Dark Matter: Official Album Thread

[Jaeti]

Every song on this album succeeds at what it is trying to achieve. I think that’s what’s pretty neat about it.

If a song like won’t tell or running is trying to achieve things you’re not interested in, then you won’t like it. But none of them are bad songs, and none of them reach for something and don’t attain it.

I like this comment and will take the opportunity to connect it to my "Dark Matter is like a movie soundtrack" take. The band is so fully committed to each song that, whichever one is playing, its place on the album is absolutely earned.

[RockPusher]

Wow

Just came to post this
Scared of fear.
This is by far and easily the weakest pj album opener of them all.

I dunno where else they would put it on the album either, but man it’s poor as an opener.

A rare dime + bi agreement. It's not bad, it's just that overused "Pearl Jam rocker" sound they've had since Avocado.

Huh. To me, it has a really innovative solo halfway thru, the bridge is borderline spectacular, and while the chorus does feel very modern pop (I can see the emo comparisons, personally), that is one of the reasons why it's nothing like any kind of standard fare they've done before. To me, if you compare it to anything, I'd compare it to Who Ever Said if you took that song and condensed it- very similar energy in places.

[Tj]

Scares of Fear is a wonderful song, but now that someone mentioned it I can't unhear the similarities to early Paramore. This isn't a bad thing or hurt the song. I mean some of those early Paramore songs are huge arena rock affairs condensed in into super digestible pop punk songs. For a Pessimist I m Pretty Optimistic or Playing God for example. I guess there is with out question a arc from emo back to things like Gang of Four or the Talking Heads so it stands to reason that a band that draws inspiration from early 80s pop rock and has a singer that may have been emo before there was emo would wind up actually making a emo poo punk song.

[RockPusher]

Scares of Fear is a wonderful song, but now that someone mentioned it I can't unhear the similarities to early Paramore. This isn't a bad thing or hurt the song. I mean some of those early Paramore songs are huge arena rock affairs condensed in into super digestible pop punk songs. For a Pessimist I m Pretty Optimistic or Playing God for example. I guess there is with out question a arc from emo back to things like Gang of Four or the Talking Heads so it stands to reason that a band that draws inspiration from early 80s pop rock and has a singer that may have been emo before there was emo would wind up actually making a emo poo punk song.

More than one person, and not on this board, has brought up the Paramore comparison to me. I reflexively assume I would not like Paramore even though I like this song. Maybe I should give them a chance?

[Tj]

Scares of Fear is a wonderful song, but now that someone mentioned it I can't unhear the similarities to early Paramore. This isn't a bad thing or hurt the song. I mean some of those early Paramore songs are huge arena rock affairs condensed in into super digestible pop punk songs. For a Pessimist I m Pretty Optimistic or Playing God for example. I guess there is with out question a arc from emo back to things like Gang of Four or the Talking Heads so it stands to reason that a band that draws inspiration from early 80s pop rock and has a singer that may have been emo before there was emo would wind up actually making a emo poo punk song.

More than one person, and not on this board, has brought up the Paramore comparison to me. I reflexively assume I would not like Paramore even though I like this song. Maybe I should give them a chance?

Maybe you would. I would recommend Thick Skull to start

[Tj]

Scares of Fear is a wonderful song, but now that someone mentioned it I can't unhear the similarities to early Paramore. This isn't a bad thing or hurt the song. I mean some of those early Paramore songs are huge arena rock affairs condensed in into super digestible pop punk songs. For a Pessimist I m Pretty Optimistic or Playing God for example. I guess there is with out question a arc from emo back to things like Gang of Four or the Talking Heads so it stands to reason that a band that draws inspiration from early 80s pop rock and has a singer that may have been emo before there was emo would wind up actually making a emo poo punk song.

More than one person, and not on this board, has brought up the Paramore comparison to me. I reflexively assume I would not like Paramore even though I like this song. Maybe I should give them a chance?

Maybe you would. I would recommend Thick Skull to start

They are a band that has really evolved to really a great band. I wouldnt dive into their early catalog. It would make more sense to meet them where they are. Then check out how they got their.

[Leatherhead]

Scares of Fear is a wonderful song, but now that someone mentioned it I can't unhear the similarities to early Paramore. This isn't a bad thing or hurt the song. I mean some of those early Paramore songs are huge arena rock affairs condensed in into super digestible pop punk songs. For a Pessimist I m Pretty Optimistic or Playing God for example. I guess there is with out question a arc from emo back to things like Gang of Four or the Talking Heads so it stands to reason that a band that draws inspiration from early 80s pop rock and has a singer that may have been emo before there was emo would wind up actually making a emo poo punk song.

More than one person, and not on this board, has brought up the Paramore comparison to me. I reflexively assume I would not like Paramore even though I like this song. Maybe I should give them a chance?

I really like their last two albums. Before that, I haven't listened, except for a couple songs.

[RockPusher]

Thanks. From what I've heard so far (mostly early stuff I think), they are not for me. For whatever reason, they sound like teenybopper music to my ears. Maybe it's because my son plays a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog games and they remind me a bit of the bands Sega contracts with on the soundtracks = songs I have to hear fairly often on long drives with the kids (I subject them to plenty of my stuff, but I'm slightly democratic on music choice for long trips). I know that I have some emo in my soul, and that it definitely overlaps with my Pearl Jam fandom. Pinback is probably the most emo band I listen to.

Edited to add: their newer stuff definitely sounds more my speed.

[Kevin Davis]

Sonic the Hedgehog music is big in our house too. Crush 40, that's one of the big bands that Sega worked with to do the music for those games, but there have been a lot of other artists that have done songs for the franchise as well. Not usually in my wheelhouse but I've certainly developed a soft spot for some of those songs. Hard not to like stuff that makes your kids happy.

I don't really listen to Paramore but I always thought "Still Into You" was a super catchy song.

[Birds in Hell]

no one has ever accused the strokes of being emo, have they? they are almost like the polar opposite

You are correct. The Strokes are not emo

I would love to hear what Birds in Hell is referring to though.

I think it's an association drawn from the stiff repetitive chording, particularly the octave chords McCready is playing, and the impassioned vocals. That the lyrics are kind of melodramatic adds to the effect too, as though I can imagine an over-saturated video clip with a heavily emoting singer bleating "we used to laugh! we used to sing! we used to dance! we had our own scene!" (or equally the bit about stopping "the voices calling" if that works for you).

It's not something I expect anyone else to hear but it's pretty inescapable for me. Maybe the "emo" part is a misnomer (at least for some ears) but there's certainly a modern punk element to the song that I find like nails on a chalkboard.

[dimejinky99]

Wow

Just came to post this
Scared of fear.
This is by far and easily the weakest pj album opener of them all.

I dunno where else they would put it on the album either, but man it’s poor as an opener.

A rare dime + bi agreement. It's not bad, it's just that overused "Pearl Jam rocker" sound they've had since Avocado.

Music and food will bring us all together pal x

[RockPusher]

no one has ever accused the strokes of being emo, have they? they are almost like the polar opposite

You are correct. The Strokes are not emo

I would love to hear what Birds in Hell is referring to though.

I think it's an association drawn from the stiff repetitive chording, particularly the octave chords McCready is playing, and the impassioned vocals. That the lyrics are kind of melodramatic adds to the effect too, as though I can imagine an over-saturated video clip with a heavily emoting singer bleating "we used to laugh! we used to sing! we used to dance! we had our own scene!" (or equally the bit about stopping "the voices calling" if that works for you).

It's not something I expect anyone else to hear but it's pretty inescapable for me. Maybe the "emo" part is a misnomer (at least for some ears) but there's certainly a modern punk element to the song that I find like nails on a chalkboard.

It's funny, because I know what you are referring to and I am adjacent but just far enough away from you that it doesn't bother me. Might be the Sonic the Hedgehog stuff softening me up, or the fact that there are some Evanescence songs I like.

[dimejinky99]

If you’re reduced to bringing up the strokes in defence of a Pearl jam record?

You’ve lost that argument.

[dimejinky99]

Now we’re on to Paramore…

Jesus Christ

Mods. Lock this board and don’t let anyone in when a new album comes out.
For at least 6 months after release.
Fuck sake

[RockPusher]

dj, bubby, take a bath with some sweet smelling glitter bombs and let these poor shmoes discuss their Pearl Jam

[dimejinky99]

Wouldn’t mind but it’s the worst three song run opener on any album.

They’re trying to do vs and they fucked it. Then a shite in hiding cover to follow


This album Fucking sucks

[Ms Harmless]

Paramore is great, bitches, and Hayley Williams' solo stuff is nuanced and sophisticated

[Birds in Hell]

Wouldn’t mind but it’s the worst three song run opener on any album.

They’re trying to do vs and they fucked it. Then a shite in hiding cover to follow


This album Fucking sucks

RM really needed this energy following the album’s release when people were weeping with joy.

[Leatherhead]

This is the most I've ever seen dime post about Pearl Jam.

[Leatherhead]

Getaway was a great opener.

Getaway is so bad. Like, bottom 10 bad.