Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[Homeboyd]

My problem with it is the lack of separation. It's just a giant block of noise.

That said, I'm really encouraged by Running.

Block of noise is a good way to put it...this clip has a nice groove but it's all mashed together. Should be a good one live if Ed is semi-sober when he sings it lol.

[Fattie_Vedder]

I totally agree that it’s possible to enjoy the shit out of the music despite the crappy production/mixing. I may not be able to pick up on everything, but I’m enjoying the hell out of what I’m hearing nonetheless. I’m genuinely curious for those that understand production/mixing, what are you picking up on specifically that hinders your enjoyment of the songs? I wonder if what you’re hearing is what the song COULD sound like with different production rather than what it actually sounds like.

The drums stand out to me as the principal offender. You really notice how bad they sound when you hear them separately. Listen to the isolated drums track of dark matter; holy shit does it sound bad. But listening to it with all the me other instruments doesn’t sound too bad at all. Plus it helps Matt’s playing is incredible.

The Running clip is great. The Evanescence style guitars threw me off at first, but I’m digging this new sound. I love the staccato-ness of the chords; that downshift in the chorus.

[LetMeSleep]

Hopefully each song on DM is played well at least once so a decent compilation live playlist can be made. I feel the band themselves will do this (see Gigaton).

[Aunt_Claire_Foy]

so much of the debate regarding production values and mixing, mastering, etc., to me, is subjective, difficult to describe and difficult to understand, when others are talking about it. inevitably, it comes down to "I like it, it makes me feel good" or, "it doesn't." does someone who is a knowledgeable about this stuff have an easy example to showcase "good" vs. "bad" production, or mixing, or mastering, like two alternate recordings of the same song, or something? I'd love to have a frame of reference. my sense is that despite my efforts to lean into this stuff, my ear may not be able to discern the differences between masterful recordings, and shitty ones. It's like analog and vinyl. I actively try to hear a difference but am obviously doing it wrong because generally, I don't. but I want to. need an adult.

Yianni "Live at the Acropolis" is, by all academic standards, the standard in multi-track digital production and represented a sea change in what was possible past 16 tracks.

Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell" was their fist mastered for digital (CD) album and highly regarded for its approach to space and crisp EQ.

AC/DC's "Back in Black" is a master class in leveling and compression.

Steely Dan's "Aja" is in the pantheon of best engineered/produced records and typically at the top of everyone's list.

In terms of BAD production...

Anything after 9/11.

- Trag

He has spoken.

Changing trags name to an insult really adds credibility to an argument against him

He called me pea brained and I adorned him with MXC’s most coveted title. You confuse my intent.

[blueviper]

The clips for “Something Special” and “Running” are not encouraging (to me) at this moment.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[spike]

The clips for “Something Special” and “Running” are not encouraging (to me) at this moment.

Crazy to believe we may long for the days of Lightning Bolt

You’re unhinged.

[Monkey_Driven]

Something Special has been stuck in my head since Sunday. So far...

Something Special > Dark Matter (High quality) > Running (30 second clip > Dark Matter (Spotify)

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Monkey_Driven]

Something Special has been stuck in my head since Sunday. So far...

Something Special > Dark Matter (High quality) > Running (30 second clip > Dark Matter (Spotify)

What is it about that Something Special clip that’s grabbing you?

I'm a sucker for catchy tunes. It also seems like the type of song that Ed is inspired to make right now versus an effort to recapture some sound from 30 years ago.

I'm sure it will be overdone and hokey, but the intentions seem endearing/pure.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Anders]

Something Special has been stuck in my head since Sunday. So far...

Something Special > Dark Matter (High quality) > Running (30 second clip > Dark Matter (Spotify)

Appreciative of your positivity.

[WtOB?]

my anticipation for this album is at an all-time low.

[Ms Harmless]

I was 13 when I found this band. I'm 45 now. I've obviously changed a lot in that time. Same as a 60 year old man doesn't have much of his 20's left in him. At this point all I need from this band is presence. Whatever decisions they've made about their jobs over the years, or currently, the only one I care about is that they've decided to keep going. We're all so lucky to be able to debate why we love or hate their 12th record in 33 years.

Now y'all can go back to insulting the music, each other, the band - whatever makes you happy.

I'm 48. One could say I was at the absolute perfect age when I discovered Pearl Jam. They gave me that feeling I had guessed my dad must have had when he discovered The Who. Right now I'm a tax preparer running the marathon of another tax season. Pearl Jam is still giving me love, and I still need it.

I'm 42 now, and I was 9 when I fell in love with this band; they have 8 records that I love (and three I can find enjoyment in on the right day)

I'm doing a lot of quiet celebrating that I'm still alive lately, in spite of everything

the first band I loved is still alive too

all this album has to do is be full of songs I like, want to sing, want to have on in my house when the summer comes and I have people I love visiting, when we'll all celebrate being alive together

another album with Riot Act's production would make me stratospherically happy, but I consider production like that to be icing on the cake, rather than essential to my enjoyment; it's the songs, the passion, the performance; I want to hear an album that the band really wanted to make, not just one they dashed off because they were bored; looks (and sounds) like we're getting that

[armogi]

Hopefully each song on DM is played well at least once so a decent compilation live playlist can be made. I feel the band themselves will do this (see Gigaton).

Yeah, this.

[Tj]

Really into the Running track.

[greendisease]

Holy shit you guys need to find another record to get you through the next 4 weeks. 30 pages of absolute drivel in less than 24 hrs.

Only 30 pages? Is everyone busy at the moment?

[Anders]

There should be an easy way on RM, to hear all the snippets and the songs that are out there, without searching for hours.

[Anders]

Clip of "Something Special".

[Anders]

This is great! I was a bit wary of Running being too much of a word salad punk rock style song, given its length. Happy to hear this clip showing they didn't ignore melody.