Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[Jaeti]

I think I'm more unsure of what to expect from Yellow Moon than I ever have been before. NAIS comparisons? Comfort-zone folk rock? Dunno.

[Jaeti]

I'm a bit worried about the whole album now.

Why now?

Because of the review of the ones that we haven´t heard. Sounds meh, at least in words.

Lightning Bolt: Pearl Jam's best-ever book on tape.

[Jaeti]

Pearl Jam - Stronger Than The Storm

[Jaeti]

Recent Stuff
Getaway 4.5
Of the Earth 4.5
Cold Confession 4
Lightning Bolt 4
Sirens 3.5
Mind Your Manners 3.5
Let it Ride 3
Let The Records Play 2.5
Sleeping by Myself 2.5
Future Days 2.5
Ole -5

Ha. Thought no one would read all the way to the bottom.

[Jaeti]

This album will be good, have no fear.

I've been saying that for a while now

It's definitely going to be good.

[Jaeti]

Apparently I'm Harmless right now.

[stip]

if Harmless didn't exist it would be necessary to invent him

[stip]

or just make sure you're around, apparently

[Iowaska_Experience]

You can follow the English version of http://www.pearljamonline.it for all your Italian PJ news, and they have a link to more PJ-related material on the Italian RS site (run Google translate on it):

http://www.rollingstonemagazine.it/mini ... e-ritorno/

[Jaeti]

I haven't been over there lately, but I did notice the Sirens thread alone is 1/7 the size of this one, despite having existed for, well, not nearly as long. Not that it can keep it up, but at some point in there that rate of expansion was Big Bang-ish.

[Pine tree]

Thunderclap on the Lightning Bolt tour, please!

[Got Some]

Future Days & sirens are really growing on me.

[Noaheb]

donde esta los aplausos?

Have we figured out which song has it?

[cippociappo]

donde esta los aplausos?

Have we figured out which song has it?

For sure LTRP has hand claps during the bridge.
I guess that's it for now... unless the tracks we haven't heard yet feature more hand claps.

[Blenheim Augustine]

"Sleeping By Myself clearly began life as one of Eddie Vedder’s ukulele ditties, and might turn off the gruffer, more cynical corner of the audience, but its aching charm is undeniable." ~Mojo Review

Is he referring to RM?

[Manny Manner]

Let me preface what I say with this- I have been a Pearl Jam fan since the very beginning. I've grown up with them and will always feel some level of sentiment in regards to their work. Their songs are ingrained in my consciousness and I'm sure I'll continue to revisit their work as I grow old.

That said, I am hugely disappointed with what I've heard off Lightning Bolt thus far. I've really tried to hang in there the last few records, but I think this is the end of the line for me. Somewhere around the Blue album it seems like their creative flame dimmed considerably. They seem to just be playing it by the numbers at this juncture. While they appear to cater to their fan base I can't help but feel they've stopped challenging their fan base, and themselves for that matter. The new stuff sounds so bland, sterile, and uninspired.

It bothers me a bit that they've become so media friendly and such critical darlings. In my estimation they have become a BRAND and ceased being a BAND. They've built up a lot of brand loyalty over the years and I think this is the reason they continue to get a pass (by the fans, by the critics, by the media). People are loyal to and blinded by the PJ institution. I just can't find the artistic merit in their work. The muse seems to have departed. What they've released over the past 6-7 years is product, but its not art.

As I mentioned previously, Pearl Jam will always have a place in my heart and its remarkable how long they've hung in there- but Lightning Bolt is the end of the line for me (for now). They could always win me back somewhere down the line, but this is the first record I don't feel obliged to purchase.

[LemonyLlama]

Let me preface what I say with this- I have been a Pearl Jam fan since the very beginning. I've grown up with them and will always feel some level of sentiment in regards to their work. Their songs are ingrained in my consciousness and I'm sure I'll continue to revisit their work as I grow old.

That said, I am hugely disappointed with what I've heard off Lightning Bolt thus far. I've really tried to hang in there the last few records, but I think this is the end of the line for me. Somewhere around the Blue album it seems like their creative flame dimmed considerably. They seem to just be playing it by the numbers at this juncture. While they appear to cater to their fan base I can't help but feel they've stopped challenging their fan base, and themselves for that matter. The new stuff sounds so bland, sterile, and uninspired.

It bothers me a bit that they've become so media friendly and such critical darlings. In my estimation they have become a BRAND and ceased being a BAND. They've built up a lot of brand loyalty over the years and I think this is the reason they continue to get a pass (by the fans, by the critics, by the media). People are loyal to and blinded by the PJ institution. I just can't find the artistic merit in their work. The muse seems to have departed. What they've released over the past 6-7 years is product, but its not art.

As I mentioned previously, Pearl Jam will always have a place in my heart and its remarkable how long they've hung in there- but Lightning Bolt is the end of the line for me (for now). They could always win me back somewhere down the line, but this is the first record I don't feel obliged to purchase.

Sweet! And you have every right not to purchase it. It's your money. But the "media friendly" and "critical darlings" card is a bit of a cop-out. Pearl Jam is still quite the opposite, being very self-made. Their publicity for albums has been actually quite minimal, save for these vignettes and certain social media advertising. At the end of the day, they need to make their rounds with interviews and such, just like any other band.

As for their sound, yeah, it has evolved, and Lightning Bolt is definitely moving in a direction that isn't agreeing with everyone. I personally have enjoyed it, but I know there are many other people here who would agree with you.

[Fuzzcharger]

It's an alliteration war.

[LetMeSleep]

It's an alliteration war.

But who is really Stan Lee?

[LemonyLlama]

It's an alliteration war.

But who is really Stan Lee?

Lemony Llama is the likelier candidate for a Marvel character, albeit a lame one.