Red Mosquito

it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

This is surprisingly good in the same way Gigaton was three (fucking hell!) four years ago.

The solo reminds me of a live Yellow Ledbetter from a 2000 boot. Might be the echo or the noodliness

I'm really into it, and I think there will be bigger statements on the album

So this one is definitely a grower. As I get more familiar with it, I like it more. Besides the music which is very Soundgarden-y, the vocal melody keeps pulling me in. The parts where Ed goes lower (especially "no sorrow for the unaccountable") contrast nicely with the chorus. I think the chorus has just the right amount of desperation and anger in Ed's voice.

Is it just me or does he sing "Deplore the dialogue" at least once?

Release_Me wrote: Is it just me or does he sing "Deplore the dialogue" at least once?

Yes, the first time around he sings "deplore'

However on neither occasion does he sing "discard". It always sounds like "distroy" to me. Every time.

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

If Ed refined it a bit more it would be stronger in my book. He delivers with a bit of a drunk slurry. Still like it a lot but it’s his weakest section.

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Vedder in the 90s was a genius and highly underrated at writing great small melodic moments in those songs. His use of melody on Leash for instance also Go and Evenflow is so unique. While fist pumping this indeed is it doesn't have that swagger in the chorus that those other anthems do. I feel the riff in the chorus limits him here in a way.

"your word against the law" is such a great lead-in to the chorus

Yes, mmhmm, I see... What about the drums?

they're great; my only (perpetual) complaint is that the snare sounds too fat

Ms Harmless wrote:they're great; my only (perpetual) complaint is that the snare sounds too fat

I'm really eager to hear how this affects the fast rockers (which always need a tight snare to fully work for me, RVM is the pinnacle of this but we've also got stuff like Grievance)

Tj wrote:

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Vedder in the 90s was a genius and highly underrated at writing great small melodic moments in those songs. His use of melody on Leash for instance also Go and Evenflow is so unique. While fist pumping this indeed is it doesn't have that swagger in the chorus that those other anthems do. I feel the riff in the chorus limits him here in a way.

Leash is an interesting example to pick for that point (I agree with go and especially Even Flow). I've never really been drawn to the melody in that song. I really like Leash, but that's a song that's worked for me due to its absolute sincerity.


I think those little moments you rightly describe are all over Dark Matter (it reminds me a bit of Force of Nature in that way - musically and vocally. Songs that feel deceptively simple at first that open up over time if you give them attention. A lot of small hidden layers. It's why I love getting singles and slow album releases. Dark Matter doesn't get 30+ listens from me if the full album is out).

In the chorus, there is the slower, deliberate pacing "It's...strange...these days" or "The...blame...takes shapes" like he's collecting his thoughts or trying to carefully wrap his mind around something so large it's almost rendered invisible (which fits in with the Dark Matter metaphor) before the gravity and consequence of what he finds comes pouring out him in a rush, each word almost tumbling over the next without ever actually losing control of the melody. The pacing is perfect, and it captures the mix of fear, indignation, and consequence that runs through the song.

stip wrote:

Tj wrote:

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Vedder in the 90s was a genius and highly underrated at writing great small melodic moments in those songs. His use of melody on Leash for instance also Go and Evenflow is so unique. While fist pumping this indeed is it doesn't have that swagger in the chorus that those other anthems do. I feel the riff in the chorus limits him here in a way.

Leash is an interesting example to pick for that point (I agree with go and especially Even Flow). I've never really been drawn to the melody in that song. I really like Leash, but that's a song that's worked for me due to its absolute sincerity.


I think those little moments you rightly describe are all over Dark Matter (it reminds me a bit of Force of Nature in that way - musically and vocally. Songs that feel deceptively simple at first that open up over time if you give them attention. A lot of small hidden layers. It's why I love getting singles and slow album releases. Dark Matter doesn't get 30+ listens from me if the full album is out).

In the chorus, there is the slower, deliberate pacing "It's...strange...these days" or "The...blame...takes shapes" like he's collecting his thoughts or trying to carefully wrap his mind around something so large it's almost rendered invisible (which fits in with the Dark Matter metaphor) before the gravity and consequence of what he finds comes pouring out him in a rush, each word almost tumbling over the next without ever actually losing control of the melody. The pacing is perfect, and it captures the mix of fear, indignation, and consequence that runs through the song.

This is great Stip and your point taken. I can see this being a grower for me. As far as Leash it is a bit different all the cool melodic moments happen in the first verse not the chorus. Dark Matter has something in common with Jeremy for me and I can't get my head around what .It clearly isn't telling a story as much as a narrative about a state of being. I do think it is in the way he hangs on Today in the chorus of Jeremy maybe.

stip wrote:

Tj wrote:

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

Vedder in the 90s was a genius and highly underrated at writing great small melodic moments in those songs. His use of melody on Leash for instance also Go and Evenflow is so unique. While fist pumping this indeed is it doesn't have that swagger in the chorus that those other anthems do. I feel the riff in the chorus limits him here in a way.

Leash is an interesting example to pick for that point (I agree with go and especially Even Flow). I've never really been drawn to the melody in that song. I really like Leash, but that's a song that's worked for me due to its absolute sincerity.


I think those little moments you rightly describe are all over Dark Matter (it reminds me a bit of Force of Nature in that way - musically and vocally. Songs that feel deceptively simple at first that open up over time if you give them attention. A lot of small hidden layers. It's why I love getting singles and slow album releases. Dark Matter doesn't get 30+ listens from me if the full album is out).

In the chorus, there is the slower, deliberate pacing "It's...strange...these days" or "The...blame...takes shapes" like he's collecting his thoughts or trying to carefully wrap his mind around something so large it's almost rendered invisible (which fits in with the Dark Matter metaphor) before the gravity and consequence of what he finds comes pouring out him in a rush, each word almost tumbling over the next without ever actually losing control of the melody. The pacing is perfect, and it captures the mix of fear, indignation, and consequence that runs through the song.

I like the cadence and power of his vocals in the chorus and it’s a natural fit for the track as a whole to my ears BUT…..


Would sound better if there was a little more melody and he actually somewhat SUNG the chorus. Every time I listen I actually sing along the chorus and I still “chant” like Ed but I add a touch of melody (singing) - just a smidge, and it sounds WAY better. Now, imagine with his voice (even at 59).

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

The pre-chorus is easily my favorite part of this song...i cant get enough of it!

Has Jorge released his version yet? My bet is that it's better than the one with ELSIII. Looking forward to hearing it. I'm quite a big fan of the band playing the music in this song I think.

great points Stip; I'd only add that "I am fuel you are friends / we got the means to make amends / I am lost, I'm no guide / but I'm by your side / I am right by your side" is beautifully melodic to me

I can see These Days being sung out a bit more.

Thurman Murman wrote:

stip wrote:it seems the pre- chorus is getting a lot of love, but for me the chorus is the best part of the song. Its the best fist pumping go for broke anthemic chorus they’ve had in a long while. classic early 90s energy

The pre-chorus is easily my favorite part of this song...i cant get enough of it!

this, plus the moments right before Mike takes off on his solo are close for me

bodysnatcher wrote:

stip wrote:

DDWJMUVW wrote:

stip wrote:that four run of songs is my favorite 4 song start to an album since vitalogy

I feel like there is a much better 1-4 run post vitalogy stip.

Brain of J - GTF

SINCE Vitalogy Im not a fan of no way or faithfull.

And you guys slobber this guy’s knob?

stip’s tatse has always been his Achilles' heel.