Dark Matter album reviews

PJ5a1

adam42381 said:

My review: This is the best work they’ve done since Riot Act or Binaural. 

It’s up there for sure. 

Listened three times last night - amazing!

lastexitlondon

I find the production a little treble heavy. Tinny almost 

Spiritual_Chaos

Swedens biggest morning paper:

Dagens Nyheter 
1/5

Riff, chords and melody. Fast guitars and lively drums. Pearl Jam's "Dark matter" contains all the components that should be on a rock album. The problem, DN's Noa Söderberg thinks, is that it stops there.

Let's be honest: Pearl Jam have almost always been the bland band they're accused of being. Their strong moments – the first records and some of the songs that were released around 2000 – are now in the clear minority. The discussion about a band with high-flying ambitions that cannot be lived up to is at least twenty years old. It is their everyday life.

In 2020, they broke seven years of album silence with a record that was just that: completely competent and easy to forget. Now it's time again. "Dark matter" was recorded in three weeks, which is explained in a press release by the band members "playing as if their lives depended on it" and "communicating with each other at the very highest creative level". It is possible. If so, they have not succeeded in passing that communication on.

Namely, the majority of the time it is like listening to a shell. Everything that should technically be in a collection of rock songs is here. Riff, chord, melody. Fast guitars, lively drums. Well-balanced production. After listening twice, you realize that there is nothing more.

"Dark matter", which has inexplicably been chosen as both the title track and lead single, is the best example. "Waiting for Stevie" is another. How can a band be so interested in playing instruments but uninterested in having anything said? The joy of playing is heard everywhere, but the source of it is impossible to find.

There are exceptions, of course. Opener "Scared of fear" is full of fate, even a little dramatic. The ballad "Wreckage" is more affecting than its individual components give the impression. But when "Setting sun"—an attempt at a grand finale that once again sounds like the instruction manual for a rock song—calls out, I'm reminded of an inconvenient truth: Eddie Vedder is only 59 years old. It's a long way to retirement.

Best track: "Scared of fear"

Spiritual_Chaos

Swedens biggest evening paper:

Aftonbladet 
4/5

As if out of nowhere, Pearl Jam have kicked into a higher gear. On "Dark matter" the listener meets unexpectedly lively grunge icons.

It has been said before and will surely be said again: few records in Pearl Jam's catalog manage to capture the intensity of the concerts. From "No code" onward, the Seattle band has mostly felt like a shadow of the explosions at, say, Madison Square Garden in 1998 or the Pinkpop Festival in 1992.

Until now.

On "Dark matter" the listener meets an unexpectedly energetic Pearl Jam. Together with star producer Andrew Watt - who has previously worked with acts as diverse as Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne and the Rolling Stones - the American grunge icons bring to life a spark that I thought had gone out. The title track, in which a cynical Eddie Vedder broods over our polarized world, is the record's heaviest rock number where Mike McCready's riffs strike like thunder. The explosive solo at the end of love-sick "Waiting for Stevie" has the same effect.

"Running" rushes off towards garage-shaking electropunk territory, with periodic nods to "Backspacer". It's an intoxicating detour that raises the heart rate considerably.

"Wreckage", which is about slowly picking up the rubble after a destroyed relationship, breathes calm Americana and Bruce Springsteen melancholy instead. The song is fully loaded with nerve and presence.

At the mere 33-year-old producer's advice, Pearl Jam wrote and recorded the material together in the studio, which may have helped them sometimes manage to capture their famous live form. Watt also does an excellent job of confirming the band's breadth and packaging the songs' changing styles and moods. However, not everything turns out equally well.

"Won't tell" is one of several generic rock songs - there are already 13 of them in the discography - while rushed "React, respond" stumbles along as if the floor were full of sharp Lego pieces. The final "Setting sun" is, however, as beautiful as a sunset. "Let us not fade", a passionate Vedder repeats towards the end of the song. No risk.

GM151575

lastexitlondon said:

I find the production a little treble heavy. Tinny almost 

The exact word tinny came to mind a few times when I was listening. 

I don’t know, just one listen so far, but I thought it was too much soft rock-ish. Dark matter and Running are really no indication of what the rest of the songs are like as they had, in my opinion, by far the most energy and catchiness. I hope more listens helps, but I found it  to be bland so far. 

bicyclejoe

Amazing!

My verdict after four full listens, including one Atmos listen through headphones with lyrics: 9/10
Pearl Jam's best since Avocado (and I love Avocado!).
Some of Eddie's best songwriting for sure, exploring very vulnerable and grown-up themes of reconciliation, time, friendship, family, fear, hope, change and, ahem, faith (a lot of references to prayer, faith, "kingdom come," and, thematically, eschatology.)
The playing, especially the rhythm section, is phenomenal. 
My only real complaint: The mix. It is incredibly compressed. There is no room for the music to breathe, there is no real space between the instruments, and Ed's voice gets lost in the stew of loudness throughout the album. 
I'm hoping the vinyl features a better master.
 

Niko80

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Swedens biggest evening paper:

Aftonbladet 
4/5

As if out of nowhere, Pearl Jam have kicked into a higher gear. On "Dark matter" the listener meets unexpectedly lively grunge icons.

It has been said before and will surely be said again: few records in Pearl Jam's catalog manage to capture the intensity of the concerts. From "No code" onward, the Seattle band has mostly felt like a shadow of the explosions at, say, Madison Square Garden in 1998 or the Pinkpop Festival in 1992.

Until now.

On "Dark matter" the listener meets an unexpectedly energetic Pearl Jam. Together with star producer Andrew Watt - who has previously worked with acts as diverse as Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne and the Rolling Stones - the American grunge icons bring to life a spark that I thought had gone out. The title track, in which a cynical Eddie Vedder broods over our polarized world, is the record's heaviest rock number where Mike McCready's riffs strike like thunder. The explosive solo at the end of love-sick "Waiting for Stevie" has the same effect.

"Running" rushes off towards garage-shaking electropunk territory, with periodic nods to "Backspacer". It's an intoxicating detour that raises the heart rate considerably.

"Wreckage", which is about slowly picking up the rubble after a destroyed relationship, breathes calm Americana and Bruce Springsteen melancholy instead. The song is fully loaded with nerve and presence.

At the mere 33-year-old producer's advice, Pearl Jam wrote and recorded the material together in the studio, which may have helped them sometimes manage to capture their famous live form. Watt also does an excellent job of confirming the band's breadth and packaging the songs' changing styles and moods. However, not everything turns out equally well.

"Won't tell" is one of several generic rock songs - there are already 13 of them in the discography - while rushed "React, respond" stumbles along as if the floor were full of sharp Lego pieces. The final "Setting sun" is, however, as beautiful as a sunset. "Let us not fade", a passionate Vedder repeats towards the end of the song. No risk.

Evening paper wins! 

bicyclejoe

Pearl Jam: Dark Matter review – the faithful will rejoice

The Guardian 3/5
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/19/pearl-jam-dark-matter-review-the-faithful-will-rejoice

JimmyV

Album is a great example of why it's not now, nor ever has been, Eddie and the Pearl Jams. This album couldn't be made without Mike's guitar, or Matt's drums, etc. Might be part of why I like this so much more than Earthling. 

Jim Tressel

I am not going to fall for the hype again from early reviews. PJ must have a great PR team. I am glad they are still making music but this is completely forgettable like their last few albums minus a song or two. 

kramerica4

Jim Tressel said:

I am not going to fall for the hype again from early reviews. PJ must have a great PR team. I am glad they are still making music but this is completely forgettable like their last few albums minus a song or two. 

You must either be half deaf or listen to another album.
Dar Matter is pure gold!

Spartanacus

*** Final edit after 3+ listens (with headphones). ***

Pearl has once again put out another great album (12 for 12 if you're counting)!  

Here's what I am going with, separated into 5 tiers (barely):

#1. WAITING FOR STEVIE...no doubt about this gem being their best song since Quick Escape.

#2. SETTING SUN...the second half vaults this one over the others in this upper tier.
#3. REACT, RESPOND...yes!
#4. DARK MATTER...it was the right call to release this one first.
#5. UPPER HAND...could be the live fan favorite years from now.

#6. RUNNING...I like this one a lot better after a handful of listens.

#7. SCARED OF FEAR...the best of the lower tier.
#8. WRECKAGE...I disliked it at first, but it has now surpassed three other songs, probably because of that cool little riff.
#9. GOT TO GIVE...tough to rank 8-10 for sure.
#10. WON'T TELL...hurts to rank this so low as I love the beginning chords.

#11. SOMETHING SPECIAL...a lot better than Gigaton's stinker Take The Long Way. 

Force Of Nature

It's interesting, As fans people experience it all differently.
I think theres fans of the early grunge sound that only like that, so as Pearl Jam evolved their sound over the decades some fans dont like it and only like the early stuff
Other fans music taste has evolved with the band and like that sound and have a more varied music taste,
Others probably just like it because its Pearl Jam and wouldnt if another band put it out.

All ok and valid, Im just glad I fall into the bracket of loving the overall Pearl Jam sound and think this album is amazing.

kramerica4

This album grows so much with every single time I listen to it.
Amazing collection of songs - no stinker on this record!

Johnny Abruzzo

Only one listen so no review yet (I know all yous all can't wait) - but these are incredible performances from Mr. Cameron and my favorite Pearl Jam guy Mr. McCready. Here's Mike waiting for his solos to start:

GianGiovi94

Disastrous album.
The real problem of PJ is Eddie Vedder's voice and right after the production of Andrew Watt.
There are only 3 or 4 good tracks, the rest of the album is rubbish.
Running e React are the lowest points while Upper Hand and Stevie the highest. 
I wasn't excited after ther first three singles but now I'm totally disappointed.

VINNY GOOMBA

kramerica4 said:

This album grows so much with every single time I listen to it.
Amazing collection of songs - no stinker on this record!

Yup.  So solid all the way through!  Like a juicy hamburger, the best part is in the middle!

nicknyr15

GianGiovi94 said:

Disastrous album.
The real problem of PJ is Eddie Vedder's voice and right after the production of Andrew Watt.
There are only 3 or 4 good tracks, the rest of the album is rubbish.
Running e React are the lowest points while Upper Hand and Stevie the highest. 
I wasn't excited after ther first three singles but now I'm totally disappointed.

Havent listened yet but I already knew from earthlings the production was going to be very bad so I’m hoping I can just look past that. At the same time , without him we might wait another 5 years for a patched together album. I’m still extremely excited to sit down tonight and have a proper listen. Only heard the first two singles. 

pjl44

Finally got a listen on a good audio setup and it's fantastic. The stretch from Won't Tell through Running in particular. The singles, especially Running, work much much better in the flow of the album vs standalone songs. Two enormous thumbs up. Very eager to hear these songs live. Please partner with Nugs and give us some livestreams!

GM151575

Got to listen a little for second time on way to work. I liked scared of fear and react, respond better than first listen. So see how it goes. I don’t think we will see Andrew Watt back though.