Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[Clem Halibut]

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

I would agree
However, Waiting For Stevie still has me completely in it's grips
although, I'm definitely starting to play Scared of Fear just as much now

That Chorus is such an earworm
It has easily one of my favorite riffs on the album
Such a classic Stone riff - love how the break of the pool cue leads into it

Loved hearing them play this on Stern yesterday -
Matts drums really popped on that performance and Jeff's bassline is killer
This is going to be a great song live once they get a few shows under their belts

Also...
I've been trying to learn Scared of Fear on guitar all week, and was getting frustrated as something wasn't quite right
Thankfully Stone revealed on Stern yesterday that the song is actually in Open G tuning; and there it was !!
That totally unlocked it for me & now I'm finally playing it right
Really fun song to play

[FlatSideofaDog]

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

This x1000.

I don't understand what people expect from a 60 year old vocalist who has used every ounce of his voice for over 30 years. I hear "Ed's voice isn't the same" all the time. Fuckin' duh. How are old are these people with this opinion? Are they the same they were at 25? 28? 35?. Fuckin' weird ass opinion.

Just to be clear I am not complaining about the current form of his voice. I still listen to newly released boots and enjoy them. I don’t expect Ed to recapture the glory days. I would be setting myself up for disappointment.

Myself and others were just pointing out that it is frustrating that Ed seems to not be interested in self care based on his answer that Stern asked yesterday.


I personally think Ed’s gradual decline and unwillingness to let it stop him from performing as a great example of being able to accept one’s aging process and still living the life that you want to. I really mean that.

Yeah, the conversation about Ed's voice needs to focus on the band, not Ed. If No Code was their first album as old dudes, Gigaton was their first as really old, and it was a test for Ed. He passed. He adapted, and in my opinion comparative very well: with Gigaton he introduced a Peter Gabriel vibe, and has continued with that on DM; when he gets ferocious, he goes for Roger Daltrey. And it works for him.

But has the rest of the band adapted? No. So they need to be careful now not to put Ed in the position Zeppelin put Plant at Live Aid 1985. It wasn't Plant's fault in 1985. Zeppelin just wasn't mature enough to put in the work that comes with the territory of hanging on. Listen to Plant/Krauss do Rock and Roll now. Plant sounds amazing in the re-imagined version of the song.

There are different ways to adapt. When the band de-tuned last year Ed sounded as good as ever, and you could hardly tell the song was tuned down half a step. This is how good he is. Metallica does this now, too - though they are embarassed and make up totally unbelievable excuses ('uhh, we just pick up the guitars, which are tuned by our technicians').

[Fattie_Vedder]

which, come to think of, I’m not sure i can actually play

I don’t have anything to play the CD on. I ordered it just to have it because I have cds of all the other albums. I can’t not complete the collection.

[Fattie_Vedder]

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

This x1000.

I don't understand what people expect from a 60 year old vocalist who has used every ounce of his voice for over 30 years. I hear "Ed's voice isn't the same" all the time. Fuckin' duh. How are old are these people with this opinion? Are they the same they were at 25? 28? 35?. Fuckin' weird ass opinion.

Just to be clear I am not complaining about the current form of his voice. I still listen to newly released boots and enjoy them. I don’t expect Ed to recapture the glory days. I would be setting myself up for disappointment.

Myself and others were just pointing out that it is frustrating that Ed seems to not be interested in self care based on his answer that Stern asked yesterday.


I personally think Ed’s gradual decline and unwillingness to let it stop him from performing as a great example of being able to accept one’s aging process and still living the life that you want to. I really mean that.

Yeah, the conversation about Ed's voice needs to focus on the band, not Ed. If No Code was their first album as old dudes, Gigaton was their first as really old, and it was a test for Ed. He passed. He adapted, and in my opinion comparative very well: with Gigaton he introduced a Peter Gabriel vibe, and has continued with that on DM; when he gets ferocious, he goes for Roger Daltrey. And it works for him.

But has the rest of the band adapted? No. So they need to be careful now not to put Ed in the position Zeppelin put Plant at Live Aid 1985. It wasn't Plant's fault in 1985. Zeppelin just wasn't mature enough to put in the work that comes with the territory of hanging on. Listen to Plant/Krauss do Rock and Roll now. Plant sounds amazing in the re-imagined version of the song.

There are different ways to adapt. When the band de-tuned last year Ed sounded as good as ever, and you could hardly tell the song was tuned down half a step. This is how good he is. Metallica does this now, too - though they are embarassed and make up totally unbelievable excuses ('uhh, we just pick up the guitars, which are tuned by our technicians').

100%

[DDWJMUVW]

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

I think it really could be one of their best post yield.

I've always been a big WES fan (which is a natural analog), but as I've said, I think SoF contains more quality cover to cover. The first two mins of WeS can feel somewhat like a slog. SoF is relentless, though the bridge in WES is sublime to be sure. However, it lacks a signature MM solo.

We will see how well SoF stands the test of time.

[Arthur Morgan]

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

This x1000.

I don't understand what people expect from a 60 year old vocalist who has used every ounce of his voice for over 30 years. I hear "Ed's voice isn't the same" all the time. Fuckin' duh. How are old are these people with this opinion? Are they the same they were at 25? 28? 35?. Fuckin' weird ass opinion.

Just to be clear I am not complaining about the current form of his voice. I still listen to newly released boots and enjoy them. I don’t expect Ed to recapture the glory days. I would be setting myself up for disappointment.

Myself and others were just pointing out that it is frustrating that Ed seems to not be interested in self care based on his answer that Stern asked yesterday.


I personally think Ed’s gradual decline and unwillingness to let it stop him from performing as a great example of being able to accept one’s aging process and still living the life that you want to. I really mean that.

Yeah, the conversation about Ed's voice needs to focus on the band, not Ed. If No Code was their first album as old dudes, Gigaton was their first as really old, and it was a test for Ed. He passed. He adapted, and in my opinion comparative very well: with Gigaton he introduced a Peter Gabriel vibe, and has continued with that on DM; when he gets ferocious, he goes for Roger Daltrey. And it works for him.

But has the rest of the band adapted? No. So they need to be careful now not to put Ed in the position Zeppelin put Plant at Live Aid 1985. It wasn't Plant's fault in 1985. Zeppelin just wasn't mature enough to put in the work that comes with the territory of hanging on. Listen to Plant/Krauss do Rock and Roll now. Plant sounds amazing in the re-imagined version of the song.

There are different ways to adapt. When the band de-tuned last year Ed sounded as good as ever, and you could hardly tell the song was tuned down half a step. This is how good he is. Metallica does this now, too - though they are embarassed and make up totally unbelievable excuses ('uhh, we just pick up the guitars, which are tuned by our technicians').

I agree, no harm in admitting that you are getting older and being more creative to find workarounds. Keeps things interesting too.


Not to get off the plot but that is why I am happy that PJ made a more pop oriented record. Hopefully the fan base- hardcore and casual- will buy in, breathing life into the live shows with new songs that suit Ed’s current voice.

Now we wait to see what the reception will be and if the songs actually suit his current voice. Cause he is pushing.


I am riding this plane till the very end either way


Oh and I think it’s neat you said Peter Gabriel. I thought that too with Giga

[stip]

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

This x1000.

I don't understand what people expect from a 60 year old vocalist who has used every ounce of his voice for over 30 years. I hear "Ed's voice isn't the same" all the time. Fuckin' duh. How are old are these people with this opinion? Are they the same they were at 25? 28? 35?. Fuckin' weird ass opinion.

Just to be clear I am not complaining about the current form of his voice. I still listen to newly released boots and enjoy them. I don’t expect Ed to recapture the glory days. I would be setting myself up for disappointment.

Myself and others were just pointing out that it is frustrating that Ed seems to not be interested in self care based on his answer that Stern asked yesterday.


I personally think Ed’s gradual decline and unwillingness to let it stop him from performing as a great example of being able to accept one’s aging process and still living the life that you want to. I really mean that.

Yeah, the conversation about Ed's voice needs to focus on the band, not Ed. If No Code was their first album as old dudes, Gigaton was their first as really old, and it was a test for Ed. He passed. He adapted, and in my opinion comparative very well: with Gigaton he introduced a Peter Gabriel vibe, and has continued with that on DM; when he gets ferocious, he goes for Roger Daltrey. And it works for him.

But has the rest of the band adapted? No. So they need to be careful now not to put Ed in the position Zeppelin put Plant at Live Aid 1985. It wasn't Plant's fault in 1985. Zeppelin just wasn't mature enough to put in the work that comes with the territory of hanging on. Listen to Plant/Krauss do Rock and Roll now. Plant sounds amazing in the re-imagined version of the song.

There are different ways to adapt. When the band de-tuned last year Ed sounded as good as ever, and you could hardly tell the song was tuned down half a step. This is how good he is. Metallica does this now, too - though they are embarassed and make up totally unbelievable excuses ('uhh, we just pick up the guitars, which are tuned by our technicians').

Good post

[Vindicator]

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

It's sort of some mixture of Hail Hail + Insignificance, so...

The bridge totally evokes the bridge of Insignificance, love it

It’s a bit too derivative of past works for me to get behind this. But I will say it’s the best opener since GSMF and maybe even Life Wasted, and it conveys a sense of urgency that’s been missing from their music for like 15 years now. Four stars.

its not new, that’s fair, but my internal curve generally undervalues experimentation and focuses on experience of listening. but sometimes both align perfectly and you get Dance

They threw experimentation out the window on this one and simply gave us a bonafide motha fuckin Pearl Jam album. And the album is great because of it.

They can experiment on the next one

[DDWJMUVW]

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

I would agree
However, Waiting For Stevie still has me completely in it's grips
although, I'm definitely starting to play Scared of Fear just as much now

That Chorus is such an earworm
It has easily one of my favorite riffs on the album
Such a classic Stone riff - love how the break of the pool cue leads into it

Loved hearing them play this on Stern yesterday -
Matts drums really popped on that performance and Jeff's bassline is killer
This is going to be a great song live once they get a few shows under their belts

Also...
I've been trying to learn Scared of Fear on guitar all week, and was getting frustrated as something wasn't quite right
Thankfully Stone revealed on Stern yesterday that the song is actually in Open G tuning; and there it was !!
That totally unlocked it for me & now I'm finally playing it right
Really fun song to play

If you're not familiar, check out the YT channel Let's Play All. He has done SoF. he's doing it in std tuning. I did one watch-through while falling asleep so my memory is cloudy but it seemed very straight forward.

I think it's a Gmaj to F to an Em.....I think.

Chorus is just an octave run.

[mikejasond]

With the news that Ed is waffling over who wrote Waiting for Stevie my new theory is that plot twist, it’s Watt that was going through a divorce, he then wrote all the songs and told Eddie they were about Trump

[E.H. Ruddock]

Can we please focus on 10C's incompetency instead of Ed's voice?

[mikejasond]

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

This x1000.

I don't understand what people expect from a 60 year old vocalist who has used every ounce of his voice for over 30 years. I hear "Ed's voice isn't the same" all the time. Fuckin' duh. How are old are these people with this opinion? Are they the same they were at 25? 28? 35?. Fuckin' weird ass opinion.

I mean.....32 here, but whether or not Eddie can do anything about it, it doesn't stop it from being sad to hear his voice without the same magic. Time is hard! Though I think he's still quite good live overall. It still is disappointing sometimes hearing bootlegs, and missing that classic soaring voice.

[Vindicator]

Do we have any insight as to who wrote Setting Sun? Thinking either Stone Jeff or Ed

[tree_]

Thank you for all ya'lls' posts. Great stuff.

I'm still enjoying this album a lot, and finding new things with each listen. Ed's voice has such a low, muffled tone it took me a while to vibe with it completely, but I'm now finding it easier to make out the lyrics and connect fully. It's been a long time since I've opened up and let them in this fully and given an album of theirs this deep a listen. I feel like a lot of the lyrics, moments are specifically about me (or fans like me, or directly as a person) or for me, and it's very intense and moving. Every instrument in every moment has a clear purpose, it seems so far, even if it isn't always my cup of tea, but sometimes it feels so perfect. I'm still shocked at how good this album is. Congratulations, everyone; we did it.

[Arthur Morgan]

They fucking did it, didn’t they!!!!!!

[Grego]

which, come to think of, I’m not sure i can actually play

I don’t have anything to play the CD on. I ordered it just to have it because I have cds of all the other albums. I can’t not complete the collection.

Same here!

But my collection is still missing Gigaton and now Dark matter

Too expensive in my country, I’m always seeking for a sale or second hand, but the prices just rise!

Maybe I’ll just give up on my collection or print my own fake cd case

[Force Of Nature]

Do we have any insight as to who wrote Setting Sun? Thinking either Stone Jeff or Ed

I’m sure on the Broken Record interview Jeff said Ed played guitar on the end of the record, and there aren’t too many songs Ed plays but didn’t write.
If I had to guess Stone wrote the main riff, Ed wrote the outro.

[Clem Halibut]

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

I would agree
However, Waiting For Stevie still has me completely in it's grips
although, I'm definitely starting to play Scared of Fear just as much now

That Chorus is such an earworm
It has easily one of my favorite riffs on the album
Such a classic Stone riff - love how the break of the pool cue leads into it

Loved hearing them play this on Stern yesterday -
Matts drums really popped on that performance and Jeff's bassline is killer
This is going to be a great song live once they get a few shows under their belts

Also...
I've been trying to learn Scared of Fear on guitar all week, and was getting frustrated as something wasn't quite right
Thankfully Stone revealed on Stern yesterday that the song is actually in Open G tuning; and there it was !!
That totally unlocked it for me & now I'm finally playing it right
Really fun song to play

If you're not familiar, check out the YT channel Let's Play All. He has done SoF. he's doing it in std tuning. I did one watch-through while falling asleep so my memory is cloudy but it seemed very straight forward.

I think it's a Gmaj to F to an Em.....I think.

Chorus is just an octave run.

Thanks.
I do follow that channel. It's great & one of my favorite places to learn songs
I learned it originally in Standard and Let's play All's take on it was good
But if you listen to the recording....there's more dynamics to the opening riff and something is missing when played in Standard tuning

Tried it in Open G last night after hearing Stone say it was in Open G on Stern
And it sounded pretty damn close.

I listened to the Stern live version too and seems that Stone either botched the opening riff or played it a bit different
I think his volume was down on that opening riff - but it sounds like he corrected it and recovered nicely as the song went on

But...I do think Open G is the way to go on this if you want to play it like the version on Dark Matter
Although it does makes the octave run a bit more weird to play.
Who knows, perhaps that's Mikey playing that bit in Standard

Looking forward to seeing the live video of the performance so I can see where and what position they're playing it

[Walker Bait]

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

It's sort of some mixture of Hail Hail + Insignificance, so...

The bridge totally evokes the bridge of Insignificance, love it

The ending gives me HUGE Sad vibes, but fully realized like, I always wanted Sad to have that urgent, heavy, balls to the wall sound at the end.... Scared Of Fear got there.

[Jaeti]

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

It's sort of some mixture of Hail Hail + Insignificance, so...

The bridge totally evokes the bridge of Insignificance, love it

The ending gives me HUGE Sad vibes, but fully realized like, I always wanted Sad to have that urgent, heavy, balls to the wall sound at the end.... Scared Of Fear got there.

Sad is another good comparison/component.