Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[Juvenal]

‘Tis a tale as old as time on this forum; you should have seen the backlash when Avocado came out.

As for the current discussion? Different opinions are always welcome, but if you’re turbo-posting the same take over and over again it becomes a bit one-note and, frankly, dull.

This is true for people who like it and don’t by The way. Can’t just call out one side for turbo posting

I don’t think I did, did I?

[Juvenal]

‘Tis a tale as old as time on this forum; you should have seen the backlash when Avocado came out.

As for the current discussion? Different opinions are always welcome, but if you’re turbo-posting the same take over and over again it becomes a bit one-note and, frankly, dull.

I think the worst backlash i saw from a PJ album is still Binaural. Fans haaated that one...i mean they hated No Code too, but i didnt have internet to check it out back then.

But Binaural was the first album that i could see online what was happening with the fans and boy, they hated it so much.

And yet, it’s now (rightly) regarded as an amazing album by… I dunno, the vast majority of RMers? I’m out of the loop with the general consensus on that.

[sweeper]

Guys, around 300 people got to listen to the full album today. Several of them post at the Porch. We should really be focusing our attention on how horrible these people are as human beings to have not given us any type of decent review of the songs to this point. They've essentially diminished my whole view of England residents.

I think this is a much more important topic of discussion rather than rehashing Trag's ideological issues about the ethos of 2024 Pearl Jam.

Let's keep our eyes on the prize here!

[Release_Me]

It was an incredibly surreal evening, Ed just chilling on the stage floor, singing along playing lots of air drums and pouring Tequila for us, he gave me a beer too...
Oh the album you ask....fucking kick ass! Some real big tunes on there, they played it fucking loud too which as awesome.
The large bottle of tequila was rocking side to side on the stage due to the bass.
Eds daughter was there and he dedicates one of the songs to parents having to let go of their kids, being proud, letting go, loving what you have...touching seeing his love for her whilst she's on the audience.
What a night!

Another (non)-review.

[Ms Harmless]

Guys, around 300 people got to listen to the full album today. Several of them post at the Porch. We should really be focusing our attention on how horrible these people are as human beings to have not given us any type of decent review of the songs to this point. They've essentially diminished my whole view of England residents.

I think this is a much more important topic of discussion rather than rehashing Trag's ideological issues about the ethos of 2024 Pearl Jam.

Let's keep our eyes on the prize here!

the pubs are only just closing, give it till Saturday; hangovers will be nursed tomorrow

[VinylGuy]

pretty cool to hear that Ed was there and seemingly so happy.

[Lmdmusic]

Someone from the listening party tonight posted, I think most people won't like half the album? I asked them to elaborate why they thought this,,, no response yet

[Leatherhead]

After 2.1 songs. I already love this album.

[Release_Me]

I'll post more tomorrow but first half of the album is tremendous really heavy bit of a lull for a couple of songs then strong finish 

Matt sounds brilliant 



My personal opinion is most people won't like half this album. And i didn't hear anything that was like old pj. Just my take

I will add matt is heavy on this. But i really don't get the "back to old pj"

I think it depends what people are looking for in a record, I mean even Ten-Vs was a shift stylistically, let alone what came after. Certainly not old school anthemics though if that is what anyone is expecting.

For me this felt a bit more purposeful, like they had tried to write a batch of songs that actually fitted together, rather than just recording at random until they had a record's worth of songs to put out - and in that sense I think it has more in common with their earlier stuff, and the fact that the majority of it is pretty hard rocking.

[Release_Me]

Surreal is the word! It was hard to fully take the album in with Ed sitting 3 feet away rocking out, pouring tequila shots and handing out beers, but very cool! He really seemed to be having a great time, air drumming/guitaring/singing along, and was putting back the drink!

In terms of the album, I can't really remember enough to give any decent descriptions, but I would say it felt dark in tone, maybe Binaural-ish, but the songs are much more immediate, more melodic. Ed mentioned how impressive Matt's playing was on the record, and he is right, but the bass really stood out to me, some great leads from Mike too. Ed's vocals sound a little more buried in the mix, but he sounded pretty powerful at times and there were some soaring vocals towards the end of some songs.

Obviously it's hard to form an opinion after one listen, but it definitely feels like they've tapped into the energy of their earlier records, without sounding like they're trying to recreate any of them.

[Release_Me]

I'm just copy-pasting different opinions, so they may not make sense together.

[Jorge]

Sounds like they made it a point to invite the most musically illiterate fans possible so as to not spoil the surprise for everyone else with their descriptions

[Noaheb]

Ed mentioned how impressive Matt's playing was on the record

meh when doesn't he?

[sweeper]

These people are making me appreciate Trag. He would have at least come back with some well-thought out descriptions and haymakers.

[coptheriotact]

ngl, i would have got distracted by ed + tequila and would have forgotten to listen.

[Ms Harmless]

I'll post more tomorrow but first half of the album is tremendous really heavy bit of a lull for a couple of songs then strong finish 

Matt sounds brilliant 



My personal opinion is most people won't like half this album. And i didn't hear anything that was like old pj. Just my take

I will add matt is heavy on this. But i really don't get the "back to old pj"

I think it depends what people are looking for in a record, I mean even Ten-Vs was a shift stylistically, let alone what came after. Certainly not old school anthemics though if that is what anyone is expecting.

For me this felt a bit more purposeful, like they had tried to write a batch of songs that actually fitted together, rather than just recording at random until they had a record's worth of songs to put out - and in that sense I think it has more in common with their earlier stuff, and the fact that the majority of it is pretty hard rocking.

that has me pleased; I want to hear an album that feels designed (no matter what that design sounds like) and not just a playlist of songs

[coptheriotact]

Just got out of listening party

I have notes and will share more later

Gut reactions, it's an onslaught. I liked it. A lot of people on this forum will HATE this album m

i'm interested in this.

[stip]

Sounds like they made it a point to invite the most musically illiterate fans possible so as to not spoil the surprise for everyone else with their descriptions

this made me legit laugh out loud

[stip]

I'll post more tomorrow but first half of the album is tremendous really heavy bit of a lull for a couple of songs then strong finish 

Matt sounds brilliant 



My personal opinion is most people won't like half this album. And i didn't hear anything that was like old pj. Just my take

I will add matt is heavy on this. But i really don't get the "back to old pj"

I think it depends what people are looking for in a record, I mean even Ten-Vs was a shift stylistically, let alone what came after. Certainly not old school anthemics though if that is what anyone is expecting.

For me this felt a bit more purposeful, like they had tried to write a batch of songs that actually fitted together, rather than just recording at random until they had a record's worth of songs to put out - and in that sense I think it has more in common with their earlier stuff, and the fact that the majority of it is pretty hard rocking.

that has me pleased; I want to hear an album that feels designed (no matter what that design sounds like) and not just a playlist of songs

it's an interesting observation, and it hasn't really been a part of our conversations

[Ms Harmless]

I'll post more tomorrow but first half of the album is tremendous really heavy bit of a lull for a couple of songs then strong finish 

Matt sounds brilliant 



My personal opinion is most people won't like half this album. And i didn't hear anything that was like old pj. Just my take

I will add matt is heavy on this. But i really don't get the "back to old pj"

I think it depends what people are looking for in a record, I mean even Ten-Vs was a shift stylistically, let alone what came after. Certainly not old school anthemics though if that is what anyone is expecting.

For me this felt a bit more purposeful, like they had tried to write a batch of songs that actually fitted together, rather than just recording at random until they had a record's worth of songs to put out - and in that sense I think it has more in common with their earlier stuff, and the fact that the majority of it is pretty hard rocking.

that has me pleased; I want to hear an album that feels designed (no matter what that design sounds like) and not just a playlist of songs

it's an interesting observation, and it hasn't really been a part of our conversations

if I had more willpower I would definitely wait to hear the album as a piece of work, I think the singles they've released are kind of working against that approach