Wasn't feeling the song at first but man, it's a grower. Already love it. For the type of song it is, it is fucking great and heartfelt. Totally changed my mind on this one.
2006: Hartford
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
Just kidding. But after 3 listens I think I could have done without this song completely. Yeah, it sounds like nothing else Pearl Jam has ever done... that is not always a good thing. The lyrics sound really good, but the music just kills it... way too overdone, power ballad, cheesy, whatever you wanna call it... it definitely does not sound like anything else they've done. And while it has that "hit" sound, it really doesn't have any hook or chorus that you can sing along with (i.e. Use Somebody)... the music is very catchy and very generic and it's too bad the lyrics could have been made into something else entirely, much darker sounding or serious rather than "this is our big hit for the album."
Sirens: For Anyone Who Thought Just Breathe Wasn't Cheesy Enough
PS--knowing me I will love the song by the time the album comes out. Who knows. That happens sometimes. But for today... not a fan.
But I hope Pendulum is like the most depressed, dark sounding thing ever to balance out some of the rest of this album...
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Sirens is to Pearl Jam as Use Somebody is to Kings of Leon
I have a feeling that this song will end up going down that road.
Whoa I mentioned Use Somebody too, before reading yours... I think that was the calculated move with this one. Let's get a song out there that the girls will like and the adult alternative contemporary stations will add, next to Katy Perry and fun.
It will be on Castle or Grey's Anatomy before the end of the year...
Better Man was almost left off of Vitalogy because it had too much hit song potential??! What is happening...
ABQ 93, Las Cruces 95, ABQ 98, Bridge School 10/30/99, Lubbock 00, ABQ 00, Denver 03, State College 03, San Diego 03, Vegas 03, PHX 03, D.C. 03, Camden 7/5/03, NYC 7/8/03 + 7/9/03, Vegas 06, San Francisco 7/15/06 + 7/16/06 + 7/18/06, Kansas City 10, [EV:ABQ 11/6/12], Chicago 13, PHX 13, Denver 14--PJ24!, Telluride 16, Chicago 8/20/16, Chicago 8/18/18, Phoenix 22, Denver 22, Vegas 5/16/24
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I cant name a song in particular that is sounds like. But I think a lot of the initial negative, or hesitant, reactions are due to how produced it sounds. PJ usually has a pretty raw feel in their recordings, this one is pretty produced. Lots of piano, multiple harmony (nice and loud in the mix), etc. Without the piano and up front harmonies I have a feeling it wouldnt sound like such an "80s ballad", but as is it kind of does. You know what though, I really like it. I've always loved how PJ surprised me with each new album. I always think I know what the next album will sound like and then I'm so wrong lol. I think its a great song, the lyrics are very heartfelt and I'm truly impressed with the singing, some of his best IMO. Give it time to grow on you like all their other music. I remember when Vitalogy came out, the initial reactions were SO BAD. I'll never forget that, it didnt sound like Ten and so many people hated it. But its also one of the best albums ever made. PJ music isnt meant to be judged on the first few listens, thats what is intelligent about their writing. Its layered and you hear more and more with each listen and suddenly it hits you and you realize its just really good music. I have no doubt the new album will continue that tradition. If I miss anything about PJ its how experimental they were for a time, right around the No Code days. Many of the songs were strange and so different, I still listen to those albums and cant get over how creative the music is. Sirens doesnt really go into that experimental territory, its a straight rock song but one from the heart, and to me it just sounds like Pearl Jam, which is a good thing What a change from Mind Your Manners, a straight punk song, to an 80's / country / ballad. This band clearly does whatever they want when they write music, thats pretty cool.
I like it. Eddie's voice is so gorgeous here I don't even want to sing along, try to sing along I should say. It is an emotional song and Eddie knows just how to .....poke.... for lack of a better word, at wounds. But, for some reason the first time I listened to it I thought of Chris Daughtry. Thats' not the worst thing in the world is it?
It is completely different than anything they've done before... and quite unexpected. For what it's worth, I do like the song but I like it with a bit of hesitation. There is something to the song that feels strange... the more I listen, the more I like it though... that is good. Ed absolutely nails this song.
As far as what I can compare this to... I barely hear Pink Floyd... I do hear Counting Crows and that seems to be the closest thing I can come up with. Not sure though... def. a grower.
Agreed. I didn't really like it on first listen, but it seems a couple times through and it does grow on you big time.
Having listened to it a few times now, this will definitely be coming a Mix radio station near you, and played in heavy rotation. It's good...not great in my opinion, but definitely something that will have most listeners thinking "wow that band is still around?"
It's a band I don't like, if it does sound like someone else. The beginning is painful and it gets ok around the 1:19 mark but painful again in between and the piano is painful throughout.
Luckily they have like 4 thousand other great songs, so no biggie, all bands have duds here and there.
The old ladies will LOVE it and it makes Eddie look even hotter in their eyes I can hear it now ohhhh heeees soooo damnnn hottttt. barf!!!
Oh dear dad
Can you see me now
I am myself
Like you somehow
I'll ride the wave
Where it takes me
I'll hold the pain
Release me
When Ed Sings the part "Want you to know, that should I go, I always loved you, held you high above too" that's when it sounds like Walk On....to me
Yeah that's what I got from it too, specially at the end of the song. Sounds like a few other U2 songs, cant put my finger on which but its very U2ish.
My first thought was it would fit on a Bon Jovi record.
You know, I almost went here when describing it to a friend of mine today, but I stopped short. Although I did use the words "Prom Song" in my description. PJ + PF + BJ. (Mostly the Bruce Springsteen bits of Bon Jovi in particular, btw.)
But FWIW, I like the song. Very heart felt, as usual from PJ (Vedder, in particular, as always on the vocal), and nice job by McCready, as usual. Maybe the gateway drug for some new fans.
People just don't like that it touches on certain elements that other less worthy bands dabble with. In truth, it's too long and not catchy enough to be the 'same' as a lot of the bands that people are listing.
Can't get the words out of my head...."Don't wanna close my eyes. Don't wanna fall asleep, cause I'd miss you, babe. And I don't wanna miss a thing!" Oh wait! Wrong tune, yet so close.
It sounds like Pearl Jam and the cr@% Ed likes to write over the Ukulele. Someone could just break that damn thing if we are to hope for harder records... HAHAHAHA I'M JOKING don't send any hate my way. (But I don't like the Ukulele thing for real)
For me it's always the same feeling since Vitalogy...
I listen to it the first time and go WHAT?!?!? What a load of cr@%!!! Then I hear it again, hear it again... listen to it live, another time... learn the lyrics... and simply love it. So in recent years all albums have grown on me. By PJ and any other band I love (there aren't many of them around anymore).
One thing for me is true. On the last two records they picked the worst two songs to be the first single. Let's face it... both WWS and The Fixer are not a fan favorite. So I am guessing the best is saved for last.
I respect them for having the energy to try something new... it's really hard to do it. I am positive it would be very easy for them to cover TEN over and over... but maybe we wouldn't be here and neither would them.
People just don't like that it touches on certain elements that other less worthy bands dabble with. In truth, it's too long and not catchy enough to be the 'same' as a lot of the bands that people are listing.
I agree. They're gonna have to chop this a ton to even get play and it's not like it's hook after hook. Someone in PJ's camp put it out there that this is gonna be the biggest hit they've ever had and people are just running with it. I think the same thing is happening with the "Pink Floydish" comment Mike made several months back.
I'm not sure PJ has ever been that great a writing a "hit", despite having some really great hooks throughout their career.
One thing for me is true. On the last two records they picked the worst two songs to be the first single. Let's face it... both WWS and The Fixer are not a fan favorite. So I am guessing the best is saved for last.
This is the 2nd single...
Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
To me it sounds eerily similar to The Garden by Rush, off of their latest album. It's similar in sound, vibe, tempo and lyrical content. Call me crazy but I really hear a striking similarity:
It sounds like Pearl Jam to me. I like it. Its sounds like a groovy mid tempo heartfelt love song. It has more balls than Just Breathe so I don't think Willie Nelson will be covering it? Good on ya PJ!
Can't get the words out of my head...."Don't wanna close my eyes. Don't wanna fall asleep, cause I'd miss you, babe. And I don't wanna miss a thing!" Oh wait! Wrong tune, yet so close.
The little pre chorus part reminds me of Cat Stevens. I've only listened a couple times. I think it the type that will grow on you and be interesting live.
One thing for me is true. On the last two records they picked the worst two songs to be the first single. Let's face it... both WWS and The Fixer are not a fan favorite. So I am guessing the best is saved for last.
This is the 2nd single...
I know that... just trying to point out that IN MY OPINION recently they don't but out the records best tunes as singles.
But come on... what's right or wrong? Some people will like it, some other people won't like it. I guess it dependes on whatelse other than PJ you listen too... People into Metal I am sure miss that little thing in their music.
I'm into alternative...so it's perfectly fine for me.
Comments
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
I have a feeling that this song will end up going down that road.
Just kidding. But after 3 listens I think I could have done without this song completely. Yeah, it sounds like nothing else Pearl Jam has ever done... that is not always a good thing. The lyrics sound really good, but the music just kills it... way too overdone, power ballad, cheesy, whatever you wanna call it... it definitely does not sound like anything else they've done. And while it has that "hit" sound, it really doesn't have any hook or chorus that you can sing along with (i.e. Use Somebody)... the music is very catchy and very generic and it's too bad the lyrics could have been made into something else entirely, much darker sounding or serious rather than "this is our big hit for the album."
Sirens: For Anyone Who Thought Just Breathe Wasn't Cheesy Enough
PS--knowing me I will love the song by the time the album comes out.
But I hope Pendulum is like the most depressed, dark sounding thing ever to balance out some of the rest of this album...
New Mexico Pearl Jam Fans (New Mexico, USA) on Facebook!
Whoa I mentioned Use Somebody too, before reading yours... I think that was the calculated move with this one. Let's get a song out there that the girls will like and the adult alternative contemporary stations will add, next to Katy Perry and fun.
It will be on Castle or Grey's Anatomy before the end of the year...
Better Man was almost left off of Vitalogy because it had too much hit song potential??! What is happening...
New Mexico Pearl Jam Fans (New Mexico, USA) on Facebook!
... I like it... wonder where it's going to show up on set lists?
Agreed. I didn't really like it on first listen, but it seems a couple times through and it does grow on you big time.
Especially the "callin out" part towards the end of MITS.
Luckily they have like 4 thousand other great songs, so no biggie, all bands have duds here and there.
The old ladies will LOVE it and it makes Eddie look even hotter in their eyes
Can you see me now
I am myself
Like you somehow
I'll ride the wave
Where it takes me
I'll hold the pain
Release me
Yeah that's what I got from it too, specially at the end of the song. Sounds like a few other U2 songs, cant put my finger on which but its very U2ish.
You know, I almost went here when describing it to a friend of mine today, but I stopped short. Although I did use the words "Prom Song" in my description. PJ + PF + BJ. (Mostly the Bruce Springsteen bits of Bon Jovi in particular, btw.)
But FWIW, I like the song. Very heart felt, as usual from PJ (Vedder, in particular, as always on the vocal), and nice job by McCready, as usual. Maybe the gateway drug for some new fans.
Jon
www.jonposey.us
I kid. Sort of.
For me it's always the same feeling since Vitalogy...
I listen to it the first time and go WHAT?!?!? What a load of cr@%!!! Then I hear it again, hear it again... listen to it live, another time... learn the lyrics... and simply love it.
One thing for me is true. On the last two records they picked the worst two songs to be the first single. Let's face it... both WWS and The Fixer are not a fan favorite. So I am guessing the best is saved for last.
I respect them for having the energy to try something new... it's really hard to do it. I am positive it would be very easy for them to cover TEN over and over... but maybe we wouldn't be here and neither would them.
I agree. They're gonna have to chop this a ton to even get play and it's not like it's hook after hook. Someone in PJ's camp put it out there that this is gonna be the biggest hit they've ever had and people are just running with it. I think the same thing is happening with the "Pink Floydish" comment Mike made several months back.
I'm not sure PJ has ever been that great a writing a "hit", despite having some really great hooks throughout their career.
I know The Fixer gets alot of flack, but there's not a recent song that takes off as well, live. That "yeah yeah yeah" part explodes.
sorry...
This is the 2nd single...
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wztuqskio8
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
Listening to it right now for the 2nd time. I was wondering where you heard NR, but I hear it now in Matt's drumming. Almost exactly the same.
Another habit says its long overdue
Another habit like an unwanted friend
I'm so happy with my righteous self
No need to kid...that was my first impression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFAXd7am18o
I know that... just trying to point out that IN MY OPINION recently they don't but out the records best tunes as singles.
But come on... what's right or wrong? Some people will like it, some other people won't like it. I guess it dependes on whatelse other than PJ you listen too... People into Metal I am sure miss that little thing in their music.
I'm into alternative...so it's perfectly fine for me.
Cheers
My second thought; Jesus, when did they turn into Bon Jovi?
This one is going to have to grow on me I guess. Yikes