Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[VinylGuy]

Loving the mix with each listen, very surprised i can pick any member and see whats going on.

[96583UP]

Numbers up, come back... we're handing out free hugs today. You need one you filthy varmint.

i'm glad you guys like it

i tried and it was a swing and a miss for me

at some point when i feel like eating logs of poop i will muster the strength to attempt to finish track 2

[Hatfield]

This first proper listen as the album was intended was the most emotionally evocative experience I’ve had to a musical composition in so long I can’t remember. It was remarkable.

It was like that hopeful and innocent part of me at the core of who I am that was ripped out and extinguished from the world events of the last few years was given a spark upon listening to this in it’s entirety. I haven’t even begun to unpack the lyrics yet so this was a visceral response to the cathartic nature of this collection of songs. It’s like this record met me where I’m at.

To quote Ben Harper, “This is the greatest band in the world.” This album, at least initially, is deserving of being exhibit A when backing that statement up.

Bravo Pearl Jam, and thank you. This one means a lot. It met me where I was needing to be met on an emotional level I couldn't have expected.

I'm honestly surprised.

I'm so glad Super Nintendo and B are feeling this after a shaky first impression!

And when one of the best writers on this board is at a loss for words....

I keep hitting reply to this thread, staring at the empty space for a while, and then leaving without typing a thing.

Truly at a loss for words.

You KNOW Pearl Jam has done something really, really special.

I'm so grateful for everyone's sharing and excitement. I'm glad we are all experiencing this together!

[Thejambi]

Numbers up, come back... we're handing out free hugs today. You need one you filthy varmint.

i'm glad you guys like it

i tried and it was a swing and a miss for me

at some point when i feel like eating logs of poop i will muster the strength to attempt to finish track 2

Tisk, tisk, tisk. Sounds like someone is reacting.

[Ms Harmless]

some days I still grieve the loss of my marriage and stepkids after 5 years so this album is very cathartic for me, feels like it will help bring closure

[Antelope]

My wife just asked if Pearl Jam released a breakup record the same day Taylor Swift released a record.

[Ms Harmless]

My wife just asked if Pearl Jam released a breakup record the same day Taylor Swift released a record.

"how many degrees of separation between Eddie Vedder and Matty Healy?"

[Arthur Morgan]

Someone said it earlier, and I am too trying to stay away from the album to keep it fresh. But damn, just listened to a couple songs and I am still completely floored how good this is. It is legit in every sense. What an absolute gift. The band has to be over the moon and I am happy for them.

I am even happy for Watt, another superfan, who is living his dream. Can you imagine?


And I hope PJ get their roses for this album. Give them a Grammy, life time achievement award, whatever. Crown the Kings!

[stip]

okay, so I dont think this is a record about death and loss, although those themes loom large. Dark Matter is about connection and time and purpose.


Im getting ready to sit down and make my case. Ruddo, this may run long. Apologies in advance.

[Arthur Morgan]

okay, so I dont think this is a record about death and loss, although those themes loom large. Dark Matter is about connection and time and purpose.


Im getting ready to sit down and make my case. Ruddo, this may run long. Apologies in advance.

Can’t wait!

[unLEASHed]

Hey Stip, when are you going do dig in to the lyrics? Im really looking forward to it…I kinda think its about the band, us fans, and the whole “long road” to get here, framed in the “relationship” way.

Start digging!

[stip]

give a listen through that lense. If I am wildly off base tell me now!

[Strat]

He revisits lyrics more than once across the album. The imagery of being on a porch waiting for the door to open/close.

and "If you can see what i see now"

[unLEASHed]

give a listen through that lense. If I am wildly off base tell me now!

What lense?

[stip]

Hey Stip, when are you going do dig in to the lyrics? Im really looking forward to it…I kinda think its about the band, us fans, and the whole “long road” to get here, framed in the “relationship” way.

Start digging!

Im already 8 feet down. Ive spent the last 24 hours reading 100 pages of posts. RM has kicked a lot of dirt out of the way. Just about everything Ive ever ever written has been deeply informed by what goes on here

[epilogue]

He revisits lyrics more than once across the album. The imagery of being on a porch waiting for the door to open/close.

and "If you can see what i see now"

At the screening/listening party that repetition of lyrical images/ideas bugged me. But I'm excited to sit with the album and really consider all of it to see how it might connect thematically. As motif it could all be really cool. But upon first/second listen, it felt more rushed and accidental than thematic and intentional.

Hope I'm wrong.

[unLEASHed]

He revisits lyrics more than once across the album. The imagery of being on a porch waiting for the door to open/close.

and "If you can see what i see now"

“Oh, did I say something wrong?
Oh, did I walk out of step?
To you, do I still belong?
Do I have to be scared?”

“Is this what we've become? One last setting sun
I'll give, but I can't give up, I'll live, not long enough
To stop these voices calling, stop the voices calling
All around my head, as if you never left”

This connects with Setting Sun, Got to Give and the kind of apology on Upper Hand…Carry me is also on the little song after WFS…

There are alot of connections here, and the references to old songs in passing too.

[Strat]

Joey is not loving this album and that kind of hurts my heart a little.

[stip]

give a listen through that lense. If I am wildly off base tell me now!

What lense?

okay, so I dont think this is a record about death and loss, although those themes loom large. Dark Matter is about connection and time and purpose.

[epilogue]

Just about everything Ive ever ever written has been deeply informed by what goes on here

Yeah, I know. Yet only one of us has a book deal!