Lightning Bolt first reviews

PJ_Soul

iamica wrote:

Just listened to it the second time. Better than Backspacer...

Getaway - Like the music, don't like the lyrics. Sorry, Ed.
Mind Your Manners - Same as Getaway. Also I think it sounds a lot like most of the stuff they've done recently.
My Father's Son - Sounded meh to me at first, but I liked it better the second time. Powerful.
Sirens - Can't stop listening to this song, easily one of my favorites. The music and the message are fantastic.
Lightning Bolt - For some reason, I just can't get into this song. Not sure why.
Infallible - YES YES YES! This is pure gold. I absolutely love it.
Pendulum - Love this one too, very dark and creepy and brooding.
Swallowed Whole - Didn't think much of this one at first, but it's growing on me.
Let The Records Play - You know what, I like it when they experiment. This is an interesting one.
Sleeping By Myself - I'm trying to like this one, I really am.
Yellow Moon - Thought it was OK the first time, listened to it again and am really digging it.
Future Days - Didn't like it when I first heard it. Second time around, I think I could like it eventually.

Interesting mix of songs...only one f word, surprisingly...and for those who said it sounds "adult contemporary", I'm afraid I have to agree with you there. :fp: But on the whole, I think this one is pretty good.

People, adult contemporary is Celine Dion, Elton John, Ricky Martin, shit like that. Anyone who says that LB sounds adult contemporary has NO idea what adult contemporary is.

CranMalReign

PJ_Soul wrote:

People, adult contemporary is Celine Dion, Elton John, Ricky Martin, shit like that. Anyone who says that Sirens doesn't sound adult contemporary has NO idea what adult contemporary is.

Fixed.

mk5877

cp3iverson wrote:

As a semi-audiophile I cant bring myself to listen to the stream.

My turntable is waiting for Oct. 15

Turntable still waiting ? Mine is. Thanks PJ for the timely delivery .

mk5877

Save Me wrote:

I think this is half a great album and half average to bad.


Take me out to the back and shoot me:
Sirens
Sleeping By Myself
Let The Records Play

if I'm getting shot over this , please do it during Future days or any of the above. Let the Records Play sounds like a take on Shanaya Twain "Man i feel like a women..."

MW3384

Infallible is good. Missing "of the earth" was really hoping for that track. The problem is songs only have small Eddie baritone parts. Used to be the music evolved around his voice and the song, now his voice is just added in and sounds kinda of the same on each track. I can't really explain whether it's age or the way he's writing songs. It's just different. It's good just doesn't blow me away. Still can't believe it took 4 years to make this album. Took Ed like a month to make into the wild and it's a better album. I still appreciate anything new, the days and chance for more albums is coming close to the end. Maybe one or two more tops IMO

chopperoc20

First time ever on the board and I guess this record's got me wanting to talk! Like many posts I've seen, I feel a lot of "strong like" for about 7 of the songs, while on a few I'm still up in the air. And IMO if this CD was dominated by the sound of two of the songs, I feel like we'd be hearing Sirens with the medics on the way cause PJ would be in its Final Days.

But plenty of positives to make me look forward to their next release in hopefully shorter than 4-5 years. After repeated listens, I'm really liking the opening two tracks although definitely not the strongest openings they've ever had. Still, it's good stuff. But the first song that I've been digging since first listen is Let The Records Play. Just has a great groove, a little different PJ sound, and love the McCready break with Eddie yowling in the background. I read someone's comment and there is a part where it shifts gear a little and I agree that drags the song a little, but I crank it up everytime I play it. For me, reminds me of Get Right. Pendulum is really growing on me and I can see how that would be a great opening for a show. Great atmospheric and the production done to the song works for me (unlike some overproduction elsewhere). Lightning Bolt and Swallowed Whole are good, and I think Yellow Moon's by far the best slow tune (not counting Pendulum).

I've heard a lot of hype for Father Son and see plenty of people love it and love the hard edge. I get that, but there's just not enough great music with it for me to want to listen to it over and over. Kind of the same for me with Infallible. I'm liking the lyrics the more I hear it, but even Eddie's lyrics aren't enough to keep my interest if the music's not matching. It's hard to explain, but it's like too much on this record that's too produced and not enough of the raw PJ and quirky PJ that makes them special.

Fortunately, all the music above's enough for me to overcome Sirens and Final Days. I've given Sirens repeated listens and I can honestly say that I kind of like the song...for the first 49 seconds. After that, it degenerates until by the end I'm feeling like Pearl Jam's suddenly part of a Whitesnake video and Celine Dion's warming up backstage. Okay, maybe not that bad yet, but... I'm not against slow tunes, ballads, whatever you got. And I've got a few 80s power ballads on my iPod. But this trend starting with Backspacer to now with these two songs. I don't know where it's going. I guess we'll see when the next one comes out. BUT, Sirens is the Sex Pistols compared to Final Days! I don't know what to say about this song except "This is Pearl Jam?!!!" I can't believe the boys in the band heard that song in the mix and said "That's a keeper!" Excuse me to anyone that likes this song. No disrespect intended. I know there are songs I like that other people couldn't comprehend. But it's just depressing to me listening to that song coming from this band. I'll just say one more thing: Someone throw that fuckin' piano out the studio window! Are you really going to make Boom play that live?!

Okay, I'll stop. Thanks for hearing me out. I feel better now. It may not seem it, but all in all I'm pretty happy with this record. When I think about it, PJ's put out amazing music that I love from Ten to Avocado (that's right, I like that one!), and now they've put out some more really good tunes after 20+ years on the job. Keep it up, boys! And as Eddie would say sometimes, Mahalo!

weenie

chopperoc20 wrote:

First time ever on the board and I guess this record's got me wanting to talk! Like many posts I've seen, I feel a lot of "strong like" for about 7 of the songs, while on a few I'm still up in the air. And IMO if this CD was dominated by the sound of two of the songs, I feel like we'd be hearing Sirens with the medics on the way cause PJ would be in its Final Days.

But plenty of positives to make me look forward to their next release in hopefully shorter than 4-5 years. After repeated listens, I'm really liking the opening two tracks although definitely not the strongest openings they've ever had. Still, it's good stuff. But the first song that I've been digging since first listen is Let The Records Play. Just has a great groove, a little different PJ sound, and love the McCready break with Eddie yowling in the background. I read someone's comment and there is a part where it shifts gear a little and I agree that drags the song a little, but I crank it up everytime I play it. For me, reminds me of Get Right. Pendulum is really growing on me and I can see how that would be a great opening for a show. Great atmospheric and the production done to the song works for me (unlike some overproduction elsewhere). Lightning Bolt and Swallowed Whole are good, and I think Yellow Moon's by far the best slow tune (not counting Pendulum).

I've heard a lot of hype for Father Son and see plenty of people love it and love the hard edge. I get that, but there's just not enough great music with it for me to want to listen to it over and over. Kind of the same for me with Infallible. I'm liking the lyrics the more I hear it, but even Eddie's lyrics aren't enough to keep my interest if the music's not matching. It's hard to explain, but it's like too much on this record that's too produced and not enough of the raw PJ and quirky PJ that makes them special.

Fortunately, all the music above's enough for me to overcome Sirens and Final Days. I've given Sirens repeated listens and I can honestly say that I kind of like the song...for the first 49 seconds. After that, it degenerates until by the end I'm feeling like Pearl Jam's suddenly part of a Whitesnake video and Celine Dion's warming up backstage. Okay, maybe not that bad yet, but... I'm not against slow tunes, ballads, whatever you got. And I've got a few 80s power ballads on my iPod. But this trend starting with Backspacer to now with these two songs. I don't know where it's going. I guess we'll see when the next one comes out. BUT, Sirens is the Sex Pistols compared to Final Days! I don't know what to say about this song except "This is Pearl Jam?!!!" I can't believe the boys in the band heard that song in the mix and said "That's a keeper!" Excuse me to anyone that likes this song. No disrespect intended. I know there are songs I like that other people couldn't comprehend. But it's just depressing to me listening to that song coming from this band. I'll just say one more thing: Someone throw that fuckin' piano out the studio window! Are you really going to make Boom play that live?!
Okay, I'll stop. Thanks for hearing me out. I feel better now. It may not seem it, but all in all I'm pretty happy with this record. When I think about it, PJ's put out amazing music that I love from Ten to Avocado (that's right, I like that one!), and now they've put out some more really good tunes after 20+ years on the job. Keep it up, boys! And as Eddie would say sometimes, Mahalo!

Great first post. Welcome. I've been away from the board for quite a while, but your comment about throwing the fucking piano out the window inspired me to post and say "exactly". I feel the same about the "violin" actually, fiddle. I think that Brendan O'Brian got carried away with himself due to the success of "Unthought Known", and committeed some serious overkill on this album.

Like others in this thread, the few great songs make up for the shit songs for me. I feel a serious disconnect between the great and the ugly on LB, but I'm happy to hear Mikey playing like the guitar God he really is on this one. That guy is long overdue the recognition he deserves. He alone won me over on a couple of tunes.

Anyway, I'm thinking that hearing the mediocre songs live will help. And I admit to being smitten over "Infallible". CAN'T WAIT to hear this band live again and hope to feel that same rush I've always experienced from their energy, mad musical skills and love.

JonnyPistachio

My impression of the album is improving after 5th listen.

rick1zoo2

I like it

the end

.com

sxwxgirl1

I will be honest, as hard as I am trying, I just cannot get into it. This is my opinion only, and equally respect those who do love it. Do not question my loyalty to PJ or EV please, as I am a die hard, "lifer" with PJ and EV (I am the one with the EV tat but also one that feels perfection cannot be achieved all the time in everything.

I have not posted in a while, my Mother died back in July, and I had to give away my 10c Pearl Jam tix as she died at the same time I was supposed to go to London On show. It was an awful time. I could not even listen to PJ since July as it brought back really sad memories of Mom dying.

So I thought, now is the time to jump back on board. With such a long wait since Backspacer (which BTW I did like some tunes on, like Just Breathe, still takes my breath away) I had high expectations.

Between the Country twang in "Sleeping by Myself" and Eddie almost sounding like Elvis on "Let the Records Play" and the "distortion effects" are not doing Eddie's voice any justice. Sorry I love my Eddie with a deep baritone (Nothing as It Seems) and to hold a note forever (like in Release Me or even Crown of Thorns for that matter) with a pitch that one could only dream of. (love the entire Into the Wild Soundtrack)

Perfect Band working together in sync to create magical pieces of musical art.

Lightning Bolt..again IMHO, does not achieve any of this. I do like Yellow Moon, deep, soulful, and "clean" in sound. Mystical lyrics. I find myself getting deeply into my PJ zone with that song.

I have tried, genuinely tried listening to the CD in different moods, settings, driving, sitting alone, listening with people, even lighting (it should not be this difficult!!) to get into it, and so far I have failed.(Other than Yellow Moon) I find it all over the place personally.

I am not a young buck, and have grown, as has PJ and EV. However, I am not so sure I can "grow" into Lightning Bolt.

Just my 2 pennies worth, take it for that :roll: :roll:

guypjfreak

prefer it to back spacer on the whole

Seattle1974

sxwxgirl1 wrote:

I will be honest, as hard as I am trying, I just cannot get into it. This is my opinion only, and equally respect those who do love it. Do not question my loyalty to PJ or EV please, as I am a die hard, "lifer" with PJ and EV (I am the one with the EV tat but also one that feels perfection cannot be achieved all the time in everything.

I have not posted in a while, my Mother died back in July, and I had to give away my 10c Pearl Jam tix as she died at the same time I was supposed to go to London On show. It was an awful time. I could not even listen to PJ since July as it brought back really sad memories of Mom dying.

So I thought, now is the time to jump back on board. With such a long wait since Backspacer (which BTW I did like some tunes on, like Just Breathe, still takes my breath away) I had high expectations.

Between the Country twang in "Sleeping by Myself" and Eddie almost sounding like Elvis on "Let the Records Play" and the "distortion effects" are not doing Eddie's voice any justice. Sorry I love my Eddie with a deep baritone (Nothing as It Seems) and to hold a note forever (like in Release Me or even Crown of Thorns for that matter) with a pitch that one could only dream of. (love the entire Into the Wild Soundtrack)

Perfect Band working together in sync to create magical pieces of musical art.

Lightning Bolt..again IMHO, does not achieve any of this. I do like Yellow Moon, deep, soulful, and "clean" in sound. Mystical lyrics. I find myself getting deeply into my PJ zone with that song.

I have tried, genuinely tried listening to the CD in different moods, settings, driving, sitting alone, listening with people, even lighting (it should not be this difficult!!) to get into it, and so far I have failed.(Other than Yellow Moon) I find it all over the place personally.

I am not a young buck, and have grown, as has PJ and EV. However, I am not so sure I can "grow" into Lightning Bolt.

Just my 2 pennies worth, take it for that :roll: :roll:

I am sorry to hear that you lost you mom. I hope that your pain lifts.

Brane_of_JFK

The Juggler wrote:

ltrp 1.5/5...shania twain meets bugs bunny meets zz top meets jeepers creepers and was supposed to meet up with DoTheEvoloution for beers but got lost on the way and then just eventually gave up looking. yuck. this one is a mess.

OMG, that is EXACTLY what crossed my mind when I first heard this song...well, and ever since as well.

I posted a few days ago that I was extremely disappointed after my first 3 listens of LB, but it has grown on me a bit. I absolutely LOVE Getaway, and the 1-2 punch of that and MYM really starts off nicely. I'm still disappointed in the fact that the entire 2nd half of the record is pretty much filler (with the exception of Infallible and possibly Pendulum), and that it really lacks any true rock songs like the beginning of the album.

I understand they are not that kind of band anymore, and I can appreciate, respect and still enjoy that fact, but after getting the early preview of MYM in July, I was super-hyped that there would be some VS-esque harder-rock tracks...but to no avail.

Overall, not bad, I would give it 3.5/5 at this point...

breakmarysfall

I am in Love those days,
and the record keeps spinning ... :P

So it's a great post, thanks for it already...
Although I wrote already some shortcuts about the album, I take this post to form a new, more thought through review of Lightening Bolt.

I hadn't expected such an outcome after Backspacer ... I dont know what I expected, but I was really surprised by the high quality of LB, musically + lyric"ally" spoken.
When I hold the CD finally in hands, I started the listening experience with the song Lightning Bolt, followed by Infallible and then Pendulum - then I stopped because I literally was overwhelmed! Only the next day I listenend from the real start...

Well, the last 2 1/2 years I wrote a book and now some PJ lyrics bring one part all together, what I had tried to put in everlasting words... to me Lighting Bolt, the song itself, is the perfect poem that I tried to find myself...
and combined with this full of energy music sound, I just wanna call out and dance... it's really giving me goose bumps, heartbeats and just: purest music pleasure and more...
so yup, I feel the earth, too, long time ever since, and musically spoken, I just feel straight happy and almost INLoVE about these new+stunning tones.
So I need to thank again for this triple I heard first, and which means still more to me. These 3 songs are my headlines, faves, if there are any.
I really like the lyrics of Infallible, and also the music surprises, and well, Pendulum is just epic to me, also for the sound!

But there is more:
Swallowed whole is fun, just happy tunes with such positive spirit that just make you smile,
yellow moon is fun, because finally I have a song with which I can celebrate the moon and howling to the FULL,
I like let the record play for the difficult and tricky tones that only come to a real flow after the 3rd listening ...
Mind your Manners was fun right from the start -first release- the punk side of Pearl Jam...
and: I really like Future Days as the last song of this wow- album, the optimist ending is just fine,
just perfect to me as is the full album, those days...

And , my last and, the best thing about the new album is: you really get already a feeling about how great the songs can be played live, with some solos, or enlarged guitar jams... and that I call continuing FUN of its finest with all the bootlegs to enjoy...

So my compliments and big Thanks go out to this great Band that I like so much and which composed another mesmeriszing album, in which they are experiencing more musically but with messages transferred that are still focusing on their roots!

great great work and one more thank you, for keeping your promise that PJ is built to last!
n.

Brane_of_JFK

crober72 wrote:

Getaway - Love it. Can't get it out of my head (in a good way). IMO, best opening track to a PJ album since Brain of J.

100% agree...been in my head for days and I keep playing it on repeat

TJ25487

I think LB is fantastic and respect everybody's negative opinion as PJ have always put out polarizing music but I don't understand why people get stuck on 2 or 3 bad songs when there are 12 songs? I would be perfectly happy if they left LTRP and SBM off the album but the skip button is at your fingertips people. PJ has been putting filler in their albums since ten and if they throw in a piano or violin sound every now and then who gives a rats ass as long as the overall song is good? I think LB has great flow and great attitude and is well produced. Good on ya PJ!

Olivavu

slightofjeff wrote:

If you don't like Getaway, then this whole music thing is just not for you.