Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[gardenparty]

I'm ready for the EPK. wonder when we will get that

I think Mirella said that what they saw at the listening parties was apparently part of a larger project. An SVT would be amazing but even just a little EPK now would tide me over.

[WaitingForBluey]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

I felt the same way about Backspacer. They didn't exactly pull off a classic PJ record, but they still obviously tried to make the best possible album they could at that point in time and that's all they've ever done.

If you want to hear a band mailing it in, listen to the last few Kings of Leon albums... and probably the new one too, but I can't vouch for that yet.

[harmless]

I find it funny how everyone assumes some member got fleeced on the decisions on this album. Maybe they all agreed on what should be on the album, and they are all happy with the final result. And maybe, after 23 years in the biz, they are not so naive as to blindly follow the producers every recommendation.

Ladies and gentlemen, no matter how you feel about these songs, this is Pearl Jam.

I don't think they're blindly following anything, but I do think they're not interested in defying his decisions and ideas at the moment because they're not that interested in being a recording band.

Then why record anything at all?

Bread and butter, fan and media expectations, fun.

I can't imagine them recording an entire album..just to record it. This isn't a christmas single.

Cool, I wish I felt the same. I'm not saying the new songs aren't of a good quality (some of them are about Christmas Single quality), but nothing after Riot Act can compare to it or anything before it because the dynamic and aims of the band totally shifted at that point. It's my opinion, man.

I'm not trying to change your mind at all. But if you want Riot Act, it's probably at your local record store with the rest of the albums that are approaching 20 years old.

The "We still have the old albums" excuse. I like the new stuff. I would just like to be loving new stuff which sounded as passionately and intelligently crafted as Riot Act-level work. I have great old stuff, I would just rather be getting *great* new stuff. I'm very sorry that you're not happy with my opinion, but that's why it's not yours.

[Lounge Lizard]

Infallible might suck too

[harmless]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

I felt the same way about Backspacer. They didn't exactly pull off a classic PJ record, but they still obviously tried to make the best possible album they could at that point in time and that's all they've ever done.

If you want to hear a band mailing it in, listen to the last few Kings of Leon albums... and probably the new one too, but I can't vouch for that yet.

The new Kings of Leon album is great. So are all of their albums, except for the last one. I have no idea how you could defend Pearl Jam's recent work over and above every Kings of Leon album except for Come Around Sundown.

[harmless]

Infallible might suck too

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

[PJMosquito]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

[warehouse]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

yes. everyone else i know thinks it kinda blows.

[PJMosquito]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

yes. everyone else i know thinks it kinda blows.

I just think it sounds devoid of any emotion or feeling. Especially where it seems like it should have it most. It's all a bit muddy.

[Heathen]

Mud is a feeling.

[PJMosquito]

Mud is a feeling.

...maybe I just don't like the way it feels.

[warehouse]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

yes. everyone else i know thinks it kinda blows.

I just think it sounds devoid of any emotion or feeling. Especially where it seems like it should have it most. It's all a bit muddy.

i dunno if id describe it that way, but i do think at some points they just mailed it in. "ghost" is my least favorite pj song ever, and i really dont like thumbing my way or all or none, but i think love boat captain is one of the best songs they've ever written. its kinda hit or miss w/ me, w/ way more misses.

[harmless]

Mud is a feeling.

[jforte20]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

yes. everyone else i know thinks it kinda blows.

I just think it sounds devoid of any emotion or feeling. Especially where it seems like it should have it most. It's all a bit muddy.

i dunno if id describe it that way, but i do think at some points they just mailed it in. "ghost" is my least favorite pj song ever, and i really dont like thumbing my way or all or none, but i think love boat captain is one of the best songs they've ever written. its kinda hit or miss w/ me, w/ way more misses.

Every Lightning Bolt Song > Ghost.

[harmless]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

yes. everyone else i know thinks it kinda blows.

I just think it sounds devoid of any emotion or feeling. Especially where it seems like it should have it most. It's all a bit muddy.

i dunno if id describe it that way, but i do think at some points they just mailed it in. "ghost" is my least favorite pj song ever, and i really dont like thumbing my way or all or none, but i think love boat captain is one of the best songs they've ever written. its kinda hit or miss w/ me, w/ way more misses.

"Ghost" is one of my favourite PJ songs ever and Riot Act one of my favourite albums. I've argued to death why I regard it so highly so I won't here, but I do.

[BurtReynolds]

I'd say Riot Act's popularity is mixed around here, but a little higher than it is in other places.

[stupidmop]

Riot act as an album I find kinda boring. But that's the last album that has songs I consider high quality pearl jam, can't keep, all or none, help help, and to a slightly lesser degree cropduster, ghost and you are.

[PJMosquito]

"Ghost" is one of my favourite PJ songs ever and Riot Act one of my favourite albums. I've argued to death why regard it so highly so I won't here, but I do.

Perhaps why this band is so great...our opinions can differ. Ghost is also my least favorite PJ song.

Of course, I feel the need to say that this is all relative. My least favorite PJ album > most other music out there.

[harmless]

If it doesn't suck, but it isn't like Riot Act-level work, it'll be like every song on this album in my opinion.

Is Riot Act popular around here? It's probably my least favorite PJ album...by a margin.

Yes. But it seems that with Lightning Bolt coming up, the people who are most excited are generally the people who think Binaural and Riot Act sucks. Not me. If liking Lightning Bolt is always going to be talked about in the context of "I'm so glad they're not making dreary Riot Acts anymore", then I'm not playing.

[Lounge Lizard]

Pretty fucking amazing how I went from an excited anticipation to a sarcastic one with a pinch of disgust thanks to the leaked songs and the new single