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Sirens the Powerballade
fortyshades
Posts: 1,834
This is a comment that I keep hearing over and over again. I think that it is one of those words that stick and was first mentioned by the guy at alternative nation; from that moment onwards it had its own life. Comparisons to Black were made and 80's rock. When I think of powerballads however I think of Sweet Child of Mine, Every Rose has it Torns, Total Eclipse of the Heart and frankly every other Meatloaf song. And that is what Sirens is not. It has a guitar solo, but that is where every comparison stops...
Musically, this is a much more and difficult structured song than a typical power ballad. It doesn't follow the rule of verse, bridge, chorus, but has a much more complicated structure where the instruments blend together and the chorus seems even lost. The melody is carried by Ed's voice. With other words: this song is not accesable as first thought and I think, melody wise, it will generate interest, but it is not a typical radio friendly song. (Like Who You Are wasn't.)
Lyrically it is surprising. Some call it cheese - another word that sticks. (And as a Dutch man I love Gouda.) But there is much more depth to it. I first presumed the song was about the Greek Sirens, but in closer listen I believe that Sirens stands for Death/ Chaos in the face of love, life and growing older. In essence this is not even a love song, but a song about fragility.
And here we may come to an overarching theme. All the songs we heard so far is about a "inner revelation". (Maybe that is why LB is the title track?) IN LB it is someone who enters your life, in MYM it is about seeking truth in yourself and not in (religious or normative) institutions, and we can even put FD and the theme of SBM (Uke version) in this light. I haven't heard the other songs, but I think that LB could be a surprising record.
Musically, this is a much more and difficult structured song than a typical power ballad. It doesn't follow the rule of verse, bridge, chorus, but has a much more complicated structure where the instruments blend together and the chorus seems even lost. The melody is carried by Ed's voice. With other words: this song is not accesable as first thought and I think, melody wise, it will generate interest, but it is not a typical radio friendly song. (Like Who You Are wasn't.)
Lyrically it is surprising. Some call it cheese - another word that sticks. (And as a Dutch man I love Gouda.) But there is much more depth to it. I first presumed the song was about the Greek Sirens, but in closer listen I believe that Sirens stands for Death/ Chaos in the face of love, life and growing older. In essence this is not even a love song, but a song about fragility.
And here we may come to an overarching theme. All the songs we heard so far is about a "inner revelation". (Maybe that is why LB is the title track?) IN LB it is someone who enters your life, in MYM it is about seeking truth in yourself and not in (religious or normative) institutions, and we can even put FD and the theme of SBM (Uke version) in this light. I haven't heard the other songs, but I think that LB could be a surprising record.
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I like how you've looked at the overall theme.
I feel that the real strength of Sirens is it's brave disclosure on a grand scale. It IS a power ballad and it makes no apology for that. It's making a confident declaration, and for once there's no shyness or dissimulation about the fact that they can write a big song that's deep but catchy too if they want to.
I hope that the more elite fans get over their discomfort with it's undisguised emotional message. Sometimes the fans feel like old friends who try to keep the band in some past form for their own comfort. Not everyone has to like every song and I think people need to give the band some room to try whatever they want to try!
I feel that the emotion is sincere and for once they've chosen to package it in a way that is obvious rather than hidden and I think that's rather amazing. Yes, it feels like a retro form, (80's hair band?!) but I think it works for this song. It is a very singable song and I think a lot of more casual fans will love it.
I also think there are a whole lot of people on this board (and, in the world, I guess) who hear the word "love" in a song and automatically assume it's a "cheesy love song."
Sirens is not a love song. At least, not totally.
for the least they could possibly do
Lyrically and melodically the singing is more nuanced than your typical hair band, but that's just because Ed is in a different class as a songwriter than most hair metal I've ever heard. It did surprise me lyrically after a few listens, b/c the bad lines really popped out at first, but there are still cheese goin on here.
Musically it follows a pretty similar structure to a lot of power ballads. Mellow verse>growing prechorus>bigger chorus>repeat>solo>big chorus that quiets as the song closes. The chorus isn't as big as is typical, bit it's definitely a fair comparison.
Mike gets in on the act as well. The really basic cowboy chords and he managed to outcheese Wisconsin with that solo.
I don't hate the song but let's not act like it's something it's not. I think a lot of people are afraid to admit they like something that is very power ballad ish and are trying to make more of it than it is.
I would find Sweet Child or some of Meatloaf's songs to be more of a power ballad than Sirens, but that is just my opinion. I have not problem thinking the song is good. I don't think it is great or one of their best. But I agree on people not owning up to liking some of the old power ballads over the last few decades. I also think it will come across different live than it does on the studio version.
Agreed. Love Boat Captain is closer to those tracks than Sirens is. Maybe, MAYBE, a Journey song would make a good comparison, but not frizzy hair metal anthems.
Well, I took the "siren" to mean "warning sign" and not Homer's Sirens. When you hear an ambulance or air-raid siren it's not to show tragedy has occurred, it's to draw your attention to something dangerous (in this case the loss of what you love) or warn you that tragedy's impact is approaching you, and that fits this song pretty well. The song is about dealing with fear with love, more than about love itself.
I think Sweet Child is too upbeat to fall into the power ballad category. I think more along the lines of Heaven or Every Rose Has Its Thorn when I think power ballad.
I honestly can only think of one Meat Loaf song that could even come close in 2 Outta 3 Ain't Bad and to me power ballads are really a product of the late 80s.
What utter bullshit. I liked it first time I heard it, I don't mind a certain pop music, and I'm a sucker for a great hook and an impressive vocal performance. I don't need to convince myself of anything - there are plenty of Pearl Jam songs I don't like, most of Riot Act bores me, for example (because it lacks hooks and strong vocal performances).
I think the progression of the song is different to most power ballads people are comparing it to, it doesn't dive into a massive chorus at the first opportunity, it builds up to it - if a band like Nickleback were to have made this, it would be about two minutes shorter, and they would have been at the chorus within about 30 seconds. I'm not denying PJ haven't taken elements of that kind of music, but it isn't anywhere near as formulaic in its design.
Cool. Happy you feel that way. I've heard a few other tracks and I think you're going to love this record. It's just not my cup of tea. Someone posted an interesting Mike quote in the comments section of the Sirens youtube video. This quote resonated with me much more than the song did and I've posted it below:
"I'm a Pearl Jam fan but this song is awful songwriting-wise...it reminds me of something Mike McCready said in the Single Video Theory documentary >>> Mike McCready: "I get afraid of losing that creative energy... where it's like 'where's it going to come from'... am I going to lose it someday... or will I have it for a while and then will it just run out because I've seen that happen to other bands." When I listen to "Sirens" all I can say is...'Yep Mike, I think you guys lost it.' "
For me, this sums up exactly how I feel about these new songs and BS. Again, I think it's great you and some others don't feel that way, but I'm pretty frustrated by it. I think this band could be so much better than this.
I live in Wisconsin and nobody can out cheese Wisconsin! Nobody! Not even the great Mike McCready!
Really? How did I dis-allow anyone from having an opinion? Is that even possible? Where did I say the views of others don't count?
I don't mind having a conversation or being criticized for my comments but you're giving me little to work with here.
I guess what I'm taking from your post is that you think that people who like the song are delusional, actively trying to convince themselves they like it just because it is PJ. Not sure how you can get that from something that is completely subjective. I find it to be a stretch. I just don't see how you can go after people for something like that.
Well I'm sorry for your frustration, I'm sure they're not doing it on purpose!
I don't think Sirens lacks creativity at all though, it's the most complete sounding ballad they've made in a long long time. I found all the self-sabotage of previous releases in terms of strong melodies etc to be quite stale - and so do the band at this stage it seems.
bingo.....
its pretty insulting to suggest people like it are lying to themselves. also amusingly you Infer that people are willingly deluding themselves yet you don't wish to be offensive?
im not sure that really fits.....lets call it a song....
after all does it really need a label?
Ok, fair enough. Maybe it is offensive but it's still what I believe. I think many of you who like this song only like it because Pearl Jam wrote it. I've seen plenty of people here over the years criticize Radiohead and their fans for the same damn thing. It's nothing new to suspect fanboy blindness and yes, that is what I think is happening here.
And that's the only way someone could like this song?!
Gotta say, I'm absolutely shocked --- SHOCKED -- you don't like the song, based on every other post you've ever made here.
:roll:
for the least they could possibly do
What am I to think
Where do we go now :shifty:
No worries ........I'll ride the wave where it takes me... ...
What You Giving
I suggest you step out on your Porch.
Run away my son. See it all. Oh, See the World!
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Am I writing with some mysteriously confusing subtlety this morning?
I used the phrase "many of you who like this song."
I don't know if that clears it up for you but I'm tired of pissing people off this morning. Contrary to what many (note here again the word "many", not "all" or the dreaded "only") of you might think, I don't actually enjoy making enemies on here. I consider you guys my friends, or at least partners in this PJ journey, and I'm just expressing my opinions.
Anyway, whatever.
So how do you differentiate who genuinely likes it, and who fake likes it? I'd understand if this was a really challenging song, really difficult to get into, but this is a really catchy song, like it or not, and so it's appealing to a lot of people - thus your accusations don't really ring true. Why can't you just say you don't like it without accusing other people of being fan boys.
Also, it's music. Why are we not allowed to be fan boys? Why are we not allowed to like a song for any damn reason we please? It's not like this is life or death. It's music. I can like the song because I like how Ed's butt wiggles when he sings it, so what? Does that make my experience any more real or fake than yours?
for the least they could possibly do
I was actually thinking about the "power ballad" thing in my head this morning re-listening to the song (3rd listen now?) trying to frame my thoughts on "Sirens".
To me, and where the comparison to "power ballad" immediately stops is at the commercial angle. By that I mean, "power ballad" was something an otherwise "heavy" 80's band released to get mainstream appeal. In other words, I think the boys are making a somewhat calculated move to get air play and draw in the general population.
Thats where it stops though.
As far as the actual song structure, although it clearly is a ballad, it has a much more 2000's-Alt-Indie oddness to it. I do also get the Pink Floyd in the darkness, the production, and sonic layering.
I fucking love Matt's "doubled" vocals, as my complaint since the early days has been Ed's seeming refusal to "double" vocals like so many great bands do (seemingly on the grounds of not being replicable live) ... and it's nice for Matt to be showcased on record doing for Eddie what he would never do for himself.
It does come as a sonic departure to me, and it does strike me a bit ackward. The initial repetition of "sirens" seems a bit clumsy, but who am I to judge the almighty. I will say I think that "power ballad" or not i think it was (despite what so many here feel) a SMART move on the bands part.
LETS BE HONEST: rock and roll has been pretty pussified. My impression of post 2000 rock has been that, saving a few exceptions, almost all of the "great new bands" that people come to me with sound overwhelming post-emo post-radiohead post-laterday-flaming lips inspired WUSS ROCK or, being kind to a band like My Morning Jacket, "overly-ethereal-laid-back-post-southern-rock-alt-indie music". I think "Sirens" is sort of a Pearl Jam Trojan Horse to get in to the skulls of these little kiddies and their little wussie rock brains. It also may very well simply be the honest product of a significantly matured band.
?
If I opened it now would you not understand?
I'm enjoying your thoughtful song interpretation(s) and I'm glad you did it in the Words & Music forum too. We used to do that in the old PJ forum on AOL...one of my favorite things to do. Just wanted to tell you...and everyone else who is really looking and listening. Thank you.
it's pretty clearly a love song.
thats like saying Black isn't a love song because it talks about kids playing.
i will give you that it is about insecurity and love. the insecurity of love. insecurity of life. insecurity in a criminal world. but mostly. it's about love.
If I opened it now would you not understand?
so,talking about Powerballade their mind goes to other pop or whatever bands and they think their pearl jam isnt "cool" by having this song in their catalogue..
things are simple..
i dont give a flying fuck what "type of song you can call Sirens..
the song ,the lyrics and the music is a masterpiece IMO and most of all,talks to my fuckin soul...
and i dont need anything more than that..thats the limit for me..the song to talks to my soul..
and you know whats the 2 most common words the last 2 days i see people who like the song saying here and at facebook about Sirens?
1."i love it"..no like it..or i dig it,its cool,..etc..BUT "I LOVE IT"
2."its Beautiful"...
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”