Lightning Bolt: The Official Album Thread

[harmless]

The Pitchfork review was kind of odd. Seemed a fair and honest account of how that person felt about the album, not an attempt to bash on Pearl Jam for kicks. But it also seemed to disregard the number of songs that really are interesting or different. There aren't any sonic U-turns on the album, but if you accept that just about every band will put out albums that in many ways sound like that band did previously, I think there are at least five songs on LB that are departures from what one might expect from Pearl Jam. One could argue that more than half the album qualifies as such, even if you don't believe each attempt is successful. The sweatpants line was pretty funny, but I'm not quite sure it's on solid ground.

Agreed. They didn't even mention Infallible or Pendulum which are two songs where PJ are actually trying something different and succeeding. My Father's Son is another one which they mentioned in passing and merely used it to pass a snide remark about how Jeff has been sidelined. It's like when they listen to the albums, their mind is already made up about the band. They just have to figure out which songs to talk about in the review to best reinforce their perception of Pearl Jam.

I agree with this. I always find this generally true of reviewing in general.

[Release_Me]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

[McParadigm]

Infallible is in my top 10 PJ songs of all time.

You literally just heard this song.

The vocalist of Procol harum has a very generic, whiny sounding voice which I can barely sit through.

Yeah, what a terrible and grating voice that is.

So it's a no brainer I would think Infallible is superior.

Well, I can agree with that.

[EJ]

The sweatpants remark was funny but made me realise I must be getting old too.

I'd rather be comfortable than cool. That goes against PF ethos I guess

It was a funny remark. And, I don't find it an offensive one at all. It would be difficult to expect this band to take a real creative jump with this album considering how little they have actually been together during these in between album periods, Ed's injury, etc. That lack of band recording continuity also might explain how all over the map these songs are.

That being said, I think there's enough really good material here to say this band hasn't thrown in the towel. I'm also encouraged by some of their comments about being more prolific in the future.

[Release_Me]

I feel like for the past few records, they've gotten much more comfortable with inserting more cliched pop moves and progressions into their songs wholesale, instead of either avoiding or tweaking them as they may have done in the past (Do the Evolution's probably a good example of a song where they employ those kind of moments in ways that are unconventional or unexpected). Things like the chorus of Infallible, which is a pretty straightforward pop chorus, would probably not have been there on some of their earlier records.

This isn't always a bad thing, though; I kind of like the way Getaway goes all in on some of those oft-used tropes, and the way they work a vocal line we've heard a million times before into the chorus of 'Unemployable' is pretty striking. At other points, however, it can weaken the song.

Yup. I think that some people who argue for new "catchy" Pearl Jam are forgetting that even early Pearl Jam, which ended up being "catchy" sometimes, were far more subversive and interesting with their use of pop tropes than they are now. An argument for current Pearl Jam which encompassed their interesting, subversive use of said tropes would interest me, but there aren't as many good examples these days.

I find LB more interesting an album than Ten and Vs. I rank those two higher (Vs. just barely) because they have better songs overall, all things considered. But LB's scope is actually broader and it covers more ground in my opinion. Being interesting is fine, but not essential. Song quality is more important to me than anything else. And that has a lot to do with the melodies/songwriting.

[harmless]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

[BurtReynolds]

Removing all the "grunge survivors", "returns to form", and "elder statesmen of rock", most of these reviews say its "more of the same", for better or worse. I agree for the most part. I don't think Pendulum is new at all. Its the side of PJ we all know and love, and the side that they almost completely refuse to show these days.

They now want to be the band that the world always thought they were (and hardcore fans screamed they weren't). For three albums they've been chasing that mass appeal and failing. Maybe they'll give up after this one. I hope so.

[digster]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

[harmless]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

Right, but look at all the people who have used their own ears to judge the song as lacking! I don't need Stone to be my barometer, but I don't really want him to agree with me on a lacklustre assessment of his own song. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's my problem.

[Strat]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

Right, but look at all the people who have used their own ears to judge the song as lacking! I don't need Stone to be my barometer, but I don't really want him to agree with me on a lacklustre assessment of his own song. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's my problem.

I must have missed that comment. Which interview did he talk about that?

[harmless]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

Right, but look at all the people who have used their own ears to judge the song as lacking! I don't need Stone to be my barometer, but I don't really want him to agree with me on a lacklustre assessment of his own song. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's my problem.

I must have missed that comment. Which interview did he talk about that?

A few pages ago, I'd probably never find it now. But the interviewer asks Stone to talk through all of his Pearl Jam songs, which is a great article idea except for that comment, which made me go

[Release_Me]

Infallible is in my top 10 PJ songs of all time.

You literally just heard this song.

The vocalist of Procol harum has a very generic, whiny sounding voice which I can barely sit through.

Yeah, what a terrible and grating voice that is.

So it's a no brainer I would think Infallible is superior.

Well, I can agree with that.

I literally just listened to Infallible a million times. My views on songs don't change much over the years. There hasn't been a song I heard and considered 5 stars (and top 10 in this case) from the outset which I later backtracked on. There have been those I grew to like/hate more over the years, but I've not gone from to for any song.

I didn't say his voice is terrible or grating. I said it's generic and whiny sounding and I can barely sit through it. That speaks of my tastes rather than his skill or lack of it.

For the record, I felt Ed was whiny sounding on the Riot Act tour and I disliked those boots because of it, especially performances of the older songs. But Ed was never generic. He's always been unique.

[Release_Me]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

Right, but look at all the people who have used their own ears to judge the song as lacking! I don't need Stone to be my barometer, but I don't really want him to agree with me on a lacklustre assessment of his own song. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's my problem.

I find LTRP a highly enjoyable song and that's how I felt about it from the beginning. I was taken aback at the negativity and still am. Stone's comment was right in line with what I already knew. That the song is good but there are better, even much better ones on the abum. Anyway, I don't think I want to be involved in a debate over what Stone said in an interview. I feel like a groupie.

[Strat]

Just watched the MYM live video version from the 10C extra.

Brutal performance i think

[Heathen]

finally listening to this album...

[Release_Me]

[Jaeti]

Infallible really is a great vocal performance.

[Jaeti]

I'm also encouraged by some of their comments about being more prolific in the future.

Cockteases.

[harmless]

I'm also encouraged by some of their comments about being more prolific in the future.

Cockteases.

I'm not going to be encouraged until 1) it happens and 2) the songs don't all sound like quickly trotted-out phone-ins.

[dimejinky99]

Also, LTRP isn't that enjoyable. The fact that Stone has acknowledged that will be funny one day. At the moment it's just frustrating. Of course I take it to heart, just as you have taken to heart everything I've said about less than great choruses. I've been a fan since the beginning, so I don't like the fact that the band admits to some songs being average on the day of an album's release.

My point is not that Stone said it's an average or below par song. He said it's not his favourite song on the record which is different. That means there are those he enjoys more or that there are better songs. He's being honest there and it's not a slight on LTRP. It's a credit to the rest of the album.

I'm sure that's the sense in which he meant it. I'm not sure it's what people will gather from it. It was a disingenuous thing to say, regardless, simply because of how likely it is to begin with that any given listener will discard LTRP. Stone shouldn't be saying anything that might make that more likely.

I think if anyone lets the fact that that particular song is not Stone's favorite on the record impact how they view that song, that's on the listener, not anyone else.

Right, but look at all the people who have used their own ears to judge the song as lacking! I don't need Stone to be my barometer, but I don't really want him to agree with me on a lacklustre assessment of his own song. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's my problem.

I must have missed that comment. Which interview did he talk about that?

http://www.avclub.com/articles/pearl-ja ... -b,104188/