An enlightened review of LB

mrussel1
mrussel1 Posts: 31,126
edited October 2013 in The Porch
If you have 10 minutes to kill, here is a very deep review not only of the album but the overall direction of the band. It's clear that this writer knows the whole discography and has spent significant time thinking about the band. Whether you agree with it or not, you can't argue the thoroughness and thought process.

http://www.stereogum.com/1512041/premat ... valuation/
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Comments

  • Digital Twilight
    Digital Twilight Posts: 5,642
    mrussel1 wrote:
    If you have 10 minutes to kill, here is a very deep review not only of the album but the overall direction of the band. It's clear that this writer knows the whole discography and has spent significant time thinking about the band. Whether you agree with it or not, you can't argue the thoroughness and thought process.

    http://www.stereogum.com/1512041/premat ... valuation/

    That's a good read and I found that I agree with most of what he says here.
  • curmudgeoness
    curmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,133
    I think he's a little lost with the discussion of album titles. I think there is clear significance to the title of each album (I admit, I do not yet know what the significance of LB is), and I thought we all knew why there is an avocado on the cover of S/T. And I don't call S/T "Avocado" because I was traumatized by it. :roll:

    Now, as for the other stuff -- anger, conflict, searching vs. being at peace -- yes, I think he's right on point. I also think we had this discussion when Backspacer was released. Ed (the other guys too, I suppose) is at a point in life where things are pretty stable, secure and happy. He talks in that HuffPo interview about deciding he did not want to be "psycho Dad" for the sake of his kids and family. Do we want Ed/the band to feign anger at The Man and The Media and The World so we all can pretend to be twenty again? I don't think the guys would do that, and I doubt many fans would be pleased with them if they did.

    If we think about Pearl Jam as human beings -- which they are -- instead of as an abstract entity, wouldn't we rather watch and listen to people who have found healthy, constructive ways to navigate life? I mean, Vitalogy was a great album, but I don't expect the band to make anything like it now. I also suspect that 1994 Ed was a challenging person to live with.

    For a tenth album, for an album released at this stage in their lives, I think LB is fantastic.
    All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    I don't neccesarily disagree with the discussion about the direction of the band, but I'm not sure "a happy Pearl Jam" is such a bad thing.

    I also think we're overrating the "happiness" factor of Lightning Bolt. Which song are we calling "happy" songs? Even something like Future Days carries a little bit of darkness, lyrics-wise.

    The happiest-sounding song on the album, Sleeping By Myself, is a fucking bummer lyrically.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
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  • Wilds
    Wilds Posts: 4,329
    That guy generally nails it. Nice work.

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