I really like it too. I am a huge PJ fan, but all my favourite albums and songs come between 1991 and 2002, their first 7 albums over an 11 year period. Its these records that earned PJ their legendary status, but they then went into legacy mode, with only 3 abums over next 18 years, none of which are close to great and only have a few songs worth going back to. They have always been great live, but that 18 year period was a long barren spell and I thought they were done making great records. Then Gigaton came along and there was a spark of inspiration and a revitalised energy, I really liked it and I really hoped they would step it up again for the follow up. They blew me away with Dark matter. 😊
Yesss! Such a great album and has such a great, positive vibe, like you said. Still can't get into React, Respond all that much but even that one has a sick solo. The melodies on this one are so catchy, I can't get them out of my head! 4.5 stars from me too, I guess. Pearl Jam is back, baby! 🤘 This is probably my favourite PJ album since the Avocado album, 2006.
Solid review. Feels like a homage to many of their influences including The Who, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, U2, Bad Religion, Tom Petty, The Ramones, Neil Young and others. They’ve been through a lot over the years and they’re still going strong. The more times you listen to it, the better it gets. No other bands around from that era to push them into dangerous uncharted waters but they are still exploring.
I spun this record all day yesterday. I couldn't get enough once it started to grow on me. It really is a very sweet record. Much more light than the prior offering.
To me, this is their best record in years! Vedder sounds totally reinvigorated. It sounds like Watt really pushed him to dig deep and find that long discarded huge vocal range. Honestly, I didnt think Vedder could still sing like this. Mcready is on fire. Stone, Jeff, and Matt are such an explosive unit on this record. I love it.
Exactly! That vocal melody on Waiting For Stevie, I had no idea Eddie could do those vocals anymore but he sounds soooo good! McCready's solo on React, Respond is cool af! They're all on fire!
This album is amazing! It sounds so fresh and fun. Digging on Waiting on Stevie, Got To Give and Wreckage. Unlike Gigaton, there is not a bad song. I can't wait to hear these songs live. Sounded so good on Stern show yesterday! People complaining it's not angry, all flannel and wool socks anymore is crazy. All bands evolve sometime you like it and sometimes you don't. Happy or Sad listening.
I couldn’t agree more!! Manufactured anger is silly. These guys are millionaires. They don’t need to get pissed and act like they are 25. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing recently. I really appreciate it!!
It's sad to see that Pearl Jam no longer writes songs with heavy guitar riffs. In the last past years the band made most of your rock tunes was reduced to generic punk rock. We went from complex and sticky guitar riffs like Even Flow, Once, Animal, Go etc to simple 3-chords-punk rock like God's Dice, Mind Your Manners, Superblood and Running. The complex riffs they used to play was musically superior to the 3-chords-punk rock they've been performing currently. With Stone's participation in the composition of the melodic parts decreasing from the third album onwards, the musical structure changed. Mainly due to Eddie's greater participation in melodic composing and playing guitar. Eddie brought a way of playing guitar closer to The Who and punk bands in the form of simple and fast 3-chords-punk. I particularly don't like this style, I prefer the heavy riffs of arena rock or hard rock, as they are aesthetically more beautiful and complex. I also miss the bluesy tones and harmonic pointing of Mike's guitar. And yes, I don't deny that there are good songs made in last years, like Yellow Moon and Inside Job, but I miss a sound from the early years that was more influenced by classic bands from the 70s, as I think they are technically and aesthetically superior. The last 4 albums together do not form a better repertoire than any of the first 3 albums individually.
Sadly Pearl Jam stopped being awesome when the best musicians in the band were no longer in control of the music. Eddie is a great lyricist but his tunes are C grade compared to Stone's A grade awesomeness. If I want to listen to PJ nothing comes close to the first 2 albums. Shame that Eddie wrecked a great band.
I'm struggling with it. I want to like it but by comparison to original Pearl Jam it's just not up to par. It's new; that's what it is. I'm hoping one or two songs grow on me.
Just dropping this as a subjective reference point for those new to PJ and thinking of giving their old stuff a try. Warning, there is a reason PJ are new to you, they havent really made good albums for a while. If you want more good stuff I suggest following below, again simply a subjective reference. Start with the 5s in chronological order then the 4s...etc Ten 1991 - 5/5 Vs 1993 - 5/5 Vitalogy 1994 - 4/5 No code 1996 - 4/5 Yield 1998 - 5/5 Binaural 2000 - 3/5 Riot act 2002 - 4/5 Eponymous (avocado) 2006 - 1/5 Backspacer 2009 - 2/5 Lightning bolt 2013 - 3/5 Gigaton 2020 - 4/5 Dark matter 2024 - 5/5
Speaking as a big PJ and EV fan... Unfortunately have to agree here. And if it was the only one, there wouldn't be a problem. But I hear that Andrew Watt produced solo album on 4+ tracks
I really like it too. I am a huge PJ fan, but all my favourite albums and songs come between 1991 and 2002, their first 7 albums over an 11 year period. Its these records that earned PJ their legendary status, but they then went into legacy mode, with only 3 abums over next 18 years, none of which are close to great and only have a few songs worth going back to. They have always been great live, but that 18 year period was a long barren spell and I thought they were done making great records. Then Gigaton came along and there was a spark of inspiration and a revitalised energy, I really liked it and I really hoped they would step it up again for the follow up. They blew me away with Dark matter. 😊
Well said.
Yesss! Such a great album and has such a great, positive vibe, like you said. Still can't get into React, Respond all that much but even that one has a sick solo. The melodies on this one are so catchy, I can't get them out of my head! 4.5 stars from me too, I guess. Pearl Jam is back, baby! 🤘
This is probably my favourite PJ album since the Avocado album, 2006.
Solid review. Feels like a homage to many of their influences including The Who, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, U2, Bad Religion, Tom Petty, The Ramones, Neil Young and others. They’ve been through a lot over the years and they’re still going strong. The more times you listen to it, the better it gets. No other bands around from that era to push them into dangerous uncharted waters but they are still exploring.
I spun this record all day yesterday. I couldn't get enough once it started to grow on me. It really is a very sweet record. Much more light than the prior offering.
great review.
incredible album.
im right there with u.
intoxicated indeed.
🎶🎸
Great review! "Waiting for Stevie" is an absolute masterpiece!
Love your comments. I totally agree thanks for watching!!
To me, this is their best record in years! Vedder sounds totally reinvigorated. It sounds like Watt really pushed him to dig deep and find that long discarded huge vocal range. Honestly, I didnt think Vedder could still sing like this. Mcready is on fire. Stone, Jeff, and Matt are such an explosive unit on this record. I love it.
Exactly! That vocal melody on Waiting For Stevie, I had no idea Eddie could do those vocals anymore but he sounds soooo good! McCready's solo on React, Respond is cool af! They're all on fire!
Their best album since No Code easily
This album is amazing! It sounds so fresh and fun. Digging on Waiting on Stevie, Got To Give and Wreckage. Unlike Gigaton, there is not a bad song. I can't wait to hear these songs live. Sounded so good on Stern show yesterday! People complaining it's not angry, all flannel and wool socks anymore is crazy. All bands evolve sometime you like it and sometimes you don't. Happy or Sad listening.
I couldn’t agree more!! Manufactured anger is silly. These guys are millionaires. They don’t need to get pissed and act like they are 25. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing recently. I really appreciate it!!
It's sad to see that Pearl Jam no longer writes songs with heavy guitar riffs. In the last past years the band made most of your rock tunes was reduced to generic punk rock. We went from complex and sticky guitar riffs like Even Flow, Once, Animal, Go etc to simple 3-chords-punk rock like God's Dice, Mind Your Manners, Superblood and Running. The complex riffs they used to play was musically superior to the 3-chords-punk rock they've been performing currently. With Stone's participation in the composition of the melodic parts decreasing from the third album onwards, the musical structure changed. Mainly due to Eddie's greater participation in melodic composing and playing guitar. Eddie brought a way of playing guitar closer to The Who and punk bands in the form of simple and fast 3-chords-punk. I particularly don't like this style, I prefer the heavy riffs of arena rock or hard rock, as they are aesthetically more beautiful and complex. I also miss the bluesy tones and harmonic pointing of Mike's guitar. And yes, I don't deny that there are good songs made in last years, like Yellow Moon and Inside Job, but I miss a sound from the early years that was more influenced by classic bands from the 70s, as I think they are technically and aesthetically superior. The last 4 albums together do not form a better repertoire than any of the first 3 albums individually.
Maybe you should listen to the album. The guitar work is amazing
Yep, another riff-less album from PJ sadly. The compression on the heavier songs is terrible too. Sucks because I was hanging out for this album.
yea no cool riffs
Sadly Pearl Jam stopped being awesome when the best musicians in the band were no longer in control of the music. Eddie is a great lyricist but his tunes are C grade compared to Stone's A grade awesomeness. If I want to listen to PJ nothing comes close to the first 2 albums. Shame that Eddie wrecked a great band.
@@aaronmacl3679 indeed
I'm struggling with it. I want to like it but by comparison to original Pearl Jam it's just not up to par. It's new; that's what it is. I'm hoping one or two songs grow on me.
Just dropping this as a subjective reference point for those new to PJ and thinking of giving their old stuff a try. Warning, there is a reason PJ are new to you, they havent really made good albums for a while. If you want more good stuff I suggest following below, again simply a subjective reference. Start with the 5s in chronological order then the 4s...etc
Ten 1991 - 5/5
Vs 1993 - 5/5
Vitalogy 1994 - 4/5
No code 1996 - 4/5
Yield 1998 - 5/5
Binaural 2000 - 3/5
Riot act 2002 - 4/5
Eponymous (avocado) 2006 - 1/5
Backspacer 2009 - 2/5
Lightning bolt 2013 - 3/5
Gigaton 2020 - 4/5
Dark matter 2024 - 5/5
their best album for years. Only one song im not keen on.
Dude! a Monica's T-shirt from Boston. My take: Gigaton is WAY better than Dark Matter.
100% agree
Wreckage sounds like the crap from his solo album. Wreckage makes Pearl Jam sound like country music🤮.
Speaking as a big PJ and EV fan... Unfortunately have to agree here. And if it was the only one, there wouldn't be a problem. But I hear that Andrew Watt produced solo album on 4+ tracks
This album sucks