Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[unLEASHed]

The mix in the theater was weird, at least for me.

I have heard so many different problems from different theaters that I think this was a problem with the way they preped this on each theater.

I mean, they probably meant the atmos for being listened in a certain way, tested in controlled rooms and stuff, once it gets out there, it depends on how each of these theaters deals with the atmos thing, volumes and quality…also atmos for the movies is one thing, for music is another. I dont think its their fault, maybe a litte too trusting on the quality of most of these rooms made available for Dark Matter.

[B]

Maybe, I'll come around.

[oftheearth]

Wow I had the exact opposite reaction to some folks here. Sound was excellent at my theater, it was in IMAX Dolby Atmos and I could hear MORE than previously on songs like Dark Matter/Running. I am completely blown away by how this band sounds on this record.

[WaitingForBluey]

Just got back. I recorded it on my phone so at least I have a level 4 leak now.

Level 1 - Metal Door
Level 2 - Angry Baby
Level 3 - Blue State
Level 4 - Phone recording speakers

Also, if you don't like this album --- sorry man. It's epic.

Also, I heard cowbell in Running for the first time.

Awesome man! Checking mine now but I don't think it's much of an improvement. All I know is that I picked up someone snoring pretty loud between Got to Give and Setting Sun... haha... that could be fun.

[DDWJMUVW]

The mix in the theater was weird, at least for me.

Terrrrrilbe.

I take solace in the fact that dark matter instead this theater sounded nothing like what I’ve heard since 2/13.

I cannot believe there was a whole vignette on Dolby almost before this kicked off and it sounded like that. I can only assume the speakers and actual placement of them in the theater was completely botched.

That said, my early rankings:

Great:
SoF
Wreckage
DM
Won’t Tell
WFS
Setting Sun

Good:
Running
Upper Hand
Got to Give

Eh:
Something special
React Respond

[Kanta]

Wow I had the exact opposite reaction to some folks here. Sound was excellent at my theater, it was in IMAX Dolby Atmos and I could hear MORE than previously on songs like Dark Matter/Running. I am completely blown away by how this band sounds on this record.

Maybe it was just my theater that messed up! I felt like something was wrong with the audio in the NYC showing I was at. No surround sound at all. The side speakers did not seem to be utilized, I far as I could tell. Was like sitting in front of a giant car radio.

[Lostdog]

The weakest: SS but the lyric, BEAUTIFUL. 4,5 stars. Best since Riot

[WaitingForBluey]

Initial impressions:

Wreckage hits in the feels, would like an extended bridge live... that's as close to the Corduroy bridge territory than they've gotten to in ages

Upper Hand is still just fucking tops... and no the changes throughout do not feel forced or awkward... it's all very musical movement in the best way

Got to Give! What a lovely jam. This might be my favorite

Setting Sun as a song is pretty great but the lyrics are surprisingly good and slay the fuck out of River Cross...

In fact, nothing on here (expect Something Special of course) suffers from the Ed cheese moments

[unLEASHed]

Wow I had the exact opposite reaction to some folks here. Sound was excellent at my theater, it was in IMAX Dolby Atmos and I could hear MORE than previously on songs like Dark Matter/Running. I am completely blown away by how this band sounds on this record.

I believe you, thats why I was so fucking upset…makes no sense i can hear the Matt drumming and Stones guitar on a a recording from a phone than a cinema with atmos and all of that shit…levels were all sort of crazy, general volume was down, back vocals from ed and some of mikes guitar licks came way to loud behind me…makes no sense i can only hear the guitars as a wosh like a fast car effect, or explosion…

I blame the theater of course, probably didnt test the thing…they stick the atmos logo, and for years maybe dont check shit.

[ridleybradout]

Posted this in the theatre thread but probably belongs here:

I really liked Gigaton but this album is a step up. I'll reserve judgement on Watt's production until I have a headphone listen, but he's managed to capture the band with everyone playing to their absolute strengths, and finally showcasing the live chemistry they have on stage on record.

The VMax audio mix wasn't great at my showing last night - very trebbly and hard to make out Matt and Jeff in particular. I agree the visualiser playthrough was better, but it was helped by having just heard the songs through once before engaging with the lyrics, which I think are some of Ed's strongest in years - I didn't notice any clunkers that usually pepper latter-day PJ albums. What impressed me most was Ed's seemingly endless well of sublime vocal melodies. It's like he got all his cringeworthy melodies out of the way on Earthling (think 'Long Way'). Even Wreckage and Something Special which on the surface could veer into corny territory are saved from this fate by some thoughtful artistic choices.

Scared of Fear is my early fave (I agree with the Who Ever Said comparisons which I ).

It really feels like a record made by 6 (7 counting Josh K?) music fanantics - as others have said there are elements of Petty, Pink Floyd, Ramones, but also a lot of U2 - in the soaring/chiming guitar parts, the Where the Street Have No Name style intro to Won't Tell, and Ed's elevation (pun not-intended) of songs in their second half.

[Revelator]

Just got back from the theater showing, hit up the White Marsh AMC theater north of Baltimore, way more people there than I expected and shockingly zero cargo shorts. Too much to take in after one listen but will share my early impressions. Most positive, I left the theater excited for Friday...excited to hear a quality copy over quality headphones or speakers. The theater sounded flat and a bit distorted which was a bit of a let down. I digress....my thoughts in no particular order

--Album was much more uplifting/positive than I expected; DM and Running are by far the 'hardest' more abrasive songs on the album
--Mid Tempo mania (not a bad thing for this band)
--Far too early to tell whether I like better than Gigaton, which has aged well; however, DM ends on a MUCH stronger note than Gig
--Ed sounded great given the shit speakers in the theater; DM seems to be a bit of an outlier for him being buried in the mix
--Mike plays his fucking ass off, Stone as well, but god damn Mike
--Theater sounds was too flat and distorted to make out Jeff and Matt well
--Scared of Fear, was distracted at first by the shit speaker sound, but I remember loving the riff and loving it more when the second playthrough started
--Upper Hand was not what I was expected. Taken back by it but could grow. I was expecting something a little darker given the feedback on here, but def has potential to grow
--React, Respond was solid, especially the blistering second half, but I need more listens to appreciate the first half. I can't stress enough how bad the sound was in the theater so I don't feel my thoughts are really justified yet
--Who says Wreckage doesn't really go anywhere is WRONG. This was a massive highlight for me; I might be most excited to hear this again on Friday. The second half of just about every song on the album takes on a new life and really catches you off guard. The prolonged 'combing through the wreckage' ending with the background vocals and jangly Petty-esque guitars was GLORIOUS. We need more songs like this, more songs where they let the material breathe for Christ's sake.
--Won't Tell another big highlight again stolen away by a very 80s second half. Loved it.
--Upper Hand, again, stalled for me a bit. Wasn't what I expected from all the NAIS comparisons. Need more listens
--WFS was awesome but I think a bit oversold; I may change my mind when hearing again through better speakers. AGAIN, second half of the song soars. Thank you Mike
--Something Special a little better/sweeter hearing all the way through, but easily the weakest song on DM. Ed actually sounds great, but lyrics not so much. Can't help but think there was something better on the cutting room floor (or b-side)
--Got to Give, I really dug it, but for some reason having trouble remembering it. Definitely heard the Who and Springsteen comparisons. I'm sure I'll love more after repeated listens
--Album ends on a high note, the praise for Setting Sun is justified. Unlike Upper Hand I felt this went somewhere. Ed's vocals reminded me a bit of On My Way (far and away the best song on Earthling, Ed sounds amazing on it). Loved it and much like Wreckage excited to hear again properly on Friday.

I'm too tired to proofread this shit so deal with it. Hope everyone else had a blast!

[WaitingForBluey]

Posted this in the theatre thread but probably belongs here:

I really liked Gigaton but this album is a step up. I'll reserve judgement on Watt's production until I have a headphone listen, but he's managed to capture the band with everyone playing to their absolute strengths, and finally showcasing the live chemistry they have on stage on record.

The VMax audio mix wasn't great at my showing last night - very trebbly and hard to make out Matt and Jeff in particular. I agree the visualiser playthrough was better, but it was helped by having just heard the songs through once before engaging with the lyrics, which I think are some of Ed's strongest in years - I didn't notice any clunkers that usually pepper latter-day PJ albums. What impressed me most was Ed's seemingly endless well of sublime vocal melodies. It's like he got all his cringeworthy melodies out of the way on Earthling (think 'Long Way'). Even Wreckage and Something Special which on the surface could veer into corny territory are saved from this fate by some thoughtful artistic choices.

Scared of Fear is my early fave (I agree with the Who Ever Said comparisons which I ).

It really feels like a record made by 6 (7 counting Josh K?) music fanantics - as others have said there are elements of Petty, Pink Floyd, Ramones, but also a lot of U2 - in the soaring/chiming guitar parts, the Where the Street Have No Name style intro to Won't Tell, and Ed's elevation (pun not-intended) of songs in their second half.

The Ridley has spoken!

Seriously though, Ed deserves some major credit on this one. Some of his best work in a long time.

[Revelator]

The mix in the theater was weird, at least for me.

Terrrrrilbe.

I take solace in the fact that dark matter instead this theater sounded nothing like what I’ve heard since 2/13.

I cannot believe there was a whole vignette on Dolby almost before this kicked off and it sounded like that. I can only assume the speakers and actual placement of them in the theater was completely botched.

That said, my early rankings:

Great:
SoF
Wreckage
DM
Won’t Tell
WFS
Setting Sun

Good:
Running
Upper Hand
Got to Give

Eh:
Something special
React Respond

My theater sounded like shit, too. Couldn't make a fair judgement of production value just yet from my untrained ears

[darthvedder81]

Just got back from the theater. Random thoughts in no particular order.


• Ran into an old co-worker who's a big PJ fan. Hadn't seem it years so it was fun to have someone to talk to after about the experience.
• Hadn't heard anything but the two singles before hand
• Theater mix seemed too quiet to me. It was a Dolby Atmos theater so I dunno, maybe just not set up right? I want to hear this thing loud and in headphones before a final verdict
• Thought this thing would be heavier/darker based on the album art and DM as the single. Not a criticism. I loved the overall feel.
• Lots of really awesome guitar work and more acoustic stuff underneath than I expected
• Yield comparisons makes sense. Also heard Binaural "spaciness" at times (which surprised me) and even some "Temple of the Dog" in there
• Definitely has a pop "sheen" to it. It's a very accessible record if that's the right word. Casual PJ fans/music fans could get into pretty much every track. It's missing the Garage Rock vibe of Vitalogy and No Code (and to a lesser extent Yield). That's not a criticism for me just an observation.
• I agree that "Won't Tell" - "Upper Hand" - "Waiting for Stevie" is the best 1-2-3 in a long time on a PJ record
• I liked Scared of Fear but it's softer(?) than I expected. The riff goes quieter not louder during the interludes? I dunno maybe it was my theater mix
• This the most "spiritual" album from PJ ever. I'm not saying Eddie found Jesus but there's lots of overt religious/metaphysical things happening in the lyrics that aren't cynical but earnest and reaching for something like we've never heard from Ed before.
• Something Special is a fine song. The band plays great on it and it's heartfelt—just doesn't belong on this album. It's very odd. I'd prefer a re-worked Of the Earth here or something.
• Setting Sun is wonderful. Definitely a Stone lick/riff driving this. It's a beautiful way to end the album.

[darthvedder81]

Just got back from the theater. Random thoughts in no particular order.


• Ran into an old co-worker (and his pals) who's a big PJ fan. Hadn't seem him in years so it was fun to have someone to talk to after about the experience.
• Hadn't heard anything but the two singles before hand
• Theater mix seemed too quiet to me. It was a Dolby Atmos theater so I dunno, maybe just not set up right? I want to hear this thing loud and in headphones before a final verdict
• Thought this thing would be heavier/darker based on the album art and DM as the single. Not a criticism. I loved the overall feel.
• Lots of really awesome guitar work and more acoustic stuff underneath than I expected
• Yield comparisons makes sense. Also heard Binaural "spaciness" at times (which surprised me) and even some "Temple of the Dog" in there
• Definitely has a pop "sheen" to it. It's a very accessible record if that's the right word. Casual PJ fans/music fans could get into pretty much every track. It's missing the garage rock vibe of Vitalogy and No Code (and to a lesser extent Yield). That's not a criticism for me just an observation.
• I agree that "Won't Tell" - "Upper Hand" - "Waiting for Stevie" is the best 1-2-3 in a long time on a PJ record
• I liked Scared of Fear but it's softer(?) than I expected. The riff goes quieter not louder during the interludes? I dunno maybe it was my theater mix
• This the most "spiritual" album from PJ ever. I'm not saying Eddie found Jesus but there's lots of overt religious/metaphysical things happening in the lyrics that aren't cynical but earnest and reaching for something like we've never heard from Ed before.
• Something Special is a fine song. The band plays great on it and it's heartfelt—just doesn't belong on this album. It's very odd. I'd prefer a re-worked Of the Earth here or something.
• Setting Sun is wonderful. Definitely a Stone lick/riff driving this. It's a beautiful way to end the album.

[Pearlhawk]

Are there any quality leaks from tonight’s theater experience?

[VinylGuy]

I suspect (obviously neither of us can know) they wanted to work with Watt because of Eddie’s positive Earthlings experience, and this is the sound Watt comes with, rather than choosing Watt because they wanted this sound.

Yeah, the band already told that in various interviews.

[WaitingForBluey]

Have a recording that's definitely louder than the original, not yet sure if it's clearer...
spent a few seconds putting some additional EQ and mastering plugins on it just to piss off the hater(s)

[VinylGuy]

From the theatre experience?

[WaitingForBluey]

For the record, wav file is not as brickwalled as I expected... looks no different than my own recordings... ha, that's not saying much