Lightning Bolt: The Official Album Thread

[hlniv]

I haven't made it through Future Days yet. I think I listened to The End once all the way through. The final song on the last three albums have been let downs.

The End may be their best closer ever. Release probably gets the nod, but seriously... questioning The End is suicidal. Literally.

It's the only good/great song in backspacer. Unthought , force of nature, and got some are the only others that might get close. That's a much worse record than this one, I believe

[WtOB?]

merged with backspacer:
1. getaway
2. mind your manners
3. my father's son
4. infallible
5. sirens
6. pendulum
7. speed of sound
8. swallowed whole
9. sleeping by myself
10. yellow moon
11. the end

[harmless]

i haven't listened to this

I listened to it last night and reported on it. I may not listen to it again

where is this report of which you speak

http://forums.theskyiscrape.com/viewtop ... 39#p191239

i too have resolved to complete at least a maiden lightning bolt voyage, though i fear capsizing is inevitable

I think you should take it for a couple turns...

has anyone ever appreciated an album more after more than one listen? I'm being serious but I never have..it either hits me head on or it never does

Every single Pearl Jam album ever made took a while to get into. People joke about having to listen to PJ hundreds of times before you "get it", but I couldn't count the amount of times that's happened for me.

If you have to listen to a song 100 times to like it you are forcing it

Well I didn't have to, so there's that. It's equally silly to assume anything worth listening to will hit you right away. Ironically that's Eddie Vedder's current song writing aesthetic.

The idea of listening to a song 100 times in order to "like" it is probably more silly to me than the thought of a one and done.

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience. The only reason I'd change my logic is if I thought PJ had become the worst kind of artistic expression, and my experience tells me that more often than not, they're not. The very first time I heard this album I found it to be an obvious step up from S/T and Backspacer. That made it worth going back and seeing if I could eventually iron out all the kinks.

[harmless]

when is Harmless going to do his drum review?

Just finished some work that was distracting me, so I should be able to start and hopefully finish it today. The record is not out yet though so I don't feel that bad about it.

[harmless]

The idea of listening to a song 100 times in order to "like" it is probably more silly to me than the thought of a one and done.

That theory works with albums that are multi-layered and seemingly chaotic like "Trout Mask Replica". You have to listen to it a bunch of times before it starts to make sense and anybody who gets that far is fully rewarded.

But not with a fucking Pearl Jam album.

What a stupid statement this is. Obviously you're so vastly intelligent that only Spam Thistle Apostate works for you.

[Heathen]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

[Mine]

The idea of listening to a song 100 times in order to "like" it is probably more silly to me than the thought of a one and done.

That theory works with albums that are multi-layered and seemingly chaotic like "Trout Mask Replica". You have to listen to it a bunch of times before it starts to make sense and anybody who gets that far is fully rewarded.

But not with a fucking Pearl Jam album.

What a stupid statement this is. Obviously you're so vastly intelligent that only Spam Thistle Apostate works for you.

I think it has to do with everything but "layers". The way people perceive and consequently judge music is subjective or even biased to a degree. Pearl Jam fell into a period when rock and alternative music had to be categorised in sub genres and a lot of people expect bands to stick with a sub genre essentially making all of their songs sound pretty much the same sticking with a very narrow vocal approach, guitar tones etc. An example of this is the way people reacted to the version of Sleeping by Myself on LB. The song wasn't judged for it's own merits but dismissed because of what it wasn't.
How many people changed their opinion of certain songs/albums after they could relate to them? This says nothing about the quality of the music but it says a lot about how people judge it.

[harmless]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

[Heathen]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

[harmless]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

I'm pretty sure I was only ever being tongue-in-cheek when I said that, because I know it's such a well-worn PJ meme. But I was more serious when I said that to people who went "Eh, I'm really not sure". To those people, the encouragement to keep listening makes a lot of sense, as the WTF reaction is sheer confusion rather than necessarily outright distaste. Sometimes you have to try a strange food a few times before you know what your lasting impression of it will be. Or rather, I do. Clearly not everyone does.

[Heathen]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

I'm pretty sure I was only ever being tongue-in-cheek when I said that, because I know it's such a well-worn PJ meme. But I was more serious when I said that to people who went "Eh, I'm really not sure". To those people, the encouragement to keep listening makes a lot of sense, as the WTF reaction is sheer confusion rather than necessarily outright distaste. Sometimes you have to try a strange food a few times before you know what your lasting impression of it will be. Or rather, I do. Clearly not everyone does.

Yeah I didn't mean you, but it's been said seriously by stip or others. Anyway, I think when people make fun of this "listen until you like it" thing it's because of those who say they hated it at first but they kept listening and now it's amazing, one of their best songs etc. It might very well be genuine but it's just hard to take it seriously I guess, and yeah, it feels like they really made a point to listen until they liked it.

[harmless]

But nobody knows whether liking it will be the eventual outcome; I tried to like Backspacer more than I did, for longer, but eventually it didn't stick. People who spend time trying to give the song a chance are generally people who still find *most* PJ material successful, if not right away, certainly after a bit of time. They generally have some trust left. People who are on the whole over the band (and there are plenty of people like that here) would have been able to do that concentrated listening when their level of trust and appreciation of the band was much higher, surely? I know that I did a lot of deep listening and trying to appreciate the more "difficult" or confusing PJ material when I was younger. But I did that because I really appreciated the musicianship and more often than not, PJ knew how to put together a great song which often stretched my musical tastes.

[stip]

I enjoy reading this forum but never post.

Random thoughts on the new album...still haven't heard Infallible or Pendulum yet, I think I'm gonna wait until Tuesday or when I can download the whole thing from the 10C. I listened to (some) of Swallowed Whole cause I read somewhere that it sounds like the Who but may wait until tomorrow or over the weekend to really sit down with it. I've only streamed it through my internal laptop speakers so haven't really gotten to rock it in speakers or headphones, again will wait for the real album. Stereogum's preliminary review of the album was interesting to read, the guy writes that the best part of the album is Lightning Bolt through Swallowed Whole.

I do agree that the tracking is kinda whack.

Getaway: Cool intro and promising but when I first heard the clip I thought it would rock harder...the chorus is abrupt, when Eddie sings "it's OK..." I think they could have gone somewhere else with that. By the way Last Exit is their best opening track ever and probably one of their best songs.

Mind Your Manners: I am in the classic rock school of Pearl Jam, I don't like when they do punk, cause I don't like punk as much as straight up rock, but I like it as track 2 and flows really well after Getaway, the chorus rocks.

My Father's Son: Need to sit down more with this, but I agree that the beginning sounds a bit like Rush (the bass).

Sirens: I am trying to like this but it's so-so at best. Very abrupt track after MFS. I first thought parts of it (the slide guitar) sound like Mazzy Star's Fade Into You and The Wallflowers 6th Avenue Heartache, both of which I like better.

Lightning Bolt: Cool song that builds, still need to sit with this.

Let the Records Play: Promising dirty sick intro/verse and then goes into the chorus that I've read sounds like Shania Twain...that could be, which song exactly? I like the chorus though is very catchy and I don't mind it. It's weird how the song bounces from the verses that paint a certain picture to choruses that paint another picture and give a different mood, I think that happens with Getaway as well to both songs' detriment. I'd rather have a song of straight up blues stomp and another completely different song that has the Shania chorus as part of a larger song that just fits better together.

Sleeping By Myself: I haven't heard Ukelele Songs and once the track list for Lightning Bolt was released I tried to listen to the version on Ukelele Songs but would stop it after 20 seconds cause I didn't like it. I like this version...anyone think this sounds like RHCP's Cabron in some ways?

Yellow Moon: My favorite track so far of the songs I've heard. It's just great, very big sounding, it builds and builds and just straight rocks. I think it represents the best of latter-day Pearl Jam and totally is what I want the band to sound like. Anthemic, big, classic rock. Got that big backbeat. It sounds like Low Light, I get that, but it's a different song for sure and I think is better in some ways, builds more and goes higher...but I love Low Light too. I actually think the beginning sounds a bit like Neil Young's Don't Let It Bring You Down, the rhythm.

I read that Mike thought the song sounded dark, and wanted a solo to bring some light to it, "brightness" a la David Gilmour/Pink Floyd. I don't think the song is dark at all, and actually think parts of the solo are a bit jarring (the second solo that starts so high and almost seems a bit outta place and ends abruptly, shoulda had another 20 seconds of solo or something) but Mikey rules so it's OK.

Future Days: I haven't listened to it yet and don't really want to...I probably should at least give it a chance, but I'm sure the album should have ended with Yellow Moon.

Preliminary thought is that what I've heard of the new album is good, but I'm a loyalist anyway you cut it. Getting myself ready for the album I went back to self-titled and remembered how great Life Wasted (+ reprise), Unemployable, Gone, Inside Job really are, though I liked all those songs when the album came out. Riot Act is great too...Backspacer is fun but still am disappointed at how Amongst the Waves turned out, it was close to a great soaring song but never gets there.

Watching their interviews for Lighting Bolt it sounds like the guys are still gonna be together for a while, which is great. Looking forward to where they take us. I'm still waiting for their Achtung Baby (not in terms of reinventing themselves but solidifying themselves as one of the best rock bands of the last 20-30 years, their latter-day mature pinnacle, Who's Next). Regardless, Pearl Jam's best 20 songs of their quite large catalogue that one chooses can stack up with any of best rock bands ever, period.

Welcome to the board

[stip]

when is Harmless going to do his drum review?

Just finished some work that was distracting me, so I should be able to start and hopefully finish it today. The record is not out yet though so I don't feel that bad about it.

I will unlock it and wait...

[harmless]

when is Harmless going to do his drum review?

Just finished some work that was distracting me, so I should be able to start and hopefully finish it today. The record is not out yet though so I don't feel that bad about it.

I will unlock it and wait...

Pressure! I have to go to a doctor's appointment in ten minutes. I should be able to do it this afternoon.

[stip]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

And look at how often that actually happened for so many people.

[harmless]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

And look at how often that actually happened for so many people.

Yup, it did. It's pretty patronising, if you're one of them, to be told that you're lying to yourself.

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

What a stupid statement this is. Obviously you're so vastly intelligent that only Spam Thistle Apostate works for you.

Oops, sorry, I don't speak geek.

[harmless]

LOL people into hiphop are stupid.

[Heathen]

Right, but does anyone really do this? It seems to me that "listening until you like it" is just a constant accusation made by people who were so put off, they never went back. There has to be either enough of a spark of intrigue to keep revisiting the music, and/or the trust that the best songs grow on appreciation over time; that's been my experience.

see: Sirens thread

I don't need to. Whoever spent so long listening to Sirens did so because they were so intrigued and confused, negatively or positively, they felt they needed to understand the song's intent before dismissing it. Where that hasn't happened, where they were just bored to tears, they didn't go back. A lot of it depends on whether you have a modicum of respect and trust in the band anymore.

But those who didn't like were told several times that they had to listen more so they might finally accept it.

And look at how often that actually happened for so many people.

Look at how many people think Elvis is alive.