Lightning Bolt: the official album thread

[Lounge Lizard]

I knew your signature meant something

[Iowaska_Experience]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

I felt the same way about Backspacer. They didn't exactly pull off a classic PJ record, but they still obviously tried to make the best possible album they could at that point in time and that's all they've ever done.

If you want to hear a band mailing it in, listen to the last few Kings of Leon albums... and probably the new one too, but I can't vouch for that yet.

The new Kings of Leon album is great. So are all of their albums, except for the last one. I have no idea how you could defend Pearl Jam's recent work over and above every Kings of Leon album except for Come Around Sundown.

Harm - which song do you like best on Mechanical Bull - is it Comeback Story or Coming Back Again? Streaming it now on iTunes. . . . .

[EJ]

I think Riot Act is worse than all the albums before it, and better than all the albums after. But its mostly good.

Some excellent songs on it but too much filler material.
Like a literature teacher once said about my early attempts at writing, 'It's like a pile of cow droppings with a few gold coins in it. Luckily I'm not so poor as to go scoop them out'.

I enjoyed this post.

[harmless]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

I felt the same way about Backspacer. They didn't exactly pull off a classic PJ record, but they still obviously tried to make the best possible album they could at that point in time and that's all they've ever done.

If you want to hear a band mailing it in, listen to the last few Kings of Leon albums... and probably the new one too, but I can't vouch for that yet.

The new Kings of Leon album is great. So are all of their albums, except for the last one. I have no idea how you could defend Pearl Jam's recent work over and above every Kings of Leon album except for Come Around Sundown.

Harm - which song do you like best on Mechanical Bull - is it Comeback Story or Coming Back Again? Streaming it now on iTunes. . . . .

I don't love 'Tonight', but I like it. Everything else is my favourite. But my real favourites are "Supersoaker", "Don't Matter", "Comeback Story" and "Temple." Comeback Story is my absolute favourite, I think it's amazing and will go down as one of my favourite KOL song ever, if not my favourite. It's got everything I love about them.

[Iowaska_Experience]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

I felt the same way about Backspacer. They didn't exactly pull off a classic PJ record, but they still obviously tried to make the best possible album they could at that point in time and that's all they've ever done.

If you want to hear a band mailing it in, listen to the last few Kings of Leon albums... and probably the new one too, but I can't vouch for that yet.

The new Kings of Leon album is great. So are all of their albums, except for the last one. I have no idea how you could defend Pearl Jam's recent work over and above every Kings of Leon album except for Come Around Sundown.

Harm - which song do you like best on Mechanical Bull - is it Comeback Story or Coming Back Again? Streaming it now on iTunes. . . . .

I don't love 'Tonight', but I like it. Everything else is my favourite. But my real favourites are "Supersoaker", "Don't Matter", "Comeback Story" and "Temple." Comeback Story is my absolute favourite, I think it's amazing and will go down as one of my favourite KOL song ever, if not my favourite. It's got everything I love about them.

Thanks, I'll make sure to give that one my full attention.

[nomorecrackpipes]

I think each member of PJ is heavily invested in the band, even though it appears apathetic at times. They are a bunch of 50 year olds and have been writing music for at least 30 years each, maybe it takes longer to scratch an itch. They also have to wait for Ed to be ready.

As documented before, the band all works on the songs, but it's Ed who generally determines what's on the album ... cutting (Down) or adding (Stupid Mop) to the final list. When he's stumped, he goes to the band (Yellow Moon) or BoB (Gods' Dice). So Ed really determines what the PJ "sound" is and its presentation. BoB has clearly been his consultant and, sadly, he's gaining influence.

[harmless]

I think each member of PJ is heavily invested in the band, even though it appears apathetic at times. They are a bunch of 50 year olds and have been writing music for at least 30 years each, maybe it takes longer to scratch an itch. They also have to wait for Ed to be ready.

As documented before, the band all works on the songs, but it's Ed who generally determines what's on the album ... cutting (Down) or adding (Stupid Mop) to the final list. When he's stumped, he goes to the band (Yellow Moon) or BoB (Gods' Dice). So Ed really determines what the PJ "sound" is and its presentation. BoB has clearly been his consultant and, sadly, he's gaining influence.

Did BoB push for God's Dice?

[WaitingForBluey]

I don't know guys. I think Riot Act is at least their third best album.

I like this guy.

[ABNorman]

I don't know guys. I think Riot Act is at least their third best album.

I like this guy.

My approval of somebody doesn't hinge on them liking an album.

Which is good, 'cuz I think Riot Act is one of their worst...

[taffer]

I don't know guys. I think Riot Act is at least their third best album.

I like this guy.

You don't like their third best album? whatta waste

[WaitingForBluey]

I don't know guys. I think Riot Act is at least their third best album.

I like this guy.

My approval of somebody doesn't hinge on them liking an album.

Which is good, 'cuz I think Riot Act is one of their worst...

I'm not sure I like this guy.

[stip]

I think lighting bolt is the second coming of given to fly and no one but phatj is backing me up on that

Musically I agree. Not lyrically. LB has some clunkers thrown in. If Ed tightened up the lyrics it could have been.

Such as? The lyrics seem pretty on point and there are some great lines

"u got urself some sand"

True. The first verse is weak. Everything after is aces

[stip]

I think lighting bolt is the second coming of given to fly and no one but phatj is backing me up on that

Musically I agree. Not lyrically. LB has some clunkers thrown in. If Ed tightened up the lyrics it could have been.

Such as? The lyrics seem pretty on point and there are some great lines

There are some fabulous lines. "Crashing stormy waves" through the end of the song are great. The first few lines of the song are cringeworthy though. Pretty much as soon as the rest of the band starts to kick in it becomes a 5 star song for me.

The 'she's your rock and roll, she's your lightning bolt' as well. I love that last verse, too, and there are some good lines throughout, but it's lyrically spotty. Nothing that's the end of the world or anything, but yeah.

The "just like you" part makes me cringe a bit, especially since that's like the big top it all off moment at the end.

Oh i love that bit. Even the shes your lightning bolt/she's your rock and roll (cue solo) is fine because it is part of this high energy orgasmic finish.

[ABNorman]

I don't know guys. I think Riot Act is at least their third best album.

I like this guy.

My approval of somebody doesn't hinge on them liking an album.

Which is good, 'cuz I think Riot Act is one of their worst...

I'm not sure I like this guy.

I like you. I'd buy you a beer if this wasn't a message forum.

[WaitingForBluey]

I think lighting bolt is the second coming of given to fly and no one but phatj is backing me up on that

Musically I agree. Not lyrically. LB has some clunkers thrown in. If Ed tightened up the lyrics it could have been.

Such as? The lyrics seem pretty on point and there are some great lines

"u got urself some sand"

True. The first verse is weak. Everything after is aces

Uh, hold on a second. He actually says that?

[nomorecrackpipes]

I think each member of PJ is heavily invested in the band, even though it appears apathetic at times. They are a bunch of 50 year olds and have been writing music for at least 30 years each, maybe it takes longer to scratch an itch. They also have to wait for Ed to be ready.

As documented before, the band all works on the songs, but it's Ed who generally determines what's on the album ... cutting (Down) or adding (Stupid Mop) to the final list. When he's stumped, he goes to the band (Yellow Moon) or BoB (Gods' Dice). So Ed really determines what the PJ "sound" is and its presentation. BoB has clearly been his consultant and, sadly, he's gaining influence.

Did BoB push for God's Dice?

It didn't make the initial list of songs floating around, then BoB came in and helped with the mixing on some. Conjecture on my part that he thought the record was too moody and it needed a rocker to balance. The rumor is that it was a bone thrown to Jeff for a little extra royalties.

[EJ]

The rumor is that it was a bone thrown to Jeff for a little extra royalties.

[stip]

EDIT: I would also add that none of these songs so far feel like they are just mailing it in to my ears.

No, not at all. It's one thing to not like the kinds of songs they're writing, but I do believe they're trying to make the songs they write good. And so far these have all been good songs.

This is shaping up to be one of their better records for sure.

[harmless]

I think each member of PJ is heavily invested in the band, even though it appears apathetic at times. They are a bunch of 50 year olds and have been writing music for at least 30 years each, maybe it takes longer to scratch an itch. They also have to wait for Ed to be ready.

As documented before, the band all works on the songs, but it's Ed who generally determines what's on the album ... cutting (Down) or adding (Stupid Mop) to the final list. When he's stumped, he goes to the band (Yellow Moon) or BoB (Gods' Dice). So Ed really determines what the PJ "sound" is and its presentation. BoB has clearly been his consultant and, sadly, he's gaining influence.

Did BoB push for God's Dice?

It didn't make the initial list of songs floating around, then BoB came in and helped with the mixing on some. Conjecture on my part that he thought the record was too moody and it needed a rocker to balance. The rumor is that it was a bone thrown to Jeff for a little extra royalties.

I've literally never heard any of that.

[stip]

Mud is a feeling.

Purple is a fruit