Red Mosquito

With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.

I don't know. I think it's good (4 stars) but I prefer it not to be an album highlight. This type of song is not my preferred version of Pearl Jam. Songs that clock in around 3-3:30 hardly ever tend to breathe and build as I like them to. I'm much more looking forward to the longer songs. Quite a few of those from the tracklisting.

If we assume the first song in the metal door clip is React, Respond, then that seems to be a song I'd prefer over Dark Matter. Running time is somewhat similar but it sounds more deliberately paced.

Not much to go on to be honest but even the little bit we heard sounds more to my liking as far as pace is concerned. Even Mike's solo.

To be fair, almost all of the songs in the metal door clip sound right up my alley as far as pace is concerned. They seem to be songs that would be allowed to breathe and build. The only one I'm not too hot on is Something Special, which is more a stylistic thing. Sounds like Ed solo on a PJ album.

So if we have just one Ed solo track and that's not egregious, plus only Dark Matter and maybe Running are the fast-paced ones, then I'll be mostly happy. Depends on how good the songs are eventually, but the signs are promising.

the first clip is faster than Dark Matter

There are hardly any words audible, but it didn't seem faster than DM. The solo was also not as fast to my ears.

Tbh, it's less how fast Mike plays his solo than it is Ed racing through lyrics that are mostly screamed rather than sung, that is an issue for me. If the song builds to a nice crescendo and Mike shreds at the end, I don't mind that.

the drums are much faster; think "Never Destination" tempo

Hmm. Maybe I didn't notice those. The sung words didn't seem too rushed, from what I could make out. Who knows, maybe that's the slowest part of the song.

Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.

Very worrisome indeed

Woke up in the middle of night with this song stuck right in my fucking head. Couldn't shake it. Time to bump it up to 4 stars!

I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.

Very worrisome indeed

that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single

Strat wrote:I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby

what if it’s even four?

Here is an exercise - is the first single the best song on an album for you. Choices are yes, no, maybe

Alive - yes
Animal - no
Spin the Black Circle - no
Who You Are - no
Given to Fly - maybe
Nothing As it Seems - no
I Am Mine - yes
World Wide Suicide - maybe
The Fixer - maybe
Mind Your Manners - yes
Can’t Deny Me - obviously
Dance of the Clairvoyants - yes

stip wrote:

Strat wrote:I'm gonna re-listen today for the first time in a week and see if its actually a 3 star for me!

yesterday i was crabby

what if it’s even four?

Could be, depends on if its pre or post poop

tragabigzanda wrote:

stip wrote:

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.

Very worrisome indeed

that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single

This presumes that producing music to maximize ticket and merch revenues is a valuable end goal. I don’t agree with this view, and feel they’re further devaluing their legacy.

And DM is neither an easy listen, nor is it particularly challenging. It’s just kind of there.

Remember when NAIS was a single ?Man alive

tragabigzanda wrote:

Strat wrote:

tragabigzanda wrote:

stip wrote:

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

Anders wrote:With them releasing this as the first single, and naming the album after it, it would be surprising if it’s not an album highlight.

Very worrisome indeed

that it is the title track is intriguing, but it is the best of a sub par series of titles if they really wanted to use one

We have no basis for comparison yet but given its success thus far on the charts it seems like it was a good choice for a radio ready single and the kind of music clip liscensing/promotion they like to do.

DM is an easy listen. thats a good quality for a single

This presumes that producing music to maximize ticket and merch revenues is a valuable end goal. I don’t agree with this view, and feel they’re further devaluing their legacy.

And DM is neither an easy listen, nor is it particularly challenging. It’s just kind of there.

Remember when NAIS was a single ?Man alive

Radio at the time allowed for a song like that! They’re watering stuff down to fit the former of the day. Gross.

Why are you yelling at me