Lightning Bolt: The Official Album Thread

[Strat]

I really like this album. Its all over the place.

I like Pearl Jam.

That is all.

[stip]

But the overall gist of what I'm saying is a response to what I felt was the overall gist of what you were saying: this song tries for something it doesn't achieve

Goodness, no. It's entirely likely that it is exactly the song they were trying to achieve.

Ah, OK. Because I think it's a successful blend of the downbeat groove of "You Are" and "Help, Help" with a more uplifting chorus (jarring because the lyrics aren't upbeat). But I get that people aren't liking the upbeat chorus. Damn that soundcheck. It sounded deep, dark and dirty.

here is why lyrics matter. The chorus is such an important part of the song because it is a counterpoint to the 'darker' verses, a plea to join the singer in imagining that a better world is possible--not the exhortation in MYM. It's a 'fliest with honey' approach. I should be careful with the phrase darkness, as well, since in this song it is largely implied. The person in the verses is making a point to ignore the world collapsing around him. The music is vaguely discordant, vaguely martial, because the problem is in the distance, not immediately felt.

But getting closer.

[Waverider]

"Should be darker!" is just about the last thing on my mind when I'm going over all the reasons that song sucks.

McParadigm and Theplatypus are both wrong about infallible. I just want that stated. It's a great song. Possibly the best song on the record.

That is all.

I really didn't feel it on first listen. Thought it was very bland. Suddenly after several album listens.......this is song is huge. It sticks in my head the most right now.

[stip]

"By thinking we're infallible, we are tempting fate instead" is kind of shitty lyrically, for an intended anthem. Maybe that's why I like it.

i think these lyrics are great across the board. Certainly one of the highlights of the last several records (along with yellow moon and MYM from this album)

[harmless]

I think the lyrics are pretty strong in Infallible, generally. Particularly the verses. They're a bit journalistic, but I think that works here.

[stip]

The Infallible chorus is going to sound great live... and I will be able to confirm that this weekend

On another note, I knew I was going to like LTRP from the moment I heard that opening guitar riff... and I'm pretty sure I freakin' love it by now... I wonder if those who have reacted so negatively to LTRP are still stuck in "this is what Pearl Jam is supposed to sound like" land.

I've listened to it twice, so this is first impressions. I don't like it. Mostly because it sounds like it could be a good song, and then isn't. It's the only song I've had a strong negative reaction to right away though, so all could change.

I think the verse is actually pretty cool, and it sounds a little less restrained in those moments than the majority of the rest of the record. It's just (and I feel like I'm a broken record everytime PJ puts a record out in the past ten years)...it's that damn chorus that comes along and screws it up. WWS, Marker, Army Reserve, Just Breathe, Amongst the Waves, Lightning Bolt...there have been a whole bunch of songs that have cool stuff going on that get let down by their choruses.

well the chorus is the weakest part of each of those songs. Except WWS. Well, it might still be the weakest part but every part of WWS is awesome.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

I really like this album. Its all over the place.

I like Pearl Jam.

That is all.

[stip]

"Should be darker!" is just about the last thing on my mind when I'm going over all the reasons that song sucks.

McParadigm and Theplatypus are both wrong about infallible. I just want that stated. It's a great song. Possibly the best song on the record.

That is all.

If you like shitty songs, sure.

Hmm, as a general rule I don't like shitty songs. I better reassess.

[@SkitchP]

When someones wrong, but a little stip on it.

[digster]

The Infallible chorus is going to sound great live... and I will be able to confirm that this weekend

On another note, I knew I was going to like LTRP from the moment I heard that opening guitar riff... and I'm pretty sure I freakin' love it by now... I wonder if those who have reacted so negatively to LTRP are still stuck in "this is what Pearl Jam is supposed to sound like" land.

I've listened to it twice, so this is first impressions. I don't like it. Mostly because it sounds like it could be a good song, and then isn't. It's the only song I've had a strong negative reaction to right away though, so all could change.

I think the verse is actually pretty cool, and it sounds a little less restrained in those moments than the majority of the rest of the record. It's just (and I feel like I'm a broken record everytime PJ puts a record out in the past ten years)...it's that damn chorus that comes along and screws it up. WWS, Marker, Army Reserve, Just Breathe, Amongst the Waves, Lightning Bolt...there have been a whole bunch of songs that have cool stuff going on that get let down by their choruses.

well the chorus is the weakest part of each of those songs. Except WWS. Well, it might still be the weakest part but every part of WWS is awesome.

That one's almost the worst, because the dip between the strength of the other parts and the weakness of that part is huge. WWS is really good up to that point and the whole song does a great job of building to that moment, and then pow.

[harmless]

The WWS chorus is way better than the Life Wasted one.

[stip]

so in honor of my first full week of lightning bolt, here is where I am today. Everything in all probability will still continue to change.

Getaway: I like it fine, but I need more here than a great bassline and a strong outro. I like the moment where everything drops out but the bass and vocals, and I think this song needs more moments like that. Otherwise it's a bit too samey. A good samey, but this is not one of my favorites. 3.5/5

MYM: I liked this song from the moment I heard it, and at this point I'm prepared to place it among the finest fast songs in the catalog. The lyrics were only improved by actually knowing what they are, the double bridge is fantastic, the solo is good, the outro is great, and this is exactly how Eddie should be approaching fast songs going forward. And this is from someone who likes the abrasive shrillness from Backspacer and S/T. My only niggling complaint is the generic punk riff. If I didn't already know comatose i probably wouldn't even care. 4.5/5. Could be 5 someday. I give comatose a 5 for its savagery, but this one is probably doing more subtle and interesting things.

MFS: The bass approach is different, the bridge is great, and the music in the chorus is really good. I hate the fact that the opening lyrics don't rhyme when everything else does (which makes it hard to get into the song), and there is the unemployable sheen to his voice that is usually a turn off. 3.5/5 Probably a 3 star song for me with an outstanding bridge to elevate it.

Sirens: What makes it great is that even when it's bombastic it is vulnerable. it's a power ballad that feels authentic. I didn't know that was even possible. I love how long it is, but how it doesn't always show its length. Stone colors the song in a wonderful way. Eddie sounds great, and the harmony at the end is wonderful. Mike, interestingly enough, is the least interesting part of the song 4/5

Lightning Bolt: Just keeps building and building. PJ's anthems have been where they've been falling down for me for the last decade, and this is maybe the best of the bunch. Could do with a better start, but once we get to the 'she comes after thee' lyric this song never lets up. Lyrics are great after the first verse, and there's so much cool stuff buried in here that it keeps rewarding headphone listens. One of the best outros in a long time. I wish eddie was a little lower in this one cuz the music is just so good.

4.5/5 (not likely to go higher, though)


Infallible: This is one of the smartest and, in a weird way, most subtle songs they've written in a long time. It's MYM addressed to the apathetic. Everything about it works great. I concede that this song could have, with some different choices, been made even better--into one of the all time greats, but it's still a fantastic song as is.

4.5/5 (could settle into a 5)

Pendulum: Another one where basically everything works. One of the best atmospheric pieces in a very long time. I like how the acoustic guitar stalks the back half of the song. there are a number of commanding vocal performances from Eddie on this album. This is one of them.


Swallowed Whole: Has a few parts I quite like, including the bridge, the chorus/verse contrast, and the quiet final verse. The solo is pretty good. It owes a great debt to REM. Still, there's something missing in this song I can't put my finger on. It's good, but it should have been great, and it isn't.

3.5

LTRP: I like the swampy glam blues swagger, I think the lyrics are good, I think the song is catchy as hell. I like every part of this song, but love no part, and so it'll never crack the 4 range

3.5/5

Sleeping By Myself: Best song (maybe) on Uke songs done even better. Between this and can't keep I'm ready to tell pearl jam to just cover that whole fucking album. Such a jaunty melancholy song. Walks that balance perfectly. I've grown to like Mike's parts, but they still feel louder than they should (similar to the chorus in Just Breathe)

4/5

Yellow Moon: Their best elegy since Long Road. There is so much subtle stuff happening in the story of this song, and the music intimates so much without ever overshadowing ed's outstanding performance. One of the more subtly complex stories in the catalog

4.5/5 (could become a 5)

Future Days: Growing on me. I'll never love it I don't think, and too much of the song sounds overwrought and excessive, but there are some genuinely touching moments in it, and thematically yellow moon is too dark to close the record.

2.5/5. Almost a 3. Will probably get there, but not higher.

[stip]

The WWS chorus is way better than the Life Wasted one.

they're both catchy and propulsive.

[Jorge]

The WWS chorus is way better than the Life Wasted one.

they're both catchy and propulsive.

shrill and annoying*

[@SkitchP]

The WWS chorus is way better than the Life Wasted one.

they're both catchy and propulsive.

shrill and annoying*

dull and forgettable.

[hlniv]

Since I am sure everyone wants to know-

I just got votes in on all the song threads, here they are after a good week of regular listening:
Getaway - 4
MYM - 4
Father's Son - 5
Sirens - 4
Lightning Bolt - 4
Infallible - 5
Pendulum - 5
Swallowed Whole - 4
LTRP - 3
SBM - 3
Yellow Moon - 4
Future Days - 2

Three 5's and four 4's. That's a pretty strong album in my opinion. And only one sub-3

Backspacer - For reference, I'd only put The End as a 5, with only Got Some, ATW, and UK as 4's. Fixer is a 1, Johnny Guitar and Speed of Sound are 2's.

S/T - Severed Hand & Marker are 5's. Comatose and Parachutes are 4's. Come Back and Gone are 2's

So, this is right up there with Riot Act with me for now, and likely will grow, I think.

[stip]

The WWS chorus is way better than the Life Wasted one.

they're both catchy and propulsive.

shrill and annoying*

dull and forgettable.

I think you are confused about what catchy and propulsive mean, because your words are not synonyms.

[Angus]

I really like the album. Do I like it better dan Riot Act? Probably not as of yet. Do I like it better than Avocado/Backspacer? Ow yes, definitely.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

I really like the album. Do I like it better dan Riot Act? Probably not as of yet. Do I like it better than Avocado/Backspacer? Ow yes, definitely.

yep, putting it above the last 2 albums is pretty easy, if it will pass anything else will take a while to know

[Angus]

I really like the album. Do I like it better dan Riot Act? Probably not as of yet. Do I like it better than Avocado/Backspacer? Ow yes, definitely.

yep, putting it above the last 2 albums is pretty easy, if it will pass anything else will take a while to know

To be honest, that is already an achievement I really wasn't expecting. So I'm happy.