Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[mattyv1908]

Based on the inferior recordings we have to listen to (much thanks and no offense to those who uploaded these), it’s impossible to get a true sense on the album outside of some melody and basic song structure.

To begin claiming this is or isn’t a good record (unless you’ve listened to it at an actual listening event) seems premature.

The initial listen given the available sources seems promising, but the verdict is out until the actual vinyl is spinning on the reference system.

[coptheriotact]

I'm going to respond to these together since they touch on similar ideas for me...

What is authenticity in art? Is it less authentic for Pearl Jam to say "We want to spend most of our time with our families, so we make records fast, and use whatever technologies and personalities that allow us to do that"? No, of course not; probably it's the most authentic for them to just do that.

I worry about things like legacy, and the downstream effects of legacy acts normalizing certain behaviors. Rock music can be incredibly powerful, and it happens that the kind of rock music I've always gravitated towards has held a decidedly "band in a room / individual personalities" bent: Jimi Hendrix, Fugazi, Minutemen, Shellac, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and on and on, bands that would immediately feel and sound different the moment you swap out one musician for another.

Like most of you, I've witnessed the introduction of various technologies (roughly in order) -- vocal harmonizers, drum triggers, samplers, ProTools drum quantization, instrument plug-ins, drum replacement software, Antares Auto-Tune, and now AI -- slowly chip away at the most human elements of recorded music. I've probably thought about these tools, and certainly used them, more than others here, but I don't actually this makes me uniquely qualified to hold Pearl Jam to a higher standard. Just use your ears.

Which gets to headsinspeakers suggestion that I am rushing to judgment to invalidate this album. I'd argue no, not really. We've heard a couple official releases, we can hear how the lack of dynamics obliterates certain aspects of the musicians' performances (because rock instruments are plectrum responsive, right? The harder they hit it, the louder it should sound); we've heard the drums that don't sound like any real drum I've ever heard in my life.

Someone posted about how there are some parts where Ed sounds like he's trying to hold notes longer than he can anymore, and I'm curious to hear how this comes across, if it sounds like he's running out of breath, or if it sound inhuman. For a great example of this, listen to Foo Fighters' Monkeywrench, during the "One last thing before I quit..." Crazy how he can pull that off without sounding like he's ever taking a breath, right?

The less human rock music becomes, the more toothless it sounds to me. And while I'm perfectly fine throwing on the latest Foo Fighters record and giving it a whirl because I hold no emotional connection to the band, it's a much taller ask for Pearl Jam, who has meant so much to me.

Monkey_Driven said at one point that he wished Pearl Jam just settled into the Wrecker song style as they aged, and I tend to agree. The moment this band starts sounding like a bunch of guys trying to act younger than their age, that's the moment they've ceased to mean anything of importance to me. They're just some dudes editing waveforms to maximize the listener's wow factor. Rarely have I been wowed by technology in rock music (there are some notable exceptions, like NIN or Radiohead). But perhaps the greatest value proposition this band ever had was the unique alchemy that came from getting their personalities to create music in the same room, and from everything I've heard and read so far, it sounds like they're increasingly willing to commodify certain formulas to maintain a commercial presence.

My prediction is that there will be 3-4 songs I'll admit are great compositions, yet I won't be able to enjoy them because the technical hallmarks -- and the underlying machinations of their commodification -- will be so readily apparent that I'll never get past them.

It would be like seeing a stunningly beautiful woman in a restaurant whom I knew had a bunch of work done. It would feel like a transaction of my knowledge to admit her beauty, and as I get older, I find myself increasingly attracted to the woman at the next table who has just let herself age gracefully, yet naturally.

I don't know if this makes any sense but it's the best I could come up with right now.

There is a bigger picture outside whether we enjoy this album or not. The more popular this record is, the less likely PJ will ever return to making records “the hard way”, in a studio with a producer than knows their gear, mics etc, and continue with plugins, amp sims and templates. Clearly this isn’t a issue for a lot of listeners! But it is worth discussing, especially when they could have went down the path of 90s /00s Neil young for example.

On one hand it’s questionable timing to bring this up in the middle of everyone enjoying the leak…
but on the other hand, anyone should just be able to chime in with whatever is on their mind at any time? Especially on RM?

[Ms Harmless]

I'm definitely beyond caring about any of that; yes I'd be happy with another Riot Act, but I'd just as soon take another one of these; honestly though I don't think our response to this album will affect their choices going forward whatsoever

[Homeboyd]

If you're in a bad spot and like PJ this album is for you...most uplifting shit I've ever heard from them.

[Val]

Has It Leaked is still proclaiming its virginity

[Higgs]

... anyone should just be able to chime in with whatever is on their mind at any time? Especially on RM?

Absolutely. I have 2 competing yet equally valid viewpoints when it comes to music discussions on RM. It's all just shits and giggles and yet, as my man Nick Cave so perfectly put it, "Some people say that it's just rock and roll Ah, but it gets you right down to your soul"

<Edit> fixed up my poor quoting effort there.

[Val]

Wreckage is probably receiving the least repeat visits from me in the future.

My gf is already fawning over Something Special so I guess that one is here to stay, dammit

[Ms Harmless]

If you're in a bad spot and like PJ this album is for you...most uplifting shit I've ever heard from them.

same

[RockPusher]

Based on the inferior recordings we have to listen to (much thanks and no offense to those who uploaded these), it’s impossible to get a true sense on the album outside of some melody and basic song structure.

To begin claiming this is or isn’t a good record (unless you’ve listened to it at an actual listening event) seems premature.

The initial listen given the available sources seems promising, but the verdict is out until the actual vinyl is spinning on the reference system.

You’re right. These boots don’t sound nearly as good as the real thing.

[Mike]

I am team Birds in Hell/trag and agree with most of what they are saying with the difference that it won‘t impact my enjoyment in the degree it does for them.

[Release_Me]

The recordings I've heard obviously aren't the best to judge, but someone mentioned how Ed is sustaining notes like he can't these days. Actually, I think those notes sounded great on these recordings. I do not believe Ed will struggle to sustain notes like these, especially in studio where you can do multiple takes. They elevate the songs. I think this is one of the things that is leading people to compare the album to early PJ. That Ed style of just holding a note forever was part of the early PJ sound and what got many people in to the band. I find several soaring Ed vocals scattered throughout, but in WFS, Ed's approach to the entire song is to stretch the notes and I love that.

Of course, a good quality recording is needed to really judge how human these notes sound, but I don't think Ed was doing anything that's beyond him in studio.

[Release_Me]

I think we can probably credit Andrew Watt (sorry Trag) for getting Ed to revisit this style. I can't imagine he didn't bring up that this is what appealed to a lot of people when they first heard PJ.

[unLEASHed]

The recordings I've heard obviously aren't the best to judge, but someone mentioned how Ed is sustaining notes like he can't these days. Actually, I think those notes sounded great on these recordings. I do not believe Ed will struggle to sustain notes like these, especially in studio where you can do multiple takes. They elevate the songs. I think this is one of the things that is leading people to compare the album to early PJ. That Ed style of just holding a note forever was part of the early PJ sound and what got many people in to the band. I find several soaring Ed vocals scattered throughout, but in WFS, Ed's approach to the entire song is to stretch the notes and I love that.

Of course, a good quality recording is needed to really judge how human these notes sound, but I don't think Ed was doing anything that's beyond him in studio.

He does alooooot of soaring in this album. havent heard him sustain notes like these on so many songs since probably yield. I think it took him some years to adjust the changes in his voice, between ST and LB, he was trying different things to compensate the changes, I think he was finally able to match some of his old singing habits to a more raspier, dry voice. Earthling showed us he was on to something.

[dimejinky99]

Wth happened in here!


Trag! Behave yourself! Some decorum. Please.

[DeeDee]

A couple moments are giving me Gaslight Anthem vibes, which I’m totally cool with.

The chorus of Scared of Fear is pure early Gaslight Anthem, yes.

[DeeDee]

i used to post here occasionally under an account whose name i long since forgot and couldn't seem to recover. i was more of a a.m.p-j person when i was more active on these things, but made a new account here because none of my friends really care and i feel the need to share some initial thoughts on the album and band...

pearl jam has always been 'my band' but starting with the immagine dvd i started to really lose interest or excitement. somewhere in this time period i also pretty much stopped listening to a lot of music in general due to work, other interests, politics, etc. politics def a big driver and something i still struggle with reconciling btwn my views and the views of the artists i tend to like.

backspacer was a listen once, put it on the shelf album for me. lightning bolt was 'ok' to me, but not what i wanted. gigaton came out when i was in an odd headspace and i listened to it once or twice but again, didn't do much for me. dance of the clairvoyants really turned me off. not what i needed/wanted from them.

i really struggled with how to process this. i quit a job as a result of this band (nothing as it seems made me see some things). for years they drove my vacation plans (tours), but it just wasn't hitting for me anymore.

i still went to a ton of concerts until the gigaton tour. love the live experience, but lost the passion on the last one. figured i was done, people change and that's fine.... on to other things and i'll keep the happy memories of the past that are anchored to pearl jam songs, 'eras', etc.

when i heard news of a new album i was excited. more excited than i've been in a long time about the band. i think partially because i came back to music in the last few years, but mostly stuff like the dead and ryan adams.

then the artwork came out. underwhelmed. i thought it was a joke at first. then dark matter the single. didn't do much for me. then running, thought it was pretty lame.

however, i still went out to a listening party this afternoon and i've been grinning ever since. this really strikes me as the album i was hoping they would make or something much closer to it for the last several album cycles. i've been grinning ever since. even going back and giving backspacer and beyond another chance in the background as i putter in my office.

i do feel like this is something of a 'return to form' (or at least the form that resonates with me) and can not believe how happy this album made me and how much excitement i'm filled with again. really glad i talked myself out and off the couch from watching the masters to head down to a record store and listen. even more happy to then see someone thought to record the thing so i could give it another listen prior to the official release.

lot of rambling here... don't really know what the point is, other than needing to get these thoughts and excitement out of my head. thanks...

This is cool!

[DeeDee]

If you're in a bad spot and like PJ this album is for you...most uplifting shit I've ever heard from them.

Absolutely.

[lecherouslittlestump]

I'll try to refrain from listening again until this is actually released.

First impressions, this is great. Very hook/groove based. Definitely the product of a band playing together in a studio.

Highlights so far are React/Respond and Waiting For Steve.

[Juvenal]

Usually I’m as weak-willed as a horny Mormon in a porno but I’m remaining virginal until this properly releases. Then I’ll probably get the clap from WFS.

Glad to hear it’s largely gone down well!

[ABNorman]

I'd like to request that somebody scan the liner notes ASAP when they get their physical copy - the last coupla PJ albums I've only got the digital version and for some reason they don't deem that worthy of having liner notes.