TALKING ABOUT PINK FUCKIN FLOYD!?!? JESUS FUCKING WEPT!

what else is there to talk about right now?

[harmless]

It's got similarities to 'Mother', 'Wish You Were Here' and 'Comfortably Numb', but they're superficial similarities of course. The song begins in a very Pink Floyd way, I love the pre-chorus, and then it gradually declines into a very standard shlock ballad, unfortunately.

[Thejambi]

ARE YOU FUCKS STILL TALKING ABOUT PINK FUCKIN FLOYD!?!? JESUS FUCKING WEPT!

what else is there to talk about right now?

Can Jesus cry in heaven?

[BurtReynolds]

It's got similarities to 'Mother', 'Wish You Were Here' and 'Comfortably Numb', but they're superficial similarities of course. The song begins in a very Pink Floyd way, I love the pre-chorus, and then it gradually declines into a very standard shlock ballad, unfortunately.

yeah it is superficial.

[Tj]

It sounds like Pearl Jam to me.

[Norah]

Question: stuff like insignificance, cropduster, ghost the binaural/riot act stuff, who would you say they're most influenced by? They're what I think of when I try and think of an entirely pearl jam sounding song. Disclaimer against this potentially stupid question: I'm bad at picking out influences unless they're really obvious, and I don't consider myself someone particularly well versed in a lot of music.

Good question, and instead of answering it at length I will say that the Binaural / Riot Act period *did* represent, for many here (including me), a move into a genuinely "Pearl Jam" sound. There was progression; and more recently, they've reverted to being more what they used to be -- influences on sleeve, and more nakedly. You can either go along for the ride or say that because they've reverted back a little, rather than musically stretching further and further, this really bothers you. I said that about S/T, and I said that about Backspacer, but ultimately I'm at the point where I've had years of complaints and now my expectations are lowered, and I enjoy what I'm hearing musically.

FWIW, though, I do think that throughout Binaural and Riot Act, Neil Young and "muddy" blues and folk-inflected rock was still what was being channelled by Pearl Jam. And there was definitely a nod to U2 in something like "You Are", which I initially baulked at.

maybe this perception has something to do with the very diverse songwriting these albums displayed. maybe Ed was letting go of his leader role in those days? i feel like he took the reigns again on S/T thus making the band's official output much more streamlined. also, the Binaural/Riot Act era was a tumultuous one for the band; adapting with yet another drummer, Roskilde, Mike's relapse (i might be wrong on that one)...post Riot Act seems a lot calmer for PJ.

Yup.

So what you're saying is Matt needs to have a mental breakdown and Mike needs to do drugs again so we can get a good record?

[Whitey McTeeth]

Call me crazy, but I'm hearing bits of Pink Floyd in this.

[stupidmop]

Imagine if it had a comfortably numb-esque solo.

[Whitey McTeeth]

What song are we referencing?

[harmless]

Question: stuff like insignificance, cropduster, ghost the binaural/riot act stuff, who would you say they're most influenced by? They're what I think of when I try and think of an entirely pearl jam sounding song. Disclaimer against this potentially stupid question: I'm bad at picking out influences unless they're really obvious, and I don't consider myself someone particularly well versed in a lot of music.

Good question, and instead of answering it at length I will say that the Binaural / Riot Act period *did* represent, for many here (including me), a move into a genuinely "Pearl Jam" sound. There was progression; and more recently, they've reverted to being more what they used to be -- influences on sleeve, and more nakedly. You can either go along for the ride or say that because they've reverted back a little, rather than musically stretching further and further, this really bothers you. I said that about S/T, and I said that about Backspacer, but ultimately I'm at the point where I've had years of complaints and now my expectations are lowered, and I enjoy what I'm hearing musically.

FWIW, though, I do think that throughout Binaural and Riot Act, Neil Young and "muddy" blues and folk-inflected rock was still what was being channelled by Pearl Jam. And there was definitely a nod to U2 in something like "You Are", which I initially baulked at.

maybe this perception has something to do with the very diverse songwriting these albums displayed. maybe Ed was letting go of his leader role in those days? i feel like he took the reigns again on S/T thus making the band's official output much more streamlined. also, the Binaural/Riot Act era was a tumultuous one for the band; adapting with yet another drummer, Roskilde, Mike's relapse (i might be wrong on that one)...post Riot Act seems a lot calmer for PJ.

Yup.

So what you're saying is Matt needs to have a mental breakdown and Mike needs to do drugs again so we can get a good record?

I like the new songs but I'm torn between wanting them to end it here, or to carry on for long enough for Matt to throw his sticks down on stage and walk off, saying "FUCK THIS NOISE", for Jeff to follow him. And then, if the press chase them, I want it to be because of internal conflict in the Pearl Jam camp and I want it to go down in history that Ed realised he was doing the right thing by rejecting BO'B's ideas growing up and that everyone should talk about how to rescue this band back from the brink.

What happened with Metallica and Bob Rock? Did that resolve itself? Does this ever resolve itself?

[BurtReynolds]

In my opinion they do seem to lean on their influences more these days, and it shows. Some songs feel like pastiches. They haven't made them their own. So in many cases, no, it doesn't sound like Pearl Jam to me.

[harmless]

Imagine if it had a comfortably numb-esque solo.

Yup. I'd rather not.

[BurtReynolds]

I really need to watch Some Kind of Monster again. I can't believe they released that to the public. They come off as such douchebags (except for poor Kirk).

[Dugg]

Mostly it just vaguely reminds of Mother in parts. Mostly Ed. Seems obvious to me they were making their version of Mother. yep.

I read that as "mostly it just vaguely reminds me of your Mother in parts." Haha, good times, carry on...

[harmless]

In my opinion they do seem to lean on their influences more these days, and it shows. Some songs feel like pastiches. They haven't made them their own. So in many cases, no, it doesn't sound like Pearl Jam to me.

They spend so little time together, I guess they've forgotten what "their own" sounds like.

[stupidmop]

Imagine if it had a comfortably numb-esque solo.

Yup. I'd rather not.

I love that solo! Best part of the song. I might prefer sirens if mike totally went off. Maybe.
The one at the end I mean.

[Oh, Jimmy]

I really need to watch Some Kind of Monster again. I can't believe they released that to the public. They come off as such douchebags (except for poor Kirk).

And he came off as whiny bitch, which is just about as bad.

[EJ]

In my opinion they do seem to lean on their influences more these days, and it shows. Some songs feel like pastiches. They haven't made them their own. So in many cases, no, it doesn't sound like Pearl Jam to me.

They spend so little time together, I guess they've forgotten what "their own" sounds like.

"I'll tell you."

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Call me crazy, but I'm hearing bits of Pink Floyd in this.