Dark Matter (song)

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Dark Matter Initial Reactions

5 Stars
33
17%
4 Stars
92
48%
3 Stars
56
29%
2 Stars
8
4%
1 Star
3
2%
 
Total votes: 192

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Anders
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Anders »

With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

I don't know. I think it's good (4 stars) but I prefer it not to be an album highlight. This type of song is not my preferred version of Pearl Jam. Songs that clock in around 3-3:30 hardly ever tend to breathe and build as I like them to. I'm much more looking forward to the longer songs. Quite a few of those from the tracklisting.

If we assume the first song in the metal door clip is React, Respond, then that seems to be a song I'd prefer over Dark Matter. Running time is somewhat similar but it sounds more deliberately paced.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

Not much to go on to be honest but even the little bit we heard sounds more to my liking as far as pace is concerned. Even Mike's solo.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

To be fair, almost all of the songs in the metal door clip sound right up my alley as far as pace is concerned. They seem to be songs that would be allowed to breathe and build. The only one I'm not too hot on is Something Special, which is more a stylistic thing. Sounds like Ed solo on a PJ album.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

So if we have just one Ed solo track and that's not egregious, plus only Dark Matter and maybe Running are the fast-paced ones, then I'll be mostly happy. Depends on how good the songs are eventually, but the signs are promising.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Ms Harmless »

the first clip is faster than Dark Matter
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

There are hardly any words audible, but it didn't seem faster than DM. The solo was also not as fast to my ears.

Tbh, it's less how fast Mike plays his solo than it is Ed racing through lyrics that are mostly screamed rather than sung, that is an issue for me. If the song builds to a nice crescendo and Mike shreds at the end, I don't mind that.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Ms Harmless »

the drums are much faster; think "Never Destination" tempo
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Release_Me »

Hmm. Maybe I didn't notice those. The sung words didn't seem too rushed, from what I could make out. Who knows, maybe that's the slowest part of the song.
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by E.H. Ruddock »

Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.
Very worrisome indeed
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by epilogue »

Woke up in the middle of night with this song stuck right in my fucking head. Couldn't shake it. Time to bump it up to 4 stars!
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Strat »

I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by stip »

E.H. Ruddock wrote:
Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.
Very worrisome indeed
that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by stip »

Strat wrote:I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby
what if it’s even four?
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by stip »

Here is an exercise - is the first single the best song on an album for you. Choices are yes, no, maybe

Alive - yes
Animal - no
Spin the Black Circle - no
Who You Are - no
Given to Fly - maybe
Nothing As it Seems - no
I Am Mine - yes
World Wide Suicide - maybe
The Fixer - maybe
Mind Your Manners - yes
Can’t Deny Me - obviously
Dance of the Clairvoyants - yes
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Thu January 01, 2026 7:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Strat
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Strat »

stip wrote:
Strat wrote:I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby
what if it’s even four?
Could be, depends on if its pre or post poop
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Strat »

tragabigzanda wrote:
stip wrote:
E.H. Ruddock wrote:
Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.
Very worrisome indeed
that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single
This presumes that producing music to maximize ticket and merch revenues is a valuable end goal. I don’t agree with this view, and feel they’re further devaluing their legacy.

And DM is neither an easy listen, nor is it particularly challenging. It’s just kind of there.
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Thu January 01, 2026 7:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Strat
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Re: Dark Matter (song)

Post by Strat »

tragabigzanda wrote:
Strat wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:
stip wrote:
E.H. Ruddock wrote:
Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.
Very worrisome indeed
that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single
This presumes that producing music to maximize ticket and merch revenues is a valuable end goal. I don’t agree with this view, and feel they’re further devaluing their legacy.

And DM is neither an easy listen, nor is it particularly challenging. It’s just kind of there.
Remember when NAIS was a single ?Man alive
Radio at the time allowed for a song like that! They’re watering stuff down to fit the former of the day. Gross.
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