Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[Cleverman]

Thanks, Enimmi. It really does sound like Bo'B is a nice guy

[Kevin Davis]

The BoB hate seems premature on this record, since we've only heard one song and no one really complained about its producing.

Yeah, I certainly don't have any problems with the sound of Mind Your Manners.

In any event, the band are ultimately responsible for how their records sound. Brendan isn't producing them by stealth.

Probably a little shooting of the messenger going on at this point, but you've got to admit, pretty much everything he says during that Q&A could have been taken straight from an RM parody of how they would have expected that interview to go:

"About seven weeks of work, spread over three years."
"To me, this and Backspacer are just one big album!"
"Eddie really just tries to make everyone happy now."
"The albums I didn't produce simply don't exist for me."

I don't want to fault him for something he hasn't done but I doubt he's doing their creative process any favors. His comment about not being familiar with the records he didn't produce seems particularly absurd, it seems like it should be required homework for any producer coming to work with a certain band to be familiar with the creative context he's stepping into. It's not the first time I've heard that sort of comment either--I remember reading how John Frusciante refused to listen to "One Hot Minute" because he wasn't involved in it. I realize there may be hurt feelings tied up in it but ultimately it seems like stupid Hollywood ego B.S.

[Walker Bait]

I really like My Father's Son's Wife's Dog

So is that your dog or your brother's dog?

You'd have to ask Ed.

Ask Verb to Trust...He'll never let you down...according to Ed anyway.

[bodysnatcher]

BOB should give them homework assignments. Tell them to go home for a week, and bring back 2-3 song ideas that are outside of their comfort zone (ie. EDDIE.)

[McParadigm]

BOB should give them homework assignments. Tell them to go home for a week, and bring back 2-3 song ideas that are outside of their comfort zone (ie. EDDIE.)

"Sure thing. See you in a year and a half, buddy!"

[Mine]

BOB should give them homework assignments. Tell them to go home for a week, and bring back 2-3 song ideas that are outside of their comfort zone (ie. EDDIE.)

that's what young people do

[Mine]

BOB should give them homework assignments. Tell them to go home for a week, and bring back 2-3 song ideas that are outside of their comfort zone (ie. EDDIE.)

"Sure thing. See you in a year and a half, buddy!"

[harmless]

The BoB hate seems premature on this record, since we've only heard one song and no one really complained about its producing.

Yeah, I certainly don't have any problems with the sound of Mind Your Manners.

In any event, the band are ultimately responsible for how their records sound. Brendan isn't producing them by stealth.

Probably a little shooting of the messenger going on at this point, but you've got to admit, pretty much everything he says during that Q&A could have been taken straight from an RM parody of how they would have expected that interview to go:

"About seven weeks of work, spread over three years."
"To me, this and Backspacer are just one big album!"
"Eddie really just tries to make everyone happy now."
"The albums I didn't produce simply don't exist for me."

I don't want to fault him for something he hasn't done but I doubt he's doing their creative process any favors. His comment about not being familiar with the records he didn't produce seems particularly absurd, it seems like it should be required homework for any producer coming to work with a certain band to be familiar with the creative context he's stepping into. It's not the first time I've heard that sort of comment either--I remember reading how John Frusciante refused to listen to "One Hot Minute" because he wasn't involved in it. I realize there may be hurt feelings tied up in it but ultimately it seems like stupid Hollywood ego B.S.

There is just a slim chance that his "No other record matters to me" was meant to come across as professional, focussed and current, and that a lot of producers feel like that, e.g. "While I'm working on this album, there is no pressure of context, we do what we like." But even if it's that, the language he uses is a bit harsh ("...don't exist for me"), and it's debatable whether ignoring the pressure of context is a respectful thing to do in the first place, even if it's creatively freeing.

[McParadigm]

you've got to admit, pretty much everything he says during that Q&A could have been taken straight from an RM parody of how they would have expected that interview to go:

"About seven weeks of work, spread over three years."
"To me, this and Backspacer are just one big album!"
"Eddie really just tries to make everyone happy now."
"The albums I didn't produce simply don't exist for me."

Not to mention the part where even he says it might be a good idea to spend a little more time recording the next album, and what has to have been (if his print interviews about Bruce and Pearl Jam records are any indication) a huge insistence on using the word "we."

[harmless]

you've got to admit, pretty much everything he says during that Q&A could have been taken straight from an RM parody of how they would have expected that interview to go:

"About seven weeks of work, spread over three years."
"To me, this and Backspacer are just one big album!"
"Eddie really just tries to make everyone happy now."
"The albums I didn't produce simply don't exist for me."

Not to mention the part where even he says it might be a good idea to spend a little more time recording the next album, and what has to have been (if his print interviews about Bruce and Pearl Jam records are any indication) a huge insistence on using the word "we."

Well, tbf, Mike did say on his radio interview that they might keep him on board for the next one, and that might've been decided by now.

[Rangi Guy]

did you have it before the widespread leak? Because that was about a week prior to the release, give or take.

I know I had it in August, because I burnt a copy for my brother for his BDAY which is on august 31st...I forgot what site i got it on....It was one of those torrent sites i believe, it was listed under the title New Pearl Jam or something...It didnt say Backspacer in the torrent....

Was this before or after Kim Dotcom got himself arrested?

IDK who that is.....lol...did he get arrested for leaking the album?

He was the founder of Mega Upload that the feds busted for various (alleged) illegal internet crimes and schit. I just thought the fact that you actually found a legitimate leak of an album through one of those torrent links that look so shady reminded me of him.

He's kinda become a semi-celebrity over here cause off all the illegal crap that went on around his initial arrest and with his fight to not get extradited over to the US

[EJ]

you've got to admit, pretty much everything he says during that Q&A could have been taken straight from an RM parody of how they would have expected that interview to go:

"About seven weeks of work, spread over three years."
"To me, this and Backspacer are just one big album!"
"Eddie really just tries to make everyone happy now."
"The albums I didn't produce simply don't exist for me."

Not to mention the part where even he says it might be a good idea to spend a little more time recording the next album, and what has to have been (if his print interviews about Bruce and Pearl Jam records are any indication) a huge insistence on using the word "we."

Well, tbf, Mike did say on his radio interview that they might keep him on board for the next one, and that might've been decided by now.

"Its like a new car with a really old engine in it."

[dimejinky99]

I remember someone from the band saying something about Backspacer and that they made a conscious decision to actually have the material written before they hit the studio, seemingly ST was written whilst in the studio.
If true that would explain these long periods between sessions, writing on the fly while in the studio would be frustrating as well as expensive.
So it's not all BOB's fault. But while MYM sounds great, him pushing for certain omissions and other inclusions, I think steps over the bounds of his responsibility really.
Has he even heard SBM on the uke record? We're they just recording it for fun and he thought it was a new song?
That's all a bit worrying.

With any luck they'll find someone totally different for the next one.

[Thejambi]

Just another day eh?

[McParadigm]

"Its like a new car with a really old engine in it."

[Thejambi]

"Its like a new car with a really old engine in it."

Derp.

[harmless]

I'm not sure he'll be gone for the next one, if there is a next one. I also highly doubt he didn't know it was on Uke Songs. There's no other reason they'd be so reluctant to record a studio version initially.

[McParadigm]

I remember someone from the band saying something about Backspacer and that they made a conscious decision to actually have the material written before they hit the studio, seemingly ST was written whilst in the studio.
If true that would explain these long periods between sessions, writing on the fly while in the studio would be frustrating as well as expensive.

According to an interview BoB did at the time the band wrote the songs, then spent a lot of time working on getting them "just right" in a rehearsal studio (with him involved). Then, the actual recording took just a few weeks (most of it was done in 9 days).

He and the band talked a lot about the writing and arranging being done beforehand on Backspacer. This album, we're getting more of the old "we had x number of ideas..." talk, and no mention of prep work. Who knows.

[enimmi]

Thanks, Enimmi. It really does sound like Bo'B is a nice guy

Yeah, maybe people tend to paint him black too much and blame him for whatever a little too fast. I think he was also pleasantly surprised by the questions he got from all the fans. I remember someone who was in Berlin saying that all the questions came from fans and none from the 'real' journalists. One other thing I remember now and that I forgot to mention is that B really wanted to get PJ to record in a studio away from their homes. I really got the impression he thought they could have made a greater effort if they wouldn't have had the distraction of their kids and such.

[dimejinky99]

I'm not sure he'll be gone for the next one, if there is a next one. I also highly doubt he didn't know it was on Uke Songs. There's no other reason they'd be so reluctant to record a studio version initially.

But as well as his premium, he'd be getting points on the album.
Naturally he's going to want and push for as many radio friendly tunes as possible.
Ups his stake and return in the game. That's an agenda on its own, and obviously if he is pushing for the more accessible/radio friendly songs (and the BS about 'reminding people they like pj and new people discovering them. That's the goal of the whole thing')
That's his mission statement alone not the bands I don't think.