Customer Reviews

Man of the Hour [Amazon.com exclusive]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A beautifully crafted masterpiece of a song, "Man of the Hour," is Pearl Jam's contribution to Tim Burton's new motion picture, "Big Fish." Don't expect to realize the true beauty and lyrical perfection of this song however, until you see the movie.

Unlike most songs found on a movie soundtrack, "Man of the Hour," was inspired by and written after the artist saw a preview of the movie. This becomes obviously apparant when you listen to the song again after seeing the film, and the experience is likely to bring tears to the listeners eyes.

Mr. Vedder, who penned the lyrics and music for the track has been nominated for a Golden Globe and Critic's Choice award for his songwriting efforts.

There is never a dull moment when it comes to Pearl Jam. Be it the fact that they are the last band standing from the famed Grunge Era of the early 90?s, or the fact that they can still fill arenas night after night: This band does not stop producing quality work.

Man of the Hour is of a familiar theme within the realm of Pearl Jam. Father/son relationships have been prevalent since their first work: Ten. This is a great song and it fits the movie in which it appears very well. Played over the end credits of Tim Burton?s Big Fish, it sums up the feel of the film very well.

The demo version is very good and it makes it worth ordering this single. It is just one guitar and Ed. It is very haunting. What a great song by a great band.

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This song epitomizes Eddie Vedder's coming of age as a superior and premier songwriter. Nothing is purer than writing about the relationship between a father and son. As far a repeating lyrics as one reviewer noted, I believe this is a moot point. Springsteen used many of the same lyrics over and over again in developing his songs. Look at the Nebraska album. Some lyrics are repeated from track to track. This makes no difference. The song, its imagery and its unity distinguish Vedder among the top songwriters today. Pearl Jam is just a tremendous band in their prime. This song both invigorates and breaks the heart. And that is what music is supposed to do, go to the heart. Check it out.

This is the latest Pearl Jam single taken from the upcoming Tim Burton film "Big Fish" due out December 2003. Tim Burton, being a Pearl Jam fan himself asked the band to contribute a song to the movie so the band had an arranged viewing of the film and came up with the song and recorded it within five days (or so says Pearl Jam's official website). The song will be heard in the film during the end credit scenes. Song was penned by Ed Vedder and fleshed out with the rest of the band. Starts off with a nice clean tone guitar and just flows on from there like a slow build up wave and then gently back down again. Touching song to a loved one. The single version has two tracks, the main title and a demo version of the song with Ed by himself and guitar. The single version will also be on the "Big Fish" original motion picture soundtrack.

This is a beautiful Pearl Jam song and it's definitely for any fan. 'Man of the Hour' is from Tim Burton's "Big Fish", amazing single.

After creating their own mold thirteen years ago, the band has succeded to break it as the members get older and more mature. To compare the later releases with the "grunge" songs from the early nineties is not relevant. This latest effort proves once again that Pearl Jam will keep making the music they want to play instead of trying to please the fans they earned with a different style of music a decade ago. Personally, I find this song to be very moving and I think the melody is beautiful. Of course, knowing it was written for the Tim Burton movie, it's easier to identify the theme of the song, but to me the melancholic feel of the song is just monumental. I can't wait for their next full-length album!

By the way, what lyrics are the same on "Man of The Hour" and "Thumbing My Way"? The words 'a' and 'the' are there in both songs, but not much else...

I got this single from a friend in the US who bought it from this site. I love this song. It's a great mellow song.

Some people have complained about Pearl Jam being too soft now. I think that a band like this one doesn't need to be writing another "Jeremy", "Porch" or "Do The Evolution". I think that this band has actually gotten better with the years. If you are a fan and you think like I do, you're just gonna love this single. Chances are you've already heard it at least.

Another reviewer pointed out that Eddie Vedder used the phrase "the rusted signs" on "Man Of The Hour", that he had already used on "Thumbing my way". He's right, however I think it actually makes the song even better. Listen to both songs, first "Thumbing...", so you see what he means about the "rusted signs". Then listen to "Man Of The Hour" knowing that.

You'll find "Thumbing My Way" in Riot Act, for those who might not know.

I think repeating lyrics in different songs is not too big a deal, as long as it adds meaning to both songs. You'll find the line "there ain't gonna be no middle anymore" in both Pearl Jam songs' "Porch" and "Half Full". And they're both great songs.

Anyway, I digress. Buy this single. Both versions of "Man Of The Hour" are great, the demo version being a stripped down version of just Eddie Vedder and a guitar. In fact, since you can get the soundtrack version from the "Big Fish" soundtrack, get it for the demo version.

I expect all kinds of things from Pearl Jam. Greatness is one. Unpredictability is a given. Sensitivity, well, this band was BUILT on friggin sensitivity, so that's an easy one. And while Pearl Jam IS and always HAS been these things, there's something about this song that makes all of THAT seem . . . I don't know, worthless.

Not that being great or unpredictable or sensitive is a worthless endeavor, but those pathetic adjectives simply don't seem to even scratch the surface of what kind of greatness, unpredictability and sensitivity Pearl Jam have achieved with this song. I mean, 'Man of the Hour' is simply too beautiful, too emotive, too challenging to be even a Pearl Jam concoction . . . and yet it IS. I don't know how to explain this.

"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" is my favorite song in existance, easily. BUT, THIS particular song comes close. And really, you'd have to know me and know how much I desperately LOVE music and Pearl Jam and "Elderly Woman..." in particular, before you could even HOPE to BEGIN to maybe TRY to start to PRETEND to understand just how much I love this song.

Maybe this will make sense if you read it really late, at 1 o'clock in the morning. 5 shiny, golden stars for the greatest band I have found thus far in my musical excursions. Amen.

Yes, I've to say I'm a big Pearl Jam and Tim Burton fan. That's my sin, so what? "Man of the Hour" is full with all that makes PJ a big band. A great song for a great movie, full with magic and very emotive. Tim Burton has done it... again! Please, keep on that way.

This single is just the latest example of how one of the most influential bands of our time, has grown more and more into a true and inspirational display of musicianship. This song lends itself beautifully to the entire mode of the film "Big Fish" and Pearl Jam should steal the Golden Globe for their effort.