Yes, Ed saying "No hyperbole, this is our best work" is no longer something we should mock (even if not true). I cab absolutely understand why he would feel that way.

Whoops. My mistake...

Twas not a dolby atmos mix, but apple digital mastered lol

I dont have the spotify ... sorry. I cant compare.

Honestly, I cant even believe how good this album ended! AND started!

I mean, i knew going in, it was going to be much improved over the mp3, but it was like listening to two different sets of songs, by two different bands!

I cant even process how much better it was.

This is outstanding. Fooking glorious.

I think i must spin it again.

Im really leaning towards a 4 star album here. Maybe even 5. I didnt think that id say that after yesterdays leak. I wont judge until more research is done...

What a good night!! This is the vocal intro of the DM instrumental, sadly is not on the album.

https://vocaroo.com/1iWISu79MC8p

Exponential curve my friend
This one goes to 11

Hmmm, you're pulling a leg

Aren't you homeboy?

Songwriting wise this is probably their strongest work since forever.

I already have favorites, which are WFS (obviously), Upper Hand, SoF and R/R, with Won't Tell following close behind.

Setting Sun, DM and Running are middle tier.

I am probably skipping Wreckage, GTG and SS in the future.

As the initial excitement settled, I've come to realize that this album is too damn poppy. I want something a lot dirtier from my Pearl Jams. This radio fodder (while very good) isn't why I got into them. One could argue that DOTC was quintessential pop, yes, but it's of a very special, unique variety of pop, the one that sets the Tame Impalas apart from the N'Syncs of the world. DM, as an album, falls within a genre which could easily allow for the replacement of the band members by numerous other candidates without influencing the final product much.

However, as with everything, time will be the best judge.
We're gonna have this conversation again in a few years, I'm sure, all of us are

This really sounds effortless. They are not trying to be a thing. Not worrying about if it is punk enough, or avoiding being obvious. And maybe yes it loses a bit of edge, but they are 60 and I am entering my mid 40’s. This just makes me happy. For once they are not overthinking it.

I love this review...don't agree with much of it but it's good stuff. Thanks.

We should’ve seen a record chock full of poppy breakup songs coming from a mile away.

Spoiler: show

I'm still on the upswing at the moment but i tend to find that albums by my favourite artists than lean poppy also get stale the quickest after the initial sugar rush so I do worry that may happen. That said, Beck's Colors had legs so there's hope yet. Plus... there's an emotional punch with some of these songs that belies their poppiness.

I tend to agree but the best pop stuff is timeless...not saying that's the case here, and it sure as hell ain't really mainstream pop, but i think this one will carry....

I can’t sleep. Just keep listening and finding more to love in every single song.

I can’t describe the feeling properly but it’s definitely a milestone in 25 years of obsession with this band. It feels like the best thing since Yield to me and even though my expectations were high for this album, they’ve far exceeded them.

Can finally hear everything clearly and there’s so much going on. Love the guitar interplays, Jeff and Matt are beyond amazing. Ed’s lyrics really growing on me, the melodies, the theme, the story unfolding. I’ll be unpacking this for so long. The harmonies, my God the harmonies.

Is it weird to feel proud of them? I feel so incredibly proud of them. They know this is a masterpiece and it must feel so good to them if it feels this good to us.

I really didn't think that much of Dark Matter & Running, but in the context of the album, it's a totally different thing.
You need to listen to this album on headphones though. Too much happening.

Ok, as a father of a 3 month old daughter Something Special really is ... well ... something special.

Gonna give the flac lossless one a go today.

Can’t see it helping with matters production but we will see.

Got to give begins like Throw your arms around me.

I love it.

This first proper listen as the album was intended was the most emotionally evocative experience I’ve had to a musical composition in so long I can’t remember. It was remarkable.

It was like that hopeful and innocent part of me at the core of who I am that was ripped out and extinguished from the world events of the last few years was given a spark upon listening to this in it’s entirety. I haven’t even begun to unpack the lyrics yet so this was a visceral response to the cathartic nature of this collection of songs. It’s like this record met me where I’m at.

So much good music over the last few years has filled in the void that this band vacated when they were finding their way to this point. The Avett Brothers, Rateliff, Turnpike, Jack White, Marcus King, The Record Company, etc.

This was an invigorating experience that the aforementioned artists, however great in their own right, haven’t been able to break through. This is the type of album you feel even before you begin to process it intellectually or cerebrally.

To quote Ben Harper, “This is the greatest band in the world.” This album, at least initially, is deserving of being exhibit A when backing that statement up.

Bravo Pearl Jam, and thank you. This one means a lot. It met me where I was needing to be met on an emotional level I don’t think could’ve expected.

I enjoyed the Qobuz HD last night with my headphones, woke up and wanted to listen again so I'm playing the Dolby Atmos on Amazon now.

The Atmos mix is where it's at, for sure. I even enjoyed React, Respond a lot more this time. There's a lot going on, lots of cool little choices from Mike and Stone.

Who knew they had this in them after over 30 years. I'm stunned.

After enough listens:

This blows Gigaton out of the water.

We don't need to say the same about LB, obviously.

A lot of highlights here, but the ending of React, respond is hard to replicate. So good.

I’m kind of surprised the comments from the listening parties didn’t give more of a positive response. Maybe it’s because it’s one listen (potentially without the lyrics) but don’t recall anyone raving about it, just a mixed bag of responses really.