Dark Matter's MVP

[Juvenal]

Well, ladies and gentlemen, what are thinking? Perhaps a poll?

I was going to suggest Watt but (and this is a turnaround from recent records) I think it's Ed. Watt's alchemy caught this lightning (bolt) in a bottle but it was Ed who brought the band together with him and he soars over this album. His enthusiasm and pride shines through.

[stip]

i want to say Watt for what he brought out of them. He is competing with Eddie and Matt, who anchors the ferocity of playing in every moment

[Juvenal]

i want to say Watt for what he brought out of them. He is competing with Eddie and Matt, who anchors the ferocity of playing in every moment

Matt is another worthy contender. It sounds like he's going to break the drumkit at certain parts!

[Ensign9]

It’s Watt. The only acceptable alternative would be Cameron.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Monkey_Driven]

IMO, it's Jeff and it's not even close. Regardless of the good/bad of any track, he is consistently grooving with a sense of purpose -- often with great restraint -- adding creative textures, and generally keeping it all together.

One minute I'm loving what Ed's doing, another minute I'm hating what Ghanea is doing, another I'm digging Mike and Stone's interplay. No matter what is going on, I'm always thoroughly enjoying Jeff's contribution.

This

[Fattie_Vedder]

I was going to go with Watt because of what he’s managed to get out of these guys, but you have to also consider what he’s done from a production standpoint. So I’m going with Jeff. Jeff is the Eddie whisperer. Somewhere along the way, he’s figured out how to make music that is great, full of the things that make Pj great, and have it jive with Eddie too. Ed’s styles and sensibilities are all over this album, yet it feels and sounds more less Eddie than other albums, with more influence from the others.

Jeff is the rock band of this band.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Ms Harmless]

Matt, because I think when he / the drummer enthusiastically brings his A+ game and takes control of the songs' grooves, everyone follows so as not to be outdone; and that is what Pearl Jam is

[RockPusher]

IMO, it's Jeff and it's not even close. Regardless of the good/bad of any track, he is consistently grooving with a sense of purpose -- often with great restraint -- adding creative textures, and generally keeping it all together.

One minute I'm loving what Ed's doing, another minute I'm hating what Ghanea is doing, another I'm digging Mike and Stone's interplay. No matter what is going on, I'm always thoroughly enjoying Jeff's contribution.

[Ms Harmless]

IMO, it's Jeff and it's not even close. Regardless of the good/bad of any track, he is consistently grooving with a sense of purpose -- often with great restraint -- adding creative textures, and generally keeping it all together.

One minute I'm loving what Ed's doing, another minute I'm hating what Ghanea is doing, another I'm digging Mike and Stone's interplay. No matter what is going on, I'm always thoroughly enjoying Jeff's contribution.

I absolutely love how prominent all the basslines are

[VinylGuy]

While i tempted to say Jeff, because he is my favorite member of the band, and he really stands out on this album i truly think the band is the mvp of the album. Everyone bring their A game on this one, and everyone shines really. Kudos to Watt for getting the band to write these songs and make them sound like this.

[Thejambi]

This is truly a difficult choice. Everyone is absolutely on their A game and for the first time in several albums, I don’t think there is a weak link. I went with Jeff based on the fact I don’t think there is a single moment in which I think he could have done something subjectively better.

[Strat]

IMO, it's Jeff and it's not even close. Regardless of the good/bad of any track, he is consistently grooving with a sense of purpose -- often with great restraint -- adding creative textures, and generally keeping it all together.

One minute I'm loving what Ed's doing, another minute I'm hating what Ghanea is doing, another I'm digging Mike and Stone's interplay. No matter what is going on, I'm always thoroughly enjoying Jeff's contribution.

Yea definitely agree.

I would also say "pearl jam" as a whole are the MVP. These guys in a room playing music together...just some of the best ever.

But when it comes to Jeff, even stone discussed in a recent interview how jeff is kind of the anchor and always manages to find melody, cadence, rhythm, whatever....in between his quirky chords and mikes leads, and that bass is what really brings Eds job into focus.

Jeff rules.

[RockPusher]

Jeff rules.

[Buby]

Voted Jeff, but Eddie and Andrew are tied at 2nd place.

[Tj]

I think after 34 years the band has been making the point forever. What drives them what is the spark that lit this glorious trumphant mesmerizing blazing pile of dark matter. It is love . Love of each other love of the music love of the fans . A pool break kicks this album off. Why is that significant. Well Rick Danko 's bass hangs in Ed's studio. Ed played a Robbie Robertson guitar at Benaroyal. Who are Rick and Robby? Two members of the Band. What does that have to do with pool? The Last Waltz a film of their last concert. Kicks off with Rick breaking.
The movie once we were brothers was filmed a shangri-la. It is a beautiful film. The Band wore hats. I think Mvp is love followed closely by hats.

[Buby]

I think after 34 years the band has been making the point forever. What drives them what is the spark that lit this glorious trumphant mesmerizing blazing pile of dark matter. It is love . Love of each other love of the music love of the fans . A pool break kicks this album off. Why is that significant. Well Rick Danko 's bass hangs in Ed's studio. Ed played a Robbie Robertson guitar at Benaroyal. Who are Rick and Robby? Two members of the Band. What does that have to do with pool? The Last Waltz a film of their last concert. Kicks off with Rick breaking.
The movie once we were brothers was filmed a shangri-la. It is a beautiful film. The Band wore hats. I think Mvp is love followed closely by hats.

Well said brother!

[Fattie_Vedder]

I think after 34 years the band has been making the point forever. What drives them what is the spark that lit this glorious trumphant mesmerizing blazing pile of dark matter. It is love . Love of each other love of the music love of the fans . A pool break kicks this album off. Why is that significant. Well Rick Danko 's bass hangs in Ed's studio. Ed played a Robbie Robertson guitar at Benaroyal. Who are Rick and Robby? Two members of the Band. What does that have to do with pool? The Last Waltz a film of their last concert. Kicks off with Rick breaking.
The movie once we were brothers was filmed a shangri-la. It is a beautiful film. The Band wore hats. I think Mvp is love followed closely by hats.

Well that’s a tiny bit mind blowing and cool.

[stip]

if i add love it f’s up the poll but i want to