Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

General Pearl Jam discussion.
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PHATJ
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by PHATJ »

knee tunes wrote:
stip wrote:also mike's leads are pretty disappointing on this record, bracketing excellent moments in MYM and L-bolt
{{swallowed whole}} ♡
Mike is really good on Swallowed Whole but I really dislike the song.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by stip »

that is a pretty good lead. I think that song's (lack of) dynamics flattens out its impact a bit .
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

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I just don't hate Future Days. No matter how much I try because everyone else does. That song just hits a chord with me. I really, really enjoy it. I get that it's obvious and maybe manipulative. But it works on me. It makes me miss my wife when she's gone. And here at our 10 year anniversary, it means a lot to me. I love it and I don't even care.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:I just don't hate Future Days. No matter how much I try because everyone else does. That song just hits a chord with me. I really, really enjoy it. I get that it's obvious and maybe manipulative. But it works on me. It makes me miss my wife when she's gone. And here at our 10 year anniversary, it means a lot to me. I love it and I don't even care.
I think it's a beautiful song encumbered by a shitty intro/outro, and otherwise crummy production.
I totally get that. But those things just don't bother me about it. Totally valid criticisms, for sure. But nothing that gets in my way.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:I just don't hate Future Days. No matter how much I try because everyone else does. That song just hits a chord with me. I really, really enjoy it. I get that it's obvious and maybe manipulative. But it works on me. It makes me miss my wife when she's gone. And here at our 10 year anniversary, it means a lot to me. I love it and I don't even care.
I think it's a beautiful song encumbered by a shitty intro/outro, and otherwise crummy production.
I totally get that. But those things just don't bother me about it. Totally valid criticisms, for sure. But nothing that gets in my way.
Me neither, honestly. But it's placement as the last song on my least-favorite PJ album doesn't do it any favors as far as play count.
:lol:

Totally. I usually seek it out in times like these when I'm feeling reflective and I lonely and thankful. That might be part of why it still works so well for me when I do hear it, though.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

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tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:I just don't hate Future Days. No matter how much I try because everyone else does. That song just hits a chord with me. I really, really enjoy it. I get that it's obvious and maybe manipulative. But it works on me. It makes me miss my wife when she's gone. And here at our 10 year anniversary, it means a lot to me. I love it and I don't even care.
I think it's a beautiful song encumbered by a shitty intro/outro, and otherwise crummy production.
I totally get that. But those things just don't bother me about it. Totally valid criticisms, for sure. But nothing that gets in my way.
Me neither, honestly. But it's placement as the last song on my least-favorite PJ album doesn't do it any favors as far as play count.
It is firmly in the bottom 5. This type of song should be a Vedder solo release. He needs to get that shit out of the band.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

It's a way better song than Habit. And that's an objective fact.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

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durdencommatyler wrote:It's a way better song than Habit. And that's an objective fact.
nonononononononono.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

I happen to believe that with all my heart. But I only posted it as a sort of "bat-signal" for LV. I thought for sure that would bring him back. :|
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by digster »

Usually with PJ songs, there's something. Even in the songs I'm not a fan of, usually it's not a total wash. But Future Days is nails on chalkboard for me. I should amend that; I do enjoy the violin and the guitar line in that second verse, but for whatever reason those nice attributes can't outweigh the song itself.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

Yeah, I just listened to it again. And cried. Again. I dig it. Totally get why others don't. But man! I love it.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by Jorge »

I dislike it for its flat melody that resolves in nothing and its schlocky arrangement. The lyrics qnd sentimebt are not a problem for me
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by Jorge »

Sorry I shouldnot talk about Pearl ajam in this state
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by Got Some »

I still hate the production on this one for pretty much most of the songs. Lightning Bolt & Infallible are just so flat especially.

I still like most of the songs(not many are skipped on IPOD shuffle)but I haven't listened thru the album for a while.

And I think I like Backspacer more now. The production isn't as annoying and they aren't trying as hard.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by VinylGuy »

durdencommatyler wrote:It's a way better song than Habit. And that's an objective fact.
Oh man.


Future Days is a really boring eddie solo song...not a pearl jam song at all...and the placement on the album? Really? My least favorite PJ song from all times.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by epilogue »

VinylGuy wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:It's a way better song than Habit. And that's an objective fact.
Oh man.


Future Days is a really boring eddie solo song...not a pearl jam song at all...and the placement on the album? Really? My least favorite PJ song from all times.
Like I said, I was kidding about it being an objective fact AND I totally understand why other people dislike it. It's not a song I'm willing to go to he mattresses for. Not by a long shot. But I do really love the song. It works a certain magic on me. And I really do like it far more than Habit. But I don't expect that to be true of many other people.
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Re: Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Lightning Bolt

Post by dimejinky99 »

I still love sirens. But even more than the huuurrr duuurrrrr Eddie vedduuuurrrr vocal from the early days, it sounds like Cher/Mr Ed the horse could be singing it.


Willlbuuurrrrrrr
Calibrate your enthusiasm
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