This song was good on first listen. Then grew on me more and more. Now, after 40 album spins and seeing this song live. Wow. This is a major gem of a song, so so good.
It should be, but may go the way of Black and never be released as a single. I'm shocked it isn't skyrocketing up the charts.
It has to be actively promoted in the media and at radio to reach listeners outside Ten Clubbers to go up the charts. It's a hit if they want it to be.
Hard to say what will be a hit. Most of you probably wouldn't release Dark Matter as the first single. But so far it's doing better than the other singles. Maybe Wreckage can overtake it.
Would another single make a difference? Like, the whole album is out there. Just so it makes a couple of alternative rock playlists on streaming?
Not everyone is going to seek out the album. And some might listen once and maybe it might go over their heads and they might not like it at first listen.
Since No Code PJ has a history of putting out there 4th-8th best album songs as singles. Dark Matter and Wreckage aren’t even top 5 tracks on the album. Its their MO and they don’t care
Chicago 6/29/98, Alpine Valley(EV) 6/13/99, Alpine Valley 10/08/00, Chicago 10/09/00, Phoenix 10/20/00, Orlando 4/12/03, Tampa 4/13/03, San Diego 6/05/03, Vegas 6/06/03, Phoenix 6/07/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Orlando 10/08/04, D.C. 10/11/04, Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, LA 7/12/08, Chicago 8/23/09, Chicago 8/24/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09 (Front Row Center, Finally), Phoenix(EV) 11/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Phoenix 11/19/13, Denver 10/22/14, Wrigley 8/20/16, Wrigley 8/22/16
"Dark Matter" was the most successful single they've had in 18 years, hitting number one on multiple charts and staying there for several weeks. "Wreckage" just hit the top five in Rock & Alternative Airplay and the top ten at Triple-A. They're doing just fine choosing singles, and they're not going to cannibalize "Wreckage" with another single right now.
I'm not saying this just to be a contrarian, but I don't understand the hype behind this song. I like it ok, but I'd put at least 4 or 5 other songs from Dark Matter in front of this one. I love how art/music is subjective, though, and everyone has their different favorites.
It does seem to be Howard Stern's favorite from the album, though. Baba Booey!
Singles aren’t really a thing anymore. Pre-album release they are. But once the album’s out, there’s no point. Back in the day of B-sides and CD singles that were “Not To Be Confused With The More Expensive (Identical) Import Version,” it made sense. Lord knows I’d run to the CD store to buy the Not For You single or the Wishlist single back in the 90’s. But now, singles are kinda antiquated.
Singles aren’t really a thing anymore. Pre-album release they are. But once the album’s out, there’s no point. Back in the day of B-sides and CD singles that were “Not To Be Confused With The More Expensive (Identical) Import Version,” it made sense. Lord knows I’d run to the CD store to buy the Not For You single or the Wishlist single back in the 90’s. But now, singles are kinda antiquated.
Getting a song on playlists and on radio is still a thing. Getting a song on peoples Release Radar is a thing.
"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
Singles aren’t really a thing anymore. Pre-album release they are. But once the album’s out, there’s no point. Back in the day of B-sides and CD singles that were “Not To Be Confused With The More Expensive (Identical) Import Version,” it made sense. Lord knows I’d run to the CD store to buy the Not For You single or the Wishlist single back in the 90’s. But now, singles are kinda antiquated.
Getting a song on playlists and on radio is still a thing. Getting a song on peoples Release Radar is a thing.
Not really. At least not for Pearl Jam these days. And you yourself said....
Singles aren’t really a thing anymore. Pre-album release they are. But once the album’s out, there’s no point. Back in the day of B-sides and CD singles that were “Not To Be Confused With The More Expensive (Identical) Import Version,” it made sense. Lord knows I’d run to the CD store to buy the Not For You single or the Wishlist single back in the 90’s. But now, singles are kinda antiquated.
They're a thing for radio, which is still very important for pop music. Rock radio, especially new rock on the radio, is much less important. Pearl Jam is never going to get played outside rock radio in 2024 barring some sort of unforeseen event, like a Kate Bush "Running Up That Hill" kind of synch. Pop radio is much more homogeneous than it was thirty years ago, and rock songs like Pearl Jam's do not fit the format.
I'm not saying this just to be a contrarian, but I don't understand the hype behind this song. I like it ok, but I'd put at least 4 or 5 other songs from Dark Matter in front of this one. I love how art/music is subjective, though, and everyone has their different favorites.
It does seem to be Howard Stern's favorite from the album, though. Baba Booey!
I tend to agree with you. I like the song, but it's probably no better than ninth on the album for me.
Do they release one in time for the euro leg maybe?? Use live footage from US leg 1. That’s an idea!
They released 4 for Gigaton. So maybe we'll get 4 for Dark Matter. They could release 6 or 7 singles if they wanted to. If I was in charge of releasing singles I would release one during Grammy voting season. But that's just me.
I’m not sure we’re living in a “singles” world any longer.
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
Comments
Otherwise who cares.
I love how art/music is subjective, though, and everyone has their different favorites.
It does seem to be Howard Stern's favorite from the album, though.
Baba Booey!
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Setting Sun would work well on a movie/tv show soundtrack.
Melbourne #2 '03
Melbourne #3 '03
Melbourne #1 '06
Melbourne #3 '06
Melbourne '09
Melbourne '14