Alright NLC'ers, I'm just coming out the other side. I posted this in the LB thread, but thought I'd capture it here as well as this has been my RM safe place for the last few weeks.
1st listen just completed moments ago, after holding out on the leaks and even Sirens. I wanted the lossless, good stereo, big speaker, no one at home experience and finally got it today. Here are my initial thoughts as best as I can put them together:
Getaway - I was expecting a funky riff, and I got it. However overall there isn't much of a vocal hook that has held my attention. Its a solid opening, but after first impression I would say I like GSMF better.
MYM - I've had plenty of time with this song, and now that I've had a full album listen I'd say it doesn't fit on the record. On it's own, I like it just fine next to something like Comatose, but not really necessary for LB.
My Father's Son - As I hit track 3, I had a bit of a feeling of impending doom because I thought this should've been a stand-out and it didn't do anything for me. Right now I don't remember a thing about it. Hopefully it will reveal itself to me on the subsequent listens because I put a lot of weight on track 3's!
Sirens - Holy fuck this is a great song! I should mention that I'm a JB/The End fan, so I like the sappier stuff, and this one got me in the right spot. I don't know the lyrics, but when Ed comes out of that pre-chorus it's just so powerful..."I would take your hand" (?). I can see why some would be put off by this song, but it's just too good to be denied.
LB - Better than I thought it would be. I can see a lot of UK comparisons, and the chorus kinda weak but the build it is quite good, and although it's a bit muddy I like what's happneing at the end where Ed hits the higher range. At a certain point I had a smile on my face.... slowly getting over some early album disapointment.
Infallible - Now we're in uncharted territory. This song seems too cool for Pearl Jam and I like it. One of my early favourites. This one seems like the turning point of the record where it starts to get real interesting. When that initial riff hits I couldn't believe this was PJ. There is something reminiscent of a Jack White song.
Pendulum - YES! This is the PJ I love. Dark and pensive, with what seems like some strong lyrics and a bit of an awkward musical bed. Once i got to this song my fears from MFS were erased and I was happy with the album. However it's also the moment where I felt MYM was totally out of place. An album of Pendulums would suit me just fine. It seemed like a longer track but I could take a lot more. Has anyone mentioned an Of the Girl type of feel? This is only one listen mind you.
Swallowed Whole - I had read the REM comparisons and it's bang on in a good way. The band's fullness makes it much bigger than a jangly song from Fables however. I like this one a lot, and if I remember correctly it has a great middle-8 section where Ed does something interesting.
LTRP - Umm...again a bit of uncharted territory but maybe not in a good way? It's different, and I really like some of that nasty blues guitar going on, but there's not a lot of vocal melody to tie it together. At this point I checked the credits for the first time expecting it to be a Mike song, but was surprised to see Stone. Not sure what the inspiration was, but I would've preferred a 1/2 Full or RM type jam song in it's place. At least they're trying new directions.
SBM - Fantastic re-imagining of the original. I like it much better than the Uke version, with some interesting guitar work, great backing vocals to fill in the texture, and good (spare) use of the uke at the end.
Yellow Moon - Holy shit another fantastic song... this and Pendulum are where PJ should be now-a-days. I love the darkness coupled with the brilliantly crisp guitar tone from Mike. I could turn the lights off and get lost in a song like this for days. At this point I was really enjoying the more subdued tone of the album.
FD - I don't know what everyone is saying about this song, it's another dark beauty and it fits very well after that previous two. Just like The End it's the perfect album closer, and the use of that slightly dissonant piano sound is perfect for the theme of the song. The keys are also slightly distorted in a way that makes it okay.
Between FD, Sirens, Pendulum and YM there is a great heaviness to this record that I really like. It was somewhat present on BS, but the ambiance was lacking. While Getaway, MFS and Infallible have some potential to stand up to the PJ rock songs, I find it's the moodier songs that are stronger here, and that's what made me fall in love with this band... something that was epitomized by Immortality or Indifference. It's slightly aged or diluted, but there's a mood that's back with this album that we haven't seen since RA.
@SkitchP wrote:Please lock this thread. Avoiding the album at this point borders on pretentiousness.
It still hasn't been released and I still don't feel like downloading something I'm going to purchase tomorrow.
flannelking wrote:
bluestate wrote:
flannelking wrote:Read me Jim Morrison poetry in your best Pee wee Herman voice but don't withhold Lightning Bolt from me another day!
I thought you had the album by now, no? I've seen you posting about it in other threads.
no, i called the elderly woman behind the counter in a small town at walmart today but she was clueless about any new pj being on the shelf.
i've heard mym and the live versions of "lightning bolt" and "future days".
this month will be the best month of music for me in my entire life, with releases from: pearl jam (favorite band), pelican (favorite instrumental band), russian circles (top 5 favorite instrumental band), kayo dot (2nd or 3rd favorite band. was released digitally in september but put on cd a bit after), grails (top 5 favorite instrumental band) and earthless.
Lament wrote:flannelking, I'm gonna drive down to Central Illinois with my copy of the album so we can listen to it and I can be the first person to hear your thoughts on it.
I don't know where you are in central Illinois but you can try Recycled Records in Springfield, Waiting Room in Normal, Capitol Records in Canton, Co-Op Records in the Peoria area or any number of stores in Champaign-Urbana. Any one of those stores should get the album tomorrow, and you'll have the satisfaction of buying it from a small, local store.
I'm originally from Bloomington-Normal and I've bought many an album from all of the mentioned stores. All are quality!
Dr. Van Nostrand wrote:Ill be looking forward to your thoughts on the album, hope you love it
I'm wrapping up listen #2. Some vague opinions are starting to form, so I might have some preliminary thoughts to share a bit later. I think after this listen I might go back and read yours and stip's and maybe a few other poster's reviews/thoughts now that I've actually heard it and can make a bit more sense of what's been written.
Im not great at giving my opinions, but i wrote up what i did as i listened to each song with headphones for the 2nd time through
[quote= I don't know where you are in central Illinois but you can try Recycled Records in Springfield, Waiting Room in Normal, Capitol Records in Canton, Co-Op Records in the Peoria area or any number of stores in Champaign-Urbana. Any one of those stores should get the album tomorrow, and you'll have the satisfaction of buying it from a small, local store.
I'm originally from Bloomington-Normal and I've bought many an album from all of the mentioned stores. All are quality![/quote]
Thanks. I've been to Recycled Records some in the past and liked the place a lot. I made plans today to meet a couple of freinds at Target who are going to buy it there and listen to it in a car.
One of the guys likes to talk a lot. I've put a 'no talking during songs' clause into this meeting arrangement and a mandatory pause between songs for short comments as a safe-guard. I'll make him put his foreskin up as collateral. If he talks during a song, he loses it. If he doesn't have a foreskin, a testicle will do.
flannelking wrote:[quote= I don't know where you are in central Illinois but you can try Recycled Records in Springfield, Waiting Room in Normal, Capitol Records in Canton, Co-Op Records in the Peoria area or any number of stores in Champaign-Urbana. Any one of those stores should get the album tomorrow, and you'll have the satisfaction of buying it from a small, local store.
I'm originally from Bloomington-Normal and I've bought many an album from all of the mentioned stores. All are quality!
Thanks. I've been to Recycled Records some in the past and liked the place a lot. I made plans today to meet a couple of freinds at Target who are going to buy it there and listen to it in a car.
One of the guys likes to talk a lot. I've put a 'no talking during songs' clause into this meeting arrangement and a mandatory pause between songs for short comments as a safe-guard. I'll make him put his foreskin up as collateral. If he talks during a song, he loses it. If he doesn't have a foreskin, a testicle will do.[/quote]
I assume your local Target will have the album. They should!
southp wrote:Alright NLC'ers, I'm just coming out the other side. I posted this in the LB thread, but thought I'd capture it here as well as this has been my RM safe place for the last few weeks.
1st listen just completed moments ago, after holding out on the leaks and even Sirens. I wanted the lossless, good stereo, big speaker, no one at home experience and finally got it today. Here are my initial thoughts as best as I can put them together:
Getaway - I was expecting a funky riff, and I got it. However overall there isn't much of a vocal hook that has held my attention. Its a solid opening, but after first impression I would say I like GSMF better.
MYM - I've had plenty of time with this song, and now that I've had a full album listen I'd say it doesn't fit on the record. On it's own, I like it just fine next to something like Comatose, but not really necessary for LB.
My Father's Son - As I hit track 3, I had a bit of a feeling of impending doom because I thought this should've been a stand-out and it didn't do anything for me. Right now I don't remember a thing about it. Hopefully it will reveal itself to me on the subsequent listens because I put a lot of weight on track 3's!
Sirens - Holy fuck this is a great song! I should mention that I'm a JB/The End fan, so I like the sappier stuff, and this one got me in the right spot. I don't know the lyrics, but when Ed comes out of that pre-chorus it's just so powerful..."I would take your hand" (?). I can see why some would be put off by this song, but it's just too good to be denied.
LB - Better than I thought it would be. I can see a lot of UK comparisons, and the chorus kinda weak but the build it is quite good, and although it's a bit muddy I like what's happneing at the end where Ed hits the higher range. At a certain point I had a smile on my face.... slowly getting over some early album disapointment.
Infallible - Now we're in uncharted territory. This song seems too cool for Pearl Jam and I like it. One of my early favourites. This one seems like the turning point of the record where it starts to get real interesting. When that initial riff hits I couldn't believe this was PJ. There is something reminiscent of a Jack White song.
Pendulum - YES! This is the PJ I love. Dark and pensive, with what seems like some strong lyrics and a bit of an awkward musical bed. Once i got to this song my fears from MFS were erased and I was happy with the album. However it's also the moment where I felt MYM was totally out of place. An album of Pendulums would suit me just fine. It seemed like a longer track but I could take a lot more. Has anyone mentioned an Of the Girl type of feel? This is only one listen mind you.
Swallowed Whole - I had read the REM comparisons and it's bang on in a good way. The band's fullness makes it much bigger than a jangly song from Fables however. I like this one a lot, and if I remember correctly it has a great middle-8 section where Ed does something interesting.
LTRP - Umm...again a bit of uncharted territory but maybe not in a good way? It's different, and I really like some of that nasty blues guitar going on, but there's not a lot of vocal melody to tie it together. At this point I checked the credits for the first time expecting it to be a Mike song, but was surprised to see Stone. Not sure what the inspiration was, but I would've preferred a 1/2 Full or RM type jam song in it's place. At least they're trying new directions.
SBM - Fantastic re-imagining of the original. I like it much better than the Uke version, with some interesting guitar work, great backing vocals to fill in the texture, and good (spare) use of the uke at the end.
Yellow Moon - Holy shit another fantastic song... this and Pendulum are where PJ should be now-a-days. I love the darkness coupled with the brilliantly crisp guitar tone from Mike. I could turn the lights off and get lost in a song like this for days. At this point I was really enjoying the more subdued tone of the album.
FD - I don't know what everyone is saying about this song, it's another dark beauty and it fits very well after that previous two. Just like The End it's the perfect album closer, and the use of that slightly dissonant piano sound is perfect for the theme of the song. The keys are also slightly distorted in a way that makes it okay.
Between FD, Sirens, Pendulum and YM there is a great heaviness to this record that I really like. It was somewhat present on BS, but the ambiance was lacking. While Getaway, MFS and Infallible have some potential to stand up to the PJ rock songs, I find it's the moodier songs that are stronger here, and that's what made me fall in love with this band... something that was epitomized by Immortality or Indifference. It's slightly aged or diluted, but there's a mood that's back with this album that we haven't seen since RA.
southp wrote:Alright NLC'ers, I'm just coming out the other side. I posted this in the LB thread, but thought I'd capture it here as well as this has been my RM safe place for the last few weeks.
1st listen just completed moments ago, after holding out on the leaks and even Sirens. I wanted the lossless, good stereo, big speaker, no one at home experience and finally got it today. Here are my initial thoughts as best as I can put them together:
Getaway - I was expecting a funky riff, and I got it. However overall there isn't much of a vocal hook that has held my attention. Its a solid opening, but after first impression I would say I like GSMF better.
MYM - I've had plenty of time with this song, and now that I've had a full album listen I'd say it doesn't fit on the record. On it's own, I like it just fine next to something like Comatose, but not really necessary for LB.
My Father's Son - As I hit track 3, I had a bit of a feeling of impending doom because I thought this should've been a stand-out and it didn't do anything for me. Right now I don't remember a thing about it. Hopefully it will reveal itself to me on the subsequent listens because I put a lot of weight on track 3's!
Sirens - Holy fuck this is a great song! I should mention that I'm a JB/The End fan, so I like the sappier stuff, and this one got me in the right spot. I don't know the lyrics, but when Ed comes out of that pre-chorus it's just so powerful..."I would take your hand" (?). I can see why some would be put off by this song, but it's just too good to be denied.
LB - Better than I thought it would be. I can see a lot of UK comparisons, and the chorus kinda weak but the build it is quite good, and although it's a bit muddy I like what's happneing at the end where Ed hits the higher range. At a certain point I had a smile on my face.... slowly getting over some early album disapointment.
Infallible - Now we're in uncharted territory. This song seems too cool for Pearl Jam and I like it. One of my early favourites. This one seems like the turning point of the record where it starts to get real interesting. When that initial riff hits I couldn't believe this was PJ. There is something reminiscent of a Jack White song.
Pendulum - YES! This is the PJ I love. Dark and pensive, with what seems like some strong lyrics and a bit of an awkward musical bed. Once i got to this song my fears from MFS were erased and I was happy with the album. However it's also the moment where I felt MYM was totally out of place. An album of Pendulums would suit me just fine. It seemed like a longer track but I could take a lot more. Has anyone mentioned an Of the Girl type of feel? This is only one listen mind you.
Swallowed Whole - I had read the REM comparisons and it's bang on in a good way. The band's fullness makes it much bigger than a jangly song from Fables however. I like this one a lot, and if I remember correctly it has a great middle-8 section where Ed does something interesting.
LTRP - Umm...again a bit of uncharted territory but maybe not in a good way? It's different, and I really like some of that nasty blues guitar going on, but there's not a lot of vocal melody to tie it together. At this point I checked the credits for the first time expecting it to be a Mike song, but was surprised to see Stone. Not sure what the inspiration was, but I would've preferred a 1/2 Full or RM type jam song in it's place. At least they're trying new directions.
SBM - Fantastic re-imagining of the original. I like it much better than the Uke version, with some interesting guitar work, great backing vocals to fill in the texture, and good (spare) use of the uke at the end.
Yellow Moon - Holy shit another fantastic song... this and Pendulum are where PJ should be now-a-days. I love the darkness coupled with the brilliantly crisp guitar tone from Mike. I could turn the lights off and get lost in a song like this for days. At this point I was really enjoying the more subdued tone of the album.
FD - I don't know what everyone is saying about this song, it's another dark beauty and it fits very well after that previous two. Just like The End it's the perfect album closer, and the use of that slightly dissonant piano sound is perfect for the theme of the song. The keys are also slightly distorted in a way that makes it okay.
Between FD, Sirens, Pendulum and YM there is a great heaviness to this record that I really like. It was somewhat present on BS, but the ambiance was lacking. While Getaway, MFS and Infallible have some potential to stand up to the PJ rock songs, I find it's the moodier songs that are stronger here, and that's what made me fall in love with this band... something that was epitomized by Immortality or Indifference. It's slightly aged or diluted, but there's a mood that's back with this album that we haven't seen since RA.
Same here. It's growing on me, much like many of the other songs. I love albums that take time to grow and develop over time. I'm so glad this time round that it's a PJ album that's doing that for me.
S/T and BS never grew on me, I feel the same about them now as when I first listened to them. But RA, Yield and NC were growers.
Rangi Guy wrote:So skating back to the train station after work today things went wrong.....now my skateboard is at the bottom of the harbour
Lament wrote:flannelking, I'm gonna drive down to Central Illinois with my copy of the album so we can listen to it and I can be the first person to hear your thoughts on it.
My level of cool won't allow it, unless you change your avatar! We could meet halfway, maybe in the middle of one of the million corn fields along 55. On a side note, a friend of mine told me there's a place called "the farm" near Litchfiled IL where many small town transvestites gather to party. True story. Maybe we could meet there and convert some trannies to PJ fandom?
Lament wrote:flannelking, I'm gonna drive down to Central Illinois with my copy of the album so we can listen to it and I can be the first person to hear your thoughts on it.
My level of cool won't allow it, unless you change your avatar! We could meet halfway, maybe in the middle of one of the million corn fields along 55. On a side note, a friend of mine told me there's a place called "the farm" near Litchfiled IL where many small town transvestites gather to party. True story. Maybe we could meet there and convert some trannies to PJ fandom?
Tass Man wrote:Don't close the thread!
Canadians still haven't received the album.. Give us a chance to listen and share too.... Otherwise it was all for not
I agree, id still like to see all the no leak club members get to post their first thoughts in here
Tass Man wrote:Don't close the thread!
Canadians still haven't received the album.. Give us a chance to listen and share too.... Otherwise it was all for not
I agree, id still like to see all the no leak club members get to post their first thoughts in here
Exactly. Anyway, while the reason for the formation of the club is about the become redundant, is it still possible to keep this thread open? We've formed somewhat of a camaraderie here that has made this thread a special place.
Who's to say we won't experience new leaks in the near future, with possible EP's, B-sides, etc? It's nice to have this place to hide out when those moments may occur.
Rangi Guy wrote:So skating back to the train station after work today things went wrong.....now my skateboard is at the bottom of the harbour
Sgt. Crackpot wrote:new leaks in the near future, with possible EP's, B-sides, etc? It's nice to have this place to hide out when those moments may occur.
Sgt. Crackpot wrote:new leaks in the near future, with possible EP's, B-sides, etc? It's nice to have this place to hide out when those moments may occur.
That's precious.
I know you aren't ready to write a review yet, but do you like what you are hearing so far?
I'm in a very mixed place with it right now. It appears to better than Backspacer, and probably S/T as well. I said in a different thread (I think) that it seems to be raising more questions about the band than it is answering ones we already had. I have a pretty pretentious way of looking at these things, I'll be the first to admit. I'll have a much better idea when I sit down with it tomorrow (or even if I give it one more listen later before I call it a night).
I suppose right now the best way to put my thoughts would be that I can't figure out if this is a band fighting the good fight anymore, or if this is even a band where everyone is fighting the same fight. Are the high moments the product of a band trying to regain its shared focus and force and move forward in fighting shape, or are they the product of certain members forcing momentary flashes of excellence out of what's become a mediocre routine that the unit as a whole seems to be content to go through? Is this the first warm morning of an indian summer or just moments where the sunlight makes a bitter cold day seem a little less bitter?
(And yes guys, like I said, I know how pretentious this all seems, so you don't need to reiterate it)
Lament wrote:I'm in a very mixed place with it right now. It appears to better than Backspacer, and probably S/T as well. I said in a different thread (I think) that it seems to be raising more questions about the band than it is answering ones we already had. I have a pretty pretentious way of looking at these things, I'll be the first to admit. I'll have a much better idea when I sit down with it tomorrow (or even if I give it one more listen later before I call it a night).
I suppose right now the best way to put my thoughts would be that I can't figure out if this is a band fighting the good fight anymore, or if this is even a band where everyone is fighting the same fight. Are the high moments the product of a band trying to regain its shared focus and force and move forward in fighting shape, or are they the product of certain members forcing momentary flashes of excellence out of what's become a mediocre routine that the unit as a whole seems to be content to go through? Is this the first warm morning of an indian summer or just moments where the sunlight makes a bitter cold day seem a little less bitter?
(And yes guys, like I said, I know how pretentious this all seems, so you don't need to reiterate it)
IM not sure if, as part of your no leak club, you watched any of the interviews and videos with the band. They all seem to be very united, very proud and all very into what they have done over the past years. Sure, on paper it seems as though its slapped together demos from various members but it really sounds like, and beginning to feel, that they put a solid team effort on these bad boys.
Strat wrote:IM not sure if, as part of your no leak club, you watched any of the interviews and videos with the band. They all seem to be very united, very proud and all very into what they have done over the past years. Sure, on paper it seems as though its slapped together demos from various members but it really sounds like, and beginning to feel, that they put a solid team effort on these bad boys.
No, I haven't. I plan on reading through some of them and watching the EPK later in the week after I get more acquainted with the record. I'd just rather have more formulated personal opinions on the album before I delve into that kind of stuff.
going to the record store right now to pick it up. i'll give it a listen tonight or tomorrow, and post a "first listen" review in here for you motherhumpers
bodysnatcher wrote:going to the record store right now to pick it up. i'll give it a listen tonight or tomorrow, and post a "first listen" review in here for you motherhumpers
Take it easy, man. Don't rush.
Rangi Guy wrote:So skating back to the train station after work today things went wrong.....now my skateboard is at the bottom of the harbour
Take it easy, man. Don't rush. 