Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[Leatherhead]

I also thought he sounded good considering. And that’s the key word. If you’re expecting him to sound like 91-94 Ed you’re batshit. If you’re expecting 98 tour you’re nuts. If you’re expecting 09/13 you’re asking a lot.

I think Watt kept him in his pocket vocally on this record and I like that. Don’t choose registers that don’t work for him at this point. He still has an amazing voice, and one of the most unique in rock history, but play to your strengths given your age.

If he can be selective with how he uses his voice night by night on the tour, it will serve him well in the long term. I was a little disappointed when he didn’t answer Howard’s question about maintaining his voice with: oh I do x/y/z and instead said he “just leans into it”. No dude - you need to be preserving with exercises and therapy. He admitted at St Paul N1 last summer to smoking in the shower in his hotel that morning. WTF are you still smoking for??

it's infuriating

Fuck this. He's a fuckin' rock star. Smoke all you fuckin' want Ed!

[Arthur Morgan]

I also thought he sounded good considering. And that’s the key word. If you’re expecting him to sound like 91-94 Ed you’re batshit. If you’re expecting 98 tour you’re nuts. If you’re expecting 09/13 you’re asking a lot.

I think Watt kept him in his pocket vocally on this record and I like that. Don’t choose registers that don’t work for him at this point. He still has an amazing voice, and one of the most unique in rock history, but play to your strengths given your age.

If he can be selective with how he uses his voice night by night on the tour, it will serve him well in the long term. I was a little disappointed when he didn’t answer Howard’s question about maintaining his voice with: oh I do x/y/z and instead said he “just leans into it”. No dude - you need to be preserving with exercises and therapy. He admitted at St Paul N1 last summer to smoking in the shower in his hotel that morning. WTF are you still smoking for??

I was actually going to post this!

Yes, regarding Ed answering Howard’s question it sounds like Ed does nothing to help his voice. It’s crazy and you wonder the difference it could’ve made over the years if he would have taken care of his voice more.

[WtOB?]

that's so cool eddie met hunter s thompson.

[Homeboyd]

Of the main "grunge" lead singers only Kurt and Eddie consistently shredded their voices...it would be interesting (and awesome) if more than just Eddie were still alive to hear what they sounded like now. CC and Layne seemed to sing in a controlled way that was more sustainable. No chance if Kurt were alive he still sounds like he did as he put a ton of stress on his voice. In any case I really don't listen to the bootlegs anymore as it's a clear step down even if the playing is probably as good as ever. When you see them live it really isn't an issue yet imo.

[Strat]

I know we dissect every other fucking aspect of Pearl Jam ad museum but I truly can't think of anything else as boring and pointless as talking about the decline of Ed's voice at this point. Dude is fucking 60' and been shredding his voice for 30 plus years.

Dumb.

Let's shit on stones tone using that fucking weird semi hollow body gold top that sounds thin and lifeless

[Walker Bait]

Stip, I finally had a chance to read your review and I just want to say bravo. Such a wonderful review of such a wonderful album.

[igotworms]

I also thought he sounded good considering. And that’s the key word. If you’re expecting him to sound like 91-94 Ed you’re batshit. If you’re expecting 98 tour you’re nuts. If you’re expecting 09/13 you’re asking a lot.

I think Watt kept him in his pocket vocally on this record and I like that. Don’t choose registers that don’t work for him at this point. He still has an amazing voice, and one of the most unique in rock history, but play to your strengths given your age.

If he can be selective with how he uses his voice night by night on the tour, it will serve him well in the long term. I was a little disappointed when he didn’t answer Howard’s question about maintaining his voice with: oh I do x/y/z and instead said he “just leans into it”. No dude - you need to be preserving with exercises and therapy. He admitted at St Paul N1 last summer to smoking in the shower in his hotel that morning. WTF are you still smoking for??

I was actually going to post this!

Yes, regarding Ed answering Howard’s question it sounds like Ed does nothing to help his voice. It’s crazy and you wonder the difference it could’ve made over the years if he would have taken care of his voice more.

Ed's being facetious with his answer. He's spoken previously about his pre-tour detox regime. Apologies I can't remember the interview (it's pre-Gigaton) but he does quit the tabs for a time, has specific drinks for his throat, stays off the booze. I think once he's actually out on tour anything goes tho.

Agreed he's at the age he should be quitting the cigs. Cornell's voice improved immeasurably when he quit. Ed's spoken about having pressure from his family to give up, but 30+ years is a hard habit to kick.

[Homeboyd]

https://youtu.be/2SHHwmcAWZE?si=8DNLri6oQ150_DBD

Not sure if the links work but this was about the high water mark for me. DM doesn't reach that level but it at least approaches...

[stip]

Stip, I finally had a chance to read your review and I just want to say bravo. Such a wonderful review of such a wonderful album.

thank you

[Got Some]

Stip, I finally had a chance to read your review and I just want to say bravo. Such a wonderful review of such a wonderful album.

100% agree. Masterful as always Stip

These reviews are one of the the reasons I love being on this website

[Mike]

FIrst time in a long time that I'd be happy if they played most of the new record at the concert I'm going to

[Habitman]

Jeff and Stone did the Broken Record podcast. It's out now.

[Farmer John]

Let's shit on stones tone using that fucking weird semi hollow body gold top that sounds thin and lifeless

Come on, he's almost 60. His semi hollow body gold top tone is not going to be as thick and full of life as it was in his 20s

[blueviper]

I know we dissect every other fucking aspect of Pearl Jam ad museum but I truly can't think of anything else as boring and pointless as talking about the decline of Ed's voice at this point. Dude is fucking 60' and been shredding his voice for 30 plus years.

Dumb.

Let's shit on stones tone using that fucking weird semi hollow body gold top that sounds thin and lifeless

Heh. Ad museum.

[E.H. Ruddock]

I love this band but find it ridiculous that almost a week after the album was released and i still don’t have my physical copy that i preordered from the fan club months ago. I know that isn’t the band’s fault but i wish they would reevaluate who is running the show over there

[hlniv]

Wreckage is nice

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[stip]

team, is scared of fear one of pearl jam’s best songs, period? it might be

[FlatSideofaDog]

team, is scared of fear one of pearl jam’s best songs, period? it might be

Yes, if we're talking about React/Respond.

[dad]

team, is scared of fear one of pearl jam’s best songs, period? it might be

i'm in this camp.