Dark Matter Album Review by us, the Fans

I agree with the comments that this album doesn’t compare to the earlier records (which for me is Ten through Yield). If they tried to make an album that sounded like those at this stage of their career, it would be terrible…these are guys that are closing in on their 60s (and already there in Jeff’s case). On top of that WE are all different, too. We have had 20 - 30 years with some of this music. To paraphrase something Jeff Tweedy said in his most recent book — the songs haven’t changed, but how we interact with them has. When I first heard No Code, I thought it was the beginning of the end of the band, but now it is one of my favorite albums of all time. That took years, and even then, a concert in Moline in 2014 is what took that album to the next level for me. So after a week with Dark Matter — I can say what I feel right now, but I can’t know where I will be with it come August when I’m hearing some of these songs live for the first time.

But after roughly a week and listening to this album 20ish times, I think it holds together as a full album —- much more so than the previous two. Each of those have points in the album where I would remove a song or reorder the tracks. Or in the case of Gigaton, just trim it down to less than 5 minutes (extended jams are fine, but there is nothing wrong with a well crafted 3 1/2 minute song, either).

Scared of Fear - Solid opener that continues to grow on me. Reminds me a little of Getaway, but I like it better. Sounded great on Stern, and now I cannot wait to hear it at Wrigley

React, Respond - I always think that a good album MUST have a great 2nd track. Not sure this is great, but I do like it. The chorus reminds me of PiL or Split Enz. I do not care for the production flourishes towards the end

Wreckage - Did not like this as a single, but I really like it in the context of the album. Another one that I am liking the more I listen to the album.

Dark Matter - My least favorite of the 3 singles at this point. Musically, it is good, and I am sure I will enjoy it live. Matt’s drumming is unreal on every track, but really makes this song. But I keep feeling like this is Mind Your Manner, Can’t Deny Me, et al rehashed for a new record. 

Won’t Tell - My first thought was that this was a rehash of Infallible, but with a little more guitar and less keyboards. It has grown on me steadily where I like it as the closer for side 1, but not sure it is one that I really love outside of the album.

Upper Hand - Another song that initially reminded me of a Lightning Bolt track (pendulum). This will be used to open shows - I am sure of it. Of all the tracks, this is the one that has grown on my the most — it is becoming one of my favorites on the album.

Waiting for Stevie - This is definitely my favorite track on the album. It is different, but sounds like it could have appeared on one of the early 2000s albums. If I don’t hear this one at one of the Wrigley shows I will be heartbroken.

Running - Seems like opinions are split on this one. Yes, it is a rehash of other “punk” songs they have made, but I still really like it.

Something Special - Ok, no way around the fact that this is a pretty cheesy song. I do think it works in context, but I really cannot see myself listening to this track if I am not listening to the full album. But, I also have a teenaged daughter, so this also kinda makes sense to me.

Got to Give - Yet another that is growing on me. Not bad, a little nondescript

Setting Sun - At first I thought it was just another mellow acoustic album closer, but I like the way it builds to the Beatles-esque outro (reminds me a little of All Those Yesterdays). It usually makes me want to flip that album over and listen again.

Final thought…. Matt Cameron is the hero of this album. His drumming is so good that it rises above the slick production. I think this is the most cohesive album they have made in quite a while. This is the album that both Lightning Bolt and Gigaton could have been with a little self editing and/or a producer that was not afraid to challenge the band a little.

After listening to this album a few times while driving Uber, I decided to listen to all of the albums in order. My aging memory believed that the band changed sound profile with Riot Act. Going back made me realize that Ten and Vs are actually the outliers. They have always recorded punk and hard rocker songs, but the overall sound of their albums has gradually become more polished and less agressive, just like me LOL.

I agree with a comment prior that the lyrics get in the way sometimes, so my review can be summarized this way.

My least favorite album is Lightning Bolt, my favorite album is Ten with Avocado a close second. Dark Matter is middle of the pack I guess. The usual split of songs I like to songs I skip is 70-30. Dark Matter is closer to 60-40. It is a solid creative effort from a band that has held a place in my heart and mind for 30+ years. Kudos to them for recording and touring with a purpose into their 60's. They are the only band from my far past I would see live or listen to new music from.