Something Special

[Release_Me]

I've had issues with Ed's vocal approach in studio in the past myself. My least favourite vocal era is Binaural-Riot Act (too muffled, as if he refuses to open his mouth properly to sing like he can) and then No Code-Yield (too nasal). It's still Ed so I like it, but I would much rather he not sing that way.

Lately, the overpronouncing of certain vowels, elongating certain words in a country-ish way and adding too much "h" sounds ("better ma-h-an") hasn't sat well with me. Gigaton was mostly free of these issues and what I've heard of Dark Matter has been, too.

[Ms Harmless]

There are times when Ed's "noises" are good (see REM's It Happened Today) and times when it's not so good. At the end of the day.

I think plenty of Ed's noises in the new songs are good; not all of them, but he is 60 so I really don't care; I like his "mmmmmmm" in Something Special

[tree_]

this is what this song sounds like to me

[Mike]

I think the main thing that's bugging me is, unlike the Jeremy example that Release_Me gave earlier, where that was 100% a creative choice from a singer fully in control of their instrument, this sounds like someone who arrived at this outcome out of necessity.

Yeah, I'm pretty certain he does this to be able to sing certain melodies without losing breath/control over his voice. It seem like a studied technique and not a style choice. I bet he found himself not being able to sing like he used to around 2008/2009 and adapted this technique to regain some control.

[tommy]

this is what this song sounds like to me

So you like it?

[Release_Me]

I think the main thing that's bugging me is, unlike the Jeremy example that Release_Me gave earlier, where that was 100% a creative choice from a singer fully in control of their instrument, this sounds like someone who arrived at this outcome out of necessity.

Not sure I hear it that way. It's just a choice and one that didn't stick out to me until other people pointed it out. The word "hand" hardly lasts for more than a couple of seconds and I'm pretty sure he chose to sing it this way. It's not a particularly difficult or central part of the song like the chorus to Jeremy was.

[Release_Me]

I think the main thing that's bugging me is, unlike the Jeremy example that Release_Me gave earlier, where that was 100% a creative choice from a singer fully in control of their instrument, this sounds like someone who arrived at this outcome out of necessity.

Yeah, I'm pretty certain he does this to be able to sing certain melodies without losing breath/control over his voice. It seem like a studied technique and not a style choice. I bet he found himself not being able to sing like he used to around 2008/2009 and adapted this technique to regain some control.

I doubt that. Sounds like a stylistic choice to me. There are parts in the metal door clip where he's pushing himself when it comes to breath support and I'm sure we will see more such instances once we hear the full album. This particular clip didn't sound like it, to me.

[Ms Harmless]

I think the main thing that's bugging me is, unlike the Jeremy example that Release_Me gave earlier, where that was 100% a creative choice from a singer fully in control of their instrument, this sounds like someone who arrived at this outcome out of necessity.

Not sure I hear it that way. It's just a choice and one that didn't stick out to me until other people pointed it out. The word "hand" hardly lasts for more than a couple of seconds and I'm pretty sure he chose to sing it this way. It's not a particularly difficult or central part of the song like the chorus to Jeremy was.

"SHEEEEEEEE scraaaaaaatcheeeees a letteeeeerrrrrr"

[oneway23]

Fair enough, Release. You may be right. It's all good. We can agree to disagree and still be capable of a great conversation. That's the most important part.
I completely agree with you that Gigaton was largely free of this and, man oh man, what a joy it was! I think that's why I was so disappointed when my ears picked up on it again.

"SHEEEEEEEE scraaaaaaatcheeeees a letteeeeerrrrrr"

He's elongating syllables there, entirely in service of the song, not adding unnecessary syllables in order to maintain control of his delivery.

[Release_Me]

Fair enough, Release. You may be right. It's all good. We can agree to disagree and still be capable of a great conversation. That's the most important part.
I completely agree with you that Gigaton was largely free of this and, man oh man, what a joy it was! I think that's why I was so disappointed when my ears picked up on it again.

"SHEEEEEEEE scraaaaaaatcheeeees a letteeeeerrrrrr"

He's elongating syllables there, entirely in service of the song, not adding unnecessary syllables in order to maintain control of his delivery.

I hope you like the album (whenever it leaks).

[Monkey_Driven]

Prediction: This leaks at 3:27 pm EDT tomorrow

[oneway23]

I hope you like the album (whenever it leaks).

You too! I know there'll be at least three or four that I absolutely love, and, I'm good with that at this point in their career.

[Release_Me]

If it does leak soon, I'll be really happy. I'm on leave starting tomorrow until the 21st, so this would be ideal as it gives me plenty of time to assimilate the new songs.

[oneway23]

If it does leak soon, I'll be really happy. I'm on leave starting tomorrow until the 21st, so this would be ideal as it gives me plenty of time to assimilate the new songs.

I wish I could help...All I could say is that I hope you have all the time you need to fully enjoy your leave.
I think we'll have some good news come time for the listening parties.

[Ms Harmless]

Fair enough, Release. You may be right. It's all good. We can agree to disagree and still be capable of a great conversation. That's the most important part.
I completely agree with you that Gigaton was largely free of this and, man oh man, what a joy it was! I think that's why I was so disappointed when my ears picked up on it again.

"SHEEEEEEEE scraaaaaaatcheeeees a letteeeeerrrrrr"

He's elongating syllables there, entirely in service of the song, not adding unnecessary syllables in order to maintain control of his delivery.

leaving aside the notion that everything Ten-era Heeerder Veeerder did was "entirely in service of the song", whatever he needs to do to sing in 2024 is also "entirely in service of the song"

people on here use "well that's in service of the song" every time they like something

[Release_Me]

If it does leak soon, I'll be really happy. I'm on leave starting tomorrow until the 21st, so this would be ideal as it gives me plenty of time to assimilate the new songs.

I wish I could help...All I could say is that I hope you have all the time you need to fully enjoy your leave.
I think we'll have some good news come time for the listening parties.

Thanks. Anyone who does get their hands on a leak can help me by sending a PM.

I'm hoping that the latest it leaks is the 14th, the day that record stores are playing it for anyone who wants to listen. Unfortunately, I'm in a land far away where I won't get to see PJ live nor attend any such events, but the Internet is a wonderful thing.

[oneway23]

leaving aside the notion that everything Ten-era Heeerder Veeerder did was "entirely in service of the song", whatever he needs to do to sing in 2024 is also "entirely in service of the song"

people on here use "well that's in service of the song" every time they like something

Whatever he needs to do in 2024 is not in service of the song, it's in service of preserving his breath and maintaining his delivery. Meaningful difference.

Thanks. Anyone who does get their hands on a leak can help me by sending a PM.

I'm hoping that the latest it leaks is the 14th, the day that record stores are playing it for anyone who wants to listen. Unfortunately, I'm in a land far away where I won't get to see PJ live nor attend any such events, but the Internet is a wonderful thing.

Will certainly keep you in mind if I happen to stumble upon anything

[Ms Harmless]

Fair enough, Release. You may be right. It's all good. We can agree to disagree and still be capable of a great conversation. That's the most important part.
I completely agree with you that Gigaton was largely free of this and, man oh man, what a joy it was! I think that's why I was so disappointed when my ears picked up on it again.

"SHEEEEEEEE scraaaaaaatcheeeees a letteeeeerrrrrr"

He's elongating syllables there, entirely in service of the song, not adding unnecessary syllables in order to maintain control of his delivery.

leaving aside the notion that everything Ten-era Heeerder Veeerder did was "entirely in service of the song", whatever he needs to do to sing in 2024 is also "entirely in service of the song"

people on here use "well that's in service of the song" every time they like something

Whatever he needs to do in 2024 is not in service of the song, it's in service of preserving his breath and maintaining his delivery. Meaningful difference.

what does he need to deliver and why?

[Ms Harmless]

Eddie Vedder vocalist of Pearl Jam has always made completely unnecessary vocalisations; some of them I've loved, some of them I haven't, but my feelings and reactions weren't science

[stip]

there is a very slight elongation on hand, but some of it may also just be to keep the meter with the line before/after. If you don't like how he sounds on this that's obviously fine (my tastes for Eddie run pretty much in tandem with Release_Me) but singling this out does have 'gotta nuke something' vibes to me