Lightning Bolt first reviews

PJ_Soul

Your Camaro's hood wrote:

cp3iverson wrote:

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

My turntable is waiting for Oct. 15

Couldn't agree more. If these reviews are coming from an online stream of digital files, they don't hold much validity for me.

Cannot wait to get the vinyl!! But hearing the digital stream now isn't going to detract from that for me. To each their own. I guess if I had the will power I would have wait too, but I don't so I didn't. :P

The_Giant_Midget

there will never be albums like the first five, lets just face it. for me im surprised Avocado doesnt get more love, maybe its because im a younger fan and thats the album that turned me on to them, but I find that album to be one of my favorites. that being said i actually really like Lightning Bolt only after one full listen (did listen to those leaked songs a bunch before though).

a few things id change like most said was less piano for one. dont really like redoing the uke song nor do i think future days belongs despite it being a good song. if they replaced those with of the earth, cold confessions, or let it ride it would improve the album a lot.

besides that i think the album is great and proves to the haters of this band on here that they can make great music. personally i have this right now above backspacer and riot act, its neck and neck with binaural. i think with those changes i said it moves into the upper echelon.

id give it a soft 8/10

Stephen Flow

The_Giant_Midget wrote:

...if they replaced those with of the earth, cold confessions, or let it ride it would improve the album a lot...

I understand where you're coming from w/ the 3 song suggestions but they did come out and say that Of the Earth has not yet had a proper studio recording they like. Cold Confession and Let it Ride are from completely different sessions too and they probably wouldn't have considered them for the record because of that.

Vedd Hedd

Of The Earth has B-side written all over it. I don't think its album worthy.

And I say this knowing that SBM is on LB.

Marcus Maximus

buck502000 wrote:

I guess the message I am really trying to convey is there are people on the street who like to pigeonhole PJ as a band from the 90's and think PJ was only relevant during this time. I have discussed this topic with various people on multiple occasions. As we 10 club members know, the band is ever-changing, growing and going in different directions. That, for me, is part of the intrigue and allure that is Pearl Jam. My apologies for not being more concise in my previous statements.

The problem is they aren't doing anything contemporary or different, look at NIN new album a master piece that's fresh a sonically amazing , Trent is 50 yet he still retains that spark of angry that he had from day one.

As steve albini said ''If an album takes more than 2 weeks to make you are doing something wrong'' LB took 2 years and that's exactly what it feels like, songs left on the shelf then taken down a constantly being re worked. For me thats not how you make good music I am a firm believe of capturing a moment.

Adamcado

At the minute, it's around 7/10 for me...

Some amazing stuff - first 4 tracks and Yellow Moon are stellar to me.

Future Days would've been great with the keyboards...

Pendulum is the best thing they've written since Riot Act...

Hate most of the production, miss the rawer sound of No Code, Binaural and Riot Act...

Adamcado

It's the rawness that's lacking...

The production and introduction of cheesy keyboards makes parts sound a little dated already...

Ditch Brendan, ditch Boom, be a five piece again and do away with overdubs...

Lightning Bolt is better than Backspacer...

But hand on heart is it as good as or come close to their first 7 albums? No :(

buck502000

Marcus Maximus wrote:

buck502000 wrote:

I guess the message I am really trying to convey is there are people on the street who like to pigeonhole PJ as a band from the 90's and think PJ was only relevant during this time. I have discussed this topic with various people on multiple occasions. As we 10 club members know, the band is ever-changing, growing and going in different directions. That, for me, is part of the intrigue and allure that is Pearl Jam. My apologies for not being more concise in my previous statements.

The problem is they aren't doing anything contemporary or different, look at NIN new album a master piece that's fresh a sonically amazing , Trent is 50 yet he still retains that spark of angry that he had from day one.

As steve albini said ''If an album takes more than 2 weeks to make you are doing something wrong'' LB took 2 years and that's exactly what it feels like, songs left on the shelf then taken down a constantly being re worked. For me thats not how you make good music I am a firm believe of capturing a moment.

Comparing PJ to NIN, is like comparing apples to oranges. I have listened to "Hesitation Marks". It is good in it's own regard. I just do not particularly enjoy eating oranges. I agree with the making a record quick ideology. But please, don't write off Pearl Jam or Lightning Bolt, just yet.

The_Giant_Midget

Stephen Flow wrote:

The_Giant_Midget wrote:

...if they replaced those with of the earth, cold confessions, or let it ride it would improve the album a lot...

I understand where you're coming from w/ the 3 song suggestions but they did come out and say that Of the Earth has not yet had a proper studio recording they like. Cold Confession and Let it Ride are from completely different sessions too and they probably wouldn't have considered them for the record because of that.

i guess what i meant was another more rock-ish song instead of that. i just used those as examples because they're recent tracks that we've heard of, im sure there were other songs that didnt make it as well.

PJ_Soul

The_Giant_Midget wrote:

there will never be albums like the first five, lets just face it. for me im surprised Avocado doesnt get more love, maybe its because im a younger fan and thats the album that turned me on to them, but I find that album to be one of my favorites. that being said i actually really like Lightning Bolt only after one full listen (did listen to those leaked songs a bunch before though).

a few things id change like most said was less piano for one. dont really like redoing the uke song nor do i think future days belongs despite it being a good song. if they replaced those with of the earth, cold confessions, or let it ride it would improve the album a lot.

besides that i think the album is great and proves to the haters of this band on here that they can make great music. personally i have this right now above backspacer and riot act, its neck and neck with binaural. i think with those changes i said it moves into the upper echelon.

id give it a soft 8/10

I loooooove Avocado, and I'm old. And Riot Act and Binaural!

I don't think Of the Earth would have been good with this album, but Cold Confession would have been a good replacement for SBM. I only hate the intro/outro for FD, so just wish they'd fixed that up rather than taking it right off the record.

Marcus Maximus

buck502000 wrote:

Marcus Maximus wrote:

buck502000 wrote:

I guess the message I am really trying to convey is there are people on the street who like to pigeonhole PJ as a band from the 90's and think PJ was only relevant during this time. I have discussed this topic with various people on multiple occasions. As we 10 club members know, the band is ever-changing, growing and going in different directions. That, for me, is part of the intrigue and allure that is Pearl Jam. My apologies for not being more concise in my previous statements.

The problem is they aren't doing anything contemporary or different, look at NIN new album a master piece that's fresh a sonically amazing , Trent is 50 yet he still retains that spark of angry that he had from day one.

As steve albini said ''If an album takes more than 2 weeks to make you are doing something wrong'' LB took 2 years and that's exactly what it feels like, songs left on the shelf then taken down a constantly being re worked. For me thats not how you make good music I am a firm believe of capturing a moment.

Comparing PJ to NIN, is like comparing apples to oranges. I have listened to "Hesitation Marks". It is good in it's own regard. I just do not particularly enjoy eating oranges. Don't write off Pearl Jam or Lightning Bolt, just yet.

The point is the nin album is contemporary and pushes the boundaries in its field. LB is music that I wouldn't listen to it's middle of the road rock

buck502000

Cool, see ya later!

PJ_Soul

Marcus Maximus wrote:

buck502000 wrote:

Marcus Maximus wrote:

The problem is they aren't doing anything contemporary or different, look at NIN new album a master piece that's fresh a sonically amazing , Trent is 50 yet he still retains that spark of angry that he had from day one.

As steve albini said ''If an album takes more than 2 weeks to make you are doing something wrong'' LB took 2 years and that's exactly what it feels like, songs left on the shelf then taken down a constantly being re worked. For me thats not how you make good music I am a firm believe of capturing a moment.

Comparing PJ to NIN, is like comparing apples to oranges. I have listened to "Hesitation Marks". It is good in it's own regard. I just do not particularly enjoy eating oranges. Don't write off Pearl Jam or Lightning Bolt, just yet.

The point is the nin album is contemporary and pushes the boundaries in its field. LB is music that I wouldn't listen to it's middle of the road rock

I love both! Definitely don't think LB is middle of the road rock. I'm going to the NIN and PJ shows within 2 weeks of one another - it's going to be awesome! That sucks you dislike the new album so much. :( I know how it feels because of Backspacer. I am really glad I love LB, because I couldn't handle feeling like you do now 2 albums in a row.

Olivavu

buck502000 wrote:

The new album is good. The band is getting older and they have families, love, etc.etc. I do as well, and I find the band has evolved and grew up just like me.

Yep!

Marcus Maximus

I love both! Definitely don't think LB is middle of the road rock. I'm going to the NIN and PJ shows within 2 weeks of one another - it's going to be awesome! That sucks you dislike the new album so much. :( I know how it feels because of Backspacer. I am really glad I love LB, because I couldn't handle feeling like you do now 2 albums in a row.[/quote][/quote][/quote]

If it's not middle of the road rock what is it? Yea it's going to be a long wait to the next

H.Chinaski

Kinda wanted to wait until i got the wax but i broke down and am listening. So far it's pretty good.

PJ_Soul

Marcus Maximus wrote:

If it's not middle of the road rock what is it?

I dunno - Pearl Jam? They're super unique IMO. Do I really need to come up with some kind of definition? If so, I would still call them an alt rock band. Are you trying to convince me that it's middle of the road aka average rock? Because I completely disagree. However, I respect your incredibly negative reaction to the album.... nothing is going to please everyone. I personally hate the Foo Fighters and DMB. That fucking suck.

Of The Aggie

I'm in the extreme minority here but after two listens, I can't get into this album at all. Not one song really stands out for me. There's a couple of so-so songs and the rest is just forgettable. At this point I'd say I'd rather listen to Backspacer.

The person who mentioned Adult Contemporary was spot-on. I fully expect to turn on my local AC station and hear some of these songs in heavy rotation.

The songs that I can stand to listen to are:

MYM
Swallowed Whole
Let The Records Play

Everything else is just forgettable and MYM is the only song that really rocks and I really never liked it much to begin with.

After two years of sporadically working on this project, my suspicions were confirmed that they just didn't have any solid ideas or inspiration and were grasping at something to throw together. This is same way I feel about the next Tool album whenever it might be released. If it takes this long and your side projects and other adventures take precedence, then something is not right.

Marcus Maximus

PJ_Soul wrote:

Marcus Maximus wrote:

If it's not middle of the road rock what is it?

I dunno - Pearl Jam? They're super unique IMO. Do I really need to come up with some kind of definition? If so, I would still call them an alt rock band. Are you trying to convince me that it's middle of the road aka average rock? Because I completely disagree. However, I respect your incredibly negative reaction to the album.... nothing is going to please everyone. I personally hate the Foo Fighters and DMB. That fucking suck.

To me its in the same leauge as Foo Fighters actually it's slighlty below. It sreams of springteen esq rock and me that radio rock. I like how you tried to sugar coat you dig at me.

buck502000

I bought this album sight-unseen, because I know I will like it. To me, it is probably better than 90% of "new" music being released currently. There are a handful of bands that are like this for me.