So, how do you grade Dark Matter?

13

Comments

  • 3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I like the sound overall, but the mix is pretty bad. Eddie is totally lost and his vocal feels very jumbled and over polished. I think everything else is good, and I really like MM’s guitar work at the end. Just having a hard time getting past Eddie’s vocals on this, even though it isn’t his fault 
  • ChazzChazz Posts: 1,135
    4 - One of the greater Pearl Jam songs
    I like it...the vocal feels clearer now that I can read the lyrics
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  • mfc2006mfc2006 Posts: 37,447
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I like it more with each listen, so I imagine my ranking will change over time.
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  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,125
    4 - One of the greater Pearl Jam songs
    I think live its going to be awesome. 
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  • Hankj25Hankj25 Posts: 315
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    It’s hard to put into words, but I think it has some really strong pieces and I really love the actual sound of the song.  It’s a little bit disjointed and Ed’s inability to be more coherent drags it down imo.  That being said, I think it will sound better live (but will take time for them to perfect it) and it would be a top 4 song on Gigaton.  I’m really encouraged by the potential the album has.
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  • I've listened a fair bit. This is my take.
    I love the drums. I can't hear the bass ...
    The bass has a distorion on it and it sits kinda low in the mix, but it's for sure there. You just need to listen with headphones ... it sticks out most in the outra section. I wish it were a bit louder in the mix, but there's a lot going on. Feels like they had to pull it back a little because the toms are so forward. You'd be getting clashes if they were to loud.

    All in all I really dig the song. Not sure how it dosn't get stuck in some peoples' heads. The chorus plays on a loop in my head.
  • BSullyBSully Posts: 1,214
    4 - One of the greater Pearl Jam songs
    It may change a bit as it ages, but I love it right now... even after 20 or so spins.
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  • My only complaint would be this ... the song, lyrically, has a message and a lot to say. I wish Eddie didn't make it so damn hard to decipher what that message is. If you have something to say, a message, say it clearly. And this goes all the way back to Ten. Even Flow is similar. Hell, SNL even had Adam Sandler doing a bit poking fun at it back then. 

    Anyway, love the song, just wish I didn't have to work so hard to understand it.
  • spankyMPspankyMP Posts: 1,854
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I like the sound overall, but the mix is pretty bad. Eddie is totally lost and his vocal feels very jumbled and over polished. I think everything else is good, and I really like MM’s guitar work at the end. Just having a hard time getting past Eddie’s vocals on this, even though it isn’t his fault 
    Ed sounds great on my AirPods from my iPhone, but he is lost when played on my Echo studio with Atmos.
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  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,882
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    mfc2006 said:
    I like it more with each listen, so I imagine my ranking will change over time.
    Hate to say it but I'm kind of the opposite. I like it a little less with each listen. 
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  • THEBIBLEISTENTHEBIBLEISTEN Posts: 1,906
    its a 4 for me.

    Great heavy tune. Gunna be a banger live. Great first single. So happy these guys are still putting out music and still have it. 
  • 3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I'd be curious what people are listening to the song on... I hear people complaining of not hearing Ed's vox. I hear it fine.. plus the bass. If you're listening on your phone without headphones, it probably doesn't sound that good. I thought the same at first. Since, I have listened to it in my vehicle and adjusted the eq.. it sounds really good. 

    I would rate the song a 7.5 out of 10. I think when they play it live Mike will go off on the ending solo and it'll be even better!
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  • shadowcastshadowcast Posts: 2,206
    4 - One of the greater Pearl Jam songs
    Really dig the overall sound of the song. But once I pulled up the lyrics it really hit home for me..BIG fan of this jam and can't wait to hear it live!!! 
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  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,501
    Hankj25 said:
    It’s hard to put into words, but I think it has some really strong pieces and I really love the actual sound of the song.  It’s a little bit disjointed and Ed’s inability to be more coherent drags it down imo.  That being said, I think it will sound better live (but will take time for them to perfect it) and it would be a top 4 song on Gigaton.  I’m really encouraged by the potential the album has.
    Spot on assessment! Side note, I absolutely love Matt's drumming at 2:40, it's absolutely insane.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • mace1229mace1229 Posts: 9,367
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    Like the song, just don't like the sound of the mix, especially on the snare drum and eds vocals in parts.  I think its gonna sound great Live though, cant wait to hear it!
    Ed sounds like his micrphone was covered by a sock or something, 
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,501
    I'd be curious what people are listening to the song on... I hear people complaining of not hearing Ed's vox. I hear it fine.. plus the bass. If you're listening on your phone without headphones, it probably doesn't sound that good. I thought the same at first. Since, I have listened to it in my vehicle and adjusted the eq.. it sounds really good. 

    I would rate the song a 7.5 out of 10. I think when they play it live Mike will go off on the ending solo and it'll be even better!
    I can hear ed's vocals fine, it's his annunciation of words.  I have zero clue as to what he is saying.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • 2 - Below average Pearl Jam song
    Been listening on average once a day and don’t feel the need to listen more. Not hearing anything the people giving it 4s are hearing. Kind of a tough listen for me. I was talking to a friend who’s been a fan a long time but not on the boards. Our collective disappointment is there lean into metal here, no feeling. 
    At this point we were saying they’d listen to Wilco’s Being There or go play with Neil in a barn for a month and see what happens. Lean into there folk/jam side like Red Mosquito, In my Tree, NAIS, Half Full. Not lean into AC/DCs Back in Black. 
  • spankyMPspankyMP Posts: 1,854
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    Sounds great (Ed included) blasting in the car!
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  • spankyMPspankyMP Posts: 1,854
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    We have a result


    HAHA
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  • spankyMPspankyMP Posts: 1,854
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    @Spiritual_Chaos where are you in Sweden? I have friends in Viken.
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  • VINNY GOOMBAVINNY GOOMBA Posts: 1,817
    4 - One of the greater Pearl Jam songs
    Hankj25 said:
    It’s hard to put into words, but I think it has some really strong pieces and I really love the actual sound of the song.  It’s a little bit disjointed and Ed’s inability to be more coherent drags it down imo.  That being said, I think it will sound better live (but will take time for them to perfect it) and it would be a top 4 song on Gigaton.  I’m really encouraged by the potential the album has.
    I feel like the words pop right out after reading them, but I was mostly clueless on what he was saying after the first few listens without reading along.  I also think this is part of the charm of this one, kind of like Evenflow or Ledbetter.  Really starting to love this track more with each listen and am so pumped for the album!
  • THEBIBLEISTENTHEBIBLEISTEN Posts: 1,906
    edited February 15
    also, I have shared this track with a bunch of NON PJ fans and they love the song. All think its great. Lyrics are cool. great drums and riff. I know there is alot of critical thinkers on here who dont like much other then to rip on stuff but i bet the record will have other tracks that they like. We all have different tastes. 
    Post edited by THEBIBLEISTEN on
  • jonbond1779jonbond1779 Posts: 1,640
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I like the sound overall, but the mix is pretty bad. Eddie is totally lost and his vocal feels very jumbled and over polished. I think everything else is good, and I really like MM’s guitar work at the end. Just having a hard time getting past Eddie’s vocals on this, even though it isn’t his fault 

    totally agree!
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  • 3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    Middle of the pack as far as PJ songs go, means it's very, very good for me.  
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  • 3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    Solid pearl jam track, great drumming by MC, love the solo by Mike at the end, can't wait to try to figure it out on guitar :) This song could potentially be one of their solid show openers. 

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  • pjpjpaulpjpjpaul Posts: 1,681
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  • KusyKusy Posts: 351
    Ed's vocal delivery is beyond criticism.
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  • Hankj25Hankj25 Posts: 315
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    Ed’s power is in his rage, right?  But he also has an incredible ability to emote in slower songs.  The lyrics in Off He Goes, Thumbing My Way, Man of the Hour for example are all clear, easy to hear and comprehend.  

    It almost seems like the more energy Ed brings to a faster paced, more intense song, the more jumbled it can become.  Now that being said, sometimes, the lack of clarity can add to a song (Blood for example).  Sometimes, it works the other way, and it detracts.  With this song, he’s right on the edge of being a distraction to the actual music, which is why the song doesn’t quite hit it out of the park for me. That being said, the music is great, Ed’s voice sounds good, and this song is one that I think will be better live than off the record.  
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  • BF25394BF25394 Posts: 4,503
    3 - In the middle of the pack of Pearl Jam songs
    I finally heard the song on the radio in my car late last night and it sounded really good as a radio song. Very dynamic and energetic.
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