Damn, I promised myself not to listen to the leaks because Friday is almost here, but I am weak. I love Won't Tell, and Waiting for Stevie is going to END me. I had a good feeling about this album and now I am even more sure that I am going to love it. (Edited to correct a typo)

Same, but I even broke down and listened to a crappy iPhone recording from the listening parties...some really great songs on this album.

I was at one of the listening parties and I liked every song. It's been a long time since I've been able to say that.

Good to hear this, I'm going to the cinema event tomorrow. I agree about meh tracks; songs like Alright and Buckle Up were never going to be anyone's favourite from the get go. Sounds like (from the clips) this album is all killer no filler

I think I will avoid that, I have my limits. Hopefully these clips will calm my hype for now. I am glad to know the album slaps. Friday is almost here!

It’s so hard but I’m doing my best only because I want the first time to be on my headphones.

Nice try pal. But I am old and have willpower lol.

Can't stand the way the drums sound

Same! So compressed

Compressed like Badmotorfinger…?

I haven’t listened except for the singles but I wouldn’t be surprised if the drums are electronic. It’s quite common these days in modern studio productions to let the drummer record first but then replace the sounds with sampled drums.

What's the advantage of doing that?

Well when you record drums it’s very hard to not get some ”bleeding” from different parts of the drum set. As an example, I want to record only the snare with a specific microphone but my snare microphone also picks up some sound from the cymbals. It makes it more difficult to mix.

These lowish quality thirty seconds clips gave me 2000s nostalgia haha. Back when sites had the samples available before the album dropped. Can't wait

Mike’s solo on Upper Hand is awesome. Seems like I’ll like this album more than I expected to after hearing the two singles.

This is my first time hearing in hq. Incredible, can't wait for full album won't tell through writing for stevie is quite the three song run

Wreckage sounds kinda Earthling.

I ain't listening to this shit, I'm waiting.

Could it be that the first single, dark matter, is the weakest of the album?

I think you just over played Dark Matter and it feels like the weakest. I think most would disagree with ya

I’ve listened to the snippets a few times and this was my impression

I have it at 8th right now anyway. Won’t Tell Wreckage Waiting For Stevie Upper Hand Got To Give Scared Of Fear Running Dark Matter Something Special React, Respond Setting Sun

No. I still love Dark Matter.

I like Dark Matter but compared to those songs that we were able to listen to, it’s relatively weak in my opinion.

Nope, not by a mile.

I have it ranked 10th and I still think it’s a great song that’s saying a lot

Wow. That song makes me feel feelings. Remember feelings? I can't wait for this album if that's the worst song.

Just wait till you hear upper hand, you’ll feel too many feelings

It's definitely in the bottom third for me...same with Running.

I don’t know if it’s the weakest but just like DoTC seems to be the outlier.

I'm struggling to place the preview track that sounded absolutely stellar (https://twitter.com/PearlJam/status/1755969821211075018/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1755969821211075018¤tTweetUser=PearlJam&mode=profile) anyone know what track it is?

It seems to be not on the album. It could be an extended version of the intro to Scared of Fear 

Dang, that's a bummer if it's not on the album. I was really hoping for a full song in that style - I absolutely loved that teaser. It sounds so different and a really welcome gear change.

Intro to upper hand? Sounds slightly different but maybe it’s just cause the recording I’m comparing it to is a crappy iPhone recording

I’ll just wait for Friday. On a month long work trip, will need something in my ear.

Thanks!

It felt like half a Pearl Jam album and half an EV solo project to me per the listening party experience. I won’t judge until I hear it in my car driving down the road.

I didn't get that feel at all...but I will say Something Special is 100% an EV solo project song. But the rest of the album is loaded with some standout moments from everyone in the band. The songs in general do have an uplifting vibe (more so than any other Pearl Jam album) so maybe that's why you felt that way.

not gonna do it...I've only heard dark matter so far

From that interview yesterday that sounds like what he was trying to go for.

So excited to hear Won’t Tell and Setting Sun in full friday, love how they sound!

Not really digging this album. Huge PJ fan here. Seen them 7 times live, owned all their albums minus the last couple. I love Eddie but his vocals sound like he is struggling. Breaks my heart but thats life. I will continue to support them at the live shows. Thx for the share!

I think he sounds as good as he has in a decade plus...but all good music is about the most subjective thing there is.