PJ Article...

AndoAndo Denver Posts: 410
edited July 2009 in The Porch
I have been on AOL radio listening to stations from all over the country and it’s AWESOME to hear how many DJ's are stoked for Backspacer. Everyone loves the new song! The DJs all hold them to the highest level musically possible at this point in the bands career. You can get a great feel for the respect shown to Pearl Jam when the DJs express their opinions. They are on the upper echelon to what other rock bands are measured. But yet many of us "hard core" PJ fans are disappointed with the feel of this song and the direction the band could be heading.

I have a hard time figuring out what we long time fans really want from this band? I feel like we are this exclusive sometimes (most of the time) snobbish group who do not want others to share in our love of Pearl Jam. Are they at such a high level to us we do not want new bandwagon fans jumping on board because of a couple new catchy tunes (ala 2004 Red Sox)? The answer to this should be a resounding “no”. We should want everyone to appreciate this band and for them to be as accessible as possible. Who doesn’t want to hear their favorite band on commercials, television shows and at sporting events? But by the childish way we complain, I feel we love the exclusiveness of our group and we exile outsiders and their point of view.

What we really want as 10 Club fans is another Yield, a record so groundbreaking that no band can imitate and most music fans won’t appreciate it. A record so different it could outcast the casual Pearl Jam fan but please us Ten Club fans with a number under 300xxx. A record the radio gets a hold of and is on their do not play list within the first month and tops out at 700,000 copies sold. This is the Pearl Jam we know and love. This is “our” band and it’s not for you! When said aloud it sounds a silly doesn’t it?

When I take a big step back and look at the situation with no bias it is very hard to explain our actions. “The Fixer” could be just that a Fixer to the reputation of Pearl Jam. Maybe they have decided to not alienate themselves as they did in the past. Maybe they really do want to open up a new outlet to new fans-a different younger generation then us 90’s generation X’ers who they have already won over. Why not try something new and challenging? Who is to say whether this is a digression or progression? Let’s try something a little more mainstream for once. This doesn’t make them sell outs this makes them intelligent innovative artists.

After all is said and done isn’t it all just about the music? If you don’t like what the band is doing that’s fine. If you don’t like how they are going about their business that’s fine too. If you don’t like the new direction of music, then you don’t have to buy the album that’s what is so great. You don’t have to be a fan of everything a band does to still be a fan. I love STP but think Scott Wieland is a crazy bastard. I like Oasis but hate the Gallaghers with a passion.

Whether you are into “The Fixer” or “Got Some” or not to say the bands directions is now mainstream seems unjust at this point. I for one am just excited to be a part of the largest current fan base for a band since the Grateful Dead. At this point to say my world revolves around this band is not a far cry from the truth. We stay up till 1am to hear a debut song. We get second jobs to get money for tickets. We pawn meaningful things for the plane airfare. I just feel grateful to have a new album, tour, posters and bootlegs to look forward to. It makes me wonder what my year would be like without this band.


Love it or hate it? Lets have some feedback
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • totaly agree. well stated. i love pearl jam for a variety of reasons. but to think the band has to follow down this path that fans expect them to...the least of it, that'll be boring. the fact that they can even write a catchy tune is a testament to how good they are.
  • einatshauleinatshaul Posts: 2,219
    On the one hand, I think you are right, and I was thinking the same thing, about the meaning of The Fixer, about the new direction and openness the band is heading.

    On the other - I think your article is full of contradictions. That's ok, cause these are our reactions: Very excited to hear anything new from our favorite band. The Fixer - should we love it? Just because it is the voice we know and love? Would we be playing it on our ipods if it was by any other band? I don't know.

    But this is how it is right now, and yes, take PJ out of my year and you take out my exotic travels, my international friends I hold dearly, so many new experiences and opportunities, it's hard to detach the music from all that.

    So pop isn't usually my thing, but this album seems to be an eclectic mix of everything that's been going on with these guys since Avo, and I for one will give them a pass and look forward to hear more of it. Not everyone has to like it, but you know what? I hope many many people do. There is room for new faces and ears, to discover this band that has meant so much to me throughout my life – I only wish to share it.
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    Thank you for articulating your views so well. That was a pleasure to read whether I agreed with it or not. :)
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • Very well said!
    "P-E-A-R-L J-A-M is priceless to me."
  • Gonzo1977Gonzo1977 Posts: 1,696
    Excellent post!!
  • ofthegirl75ofthegirl75 New Jersey Posts: 315
    Well put. I think they do have room for new fans. You are right though about some long time fans not wanting to share- worried about getting tickets most likely.
    PJ does have a lot of respect in the industry- and it pisses me off when people suggest they are selling out now.
    All good, long lasting bands evolve and do new things and have different music. Why would we want every album to be like Ten? I think every band has to live with people saying their music isn’t as good as their_____ album. Fill in the blank.
    I for one am thrilled to have a new CD, 2 Philly shows, and I got to see Eddie again last month. With all the bad stuff going on in the world, PJ has given me something to be excited and happy about!
  • cippociappocippociappo Posts: 692
    Great post, I agree with the OP 100%
    Makes me ache, makes me shake...
    ...is it so wrong to think that love can keep us safe?
  • firecrotch23firecrotch23 Posts: 586
    good read, I agree with them trying to reach out to new listeners; theres a bunch of crap out there and this could help new listeners go back and appreciate what it took to get the band to this point.
    Small my table, seats just 3, its not crowded, its just lucky me
  • AndoAndo Denver Posts: 410
    Thanks for all the feedback! I recently decided how much i hate my desk job and love sports, PJ and a lot of other things that i feel are interesting. I want to try writing more and see how it goes. I Already have two sports writing gigs possibly in the works. If i write and it stinks let me have it! i have thick skin...
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    einatshaul wrote:
    On the other - I think your article is full of contradictions. That's ok, cause these are our reactions: Very excited to hear anything new from our favorite band. The Fixer - should we love it? Just because it is the voice we know and love? Would we be playing it on our ipods if it was by any other band? I don't know.

    But this is how it is right now, and yes, take PJ out of my year and you take out my exotic travels, my international friends I hold dearly, so many new experiences and opportunities, it's hard to detach the music from all that.

    Exotic travels and international friends? I figured by your picture you were a bit young to be jaunting all over the globe for PJ ;)

    I do have to admit that as much as I dig the fixer, I rather doubt I'd have given it a second thought if I didn't already love PJ. But that's ok, I'm just happy to hear something from my fav band that I enjoy again, it's been too long since they seemed to be having fun making music.
  • FifthelementFifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,963
    That was a great read :ugeek: :D
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    Ando wrote:
    I have been on AOL radio listening to stations from all over the country and it’s AWESOME to hear how many DJ's are stoked for Backspacer. Everyone loves the new song! The DJs all hold them to the highest level musically possible at this point in the bands career. You can get a great feel for the respect shown to Pearl Jam when the DJs express their opinions. They are on the upper echelon to what other rock bands are measured. But yet many of us "hard core" PJ fans are disappointed with the feel of this song and the direction the band could be heading.

    Don't forget, it is the job of the DJ to keep things positive about any band's upcoming album or single release. So of course, they're going to say they love it, love it, love it. It's the nature of the job, and if they were honest about their feelings, they'd be demoted to radio advice columnist.
    I have a hard time figuring out what we long time fans really want from this band? I feel like we are this exclusive sometimes (most of the time) snobbish group who do not want others to share in our love of Pearl Jam. Are they at such a high level to us we do not want new bandwagon fans jumping on board because of a couple new catchy tunes (ala 2004 Red Sox)? The answer to this should be a resounding “no”. We should want everyone to appreciate this band and for them to be as accessible as possible. Who doesn’t want to hear their favorite band on commercials, television shows and at sporting events? But by the childish way we complain, I feel we love the exclusiveness of our group and we exile outsiders and their point of view.

    Please. Don't generalize for all fans, as all fans don't want to hear PJ on commercials, t.v. or sports. If you understand that PJ's made a fuss in the past about being anti-commericialization, you'd understand why it's such a huge issue now. Adding new listeners is always exciting, can't imagine anyone disagreeing with that.
    When I take a big step back and look at the situation with no bias it is very hard to explain our actions. “The Fixer” could be just that a Fixer to the reputation of Pearl Jam. Maybe they have decided to not alienate themselves as they did in the past. Maybe they really do want to open up a new outlet to new fans-a different younger generation then us 90’s generation X’ers who they have already won over. Why not try something new and challenging? Who is to say whether this is a digression or progression? Let’s try something a little more mainstream for once. This doesn’t make them sell outs this makes them intelligent innovative artists.
    Nah, it makes them mainstream status quo, not innovative. Opening themselves to a newer, younger audience is fine. The Fixer will get them there. And why not? The younger generation is a huge consumer-targeted group. These young kids who typically listen to Jonas Bros. will catch onto PJ not only because of the catchy pop tune but also because of the Target commercial. This will broaden their audience to the point that we'll be mixing (and fighting for 10C tix) with pre-teens at the shows soon. Yay!
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