Dark Matter (song)

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[tree_]

Two stars. I had initially overvalued the things I like and undervalued the things I hate.

I'm also a 2-star voter, mostly because of Ed

[VinylGuy]

It’s a 4 stars song for me. I don’t see that changing.

Very exited for the new album.

[DDWJMUVW]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

The pre-chorus is easily my favorite part of this song...i cant get enough of it!

it's just so good.

I keep doing an air punch right as the big resonating C chord hits before "renounce/denounce & deploy". that little descending run sets it up brilliantly, and then you get the ascending octave run. so sound garden-esque.

[oneway23]

Still a solid 3 for me, 3.5 on a good day. I'm glad they've managed to capture some of the raw, spontaneous energy of their youth on tape once again, but, giving it a 4 puts it at a level just below all-time classic status, and this one just doesn't get there for me.

[DDWJMUVW]

Still a solid 3 for me, 3.5 on a good day. I'm glad they've managed to capture some of the raw, spontaneous energy of their youth on tape once again, but, giving it a 4 puts it at a level just below all-time classic status, and this one just doesn't get there for me.

This is where the inherent subjectivity of the scoring system comes into play.

I would never describe a 4 in that manner, necessarily, but it makes sense to you. As much as I stand by a 5 for DoTC, I wouldn't call it an all time classic. That's reserved for maybe 10-15 from the whole catalogue.

[VinylGuy]

DOTC is an all time classic for me

I don’t give a fuck about how much time we got with the song but more how much I like it or what makes me feel

[oneway23]

Still a solid 3 for me, 3.5 on a good day. I'm glad they've managed to capture some of the raw, spontaneous energy of their youth on tape once again, but, giving it a 4 puts it at a level just below all-time classic status, and this one just doesn't get there for me.

This is where the inherent subjectivity of the scoring system comes into play.

I would never describe a 4 in that manner, necessarily, but it makes sense to you. As much as I stand by a 5 for DoTC, I wouldn't call it an all time classic. That's reserved for maybe 10-15 from the whole catalogue.

Agreed. Off the top of my head, here's how I look at it. 5 is the highest end of the scale, right, so, the 10-15 that are on your list sit there. In that case, 4 would be everything one level below. The decimals further clarify rankings for songs on the same level.

[Jorge]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Man, "anthemic" is not a word I would use for this at all. It's kind of unmelodic, and it's choppy. Like I said earlier, it's kind of hard to sing along to (which is NOT a bad thing, just something that I think disqualifies it from being "anthemic"). It reminds me of the chorus to "Worldwide Suicide" (which is kind of a bad thing)

[oneway23]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Man, "anthemic" is not a word I would use for this at all. It's kind of unmelodic, and it's choppy. Like I said earlier, it's kind of hard to sing along to (which is NOT a bad thing, just something that I think disqualifies it from being "anthemic"). It reminds me of the chorus to "Worldwide Suicide" (which is kind of a bad thing)

100% this. Where it comes up lacking for me, too...Matter of fact, someone (Harmless?) brought up Leash earlier....I'd say "I'm lost I'm no guide" is much more anthemic and melodic than this.

[Monkey_Driven]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Man, "anthemic" is not a word I would use for this at all. It's kind of unmelodic, and it's choppy. Like I said earlier, it's kind of hard to sing along to (which is NOT a bad thing, just something that I think disqualifies it from being "anthemic"). It reminds me of the chorus to "Worldwide Suicide" (which is kind of a bad thing)

Yeah, I can see that

[Jorge]

To me the hookiness of the chorus (and there is a hook there) doesn't come from the words Ed is singing but more how his voice cuts through what the band is playing. Those stops and starts, and Matt's drumming, have a lot of excitement to them

[Ms Harmless]

they've been writing "anthems that aren't really anthems" since forever; there's always an emotional or stylistic caveat but the media will forever be needing those buzzwords

[oneway23]

That pre-chorus, though...Every time I hear it...mmmwwaahh

[Clem Halibut]

It's grown to 4 stars for me - I'm happy with this single
I doubt it'll be the standout on the album - but for an album track / first taste...this song works well

I love the chorus, but it's the bridge leading into the guitar solo that's my favorite part of the song

Ed's delivery on the "No love for... lost loves" line is great
Mike just shreds on this - like Ten/Vs era shredding... It's been a long time coming since they let him do this type of lead on a record and I love it !!
Give us more !!

Looking forward to hearing some great leads by Mike on this album
Also looking forward to hearing Matt get unleashed on this record as well.

All of the band members have praised his drumming on this - So, I'm hoping to finally hear Matt silence all these Dave A fans once and for all
Matt is not only the best Pearl Jam drummer, but should be considered one of the greatest rock drummers EVER.

Can't wait for the album

[Val]

it makes you wanna pist your fump

i mean fist your pump

i mean pump your fist up in the air and and try to scream along

that's a PJ anthem alright

[Ms Harmless]

having sat with the single for a bit I'm fairly convinced (re. my earlier comments about Matt's playing "live" vs. remotely) that Ed's "our best work" is innately tied to their playing in a room together, inspiring Matt to reach an organic level of excitement and creativity

[Thurman Murman]

This is where the inherent subjectivity of the scoring system comes into play.

I would never describe a 4 in that manner, necessarily, but it makes sense to you. As much as I stand by a 5 for DoTC, I wouldn't call it an all time classic. That's reserved for maybe 10-15 from the whole catalogue.

This is fair...my 4 star ranking definitely includes a bit of a bump here for it being a solid late career entry in the catalogue. It doesnt compare to my 4 star Vs. songs though.

And yes same with DOTC....im also 5 stars on that one and think its arguably their best song since Nothing As It Seems. But no its not on a par with Black, Corduroy, RVM, Immortality, etc.

[stip]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Man, "anthemic" is not a word I would use for this at all. It's kind of unmelodic, and it's choppy. Like I said earlier, it's kind of hard to sing along to (which is NOT a bad thing, just something that I think disqualifies it from being "anthemic"). It reminds me of the chorus to "Worldwide Suicide" (which is kind of a bad thing)

Not sung, but it's got a chanting/rally cadence that invites people in. I love World Wide Suicide. Once upon a time it was a top ten song for (probably not anymore). But WWS is an example of the chorus not really having a clean melody. The lyrics struggle to exist in time with the music. It gets by on its energy, especially juxtaposted against Riot Act, which it was in response to

[spike]

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Man, "anthemic" is not a word I would use for this at all. It's kind of unmelodic, and it's choppy. Like I said earlier, it's kind of hard to sing along to (which is NOT a bad thing, just something that I think disqualifies it from being "anthemic"). It reminds me of the chorus to "Worldwide Suicide" (which is kind of a bad thing)

How’s your version coming along?