Running

[Val]

I’ll add my voice to the choir dissing TTLW: it’s pathetic.

[Birds in Hell]

Take the Long Way is great, you bozos.

[Val]

Now you’re just being silly

[digster]

Perhaps Gigaton sounds more ambitious/deceptively clever over time because they spent a long time on it? More chance to add depth. DM might have "lightning in a bottle" moments from the quick recording process that produces a couple of absolute 5 star songs, but the poorer songs aren't as lasting.

Still looking forward to the rest.

I do wonder why every time they take a while in the studio, the next chance they get they run in the exact opposite direction; what happened this time is kind of what happened with S/T and Backspacer. Especially when you consider that none of their efforts in the studio this century have sounded particularly harrowing. I don't get the opinion that Gigaton was especially painful to make, from the interview they've given about it; they just spent more time on it.

[Ms Harmless]

this also is one of those cases where the ambition of the song vs the vitriol leveled against it in places seems slightly out of alignment. As opposed to Dark Matter, which is a song that does seem to want to plant a flag.

If this were their first pop-punk number, I'd agree. But as it stands, it's become their go-to formula. "We needed one more uptempo number," or whatever was said about this track. All the evidence of creative laziness is plain as day, so the vitriol is warranted.

they've been saying this shit since about Binaural though (leaving your personal appraisal of the tracks aside); ever since that album it's been "rockers, punkers and ballads" ad infinitum

[guitar_davey]

my partner Julian's comments: "I like it, it has a kind of urgency to it, and the riffs sound like they could be the theme tune to an 80s cult classic cartoon that all the weird kids like"

nice

What's Julian's level of fandom? Casual? Strong? Just because you're a fan?

[guitar_davey]

I’ll add my voice to the choir dissing TTLW: it’s pathetic.

As someone who expressed a feeling of meh toward this song, let me clarify that I definitely do not view it as anything close to pathetic.

[Ms Harmless]

my partner Julian's comments: "I like it, it has a kind of urgency to it, and the riffs sound like they could be the theme tune to an 80s cult classic cartoon that all the weird kids like"

nice

What's Julian's level of fandom? Casual? Strong? Just because you're a fan?

oh he wouldn't even say he's a fan, he's liked the bits and pieces he's heard me play but mostly it's support of me; he hadn't heard "Black" from Unplugged till the other day but remarked "wow that goes hard actually!" I'm not nearly as invested in converting him as I might once have been, but it's nice

[Release_Me]

I'm expecting/hoping that Dark Matter will be at least as good, if not better, than Gigaton. So far, I think it's still on track for that. I like Running more than a number of songs on Gigaton. DoTC is better than Dark Matter as the first single, though. Then again, I don't see people talking of Dark Matter as the standout track, so as long as the more hyped up songs live up to their billing, Dark Matter should be at least on par with Gigaton.

[DDWJMUVW]

Take the Long Way is great, you bozos.

It’s grating alright.

[Thejambi]

TTLW is a good song that I never have the urge to ever listen to. Flat was a good description. It just kind of meanders with nothing I really want to hold on to.

Production aside, I do have a good first impression of Running. I think it’s one of the better “punk” template tracks in its attempt to feel chaotic and urgent. The band again feels like they are playing the hell out of this song. Ed is pretty good overall. The only thing that feels phony or removes me from the energy is the fixer-esque “ya ya ya”.

[Ms Harmless]

by far the worst thing about TTLW is the bass entirely missing, but it's good otherwise; I think we've got a good Jeff record in Dark Matter so far

[Strat]

this also is one of those cases where the ambition of the song vs the vitriol leveled against it in places seems slightly out of alignment. As opposed to Dark Matter, which is a song that does seem to want to plant a flag.

If this were their first pop-punk number, I'd agree. But as it stands, it's become their go-to formula. "We needed one more uptempo number," or whatever was said about this track. All the evidence of creative laziness is plain as day, so the vitriol is warranted.

they've been saying this shit since about Binaural though (leaving your personal appraisal of the tracks aside); ever since that album it's been "rockers, punkers and ballads" ad infinitum

It feels like, for me, I'm finally tiring of the pj formula. Not that I don't or won't enjoy the album but things have shifted for me

[Ms Harmless]

this also is one of those cases where the ambition of the song vs the vitriol leveled against it in places seems slightly out of alignment. As opposed to Dark Matter, which is a song that does seem to want to plant a flag.

If this were their first pop-punk number, I'd agree. But as it stands, it's become their go-to formula. "We needed one more uptempo number," or whatever was said about this track. All the evidence of creative laziness is plain as day, so the vitriol is warranted.

they've been saying this shit since about Binaural though (leaving your personal appraisal of the tracks aside); ever since that album it's been "rockers, punkers and ballads" ad infinitum

It feels like, for me, I'm finally tiring of the pj formula. Not that I don't or won't enjoy the album but things have shifted for me

that's perfectly fair enough

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Ms Harmless]

this also is one of those cases where the ambition of the song vs the vitriol leveled against it in places seems slightly out of alignment. As opposed to Dark Matter, which is a song that does seem to want to plant a flag.

If this were their first pop-punk number, I'd agree. But as it stands, it's become their go-to formula. "We needed one more uptempo number," or whatever was said about this track. All the evidence of creative laziness is plain as day, so the vitriol is warranted.

they've been saying this shit since about Binaural though (leaving your personal appraisal of the tracks aside); ever since that album it's been "rockers, punkers and ballads" ad infinitum

It feels like, for me, I'm finally tiring of the pj formula. Not that I don't or won't enjoy the album but things have shifted for me

their best albums had no formula

bold statement there sonny Jim

[Ms Harmless]

I reckon I could put almost every Pearl Jam song from every Pearl Jam album into rockers, punkers and ballads (and sometimes experimental segues)

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Val]

Guys, I honestly tried giving TTLW multiple chances after seeing a lot of praise being sung to it.

But my initial reaction stands: it’s a pretentious piece of mediocrity straining to be original and special.

It’s not.

Parts of it are ridiculous even.

[VinylGuy]

TTLW is awesome. Its a lost song from SG and WWC.