Pearl Jam's new album ”Dark Matter” ! Single out!

Spiritual_Chaos

Doubt it will play for long on radio. Doesn't have a radiosingle sound. And Kelly Curtis would be as mad as in 2002 when KROQ didn't play the singles even with PJ agreeing to that House of Blues show for plays

BF25394

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Doubt it will play for long on radio. Doesn't have a radiosingle sound. And Kelly Curtis would be as mad as in 2002 when KROQ didn't play the singles even with PJ agreeing to that House of Blues show for plays

I agree with you but not because of the sound. It won't play for long because there won't be demand for it. Most of the rock audience just wants to hear oldies. Billboard's top rock albums of 2023 included Rumours at No. 3, Queen's Greatest Hits at No. 4 and CCR's Chronicle at No. 5. The rest of the top 25 included greatest hits compilations from Journey, Guns N' Roses, Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and two different ones by the Foo Fighters, along with Nevermind, Linkin Park's Meteora and Metallica's 1991 self-titled album. This is what gets streamed and, to an extent, purchased.

(There were also new albums by Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Metallica plus a couple of others.)

The typical rock fan is Homer Simpson yelling at Bachman-Turner Overdrive to play "Takin' Care of Business" and then, when they play it, yelling at them to "get to the 'workin' overtime' part." Their ears are closed to new music.

The Juggler

BF25394 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Doubt it will play for long on radio. Doesn't have a radiosingle sound. And Kelly Curtis would be as mad as in 2002 when KROQ didn't play the singles even with PJ agreeing to that House of Blues show for plays

I agree with you but not because of the sound. It won't play for long because there won't be demand for it. Most of the rock audience just wants to hear oldies. Billboard's top rock albums of 2023 included Rumours at No. 3, Queen's Greatest Hits at No. 4 and CCR's Chronicle at No. 5. The rest of the top 25 included greatest hits compilations from Journey, Guns N' Roses, Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and two different ones by the Foo Fighters, along with Nevermind, Linkin Park's Meteora and Metallica's 1991 self-titled album. This is what gets streamed and, to an extent, purchased.

(There were also new albums by Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Metallica plus a couple of others.)

The typical rock fan is Homer Simpson yelling at Bachman-Turner Overdrive to play "Takin' Care of Business" and then, when they play it, yelling at them to "get to the 'workin' overtime' part." Their ears are closed to new music.

I do not listen to the radio anymore but there are still alt rock stations and PJ is still played there. But I think our Swedish friend is correct. Radio wants a hook and generally wants it within the first minute. There isn't really a hook to this song. I like it, don't get me wrong. I just feel like it's an odd choice for the lead single. 

dobyblue

I haven't been this impressed by a lead single since The Fixer but holy crap the mastering isn't getting any better, this track is heavily slammed and sounds like arse the better your playback system is and the louder you turn it up. That's not how music should be. This is nowhere near a happy medium, it's bad, nothing breathes. Thank Christ we're getting a Blu-ray, now I'm looking forward to April 19th more than ever to hear how good this cut sounds with its dynamics intact.

spankyMP

I heard Jeremy on the radio yesterday and stayed in the car to see if there would be a two for Tuesday surprise in Dark Matter. There was not, but they did say you could go to their website and stream it if you want. Perhaps the way to drive demand is to stream it from radio station sites.

Heard Even Flow today on the radio.

Neither were a classic rock station, they were the "modern rock" options in my area. If they want airplay for a new song these days it needs to be a Just Breathe or Sirens type song to get on the soft rock type stations.

josevolution

Weird but I’m finding like I don’t have to keep listening over & over! Yesterday I listened to it like 5 times, today once. I’m hoping the album will have more songs that will make me wanting to listen multiple times in a row. 

Msharleydavidson

So I’m a little confused. Is there a music video of the band playing Dark Matters? I see a vid on the home page but no volume and it’s only 2 mins.

BF25394

The Juggler said:

BF25394 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Doubt it will play for long on radio. Doesn't have a radiosingle sound. And Kelly Curtis would be as mad as in 2002 when KROQ didn't play the singles even with PJ agreeing to that House of Blues show for plays

I agree with you but not because of the sound. It won't play for long because there won't be demand for it. Most of the rock audience just wants to hear oldies. Billboard's top rock albums of 2023 included Rumours at No. 3, Queen's Greatest Hits at No. 4 and CCR's Chronicle at No. 5. The rest of the top 25 included greatest hits compilations from Journey, Guns N' Roses, Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and two different ones by the Foo Fighters, along with Nevermind, Linkin Park's Meteora and Metallica's 1991 self-titled album. This is what gets streamed and, to an extent, purchased.

(There were also new albums by Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Metallica plus a couple of others.)

The typical rock fan is Homer Simpson yelling at Bachman-Turner Overdrive to play "Takin' Care of Business" and then, when they play it, yelling at them to "get to the 'workin' overtime' part." Their ears are closed to new music.

I do not listen to the radio anymore but there are still alt rock stations and PJ is still played there. But I think our Swedish friend is correct. Radio wants a hook and generally wants it within the first minute. There isn't really a hook to this song. I like it, don't get me wrong. I just feel like it's an odd choice for the lead single. 

I do listen to the radio (and pay attention to the industry because I used to be in it and still know people in it), and I can tell you that *new* Pearl Jam is not played on alt-rock stations very far beyond its initial release. These stations play the "hits" from the '90s: "Alive," "Even Flow," "Jeremy," "Black," "Daughter" and "Better Man." Anything else is a rarity.

BF25394

spankyMP said:

I heard Jeremy on the radio yesterday and stayed in the car to see if there would be a two for Tuesday surprise in Dark Matter. There was not, but they did say you could go to their website and stream it if you want. Perhaps the way to drive demand is to stream it from radio station sites.

Heard Even Flow today on the radio.

Neither were a classic rock station, they were the "modern rock" options in my area. If they want airplay for a new song these days it needs to be a Just Breathe or Sirens type song to get on the soft rock type stations.

This is right. Pearl Jam's most likely avenue for radio airplay in 2024 is on Triple-A stations (Adult Album Alternative), and it won't be with a loud, fast song. It would be with midtempo ballads like the ones you mention.

BF25394

I just heard the song on the radio for the first time (at 12:50 a.m. on Alt-98.7 in L.A.) and I have to say it sounded pretty awesome in my car on the radio.

Spiritual_Chaos

BF25394 said:

I just heard the song on the radio for the first time (at 12:50 a.m. on Alt-98.7 in L.A.) and I have to say it sounded pretty awesome in my car on the radio.

What SAAB do you drive?

BF25394

Spiritual_Chaos said:

BF25394 said:

I just heard the song on the radio for the first time (at 12:50 a.m. on Alt-98.7 in L.A.) and I have to say it sounded pretty awesome in my car on the radio.

What SAAB do you drive?

SAAB? I would never drive a Swedish car.

spankyMP

BF25394 said:

spankyMP said:

I heard Jeremy on the radio yesterday and stayed in the car to see if there would be a two for Tuesday surprise in Dark Matter. There was not, but they did say you could go to their website and stream it if you want. Perhaps the way to drive demand is to stream it from radio station sites.

Heard Even Flow today on the radio.

Neither were a classic rock station, they were the "modern rock" options in my area. If they want airplay for a new song these days it needs to be a Just Breathe or Sirens type song to get on the soft rock type stations.

This is right. Pearl Jam's most likely avenue for radio airplay in 2024 is on Triple-A stations (Adult Album Alternative), and it won't be with a loud, fast song. It would be with midtempo ballads like the ones you mention.

Thank you! I didn't know the right term.

primussucks

BF25394

Total run time adds up to 48:19.

demetrios

Q104 here played it yesterday & again today.

Jcanr20

I am definitely enjoying this more as time goes on and it gets in my head. I think not playing it 100 times and forcing myself to like it has actually made it more enjoyable. I think it will be great listening with the rest of the album. Can't wait for more!

demetrios

10club exclusive clear vinyl.

Ma & pa record store .. black vinyl

Spunkie

It matches the Pearl. BEAUTIFUL 😍 

JimFletcherPearlJam

Dark Matter is great, especially for a Star Trek fan for myself.