The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
It’s totally fine to not like anything you don’t like. It’s even ok to post that. the trouble is when every time someone else says “it’s awesome” you feel the need to say “no it’s not”. And yes it happens in the other direction too. Both sides could probably stand to take the bait less. But this one of the most exciting times we get as fans of a band, for a veteran band we may not have many of these times left. Let the people who are happy be happy. It sucks to not like the new thing lots are excited about, but maybe the move is to just sit that exchange out instead of raining on parades.
Or maybe start a “I think DM blows” thread and commiserate there, and those of us who like the album can leave you in peace. 🤷♂️
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.....again. Nothing better than your constant source of negativity.
Meanwhile.......Upper Hand is going to be epic live!
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.....again. Nothing better than your constant source of negativity.
Quick reality check: This is a fan club, not a cult. People should be able to express their opinions and take a critical look at the band's music without being bullied or trolled.
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.....again. Nothing better than your constant source of negativity.
Quick reality check: This is a fan club, not a cult. People should be able to express their opinions and take a critical look at the band's music without being bullied or trolled.
Agreed, but the constant negativity and need for attention in every thread is a little much....don't you think?
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
“We could be fighting together instead of fighting each other.” EV
It’s all good. Let’s all enjoy what we like and move on. It’s beautiful outside (at least in Georgia), we are alive, and some new PJ is out. Crank it up! Or crank up some old PJ!
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.....again. Nothing better than your constant source of negativity.
Quick reality check: This is a fan club, not a cult. People should be able to express their opinions and take a critical look at the band's music without being bullied or trolled.
Agreed, but the constant negativity and need for attention in every thread is a little much....don't you think?
I dont think im being overly negative. Simply sharing my thoughts on the new material. Isn't that kind of the point of this board? You're the one constantly berating people in every thread who dont love the whole album. I dont even hate it, i just strongly dislike a few songs and dont really vibe with the album as a whole. Before this, all I was talking about was the music.
The 73 for LB doesnt mean its better or worse than the others I mentioned, when things are close its Subjective.....my point was that the sentiment that the band hasnt been relevant since Avocado ( or Yield for some) is Horseshit
Personally, I never thought Pearl Jam has been irrelevant, and still don't. But I do think their creative juices have significantly dried up since the earlier part of the century. They're still a great band, but they've released a lot of forgettable material the past two decades. I think they would even agree with that which is probably why they tend to mainly play older material with whatever their latest album is sprinkled in every time they tour.
So the older we get, we slow down? We aren’t better @ 60 than 27? I mean who is getting better musically or at anything else at 60 plus maybe for gardening in your yard
they sell a blue pill that makes my point
Everyone plays hits more and forgets recent albums when a new one comes out…. This is all par for the coarse
it’s just the extremes of opinions, it’s so terrible insert this/that… it’s a bit over dramatic
nothing they do will touch the 1st 5 albums… once you digest that, think it’s easier to accept what’s in the here & now
My opinion they make different records and that’s a big appeal to me …
7/10 for me. It's got some really great highs, but it also almost feels like 2 separate collections of songs. Wreckage, Won't Tell, Something Special, and Got to Give all sound like they would have been more at home on Earthling. I think it's some combination of the song style, the vocal delivery, and the production.I like both collections of songs; I'm just not sure how I feel about them all being together on one album.
I went back to read Stone's review with Spin after listening to the album again a couple more times, and I was surprised to see that Won't Tell was a Jeff song, but the rest seem to be some combination of Ed, Andrew, and Josh... so the vibe checks out.
I'll enjoy listening to this a bunch more times and can't wait to hear most of these songs live.
I dont think im being overly negative. Simply sharing my thoughts on the new material. Isn't that kind of the point of this board? You're the one constantly berating people in every thread who dont love the whole album. I dont even hate it, i just strongly dislike a few songs and dont really vibe with the album as a whole. Before this, all I was talking about was the music.
Nope, no other posts in any other thread berating anyone. We get it, you don't like the album, how many times do we need to hear it?
“We could be fighting together instead of fighting each other.” EV
It’s all good. Let’s all enjoy what we like and move on. It’s beautiful outside (at least in Georgia), we are alive, and some new PJ is out. Crank it up! Or crank up some old PJ!
Amen. Where are you in Georgia? I’m moving to Atlanta I. July for a new job. Looking forward to it.
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
Nice! I’m north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Welcome to the south! Short of no PJ concerts, Atlanta is a great city. Food from all over the world, great music venues, weather is usually great, but these summers and humidity are brutal if you’re not used to it.
You moving to the actual city? Metro Atlanta is HUGE.
If I walked into a party and most people are having a good time, and they are insisting they are having a good time, i am not going to stand in the middle of the dance floor snd declare it sucks.
I might tell the person I am with that Im not feeling it, and then leave so everyone else can have a good time.
Nice! I’m north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Welcome to the south! Short of no PJ concerts, Atlanta is a great city. Food from all over the world, great music venues, weather is usually great, but these summers and humidity are brutal if you’re not used to it.
You moving to the actual city? Metro Atlanta is HUGE.
Yeah. Moving to Atanta. We just bought a place in the Asley Park neighborhood.
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
Even if we’re here now, we all come from different places musically. Though I listened to Tracy Chapman in high school and dabbled in Uncle Tupelo in college, my young adult self was all about hard rock and grunge. Pearl Jam’s Ten hit dead-center between the two, and it’s still in my all-time album list. So when a band that’s roughly paralleled my adult life releases a new record, I’m intrigued. As it turns out, the band that once recorded “Immortality” as a question, not a brag, is openly asking what mortality and legacy mean – not as rock stars, but as husbands, fathers and human beings. Dark Matter finds Pearl Jam as guitar-gnashing as ever, but writing from a place where they can see the end, with maybe a glimpse of what’s beyond it.
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
Nice! I’m north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Welcome to the south! Short of no PJ concerts, Atlanta is a great city. Food from all over the world, great music venues, weather is usually great, but these summers and humidity are brutal if you’re not used to it.
You moving to the actual city? Metro Atlanta is HUGE.
Yeah. Moving to Atanta. We just bought a place in the Asley Park neighborhood.
Nice! I’m north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Welcome to the south! Short of no PJ concerts, Atlanta is a great city. Food from all over the world, great music venues, weather is usually great, but these summers and humidity are brutal if you’re not used to it.
You moving to the actual city? Metro Atlanta is HUGE.
Yeah. Moving to Atanta. We just bought a place in the Asley Park neighborhood.
Nice!
I’ll DM you.
My Pearl Jam Road: 10/22/90 Seattle | 12/22/90 Seattle, Moore Theater | 9/29/92 Seattle, Magnusson Park, Drop in the Park | 9/5/93 The Gorge, with Neil Young and Blind Melon | 7/20/06 Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with Sleater-Kinney | 7/22/06 The Gorge, 10/21/06 Mountain View, Shoreline Ampitheatre, Bridge School Benefit | 9/21/09 Seattle | 9/22/09 Seattle | 9/26/09 Portland, OR | 7/14/2011 Eddie Vedder, Portland, OR | 11/29/13 Portland, OR
My initial reaction is that this album is all over the place and has no flow. A lot of styles going on, and too many for it's own good. It definitely has it's moments, but the lows are very low. I'll give it more time, but if this isnt the worst PJ album in the catalog, it's probably only better than lightning bolt which isn't saying much.
For me wreckage, won't tell and something special were the lows. Upper hand, setting sun, scared of fear and running were my initial highlights. Waiting for Stevie has some great moments, and also some parts I'm not really fond of.
This album is a lot to digest....but for now I'm feeling a 6/10
And yes, I know my review sucks.
6/10? Now I feel like you’re trolling.
Why? Is it crazy to think someone may not enjoy it as much as you?
That’s not the issue. The issue is giving it a 6. NO WAY is it a 6. That’s B.S.
So, your issue IS that someone has a different opinion than you. It happens. It’s all part of being in a community. We are one, but different in our own ways, which contributes to the tapestry of our fandom.
You can have a different opinion. 6/10 ranking comes from the trolls. That’s it. 6/10 isn’t accurate at all.
I'm definitely not a troll. I'm a paying member of the ten club and I love this band. Honestly, 6/10 might be generous now that I've played it through a few more times. Even one of my highlights, setting sun, I'm not feeling as much as I had originally thought. At this point I think the first to singles and scared of fear are probably my favorite tracks if had to pick.
I thought gigaton was a return to form of sorts, particularly the first half of the album. This one is 10 steps back.
On a side note, react, respond sounds just like can't stop by the chili peppers.
Before reading this, I independently started singing Can't Stop over React, Respond while it was playing in my head.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that heard it! I did the exact same thing when I listened to it the first time.
After one listen, I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a return to any previous album or sound. I don’t know, it’s not bad but so far I don’t hear any catchiness or edge. Maybe it will grown on me but so far I think earthling was better.
I do like some of the Pink Floyd like atmospheric sounds
My review: This is the best work they’ve done since Riot Act or Binaural.
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
__________________________________________________________
Shameless beer-related plugs:
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1st listen through complete…. Interesting. This feels like an Earthlings II. Ed calling the boys down to play on the leftover tracks. You can hear them, there’s PJ sound there, McCready especially, even a sprinkle of Soundgarden? Make no doubt about it, Andrew Watt and his producing style is here in full effect.. Going for a round 2 listen now.. So far I like it, it's a new era PJ, I'll take it...
1998 Dallas (7/5) 2006 San Fran (7/15,7/16) 2009 San Fran (8/28) 2010 Bristow (5/13) NY (5/21) 2011 Alpine Valley (9/3,9/4) 2012 Missoula (9/30) 2013 Chicago (7/19) Pittsburgh (10/11) Buffalo (10/12) Baltimore (10/27) Dallas (11/15) 2014 Austin (10/12) Memphis (10/14) St. Paul (10/19) Milwaukee (10/20) Denver (10/22) 2016 Ft. Lauderdale (4/8) Miami (4/9) Hampton (4/18) Philly (4/28,4/29) NY (5/1,5/2) 2018 Seattle (8/10) Missoula (8/13) 2022 Nashville (9/16) E.V. - 2008 Berkeley (4/8) 2012 Austin (11/9,11/12) Temple of the Dog - 2016 Upper Darby
Comments
the trouble is when every time someone else says “it’s awesome” you feel the need to say “no it’s not”.
And yes it happens in the other direction too. Both sides could probably stand to take the bait less. But this one of the most exciting times we get as fans of a band, for a veteran band we may not have many of these times left. Let the people who are happy be happy. It sucks to not like the new thing lots are excited about, but maybe the move is to just sit that exchange out instead of raining on parades.
🤷♂️
Missoula 6/20/98
Alpine Valley 6/26/98 & 6/27/98
Alpine Valley 10/8/00
Champaign 4/23/03
Alpine Valley 6/21/03
Missoula 8/29/05
Chicago 5/16 & 17/06
Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Summerfest 6/29/06 & 6/30/06
Tampa 6/12/08
Chicago 8/23/09
Indy 5/7/10
Alpine Valley x2 2011
Wrigley 2013
Milwaukee 14
Telluride 16
Meanwhile.......Upper Hand is going to be epic live!
It’s all good. Let’s all enjoy what we like and move on. It’s beautiful outside (at least in Georgia), we are alive, and some new PJ is out. Crank it up! Or crank up some old PJ!
they sell a blue pill that makes my point
Everyone plays hits more and forgets recent albums when a new one comes out…. This is all par for the coarse
it’s just the extremes of opinions, it’s so terrible insert this/that… it’s a bit over dramatic
nothing they do will touch the 1st 5 albums… once you digest that, think it’s easier to accept what’s in the here & now
My opinion they make different records and that’s a big appeal to me …
I went back to read Stone's review with Spin after listening to the album again a couple more times, and I was surprised to see that Won't Tell was a Jeff song, but the rest seem to be some combination of Ed, Andrew, and Josh... so the vibe checks out.
I'll enjoy listening to this a bunch more times and can't wait to hear most of these songs live.
10/7/96 (FL), 9/22/98 (FL), 9/23/98 (FL), 8/9/00 (FL), 8/10/00 (FL), 8/12/00 (FL), 4/11/03 (FL), 4/12/03 (FL), 4/13/03 (FL), 7/8/03 (NY), 7/9/03 (NY), 7/12/03 (PA), 7/14/03 (NJ), 10/8/04 (FL), 8/5/07 (IL), 11/27/12 (FL), 12/6/13 (WA), 4/8/16 (FL), 4/9/16 (FL), 4/11/16 (FL), 8/5/16 (MA), 8/22/16 (IL), 8/8/18 (WA), 8/10/18 (WA), 9/25/21 (CA), 9/26/21 (CA), 5/3/22 (CA), 5/12/22 (CA), 5/13/22 (CA), 9/18/23 (TX), 9/19/23 (TX), 10/23/23 (WA), 10/24/23 (WA)
But - I'd love to hear how a family breadwinner n front man doesn't have an upper hand.must b an paradox.
If I walked into a party and most people are having a good time, and they are insisting they are having a good time, i am not going to stand in the middle of the dance floor snd declare it sucks.
I might tell the person I am with that Im not feeling it, and then leave so everyone else can have a good time.
Here to die.
Scared alive.
https://americanahighways.org/2024/04/18/review-pearl-jam-dark-matter/
Pearl Jam Make a Case for Sticking Around on 'Dark Matter'
7/10https://exclaim.ca/music/article/pearl-jam-dark-matter-album-review
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Shameless beer-related plugs:
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2012 Missoula (9/30) 2013 Chicago (7/19) Pittsburgh (10/11) Buffalo (10/12) Baltimore (10/27) Dallas (11/15)
2014 Austin (10/12) Memphis (10/14) St. Paul (10/19) Milwaukee (10/20) Denver (10/22)
2016 Ft. Lauderdale (4/8) Miami (4/9) Hampton (4/18) Philly (4/28,4/29) NY (5/1,5/2) 2018 Seattle (8/10) Missoula (8/13) 2022 Nashville (9/16)
E.V. - 2008 Berkeley (4/8) 2012 Austin (11/9,11/12)
Temple of the Dog - 2016 Upper Darby
This is better than Earthling. I was very worried about Watt after that, but this is a clear step up.
Mike's solos are going to be fire live.
Need to learn all the songs titles before declaring favorites, but the slower stuff stood out to me. Not unusual for my tastes.
I'm pleased so far.
"...I changed by not changing at all..."