Song of the Moment: Let the Records Play

[harmless]

It's just very boring to read that obviously everyone is going to hate this song because I do.

You and your negative posts

This is my least favourite song of the leaks but it isn't bad.

[Jorge]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

[dimejinky99]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

Do you like any of the other songs, Jorge?

[harmless]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

To be fair, this could be said for some many PJ songs since S/T. I wonder why the hell they think this non-event chorus idea is a good one. Are they pitching to have a song used in a TV show?

[stip]

Totally disagree regarding Let the Records Play. There is a lazy (albeit pretty catchy--it is one of the parts of the leaked songs I find myself humming the most) melody and energy to the chorus. It's about a guy drinking himself into oblivion and not caring. It shouldn't have big wave's manic energy. I think it does exactly what it needs to do for the song.

[Jorge]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

Do you like any of the other songs, Jorge?

I like "Swallowed Whole" quite a bit. I also like "Sirens" and "Mind Your Manners" okay.

[stip]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

To be fair, this could be said for some many PJ songs since S/T. I wonder why the hell they think this non-event chorus idea is a good one. Are they pitching to have a song used in a TV show?

I don't know. this is a pretty 'this sounds like bon jovi/dad rock' dismissal of a song because it has a catchy melody that the listener doesn't like. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SITCOM?! IT MUST BE TERRIBLE! How do you argue or dissent from that categorization. It is meant to close off discussion.

[stip]

On the other hand, the comment " I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling" articulates exactly what someone thinks is wrong with a song without insulting those who don't agree.

[stupidmop]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

To be fair, this could be said for some many PJ songs since S/T. I wonder why the hell they think this non-event chorus idea is a good one. Are they pitching to have a song used in a TV show?

These guys have a weird idea of 'fun'.

I blame eds vocal melodies mostly. It's not the only problem, but it doesn't help. Swallowed whole also sounds like a kids tv show. That's the verses though.

[harmless]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

To be fair, this could be said for some many PJ songs since S/T. I wonder why the hell they think this non-event chorus idea is a good one. Are they pitching to have a song used in a TV show?

I don't know. this is a pretty 'this sounds like bon jovi/dad rock' dismissal of a song because it has a catchy melody that the listener doesn't like. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SITCOM?! IT MUST BE TERRIBLE! How do you argue or dissent from that categorization. It is meant to close off discussion.

Yeah, I'm actually saying this despite liking the song. I think there's generally a trend towards trite choruses which are designed to be "catchy" but feel a little patronising. But it's not a dealbreaker because I generally like this song enough to take it as it is; and I also feel that any goofiness in this song to me feels more deliberate than it did in Supersonic. So I hear Jorge's criticism that it doesn't sound as "fun" as "Big Wave", definitely, but for me I like that irony. I like humour delivered with a straight face and I think that's what this is, where for me it didn't work quite that way in something like Big Wave, Supersonic or even The Fixer. I'm veering off my point, which is to say that I like this song and the "TV show" thing isn't meant to be dismissive of the song on my part. But I can hear it. And I'm OK with it, because "fun" is what it sounds like, not try-hard. I still wonder why they're attracted to the TV-show theme kind of chorus, though.

[harmless]

Can the chorus really be that bad?

It's pretty bad. "Easy-standard" is right. There's no tension to it, no pull, nothing to indicate that this supposedly "fun" little number is even fun to play; "Big Wave" is another chorus I dislike, but the way it's arranged, the way it's performed, makes it sound like the band is having a blast. The energy is infectious. There's none of that in the chorus to "Let the Records Play". It just sits there, languid. Halfheartedly serving its purpose as the supposed centerpiece to the song before the band gets to kick back into the more interesting part. It's the same problem I have with "Getaway": decent verses, anemic chorus. I've heard several folks describe some of these leaked songs as "sitcom theme songs", and I think there's something to that. I feel like they veer towards the facile and familiar, without much in the way of zest or feeling.

To be fair, this could be said for some many PJ songs since S/T. I wonder why the hell they think this non-event chorus idea is a good one. Are they pitching to have a song used in a TV show?

These guys have a weird idea of 'fun'.

I blame eds vocal melodies mostly. It's not the only problem, but it doesn't help. Swallowed whole also sounds like a kids tv show. That's the verses though.

I think it sounds like a song out of a kids' movie, like "Accidentally In Love" by Counting Crows, used for Shrek. But I'm perfectly fine with that, because the song really works in those (and other) terms. It's not trying to be anything else. In comparison, LTRP might be trying to be something else but not quite reaching that.

[Jorge]

It shouldn't have big wave's manic energy.

I agree, which is why I questioned why you were comparing the songs-- they're pretty different. I was contrasting them in terms of of the choruses' designs and where they take the songs. To my ears, LtRP is an underwritten snooze, you're way into it. I also happen to think "Evacuation" has an excellent chorus, so I don't think it's surprising that we disagree on this one.

[harmless]

But also, I don't think these guys ever really knew how to have much fun in their music; or rather, if they were having fun, I'm not sure they ever knew how to transfer that to the listener. I feel as if LTRP would really work if Ed would wear glitter while performing it.

[stupidmop]

I dunno. I think the verses to this are pretty fun, which is why its even more depressing when the wet fart chorus comes along.

Accidentally in love sounds like a fun/upbeat song that could also be used in a kids show/ movie. The verses to swallowed whole just remind me of a sesame street song "I could be the sun , what could you be today?!" It is growing on me a little though.

[harmless]

I don't know, I think you could say that about anything pseudo-religious. Some people think that hippy shit is deep, others think they need to stop smoking the green stuff.

[harmless]

The "I could be the sun" line means something to me in context.

[stupidmop]

Its not the lyrics really. I think if he was singing it in a different melody i'd like it more is all.

[harmless]

Yup that makes sense. Going back to Riot Act yesterday made me realise how many of those lyrics could be considered "cheesy" if they'd been part of different songs. I mean, "Love Boat Captain"? Sheesh. If they've devolved, maybe that's where it all started. But I love that song because of how it's delivered and produced. In a way, I probably love "Sirens" in spite of how it's produced.

[Release_Me]

LTRP is the most danceable tune they've put out, since maybe Evenflow. I can imagine Stone bobbing his head while he plays and Ed doing a dance reminiscent of his Do the Evolution performances. This song kicks ass.

The catchy chorus which is so disappointing to all of those who love the middle period albums (where my main complaint is a complete lack of hooky choruses and melodies) is sounding great to me. Pearl Jam are making songs which are catchier than anything they've put out for over a decade (or more). I feel the same way about Getaway. This is what their rockers have been missing for so long.

[Strat]

I don't mind catchy at all. I don't dislike it because it's catchy. I dislike it because absolutely uninteresting and safe and, for me, lessens the impact of the rest of the song. I get why some people do like it because, ya, it's catchy. It just doesn't work for me because it feels do unimaginative. I like the lyrics and the idea but I don't think a bubble gum chorus was necessary to get the point across. A catchy melody is great but it doesn't have to be dull to be catchy. I find this one dull and somewhat annoying.

I fucking love sitcoms and I love sirens and guns n roses. This chorus just sucks :/