Dark Matter album reviews

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  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,810
    Haijay said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    I am so so pleased to say that I dig this album!!! I haven't felt this about a new PJ album for 18 years, so it's pretty great to have the feeling back finally.
    So why did you hang on so long? Surely Imagine Dragons has a forum🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
    That seems really unnecessary. He made a positive comment as part an honest observation of where his relationship with this band its music sits. There’s no need to bully him. 
    She. PJ_Soul is not a he. Not that you would necessarily know that. 
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Posts: 11,600
    Haijay said:
    Haijay said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Haijay said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    I am so so pleased to say that I dig this album!!! I haven't felt this about a new PJ album for 18 years, so it's pretty great to have the feeling back finally.
    So why did you hang on so long? Surely Imagine Dragons has a forum🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

    Lol... are you having a nice day today?
    FABULOUS!!! I love being alive, dont you? 
    I just dont get why people on here say they havent liked anything since Yield or so, yet they live on here, and continually let the rest of us know their stance on the music. Not saying you, specifically.  Whatev, really couldn’t care less
    I liked the last 3 albums to varying degrees but this is my favorite since Avocado, which reignited my PJ love. 
    Awesome. So you didn't care for Binaural or Riot Act?  
    Did not care for Riot Act when it came out. I still say it’s tough to get through it. Several of the songs are much better live at least. 
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  • alexross42alexross42 Posts: 374


    Anyone hear the Not For You riff in the beginning of Got to Give???
    Absolutely, that similarity stuck out on the first listen, had Vitalogy vibes all over it, speaking of which the outro/bridge part of Wreckage (from 3:18) sounds to me like a cousin of the bridge from Corduroy...
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  • opsopcopolisopsopcopolis Posts: 1,197
    edited April 20
    Haven't read through the whole thread (though I did see, and share goldrush's opinion from a page or two ago), but kinda feeling like I'm one of the only ones who's less than blown away by the record in general and that the community as a whole is being pretty aggressive towards people with less than stellar opinions...

    I'm finding it generally lacking in memorable and exciting hooks, both instrumental and melodic. The opening pair + the title track are really the only songs that I find sticking in my head at all, and don't really find myself excited to keep listening. A lot of it is very samey, lots of very similar tempos and same keys, kinda hokey major songs and I'm finding a lot of bits that are too similar to other recent works (earthlings, gigaton, etc...) for them to feel new/exciting. 

    It's an unfortunate feeling. I've never been bummed by a PJ record on first listen, and I was super excited, especially after Dark Matter the single was released, but to me that's the most interesting song by a significant margin. I'm sure it'll grow on me over time, but definitely not my favorite after a handful of listens. 
    Post edited by opsopcopolis on
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  • HaijayHaijay Posts: 385
    Haijay said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    I am so so pleased to say that I dig this album!!! I haven't felt this about a new PJ album for 18 years, so it's pretty great to have the feeling back finally.
    So why did you hang on so long? Surely Imagine Dragons has a forum🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
    That seems really unnecessary. He made a positive comment as part an honest observation of where his relationship with this band its music sits. There’s no need to bully him. 
    Is it July yet? When you’re not renewing, like 15 plus years ago when you said it…….🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
  • beano.79beano.79 Posts: 762
    edited April 20
    Not much of a review but a few thoughts..

    I like 10 out of 11 songs

    Lots of loud guitar parts which I'm yet to digest which is great.

    Not keen on the production especially on Stevie. which is actually my favourite so far

    I do like longer albums but I'd like this more at 44mins minus something special.

    Saying that, maybe in a couple of months even that song will sit a little better amongst the rest

    One last thought... I'm really glad for got to give, it's great to have a rockier song right near the end, because of this the last sounds like release after the tension
    Post edited by beano.79 on
  • I also like 10 out of 11 songs, but it‘s a different one for me (Won‘t Tell, no pun intended). I‘m a sucker for slightly sentimental, melodic little PJ gems like Parachutes or Buckle Up, so I don‘t mind Something Special at all.
  • Does any one else get an Oasis / Noel Gallagher feel out of Waiting For Stevie?
  • southernmanfansouthernmanfan Posts: 1,024
    So I’ve just completed my third listen and this time on my headphones. 

    I like it. My first listen standouts were Scared of Fear, Wreckage, Running and Something Special. 

    The album is compact and tightly produced with the Watt signature. Would be great to see these tracks live. 

    I’m just glad there is new Pearl Jam music. 

    Well done guys! 
    rustedsigns
  • beano.79beano.79 Posts: 762
    Does any one else get an Oasis / Noel Gallagher feel out of Waiting For Stevie?
    Yes but not exclusively oasis... It's got a very British 90's epic Indie rock sound, bit of The Verve and Embrace (all you good good people)  also, and quite shoe gaze.

    It doesn't sound like them but definitely reminds of of that, has that spirit
  • bicyclejoebicyclejoe Posts: 1,203
    Does any one else get an Oasis / Noel Gallagher feel out of Waiting For Stevie?
    Yes.
    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
  • bicyclejoebicyclejoe Posts: 1,203
    tbergs said:
    Haijay said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    I am so so pleased to say that I dig this album!!! I haven't felt this about a new PJ album for 18 years, so it's pretty great to have the feeling back finally.
    So why did you hang on so long? Surely Imagine Dragons has a forum🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
    That seems really unnecessary. She made a positive comment as part an honest observation of where her relationship with this band and its music sits. There’s no need to bully her. 
    She. PJ_Soul is not a he. Not that you would necessarily know that. 
    Fixed. Thank you. Apologies to @PJ_Soul
    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
  • beano.79 said:
    Does any one else get an Oasis / Noel Gallagher feel out of Waiting For Stevie?
    Yes but not exclusively oasis... It's got a very British 90's epic Indie rock sound, bit of The Verve and Embrace (all you good good people)  also, and quite shoe gaze.

    It doesn't sound like them but definitely reminds of of that, has that spirit
    Yes, also that hymnic quality of bands like Manic Street Preachers or The Charlatans. Very British for sure
  • Hankj25Hankj25 Posts: 315
    Everybody has their tastes and feels, but here’s mine.  First off, I agree that this is the best album since Avocado.  I think it’s got 11 songs that all have a place, there is no Johnny Guitar, River Cross, Buckle Up on it.  

    I’m through it about 5 times.

    My tiers are

    Really good:  React, Scared, Stevie, DM, Running, Got to Give
    Solid:  Wreckage, Setting Sun, Something Special
    Decent: Upper Hand, Won’t Tell

    there’s no turds on it.  Unlike Gigaton, there isn’t an auto skip song (or two).  Even my bottom 2 songs are ones I like.  

    For a band 33 years into it, this is an amazing album.  Really fortunate that my favorite band can put out music that still excites me.  
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    Denver 9-22-22
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    EV
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  • Hankj25Hankj25 Posts: 315
    One thing has become clear in the later years. Ed’s voice is different and I think he tries a little too hard at times to compensate for that missing element of PJ by getting wordy, or by over enunciating some lyrics.

    I agree with several who have said that it can overshadow some of the music at times.  Part of what made this band what they are is Ed’s voice when he was in his 30’s.  Gigaton felt like the band trying to figure out how to make songs with a different sound.  This album feels more like they’ve figured it out.  
    Seattle 8-8-18
    Chicago 8-18-18
    Chicago 8-20-18
    St. Louis 4-4-20
    Denver 4-9-20

    Denver 9-22-22
    Noblesville 9-10-23
    Vancouver 5-6-24
    Seattle 5-30-24


    EV
    Chicago 2-9-22
    Tempe 2-26-23
  • opsopcopolisopsopcopolis Posts: 1,197
    Hankj25 said:
    Gigaton felt like the band trying to figure out how to make songs with a different sound.  This album feels more like they’ve figured it out.  
    Id almost say the opposite. This record feels more like a move in the other direction. From the more composed and arranged experimenting with sounds/styles to a record made more out of in the moment studio jamming
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  • May 30thMay 30th Posts: 1,752
    Hankj25 said:
    Gigaton felt like the band trying to figure out how to make songs with a different sound.  This album feels more like they’ve figured it out.  
    Id almost say the opposite. This record feels more like a move in the other direction. From the more composed and arranged experimenting with sounds/styles to a record made more out of in the moment studio jamming
    Totally agree 
  • evenflow82evenflow82 Posts: 3,891
    Songs are great. Production is compressed and brickwalled to the absolute max. Whew. 
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  • Not a fan of the production either, as expected. Can‘t wait to hear the songs unfold live!
  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 8,441
    Easily 8/10. Loving it. Couldn’t be happier. I was one of the few who couldn’t get into Gigaton at all so I’m so happy with how good DM is. 
  • pjl44pjl44 Posts: 9,473
    Karts said:
    The name finally makes sense, as does the lead track and even Running, which sounded ridiculous in isolation but works brilliantly in the album flow.
    Agree with this 100%
  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 8,441
    Songs are great. Production is compressed and brickwalled to the absolute max. Whew. 
    Agreed. I hate the way it sounds but on my third listen I listened to the atmos mix and it was like a whole new experience. Sounded so good. 
  • jonbond1779jonbond1779 Posts: 1,640
    Listening on headphones was / is a MUCH better immersive experience than it was in the cinema (movie theatres for my US friends). Although we had ATMOS and the quality was great I feel I really 'experienced' the album through my headphones!
    "Bring it back, to the clean form. To the pure form"

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  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    I am really enjoying this album. No songs to skip yet but I feel a few will fall that way over time, but solid front to back and more high points than I even expected. And it seems there is something for everyone as so many different favorite songs. Amazing album 30+ years in. 

    I try to do this on release day for PJ album and then check back later. It was interesting as I looked back on Gigaton this year and some decent shifts. But here is my rankings at this point.


    1. Scared of Fear - 10/10
    2. React, Respond - 10/10
    3. Wreckage - 6/10
    4. Dark Matter - 9/10
    5. Won’t tell- 6/10
    6. Upper Hand - 9/10
    7. Waiting for Stevie - 9/10
    8. Running - 8/10
    9. Something Special - 5/10
    10. Got to Give - 4/10
    11. Setting Sun - 7/10


    Album - 8.3


    Rank:


    1. React, Respond
    2. Scared of Fear
    3. Upper Hand
    4. Dark Matter
    5. Waiting for Stevie
    6. Running
    7. Setting Sun
    8. Wreckage
    9. Won’t tell
    10. Something Special
    11. Got to Give 
    hippiemom = goodness
  • LiftedLifted Posts: 1,836
    edited April 21
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    Post edited by Lifted on
  • LBCeddieLBCeddie Posts: 112
    Lifted said:
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    You went from "worst album in their catalog", to "rock album of the century" practically overnight? 
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    LBCeddie said:
    Lifted said:
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    You went from "worst album in their catalog", to "rock album of the century" practically overnight? 
    apparently it’s don’t respond, react! 
    hippiemom = goodness
  • LiftedLifted Posts: 1,836
    LBCeddie said:
    Lifted said:
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    You went from "worst album in their catalog", to "rock album of the century" practically overnight? 
    Yes. I heard it first on Thursday, so it's been a few days. I had a very negative reaction to a few of the songs when I first heard it. I didn't get it, but now it all makes sense and feels right. I listened to it 6 times straight through with headphones and my mind has been blown. 
  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 8,441
    LBCeddie said:
    Lifted said:
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    You went from "worst album in their catalog", to "rock album of the century" practically overnight? 
    So? I love seeing opinions shift and evolve. 
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    nicknyr15 said:
    LBCeddie said:
    Lifted said:
    This album gets better and better with every listen. I started at a 6/10, bumped it up to an 8/10, now I'm feeling at least a 9/10. I'm losing sleep over it. This might be the best pure rock album of the century. So many layers to it, and not a single dud in the batch. I am no longer confused by Ed suggesting it's the best album they've ever made. In a lot of ways, it might be. Im happy to say that I feel foolish for my initial hot takes on it. It's usually the best ones that take some time to click.
     
    You went from "worst album in their catalog", to "rock album of the century" practically overnight? 
    So? I love seeing opinions shift and evolve. 
    and it’s still funny…but we all do it from time to time. 
    hippiemom = goodness
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