Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

[delanoche]

He sounds like he has a cold.

That's how I feel about Riot Act. I don't hate the album or anything, I just always wondered why they didn't re-record Eddie's vocals on a day that he didn't have the sniffles. His vocals on the Chop Suey songs sound quite a bit better.

[joostone]

It's been a while since I last listened to it. But yesterday I had nothing to do and decided to grab a beer and spin the record. I remember that I wrote a first impression after a listening party which was placed on alternative nation. Now more than a year later this record is not a grower to me. Back then I placed it above Backspacer, but not anymore. It's ranked #10 (BS #9..).

This was my preview:
http://www.alternativenation.net/altern ... ning-bolt/

So, it’s impossible for me to go beyond my first impressions. But I think it will be better than Backspacer. It’s a darker and more atmospheric record with some great gems. It’s half of the record I really wanted from them (Getaway, My Father’s Son, Infallible, Pendulum, Let The Records Play, Yellow Moon) and half of what you have heard from this band before (Mind Your Manners, Sirens, Lightning Bolt, Sleeping By Myself, Swallowed Whole, Future Days). The latter would be the logical extension from Backspacer but the first half is 50% of an incredible record – the record they didn’t make. They could have gone Achtung Baby or Yankee Foxtrot Hotel on us but didn’t. This will be a great record but I already have mixed feelings over what could have been.

More than a year later I still feel the same, now I rank it below BS. I don't think LTRP is a fun song anymore. I still really like Getaway, MFS, Infallible, and both 'Pendulum' and 'Yellow Moon' are just great songs IMO. I can only imagine that if 'LTRP/Sleeping by myself' was released as a standalone single (for record store day..). And a more experimental track (Off the earth) was added instead it was already a much better record IMO.

I also played some avocados outtakes last night. The sad thing was that I think that 'CC' and 'Let it ride' are both better than everything (sans 'Pendulum' and 'Yellow Moon') on LB. Which makes me realize that at this moment I'm more interested in 'Lost Dogs II' than a new PJ record, in a way that's kinda sad...

[darth_vedder]

It's been a while since I last listened to it. But yesterday I had nothing to do and decided to grab a beer and spin the record. I remember that I wrote a first impression after a listening party which was placed on alternative nation. Now more than a year later this record is not a grower to me. Back then I placed it above Backspacer, but not anymore. It's ranked #10 (BS #9..).

This was my preview:
http://www.alternativenation.net/altern ... ning-bolt/

So, it’s impossible for me to go beyond my first impressions. But I think it will be better than Backspacer. It’s a darker and more atmospheric record with some great gems. It’s half of the record I really wanted from them (Getaway, My Father’s Son, Infallible, Pendulum, Let The Records Play, Yellow Moon) and half of what you have heard from this band before (Mind Your Manners, Sirens, Lightning Bolt, Sleeping By Myself, Swallowed Whole, Future Days). The latter would be the logical extension from Backspacer but the first half is 50% of an incredible record – the record they didn’t make. They could have gone Achtung Baby or Yankee Foxtrot Hotel on us but didn’t. This will be a great record but I already have mixed feelings over what could have been.

More than a year later I still feel the same, now I rank it below BS. I don't think LTRP is a fun song anymore. I still really like Getaway, MFS, Infallible, and both 'Pendulum' and 'Yellow Moon' are just great songs IMO. I can only imagine that if 'LTRP/Sleeping by myself' was released as a standalone single (for record store day..). And a more experimental track (Off the earth) was added instead it was already a much better record IMO.

I also played some avocados outtakes last night. The sad thing was that I think that 'CC' and 'Let it ride' are both better than everything (sans 'Pendulum' and 'Yellow Moon') on LB. Which makes me realize that at this moment I'm more interested in 'Lost Dogs II' than a new PJ record, in a way that's kinda sad...

Welcome to the club, and most of RM in general. I think we've all pretty much had that thought since Riot Act.

[Tuolumne]

I love how people generalize the 'RM viewpoint' when it's convenient for them. I thought there was no specific RM consensus, atleast that's what I'm told.....

[McParadigm]

Get back in your cage!

[Release_Me]

I love how people generalize the 'RM viewpoint' when it's convenient for them. I thought there was no specific RM consensus, atleast that's what I'm told.....

Seconded. No Lost Dogs 2. Please. Make a new album.

[Yeddie Yedder]

I am surprised how much I've come back to Backspacer and I think I will feel the same way with LB. The song writing is stronger, but I am still missing the subtle touches I find in Pendulum/MFS. And the same goes for the production.

[SJM]

This album has definitely grown on me since its release. For me it's miles better than Backspacer - it's such a consistent record. Sure, I'm not a huge fan of Future Days but if I'm in the right mood it can even surprise me. I think Ed sounds great and the band is making some great music. I'd rank FD and LTRP near the bottom of the pile but I still love the guitar and breakdown on LTRP and it sounds awesome live. The only thing that pisses me off is the guitar tone on the intro on Swallowed Whole - I don't think it works at all. Plus they really can't seem to pull it off live.

Lightning Bolt is such a monster live - if you need proof go listen to the version from LA 1. It's awesome and (to me) illustrates a band at the top of its game. Also, when Ed nails Sirens live (rare, I know) it's such a powerful song. Ed sounds awesome and the music is excellent (especially love the solo which I know isn't a popular opinion around here).

I can understand if someone doesn't like PJ's new music but to say they're not trying on their new studio music is something I can't understand. To my ears this is some inspired music - some of the best songs of their career.

[ABNorman]

Listened to this today. Had a blast. The weak spot is Ed's lyrics most of the time.

[igotworms]

As a rule, I never really pass judgement on a PJ album until it has had 'time to breathe'. It took me years to really appreciate Vitalogy, No Code and Binaural. After giving LB a blast the other day, I definitely think it's a worthy addition to the PJ canon.

There's some shite on there - Sleeping By Myself was great on Ukelele Songs, but the full band version loses its fragility and it becomes twee; and Future Days is utterly anodyne, although it has some vague merit as the album closer.

It's also overproduced within an inch of its life - Sirens and Infallible are absolutely drenched in unnecessary keyboards and effects.

And the running order is out of whack - sticking Sirens in at track 4, straight after My Father's Son is utterly jarring.

Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable listen, and it's still growing on me. A lesser PJ album, yes - but still good.

[PHATJ]

I'm interested to know if anyone has tried retracking this album (sorry if this has been gone over before, I must have missed it if it was). I hear a lot of people mention their distaste of MFS-->Sirens, others think Sleeping By Myself or LTRP should not have been included, some think Of The Earth deserved a spot, etc., etc. I'd like to see some alternate track lists that include all of the songs currently on the album. No additional tracks, no omitting tracks. Then, I'd like to see track lists that include any songs from the LB era, omit whatever you like. I think an eight track minimum makes sense. Thoughts?

[LetMeSleep]

I'm interested to know if anyone has tried retracking this album (sorry if this has been gone over before, I must have missed it if it was). I hear a lot of people mention their distaste of MFS-->Sirens, others think Sleeping By Myself or LTRP should not have been included, some think Of The Earth deserved a spot, etc., etc. I'd like to see some alternate track lists that include all of the songs currently on the album. No additional tracks, no omitting tracks. Then, I'd like to see track lists that include any songs from the LB era, omit whatever you like. I think an eight track minimum makes sense. Thoughts?

Here's a whole thread but I've linked to my 7 track list.
http://forums.theskyiscrape.com/viewtop ... 03#p190303

Stip's had some nice segues too.

edit: I did it twice. here's an 8 track.
http://forums.theskyiscrape.com/viewtop ... 42#p201842

[PHATJ]

I'm interested to know if anyone has tried retracking this album (sorry if this has been gone over before, I must have missed it if it was). I hear a lot of people mention their distaste of MFS-->Sirens, others think Sleeping By Myself or LTRP should not have been included, some think Of The Earth deserved a spot, etc., etc. I'd like to see some alternate track lists that include all of the songs currently on the album. No additional tracks, no omitting tracks. Then, I'd like to see track lists that include any songs from the LB era, omit whatever you like. I think an eight track minimum makes sense. Thoughts?

Here's a whole thread but I've linked to my 7 track list.
http://forums.theskyiscrape.com/viewtop ... 03#p190303

Stip's had some nice segues too.

Sweet. Thanks

[dimejinky99]

So I'm not 100% on this but almost am, but there's what sounds like a really early version of Pendulum in the 95 movie over the opening.

[Birds in Hell]

So I'm not 100% on this but almost am, but there's what sounds like a really early version of Pendulum in the 95 movie over the opening.

I don't feel as though it's close enough musically to indicate a direct link but it's certainly pretty similar in general feel.

[LetMeSleep]

I just played it too and I disagree, Dime. Similar tone but not Pendulum.

[dimejinky99]

Thanks for the clip. Yeah I was just listening to pendulum thinking they've done this before but where? I couldn't remember. It's not the same but could be the seed for it.

[stip]

Are you thinking of the tour promo in 2013

[stip]

Or 12, whatever year it was

[dimejinky99]

Or 12, whatever year it was

Possibly?