Lightning Bolt: The Official Album Thread

[PHATJ]

I mean I "get" it and all. But it's weird to me. Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are far from Pearl Jam's best albums. But they're even further away from bad albums. There's a lot to like (if not LOVE) about both of them. It's weird to me that people dismiss them out of hand like they're terrible rock records or something. I mean, to each their own. But still.

I can find a lot to like (and some to love) on LB, but Backspacer just does very little for me. There are a few decent moments, but there isn't a single song on BS that I don't have at least some problems with, and the majority of the album I find to be dreadfully unoriginal and musically stale and boring.

I suppose that's all fair.

Maybe I don't listen to enough music to find either album offensive. Boring, that's subjective, so I can get on board with that opinion, however I may disagree. Stale? Probably, but I'm not sure there's much out there in the mainstream that isn't if we're all being completely honest.

But overall, I see what you're saying. I still really enjoy listening to LB especially.

Comparing BS to the rest of the PJ catalog, I think it is BY FAR their weakest album. Comparing it to its contemporaries (music in the alternative/rock genera released around the same time period) it still seems to be farly weak but not laughably terrible by any means. I agree with you on LB. I think it is a strong album (especially considering the song writers and musicians in the group are all 50+ years old). There are a few songs I have no love for on LB too, but the vast majority of the album is interesting and is musically far superior to BS, and I enjoy it whenever I decide to give it a listen.

[epilogue]

I mean I "get" it and all. But it's weird to me. Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are far from Pearl Jam's best albums. But they're even further away from bad albums. There's a lot to like (if not LOVE) about both of them. It's weird to me that people dismiss them out of hand like they're terrible rock records or something. I mean, to each their own. But still.

I can find a lot to like (and some to love) on LB, but Backspacer just does very little for me. There are a few decent moments, but there isn't a single song on BS that I don't have at least some problems with, and the majority of the album I find to be dreadfully unoriginal and musically stale and boring.

I suppose that's all fair.

Maybe I don't listen to enough music to find either album offensive. Boring, that's subjective, so I can get on board with that opinion, however I may disagree. Stale? Probably, but I'm not sure there's much out there in the mainstream that isn't if we're all being completely honest.

But overall, I see what you're saying. I still really enjoy listening to LB especially.

Comparing BS to the rest of the PJ catalog, I think it is BY FAR their weakest album. Comparing it to its contemporaries (music in the alternative/rock genera released around the same time period) it still seems to be farly weak but not laughably terrible by any means. I agree with you on LB. I think it is a strong album (especially considering the song writers and musicians in the group are all 50+ years old). There are a few songs I have no love for on LB too, but the vast majority of the album is interesting and is musically far superior to BS, and I enjoy it whenever I decide to give it a listen.

Sounds like we're about on the same page.

[PHATJ]

I mean I "get" it and all. But it's weird to me. Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are far from Pearl Jam's best albums. But they're even further away from bad albums. There's a lot to like (if not LOVE) about both of them. It's weird to me that people dismiss them out of hand like they're terrible rock records or something. I mean, to each their own. But still.

I can find a lot to like (and some to love) on LB, but Backspacer just does very little for me. There are a few decent moments, but there isn't a single song on BS that I don't have at least some problems with, and the majority of the album I find to be dreadfully unoriginal and musically stale and boring.

I suppose that's all fair.

Maybe I don't listen to enough music to find either album offensive. Boring, that's subjective, so I can get on board with that opinion, however I may disagree. Stale? Probably, but I'm not sure there's much out there in the mainstream that isn't if we're all being completely honest.

But overall, I see what you're saying. I still really enjoy listening to LB especially.

Comparing BS to the rest of the PJ catalog, I think it is BY FAR their weakest album. Comparing it to its contemporaries (music in the alternative/rock genera released around the same time period) it still seems to be farly weak but not laughably terrible by any means. I agree with you on LB. I think it is a strong album (especially considering the song writers and musicians in the group are all 50+ years old). There are a few songs I have no love for on LB too, but the vast majority of the album is interesting and is musically far superior to BS, and I enjoy it whenever I decide to give it a listen.

Sounds like we're about on the same page.

[Got Some]

I mean I "get" it and all. But it's weird to me. Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are far from Pearl Jam's best albums. But they're even further away from bad albums. There's a lot to like (if not LOVE) about both of them. It's weird to me that people dismiss them out of hand like they're terrible rock records or something. I mean, to each their own. But still.

Applause!!!!!!

[darth_vedder]

I mean I "get" it and all. But it's weird to me. Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are far from Pearl Jam's best albums. But they're even further away from bad albums. There's a lot to like (if not LOVE) about both of them. It's weird to me that people dismiss them out of hand like they're terrible rock records or something. I mean, to each their own. But still.

Applause!!!!!!

I "get" that you and a lot of others dig it, and even think both are pretty solid albums overall. I just do not feel the love for them. Both are just very middle of the road to, well, bad for me. There are indeed a few songs I like on both albums, but overall, both for me, are just meh. Nothing stands out, and nothing compels me to seek out songs from either album. Ten through Riot Act, there are songs I just have to hear. I have compulsions to hear various studio and live tracks from that era.

Maybe after RA and the 2003 tour, I was just fatigued and never got over it? I don't know. I guess that's not true, b/c I got geeked out for 2006 and the S/T tour. So I guess after that, and as I grew older, I just didn't get as much into the new albums. There just isn't much there for me to go to. The songs I do like, I've already played out, and I don't feel like hearing them (hence the year break).

Couple that with me not being a big fan of modern day live PJ, and I'm just pretty disinterested in PJ, sans my compulsions for the Ten -> RA era (and even those are dwindling).

Thinking of each song on LB, I just can't think of one I want to hear. I guess if one came up on shuffle, I'd listen, maybe. I'd probably skip it.

For Ruddo, I'll rank the songs:

Getaway - 2 stars
MYM - 3 stars
MFS - 4 stars
Sirens - 2 stars
LB - 3 stars
Infallible - 2 stars
Pendulum - 4 stars
Swallowed Whole - 2 stars
LTRP - 1 star
SBM - 4 stars
Yellow Moon - 2 stars
Future Days - 1 star

Overall, it's a 2.5 for me.

[epilogue]

I "get" that you and a lot of others dig it, and even think both are pretty solid albums overall.

This is really all I was saying.

Seems to me that a good many people around here bash the entire living fuck out of those two albums. My point is only that they don't deserve that level of hate. They are, indeed, pretty solid albums overall.

Otherwise, I agree that they don't really hold a candle to Ten - Riot Act. Not even close. But those are really special albums. And no matter what comes after, I'll always be grateful to have that run or excellence. I also happen to reach for Backspacer and LB fairly frequently also. I still get a tremendous rush out of LB.

[dimejinky99]

I'm growing to love Lightning Bolt as an album...

kinda thought its shape was strange, almost like a No Code II in the skewed tilt both sides have in relation to each other, but it's coming around in a big way.


Also, the title track..it's pretty fabulous..may even be a contender for what I call a PJ national anthem..and only Alive, Given to Fly and Corduroy occupy that space for me..

just my ramblings..

[epilogue]

I'm trying but I still can't feel much for Lightning Bolt, the song. Not that it's a bad song. It just doesn't move me much. It's one of my least favorite on the record. But I seem to be in a pretty steep minority on that.

[PHATJ]

I love Lightning Bolt the song. The only problem I have with it is the ridiculous fade out at the end.i want to hear that solo!!!

[numbers]

I still very much like this album.

[chewm]

I really like the title track, probably one of the highlights here.

[AndySlash]

I love Lightning Bolt the song. The only problem I have with it is the ridiculous fade out at the end.i want to hear that solo!!!

indeed.

4 star: my father's son, lightning bolt, pendulum, swallowed whole, sleeping by myself. i'd maybe give my father's son, lightning bolt, and/or pendulum 5 stars, but it's also hard to justify a 5 rating for them given that none of these would likely even make my top 25.

3: mind your manners, let the records play

2: getaway, infallible, yellow moon

i seriously wouldn't mind never hearing again: sirens, future days.

[VinylGuy]

yeah, that fade out is awful. I wonder why is there...there is no reason for it.

[LetMeSleep]

yeah, that fade out is awful. I wonder why is there...there is no reason for it.

a monumental fuck up would facilitate such an abrupt fade. Should be 5mins earlier in my mind

[PHATJ]

yeah, that fade out is awful. I wonder why is there...there is no reason for it.

a monumental fuck up would facilitate such an abrupt fade. Should be 5mins earlier in my mind

Boo

[ridleybradout]

yeah, that fade out is awful. I wonder why is there...there is no reason for it.

Fade-outs are more about the track following and creating some space for it, especially if it has a quieter intro.

That said, they should have at least let Mike solo for a minute on LB - it's one of his best moments from their recent catalogue.

[WaitingForBluey]

It's rare to find myself agreeing with pretty much everything above... It feels nice for a change

[bodysnatcher]

Frightening Jolt

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

i need to give this one a spin again soon, its been a while but im sure i will still love it.

[Leatherhead]

Lightning Bolt is coming up on two years old. Is it too early to hope for a new album soon?


Yes. Of course it is.