Swallowed Whole vs. Pendulum

[chewm]

I thought that I would vote for Pendulum before listening to both, but I think Swallowed Whole is better, it's a mess, but there are some good ideas. Wish Eddie sounded better in some parts.

[Kevin Davis]

"Pendulum" is pretty empty as a composition but I really like the way it sounds, especially live -- it's a great concert opener in the classic PJ tradition, and some of its bigger moments come across better when not hindered by "LB"'s sterile production (that moment where Ed sings "easy left me a long time ago" is genuinely ugly on the record, with that overwrought flange effect, but live it reaches a pitch not dissimilar to some of the semi-climaxes in "Hard to Imagine" et al.). I dunno -- it's hardly a favorite but I appreciate that it goes to some of the sonic spaces I'd missed on "S/T" and "Backspacer," and I think "LB" is a stronger record for it.

But "Swallowed Whole" is a much stronger song -- a fully realized version of some of the sketchier "Into the Wild" tracks, with some interesting melodic twists and some tasteful accompaniment from Mike and Stone.

[Kaius]

Yeah

[Birds in Hell]

"Pendulum" is pretty empty as a composition but I really like the way it sounds, especially live -- it's a great concert opener in the classic PJ tradition

Alas, those of us in the far-flung colonies have been provided little opportunity to experience this first-hand...

[evenslow]

"Pendulum" is pretty empty as a composition but I really like the way it sounds, especially live -- it's a great concert opener in the classic PJ tradition

Alas, those of us in the far-flung colonies have been provided little opportunity to experience this first-hand...

It definitely worked as an opener. McCready rockin' the bow!

[knee tunes]

I like Pendulum. It's far from perfect, but I like it. Swallowed Whole is a bottom feeder.

wanna fight?

[PHATJ]

I like Pendulum. It's far from perfect, but I like it. Swallowed Whole is a bottom feeder.

wanna fight?

[digster]

I agree with pretty much every criticism of Pendulum; it tries to skate by on atmosphere, and Ed's lyrics leave much to be desired. That being said, I still like it. The way the song introduces itself is pretty evocative, and I remember the outro to that song being one of the times when listening to LB that really made me pay attention. It's sounded like something new from the band, something inspired.

Swallowed Whole, I like all the individual pieces, but it just feels like a mess. The song just sounds like the band had three disparate parts and just decided to frankenstein them into one song without much regard for how they worked together, or how to transition from one part to the other. Some parts work well (heading from the bridge into that solo), and it works better live, where they have to make the transitions work out of necessity.

[Norah]

"Pendulum" is pretty empty as a composition but I really like the way it sounds, especially live -- it's a great concert opener in the classic PJ tradition

Alas, those of us in the far-flung colonies have been provided little opportunity to experience this first-hand...

I think you'd still hate it.

[numbers]

I like Pendulum, you snobs.

[tragabigzanda]

"Pendulum" is pretty empty as a composition but I really like the way it sounds, especially live -- it's a great concert opener in the classic PJ tradition

Alas, those of us in the far-flung colonies have been provided little opportunity to experience this first-hand...

I think you'd still hate it.

Not a bad opener, but constantly following it with another acoustic number -- or worse, another LB song -- is a crappy way to start a show.

[Norah]

Yeah the recent trend of back to back soft songs is awful. Open with a release or an oceans but then kick me in the ass with brain of j or last exit.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Yeah the recent trend of back to back soft songs is awful. Open with a release or an oceans but then kick me in the ass with brain of j or last exit.

Didn't you and I get Pendulum followed by Low Light in Charlotte?

[Norah]

Yeah the recent trend of back to back soft songs is awful. Open with a release or an oceans but then kick me in the ass with brain of j or last exit.

Didn't you and I get Pendulum followed by Low Light in Charlotte?

We sure did. Low Light doesn't work that early in a show for me though.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Yeah the recent trend of back to back soft songs is awful. Open with a release or an oceans but then kick me in the ass with brain of j or last exit.

Didn't you and I get Pendulum followed by Low Light in Charlotte?

We sure did. Low Light doesn't work that early in a show for me though.

Yeah, same.

[epilogue]

Let's finally kill Swallowed Whole. Please. I hate it so much.

Pendulum.

[tragabigzanda]

Backspacer and LB really bring out Joey's claws.

[epilogue]

Only because the things I like/hate are completely opposite from the general RM public. It's frustrating.

[tragabigzanda]

It's ok durds. These albums call up a lot of negative energy for all of us.

[epilogue]

It's ok durds. These albums call up a lot of negative energy for all of us.

Thing is, though. I genuinely LIKE and ENJOY Lightning Bolt!