Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[EBowie]

I like when albums start with a slow song - Sometimes and Can't Keep. Not to say I dislike a fast start though.

[Thurman Murman]

One thing that baffles me about this band especially over the past few albums is how do they tend to follow the same pattern with types of songs and the order that they show up on the album. Always open with 2 to 3 rockers, slow down, longer mid tempo, then the obligatory fast, punky song followed by an incongruent vibe shift to a slow, and sometimes cheesy schmaltzy song. Why has this become the formula? Who told them they need to have one punky song and one cheesy schmaltzer on every album, often one after the other?

One thing that was delightful about Gigaton is that it partially broke out of that mold. WES, though a rocker, is a different kind of opener. They don’t have a single punky song (I don’t think ND counts as punky), and I actually really like buckle up following TTLW. Closing on several slower songs was interesting too.

I remember how shocked i was to hear a song like Sometimes open No Code...i'd love to get another slow opener!

But yeah that formula, combined with some early feedback on the album was how i pretty much knew going in that Running and Something Special would be the low points for me.

[oneway23]

Waking up after yesterday's Cameron interview, I'm really concerned that Watt is a cult leader of some sort

[Tj]

Stip is the best cult leader!

[digster]

I get the appeal...he's this young guy full of energy, saying you're the shit, I could easily see why the band would be drawn to that. The funny thing is, he's been doing this for people like the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Elton John, etc. It feels like the band's perception of itself is that they're even more of a dinosaur rock act than they actually are. Most of the people Watt's worked with have 20 or 30 extra years on Pearl Jam.

[EBowie]

I get the appeal...he's this young guy full of energy, saying you're the shit, I could easily see why the band would be drawn to that. The funny thing is, he's been doing this for people like the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Elton John, etc. It feels like the band's perception of itself is that they're even more of a dinosaur rock act than they actually are. Most of the people Watt's worked with have 20 or 30 extra years on Pearl Jam.

I'm happy with the results Watt got with The Stones so I'm optimistic.

[oneway23]

When having a conversation, if every answer starts with, "{name of possible cult leader} wanted..." , it's extremely likely that you're probably speaking to a member of a cult.

[Ms Harmless]

One thing that baffles me about this band especially over the past few albums is how do they tend to follow the same pattern with types of songs and the order that they show up on the album. Always open with 2 to 3 rockers, slow down, longer mid tempo, then the obligatory fast, punky song followed by an incongruent vibe shift to a slow, and sometimes cheesy schmaltzy song. Why has this become the formula? Who told them they need to have one punky song and one cheesy schmaltzer on every album, often one after the other?

One thing that was delightful about Gigaton is that it partially broke out of that mold. WES, though a rocker, is a different kind of opener. They don’t have a single punky song (I don’t think ND counts as punky), and I actually really like buckle up following TTLW. Closing on several slower songs was interesting too.

I've seen many people say they dislike Buckle Up, and the way Gigaton slows to a crawl before it finishes; I love it all myself, but I do see the argument that Pearl Jam can't win

[Fattie_Vedder]

One thing that baffles me about this band especially over the past few albums is how do they tend to follow the same pattern with types of songs and the order that they show up on the album. Always open with 2 to 3 rockers, slow down, longer mid tempo, then the obligatory fast, punky song followed by an incongruent vibe shift to a slow, and sometimes cheesy schmaltzy song. Why has this become the formula? Who told them they need to have one punky song and one cheesy schmaltzer on every album, often one after the other?

One thing that was delightful about Gigaton is that it partially broke out of that mold. WES, though a rocker, is a different kind of opener. They don’t have a single punky song (I don’t think ND counts as punky), and I actually really like buckle up following TTLW. Closing on several slower songs was interesting too.

I've seen many people say they dislike Buckle Up, and the way Gigaton slows to a crawl before it finishes; I love it all myself, but I do see the argument that Pearl Jam can't win

I can see that too. We all have different opinions and wants from the band, and those often conflict. For me, I want them to break out of their mould and be as creative as possible. We’ve seen some good examples of that recently. And working with Watt seems to open that up somewhat too.

[Val]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

[Ms Harmless]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

can't be, that's an extremely rudimentary drum fill; it's nicely spaced out, but the DM drum fill is a million times better

[digster]

I get the appeal...he's this young guy full of energy, saying you're the shit, I could easily see why the band would be drawn to that. The funny thing is, he's been doing this for people like the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Elton John, etc. It feels like the band's perception of itself is that they're even more of a dinosaur rock act than they actually are. Most of the people Watt's worked with have 20 or 30 extra years on Pearl Jam.

I'm happy with the results Watt got with The Stones so I'm optimistic.

Yeah, that isn't about what the output would be, it's just more that PJ's working with someone who typically operates as the shot of adrenaline for bands/artists that were most vital in the 60s/70s. It's just an odd choice on their part, but it could be one that ends up working out.

[oneway23]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

If that ends up being it, this will be the most embarrassing PR disaster since Tony Khan showed the footage of a backstage confrontation between CM Punk & Jack Perry

[Val]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

If that ends up being it, this will be the most embarrassing PR disaster since Tony Khan showed the footage of a backstage confrontation between CM Punk & Jack Perry

Everything surrounding this particular drum fill is excellent though

[Mike]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

First time that I seriously listened to this. Does anyone else think the first song sounds pretty similar to Rose Of Jericho? dududu DINDIN dudududedede dududu DINDIN dudududedede

[Mike]

The song after Dark Matter sounds like Seven O Clock mixed with Nothing as it Seems. The bass reminds me VERY much of the bass in Seven O Clock

[Mike]

And the next one sounds like it has a big poppy Infallible chorus lol But pretty cool guitars afterwards. Those sound kind of Yield-y

[oneway23]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

If that ends up being it, this will be the most embarrassing PR disaster since Tony Khan showed the footage of a backstage confrontation between CM Punk & Jack Perry

Everything surrounding this particular drum fill is excellent though

Easily the song I'm most enthused about.

When first hearing it, I initially assumed that the Ledbetter-ish bluesy playing on the metal door clip at 1:18 was WFS...Do we know what song that is?
Sounds fantastic

[Val]

https://vocaroo.com/1gOtuLFjam5X

Pretty sure the “greatest ever drum fill” from Waiting For Stevie is at the 2:52 mark

First time that I seriously listened to this. Does anyone else think the first song sounds pretty similar to Rose Of Jericho? dududu DINDIN dudududedede dududu DINDIN dudududedede

I hope to God it’s better than that

[Ms Harmless]

One thing that baffles me about this band especially over the past few albums is how do they tend to follow the same pattern with types of songs and the order that they show up on the album. Always open with 2 to 3 rockers, slow down, longer mid tempo, then the obligatory fast, punky song followed by an incongruent vibe shift to a slow, and sometimes cheesy schmaltzy song. Why has this become the formula? Who told them they need to have one punky song and one cheesy schmaltzer on every album, often one after the other?

One thing that was delightful about Gigaton is that it partially broke out of that mold. WES, though a rocker, is a different kind of opener. They don’t have a single punky song (I don’t think ND counts as punky), and I actually really like buckle up following TTLW. Closing on several slower songs was interesting too.

I've seen many people say they dislike Buckle Up, and the way Gigaton slows to a crawl before it finishes; I love it all myself, but I do see the argument that Pearl Jam can't win

I can see that too. We all have different opinions and wants from the band, and those often conflict. For me, I want them to break out of their mould and be as creative as possible. We’ve seen some good examples of that recently. And working with Watt seems to open that up somewhat too.

I agree