Well, I fucking love it. I was a bit shocked the first time last night hearing the synth line at the beginning. I listened to it a few more times in a row last night before going to bed. I liked it enough. Today I've had it on repeat for like half the day and I fucking LOVE it, as I said. It seems to me it nods a bit to You Are. I love it and I love that this band is still trying new things in 2020. And this new thing really works well. I think the lyrics are insanely great. I love Ed's vocal, Mike's sick guitar, Stone's crazy good bass. And it blows my fucking mind that Matt is playing all that live (except the hi hat).
As for who plays what live, here's my prediction:
Ed- Vocals
Mike - Electric Guitar
Stone - Bass
Jeff - Acoustic guitar (there is acoustic guitar in the entire middle section)
Matt - Drums (duh)
Boom - Keys
PORTLAND - 18 JUL 98 // TAMPA - 12 AUG 00 // PORTLAND - 02 NOV 00 // SEATTLE - 05 NOV 00 // SEATTLE - 09 DEC 02 BERN, SWITZERLAND - 13 SEP 06 // PORTLAND - 26 SEP 09 // CHICAGO - 19 JUL 13 // PORTLAND - 29 NOV 13 CHICAGO - 20 AUG 16 // CHICAGO - 22 AUG 16 // PHOENIX - 09 MAY 22 // CHICAGO - 05 SEP 23 // CHICAGO - 07 SEP 23
This is getting such a positive response. Happy for the band. Even people that aren’t into it seem to appreciate the fact that they’re at least trying something totally new.
Produced by St. Vincent? I don't like the lines about boys' d***s though. That's creepy. I like it all except that line. Looking forward to the new album, reminded me of hearing Who You Are for the first time.
If it helps, my guess is he's referring to grown men acting like boys.
I dunno where you get that, the line goes "I know the boys want to grow their d***s..."
I was just joking around though. The way I understand those lines about girls and boys, is that they're all in a state of denial...ie checking out mentally and occupying themselves with dancing, sex, distraction...and avoiding the problems right in front of us.
Seeing how pretty much everywhere, including Pitchfork, is praising the song, I am finding myself pleasantly surprised at how most people are seemingly open to a veteran rock band straying from their playbook and trying something new for them. It is really encouraging as a whole, to see that happening
Pitchfork regularly publishes Pearl Jam news. Just because they're talking about the song doesn't mean they're praising it. Fully expect them to take a giant dump on this song.
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
Lyrics are very cliche and Ham Fisted like everything on Lightning Bolt...
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
yeh cause Ed's spent the last 7 years wearing a Pussy Hat, protesting with his wife and Watching Baseball...lol Lyrics are very cliche and Ham Fisted like everything on Lightning Bolt...
Seems like you detest them more on principle than on their delivery. Also very weak of you to criticize someone for standing up for what they believe in.
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
yeh cause Ed's spent the last 7 years wearing a Pussy Hat, protesting with his wife and Watching Baseball...lol Lyrics are very cliche and Ham Fisted like everything on Lightning Bolt...
Seems like you detest them more on principle than on their delivery.
They're my favorite band of all time but they've phoned in the last couple albums at the last minute, piecing together bits and pieces of demos that they all work on seperately and try to work into songs, and it comes off sounding like unfinished demos and b-sides.
I liked it first listen because I expected different and it is. The more I listen to it the more I am grooving to it... it’s different, Bowie like and great lyrics. Well done. It’s evolution baby.
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
yeh cause Ed's spent the last 7 years wearing a Pussy Hat, protesting with his wife and Watching Baseball...lol Lyrics are very cliche and Ham Fisted like everything on Lightning Bolt...
Seems like you detest them more on principle than on their delivery.
They're my favorite band of all time but they've phoned in the last couple albums at the last minute, piecing together bits and pieces of demos that they all work on seperately and try to work into songs, and it comes off sounding like unfinished demos and b-sides. What's weak is that Ed's preaching the same shit that we hear all day and night on TV, Movies, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram... I don't need to wait 7 years to hear what's being said every day, every where you look... maybe Lizzo will open up for them...lol
Oh yeah, no proud boy brainwashed voices on any of those platforms. Where ever do you true original thinkers get your info from?
After a dozen listens I gotta be honest... the lyrics make no sense, no connections to a theme or meaning... just chanting nonsense and cliches... I guess it has a cool grove if you just learned how to play your instruments...or your drum machine.
I detect clear themes about the folly of presuming to know the future, and the trap of failing to learn from the past.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
yeh cause Ed's spent the last 7 years wearing a Pussy Hat, protesting with his wife and Watching Baseball...lol Lyrics are very cliche and Ham Fisted like everything on Lightning Bolt...
Seems like you detest them more on principle than on their delivery.
They're my favorite band of all time but they've phoned in the last couple albums at the last minute, piecing together bits and pieces of demos that they all work on seperately and try to work into songs, and it comes off sounding like unfinished demos and b-sides. What's weak is that Ed's preaching the same shit that we hear all day and night on TV, Movies, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram... I don't need to wait 7 years to hear what's being said every day, every where you look... maybe Lizzo will open up for them...lol
EV has been preaching since he wrote "Pro Choice" on his arm during MTV unplugged in 1992. They have always been a political band. If you don't like it, don't listen to them.
I love when bands take stands or sing about current events or fight for what’s right etc... In the 1960s political music was everywhere and it still holds up today. We need musicians to speak truth to power. Too many entertainers are just out to please everyone and make money. Not my thing. I hope this album is full of protest, rage, and clever lyrics.
I dislike the sound of this first track. It doesn’t sound real to me. Synth and drum machines aren’t my thing and have no true space around the instruments like a real drum in a real environment. This sounds like a plastic song to me.
I would’ve loved to hear more of Ed’s vocal range as well.
With respect to lyrics, it’s pretty cryptic. I think I can glean something from them but then again I don’t really know. It’s like reading tea leaves.
It’s art. I get it. Looking forward to the rest of the album and the show at MSG.
This is getting such a positive response. Happy for the band. Even people that aren’t into it seem to appreciate the fact that they’re at least trying something totally new.
when i first heard it, i was nervous coming here. i figured there'd be about 14 closed threads about how the band is done and the song is utter garbage. you're right, it's a very positive response, and i'm glad my assumption was incorrect.
Comments
BERN, SWITZERLAND - 13 SEP 06 // PORTLAND - 26 SEP 09 // CHICAGO - 19 JUL 13 // PORTLAND - 29 NOV 13
CHICAGO - 20 AUG 16 // CHICAGO - 22 AUG 16 // PHOENIX - 09 MAY 22 // CHICAGO - 05 SEP 23 // CHICAGO - 07 SEP 23
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
I was just joking around though. The way I understand those lines about girls and boys, is that they're all in a state of denial...ie checking out mentally and occupying themselves with dancing, sex, distraction...and avoiding the problems right in front of us.
I also hear a commentary on gender politics and differences, with a nod to the #metoo movement.
Fuckin beautiful.
www.headstonesband.com