Song of the Moment: Hail Hail

[stip]

old thread archived here

[Juvenal]

Ok this song is amazing. The chorus riff is choppy heaven (with every chord change I see a table and hands slapping down dog-eared Polaroids of the relationship in a brushing game of snap) with the lyrics sublime.

But it's the bridge. The feminine voice cutting through the maelstrom (before it is perfected by the end of bridge guitar) is breathtaking. Male and female together, bandaged hand in hand.

[stip]

I really like this one a lot. Great lyrics. I am actually not a fan of the outro though. I wonder if it is one of the reasons I can't quite give this one 5 stars.

[malice]

I used to really enjoy this one live. it's great as a song on the album, but it really out does itself in a concert setting to me.

[daft twat]

Scares the shit out of me on headphones after sometimes.

[Cleverman]

Scares the shit out of me on headphones after sometimes.

Yep, even though you know it's coming

[injuddstree]

Amazing.

One song I prefer album more than live. Particularly with Matt they've never been able to capture that driving rhythm live. Ed can't sing it for shit anymore too.

[verb_to_trust]

This is a top 5 song for me. 10/10

[harmless]

This is a top 5 song for me. 10/10

[harmless]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

[dimejinky99]

Always was and always will be a 5 star tune for me.

[Birds in Hell]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

No, they wouldn't, as that transition is entirely intentional (and awesome). It's in no way an example of poor mastering.

This song is as good as Pearl Jam gets. Five stars feels inadequate.

[harmless]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

No, they wouldn't, as that transition is entirely intentional (and awesome).

This song is as good as Pearl Jam gets.

Well yeah, I agree with your comments.

[Mine]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

No, they wouldn't, as that transition is entirely intentional (and awesome).

This song is as good as Pearl Jam gets.

Well yeah, I agree with your comments.

Too bad they'll likely end up compressing the shit out of it when they re-issue it

[dimejinky99]

I count myself lucky enough to have seen this one twice, live in 96 with Jack on drums.
Every live version since hasn't come close.

As to compression I don't know about that but if Pj could record every future rock songs with those same exact guitars, pedals, amps, I'd be perfectly happy.
It's a wonderful huge sound on this one and it has no equal in a way.

[Mine]

As to compression I don't know about that.

Compare the way Yield and S/t sound. That's why compression when overused isn't a good thing.

[dimejinky99]

Oh I know about that, I listened to the rough versions of the ST songs on gremmie. Whole different record. Wish they'd just release everything like that.

[Norah]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

That's actually the opposite of what we complain about when it comes to more modern mastering habits.

[harmless]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

That's actually the opposite of what we complain about when it comes to more modern mastering habits.

Oh, yeah that makes sense; a lack of dynamics. I was thinking of the abrasiveness of the intro. S/T was kind of like that X10 throughout the record.

[Norah]

The mastering levels of 'Sometimes' and 'Hail Hail' don't match, as someone has mentioned. This is the sort of thing RM would be mercilessly complaining about if it happened now, but because these are both top-drawer songs nobody is that bothered.

That's actually the opposite of what we complain about when it comes to more modern mastering habits.

Oh, yeah that makes sense; a lack of dynamics. I was thinking of the abrasiveness of the intro. S/T was kind of like that X10 throughout the record.

Sure, Pearl Jam has never been on the right side of the Loudness Wars. From a very strict, technical standpoint, songs like Hail Hail are probably mastered just a bit hotter than they really need to be. But at the same time, it's not so over modulated that very audible clipping and listening fatigue occurs.