D4 Round 2ah: Marker in the Sand vs. Speed of Sound (demo)

[stip]

D4 Round 2ah: Marker in the Sand vs. Speed of Sound (demo)

[stip]

Marker. I prefer the studio speed of sound. I might have even voted for it. Marker as a whole is not as good as the sum of its parts. This is one of the songs that really suffers from the S/T production

[epilogue]

God I love Marker.

[Strat]

Why is this round all latter day pj match ups? Is this thing rigged by stip cause he knows none of these songs would last a second otherwise?

[EJ]

God I love Marker.

[Kevin Davis]

God I love Marker.

Me too, dct -- I have never identified with the common "verses strong, choruses weak" position on this song -- to me that chorus is a beautiful release of tension, which hits its emotional stride when Matt kicks up the tempo at the end (the "calling out" part). I think it's one of the unequivocal high points of the post-"Riot Act" years, and slays "Speed of Sound"' -- even the lovely demo version.

[Thejambi]

I do not take issue with the chorus in itself; I find the transition into the chorus to be particularly weak. They feel like two different songs. Having said that, the transition from chorus to verse is the highlight of the song for me. That transition seems much more thoughtful and appropriate.

In the end I had to go with the Speed of Sound demo. While slightly anemic, it does have an incredible aesthetic that puts it ahead of Marker.

[epilogue]

God I love Marker.

Me too, dct -- I have never identified with the common "verses strong, choruses weak" position on this song -- to me that chorus is a beautiful release of tension, which hits its emotional stride when Matt kicks up the tempo at the end (the "calling out" part). I think it's one of the unequivocal high points of the post-"Riot Act" years, and slays "Speed of Sound"' -- even the lovely demo version.

Well said. 100% agree. And it's one of maybe 3 songs on S/T that continues to get better with age. I liked the song from first listen, but now it's easily my favorite song on the album. Parachutes being an on-the-heels close second.

[epilogue]

Maybe I just haven't been paying too much attention to criticisms of the song. But I had no idea "strong verse, weak chorus" was a typical complaint. Huh. Yeah, I don't agree with that at all. The chorus is my favorite part of the song. And I think it has one of the stronger chorus from S/T or Backspacer.

[EJ]

God I love Marker.

Me too, dct -- I have never identified with the common "verses strong, choruses weak" position on this song -- to me that chorus is a beautiful release of tension, which hits its emotional stride when Matt kicks up the tempo at the end (the "calling out" part). I think it's one of the unequivocal high points of the post-"Riot Act" years, and slays "Speed of Sound"' -- even the lovely demo version.

Well said. 100% agree. And it's one of maybe 3 songs on S/T that continues to get better with age. I liked the song from first listen, but now it's easily my favorite song on the album. Parachutes being an on-the-heels close second.

Funny, I was just about to post that Marker has really aged well for me. I liked it initially, but it was still pretty far behind Parachutes and Army Reserve. Now, Marker and Parachutes are neck-and-neck above Army Reserve.

[stip]

Why is this round all latter day pj match ups? Is this thing rigged by stip cause he knows none of these songs would last a second otherwise?

The songs were broken down into 4 chronological divisions (91-93, 94-96, 98-2002, 2003-present). The top 4 or 8 songs from each group (whatever the rules post says) will then compete against each other to determine the winner. I thought this would shake up the final rounds a bit, and that the smaller period tournaments would be interesting.


Also what you said.

[stip]

Maybe I just haven't been paying too much attention to criticisms of the song. But I had no idea "strong verse, weak chorus" was a typical complaint. Huh. Yeah, I don't agree with that at all. The chorus is my favorite part of the song. And I think it has one of the stronger chorus from S/T or Backspacer.

I share the complaint that the transitions are sometimes a little troubling, but the verses are very good and the chorus is wonderful.

[PHATJ]

Why is this round all latter day pj match ups? Is this thing rigged by stip cause he knows none of these songs would last a second otherwise?

The songs were broken down into 4 chronological divisions (91-93, 94-96, 98-2002, 2003-present). The top 4 or 8 songs from each group (whatever the rules post says) will then compete against each other to determine the winner. I thought this would shake up the final rounds a bit, and that the smaller period tournaments would be interesting.


Also what you said.

I like the new format. It makes these earlier rounds far more interesting, IMO. I voted for Marker, but I do really like Speed of Sound (both the demo and the studio versions).

[chewm]

I voted for Marker, but I do really like Speed of Sound (both the demo and the studio versions).

[LetMeSleep]

God I love Marker.

MITS is 4.5* PJ. It's great. Matts great. Even fucking Boom is great.

[LetMeSleep]

God I love Marker.

Me too, dct -- I have never identified with the common "verses strong, choruses weak" position on this song -- to me that chorus is a beautiful release of tension, which hits its emotional stride when Matt kicks up the tempo at the end (the "calling out" part). I think it's one of the unequivocal high points of the post-"Riot Act" years, and slays "Speed of Sound"' -- even the lovely demo version.

Well said. 100% agree. And it's one of maybe 3 songs on S/T that continues to get better with age. I liked the song from first listen, but now it's easily my favorite song on the album. Parachutes being an on-the-heels close second.

Funny, I was just about to post that Marker has really aged well for me. I liked it initially, but it was still pretty far behind Parachutes and Army Reserve. Now, Marker and Parachutes are neck-and-neck above Army Reserve.

Yes yes yes. The 3 real highlight of the album right there. Play those three with CC and LiR and a whole new album comes to light. A ST reissue is the most anticipated release these guys can do for me. Even over new material.

[doone]

Why is this round all latter day pj match ups? Is this thing rigged by stip cause he knows none of these songs would last a second otherwise?

The songs were broken down into 4 chronological divisions (91-93, 94-96, 98-2002, 2003-present). The top 4 or 8 songs from each group (whatever the rules post says) will then compete against each other to determine the winner. I thought this would shake up the final rounds a bit, and that the smaller period tournaments would be interesting.


Also what you said.

Dividing the tournament up this way has forced me to listen to post-Riot Act Pearl Jam.
Thanks stip.