Pearl Jam's History and "The Fixer"
SpinningBombs
Posts: 270
Pearl Jam has never been a band that has catered to the 'masses,' whether that refers to their fanbase, media, critics-- whoever. However, I've read posts on this message board claiming that the band is "selling-out" by producing "bubblegum-pop crap" (refering to "The Fixer"). Well, to that point I focus this post...
When Yield was released I distinctly remember reading reviews that claimed that the band had '"sold-out" by producing a much "poppier" record-- possibly (they claimed) in order to try to "win back the fans that they had lost" due to No Code (which got similarly blasted for being the exact opposite- too 'non-commercial'). Songs like "Wishlist" were panned (both for the lyrics and the simplistic nature of the song)...
...Is this pattern sounding familiar, at all?
Now, its one thing to come on here and share your negative opinion of a new Pearl Jam song, but for the love of God PLEASE do not call the members of this band "sell-outs" simply because they produced a track that has a lighter, upbeat vibe to it.
Say what you will about "The Fixer," maybe you don't like the song-- fine, I don't particularly like "Thin Air," in fact if it had been Binaural's first single I might have formed an opinion that that album was going to be entirely corny ("There's a light when my baby's in my arms?"). However, we all know that Binaural is a deep, dark, complex album..."Thin Air" does nothing to represent that fact.
In this same regard, Backspacer will NOT be defined by "The Fixer." And certainly the fact that "The Fixer" is upbeat, as opposed to being brooding and serious, does not mean that the band has "sold out." They are self-releasing this album for crying out loud! Their deal with Target is a much lesser evil than signing a record deal (trust me). They need to be able to effectively distribute their material.
Plus, if you've heard other Backspacer songs (ie- "Speed of Sound," "Unthought Known," "The End") you know that Eddie's lyrical prowess hasn't disappeared-- he has made an ARTISTIC choice with the lyrics of "The Fixer." He's making a point, and the band is as tight and rocking as ever.
I personally love the new single, but I respect those who do not. All I ask is that you don't allow your negative opinion of 'The Fixer' to turn into disrespect toward this amazing band. They're good people, they're philanthropists, they're artists--they are not "sell-outs." This is PEARL JAM we're talking about here. Don't be disrespectful because they have made an artistic choice that you don't prefer.
When Yield was released I distinctly remember reading reviews that claimed that the band had '"sold-out" by producing a much "poppier" record-- possibly (they claimed) in order to try to "win back the fans that they had lost" due to No Code (which got similarly blasted for being the exact opposite- too 'non-commercial'). Songs like "Wishlist" were panned (both for the lyrics and the simplistic nature of the song)...
...Is this pattern sounding familiar, at all?
Now, its one thing to come on here and share your negative opinion of a new Pearl Jam song, but for the love of God PLEASE do not call the members of this band "sell-outs" simply because they produced a track that has a lighter, upbeat vibe to it.
Say what you will about "The Fixer," maybe you don't like the song-- fine, I don't particularly like "Thin Air," in fact if it had been Binaural's first single I might have formed an opinion that that album was going to be entirely corny ("There's a light when my baby's in my arms?"). However, we all know that Binaural is a deep, dark, complex album..."Thin Air" does nothing to represent that fact.
In this same regard, Backspacer will NOT be defined by "The Fixer." And certainly the fact that "The Fixer" is upbeat, as opposed to being brooding and serious, does not mean that the band has "sold out." They are self-releasing this album for crying out loud! Their deal with Target is a much lesser evil than signing a record deal (trust me). They need to be able to effectively distribute their material.
Plus, if you've heard other Backspacer songs (ie- "Speed of Sound," "Unthought Known," "The End") you know that Eddie's lyrical prowess hasn't disappeared-- he has made an ARTISTIC choice with the lyrics of "The Fixer." He's making a point, and the band is as tight and rocking as ever.
I personally love the new single, but I respect those who do not. All I ask is that you don't allow your negative opinion of 'The Fixer' to turn into disrespect toward this amazing band. They're good people, they're philanthropists, they're artists--they are not "sell-outs." This is PEARL JAM we're talking about here. Don't be disrespectful because they have made an artistic choice that you don't prefer.
"P-E-A-R-L J-A-M is priceless to me."
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Comments
Keep on Rocking Boys
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This is good advice. It is entirely possible to explain an opinion without resorting to name calling and juvenile-like bashing. Perhaps this should be a posting guideline.
But juvenile-like bashing is really funny sometimes. Sorry.
i see you. :P
what she/he said...
anyhow...this coffee is good..like this song...and it get's me excited for the rest of the album.
oh and different is good... I love you Pearl Jam.
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Who called them sellouts? They make ONE song you don't like and someone has the nerve to call them sellouts? Anyone that really knows Pearl Jam know that they have never sold out, and never will.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion and to voice them, but it's refreshing when it's done in a polite way and when there's a point, instead of just bashing one another or being melodramatic for the sake of it.
I love this band & i respect this band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but to see all the clowns come out of the wood work defending them because i say one song sucks is just fucking funny to me..we all don't have to like the same shit or agree about everything Pearl Jam! Obviously we all love the band or we wouldn't be here in the first place...and we all have our favorite songs and album.
and like the other guy said, there have been way more people defending the song than bashing it so you can go back in the phone booth & change and return to the daily planet.
However, I feel as though calling the new song "bubblegum pop" is extremely over the top and IS dissing the band, no matter how you spin it now. I also feel as though the idea of that thread and the phrasing of the title "so you like bubblegum pop?" and your attitude throughout it is extremely patronizing to those of us that like the song...like you're saying our taste in music is questionable.
"Ransom paid the devil
He whispers pleasing words
Triumphant are the angels if they can get there first..."
It really wasn't my intention to single you out...per se. And-- I certainly don't challenge your love for the band. I was kinda just describing how some here have used that argument (that "The Fixer" is mainstream 'pop' music--which I don't agree with) to reach the conclusion that Pearl Jam have "sold out."
So, no hard feelings!
**OK, Back to the Daily Planet now
bubblegum pop in essence is just really simplistic teeny bopper music...and that song is def simplistic.
hey..all i said is i wasn't dissing the band!
Trust me, this song will not make the airwaves of radio stations like KIIS FM, or if there's a video made, will not make the MTV stations.
ha dude don't worry about it...it should all be kept in good fun around here anyways.
i do think i took things too seriously on that last post anyways...
"Ransom paid the devil
He whispers pleasing words
Triumphant are the angels if they can get there first..."
Somehow, I don't think Pearl Jam will be cutting into the Jonas Brothers' audience with "The Fixer."
It's just a rock song. LOTS of rock songs are simplistic. I'm not going to sit here and try to argue it's the best song Pearl Jam has ever produced. But neither is it some sort of Miley Cyrus ripoff.
for the least they could possibly do
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
exactly what i've been thinking.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
i mean, just look at the end, speed of sound, unthought known, and got some. quite the diverse bunch. even if you through the fixer in there with those it shows how mixed up it is. i'm feeling yielf pt. 2 in a sense. it'll be great
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
i mean, just look at the end, speed of sound, unthought known, and got some. quite the diverse bunch. even if you through the fixer in there with those it shows how mixed up it is. i'm feeling yield pt. 2 in a sense. it'll be great
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
Totally agree! At first I was a little skeptical of the song but after many listens, esp. after I got to listen at home with the volume way up - I find the song extremely refreshing in a way, its a damn good summer song!
Yeah, I'm not sure if I see the Yield comparison musically...but in terms of being criticized, "The Fixer" is getting the same 'treatment' Yield got eleven years ago (holy shit I'm getting old).
I am having a weird time with The Fixer---craving it and really enjoying listening to it, but at the same time feeling a bit unfulfilled.
I think it's a bit of a tease--great in an album context or when you also have 10 other songs to digest, but a little short and simplistic (not necessarily a bad thing!) to completely hold me off until September. Whereas a song like WWS or Nothing As It Seems would have gone further in that respect.
That make sense?
I think there are a number of PJ songs that are good "in context," but if listened alone seem to lose something...