60 Days of Pearl Jam; Part Deux
acutejam wrote:This dude is goin to rank all of PJ's songs over the next 60 days ramping up to the album release.
He's starting at the bottom -- and it's not good for Vitalogy! (And the Whale Song!?!?!?)
160-150:
http://www.examiner.com/x-3940-Indianap ... -Pearl-Jam
150-140:
http://www.examiner.com/x-3940-Indianap ... -Continues
140-130:
http://www.examiner.com/x-3940-Indianap ... -Pearl-Jam
Regardless, should lead to loads of fun here on the msg board!
Another guy did this a few years back....he wasn't quite so upbeat with the tail end of the list, but shows his love as the songs "improve." If this list generates any discussion, I'll add his next "tier" every few days...
140-128. The Bad Songs and the Bad Jokes
Yes. Even I will admit that this band has put out some pretty crappy songs, but not too many. A rather small tier considering the massiveness of the band's library. It's even more impressive since most of these are joke songs that just got pulled off badly. I do have a sense of humor but sometimes this band is just plain weird.
140 - Bu$hleaguer (Riot Act)
Look Eddie Vedder, I hate Bush as much as the next guy. I even don't mind politically driven songs as if I did, I would absolutely abhor this band. But this song is just a wasted track simply bashing the president without any decent effort into doing so. Your voice sounds like you just had a hang over and you barely try to sing towards your hatred to Bush. It's basically a rant put behind music. Boo!
139 - Whipping (Vitalogy)
Unlike other songs on this tier, the sad thing about this song is that they actually tried to make a seriously good song. I can't even appreciate the music behind it since it's a very standard chord progression done extremely fastly over and over again. Now, I'm all for simplicity (done right) but this song irks me the wrong way. Ahhhhhh Whipping! It's one of the rare hard-rocking tracks where it appears the band sacrifices melodic content for noise and that's just plain wrong. Should have never made the record.
138 - Hitchhiker (Lost Dogs)
Very weird for this to be a Pearl Jam song. The music doesn't sound Pearl Jam, the vocals nor lyrics sound Pearl Jam. This can be alright if done right (see Parachutes) but it's just not effective. Juvenile lyrics... "You fool, what do you think you're doing?" This must have been Pearl Jam talking to themselves for writing and recording this one.
137 - Pry, To (Vitalogy)
1:03 of filler. Thank you Pearl Jam. Leading into Corduroy of all songs. Thank you. What are you even saying Eddie?
136 - Aye Davinita (Vitalogy)
3 minutes of filler. Thank you Pearl Jam. Leading into Immortality of all songs. Thank you. At least I know what you are saying and it's slightly catchy. Congrats. You're better than Pry, To.
135 - Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me (Vitalogy)
Ugh... you choose to close a freaking album with this? The closer of all tracks. Think of all the great closers this band has. It could have been a hidden track to ease my mind. Plus, the song is ****ing tripped out which is actually redeeming points. It's psychotic patients talking about death and Mike does pretty wicked guitar work. My spanky... it's the only thing I want so much. At least I think that's what they are saying. I've only listened to it in full about 3 or 4 times and it was enough. I picture hell to be this song on loop.
134 - Let Me Sleep (Lost Dogs)
It's a cute little Christmas single about Christmas. Its about a guy trying to relive Christmas how he remembered as a kid. Pretty repetitive. Actually... very repetitive. It's cute. Nothing more.
133 - Help Help (Riot Act)
Pretty psychotic chorus. Help Me sounding zombified over and over. I picture Robin Williams being able to pull off this chorus yelling "Help Me!" in the chorus rather effectively. I like Boom's organ work in this, but I can certainly live this song and never hear it again. It seems like they tried too hard to make something meaningful. I just don't feel a sincere cry for help which is what this song is trying to pull off.
132 - Bugs (Vitalogy)
The last of the Vitalogy gags to appear on the list. This one is actually quite humorous. Accordians and Ed asking the listener if he could squash a bug or be it's friend? Hilarious. But what is a song like this actually doing on the album? Maybe I should lighten up, but the song's got nothing going for it musically and a 6 year old (and most likely did) could have written its content.
131 - Evacuation (Binaural)
Most annoying chorus you're likely to hear from a band this good. Evac...uation! over and over. Mike does nifty guitar work but it's not enough to salvage the worst song on Binaural. It's so annoyingly catchy that if it gets stuck in yout head, you may be driven to suicide.
130 - Deep (Ten)
This is probably my first pick that may be unpopular to Pearl Jam fanatics, but it's a bad song. Don't deny it. It's noise to me. Considering it's the only real blemish on Ten, its stock makes it drop even lower. In tooo Deeep yea!!! I hate the music. I hate the content. I hate the vocals. Gets old very quickly. Bad... bad.
129 - Gremmie Out of Control
It's a surf song. A gremmie is a novice surfer. Sounds like a horrible 60's parody. I think that's Stone doing the background vocals and he's a hilarious human being in it. "There's nothing worse than a Gremmie Out of Control." They were close. There's actually like 10 songs worse, but they almost had it. They were just having fun, but that doesn't mean that it makes good music.
128 - Push Me Pull Me
Ehh... I kinda like this one but I realize it belongs in this tier. I had a false belief. But you know it's just a rant by Ed with backing vocals yelling Push Me Pull Me. It's a good rant though. He kinda pulls off talking melodically and car horns and that other horn I can't think of the name of are an added bonus. Tripped out sounds in this one. The puddles on the ground harmony makes me laugh every time for some reason. Just pull me out!
127 - 125. Effective Joke Songs and Wasted Reprise
It's nice to have songs that perform it's intended purpose. That's what these songs are about. Not trying to do anything special, at least if they are, they are achieving it well. These are the workmen of Pearl Jam songs! Doing their jobs without ever having to ask.
You guys above should take notes.127 - Sweet Lew (Lost Dogs)
Sweet Lew, how could you!? Any song that says Milwaukee Bucks and a barbeque is made of win. I love basketball so this song has got game. Ya, pretty lame description on my part, but the vocals are completely unique and err umm... yea. Like most of these gags, never performed and never would be, but it's nice to listen to once and a while. It's good for a few laughs.
126 - Wasted Reprise (Pearl Jam)
I didn't know what tier to put this belonged in but it belongs in between these two I suppose. I'm a fan of reprises and I love organs and Boom does a nice job. It's nice to be listening to an album and then 7 songs later hear a slowed down reprise of it. Gives the album connectivity I guess. Still, its not strong enough to get it above others. Still, its role is appreciated. Badass song coming out of Encore number 2 straight into Life Wasted. Even works nicely as a concert opener.
125 - Black Red Yellow (Lost Dogs)
I don't know if this song is a joke song but I think it's funny so therefore I hope it is. Otherwise it'd be plain bad. But the line "firing like a 50 ft Roman" reassures my thoughts. I actually enjoy the harmony here. Black.... and ... red ... and yellow. The first line has the potential to be stuck in your head all day, so you are warned.
If I had known then what I know now...
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Philly I & II, 16
Denver 22
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
And I'm pretty sure those Vitalogy songs weren't meant to be jokes.
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
In that case, you shall (in a bit).
he is (I think). His reviews make more sense as he counts down.
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Of course, I'm curious as to the rest of the list, so I guess that makes me a hypocrite!
I'll go check for ya....
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
2004 Boston I
2006 Boston I
2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I
2010 Hartford
2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford
2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II
2018 Fenway I, Fenway II
2021 Sea.Hear.Now
2022 Camden
2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
Never liked Deep either, but can't figure out why. Seems like it soesn't fit on TEN for some reason.
Give it a chance (or not
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Yeah Deep's the only song I skip off of Ten..and one of the few I skip off any PJ album. Definitely one of my least favorites.
I like Deep but it's my least fav off Ten, there are many other songs that would fall into that spot for me.
I am right by your side.
It is. Great read, informed and well written...
Yours is all of the above. This guys list gets a lot more thorough, insightful and descriptive at about song #60ish. That being said, here's his next tier:
124-100. They 'Hey this song is pretty decent' Tier
I like these songs. I really do. For one reason or another. Probably only one reason which is why they are rather high on this list. These are for the most part the low end quality songs on an album.
124 - Habit (No Code)
This song sucks. The line "Speaking as a child of the 90s..." saves this wrecking ball, and turns it into a song worth listening to. Just to get to this line. That's all you have going for you habit.
123 - In The Moonlight (Lost Dogs)
Pretty nice riff. The song is pretty unmotivated though. I can make it through a listen, but I can take it or leave it. Nice moaning going on in the chorus. Roaring Michael solo.
122 - Big Wave (Pearl Jam)
Gremmie Out of Control done seriously, you may call it. It's a fun song to listening to once in a while. The chemistry between Stone and Mike really shine in this one.
121 - Get Right (Riot Act)
Think car commercial.
120 - Pilate (Yield)
Probably the weakest non-experimental song on Yield. Hate the chorus, love the verses. Black Pilate I have you don't can be very annoying very quickly, but the opening verse is badass.
119 - Thin Air (Binaural)
The songs bleeds with cheese. Probably the cheesiest lyrics Eddie's come up with. But because of the rarity unto which he writes a song like this, you can appreciate it better. Nice Stone guitar work too.
118 - I'm Open (No Code)
Eddie's attempt at the local poetry club gathering. If you listen to it, its pretty inciteful stuff, and the breaks of "I'm Open" are nicely done. Good to hear them play this one during some '07 shows.
117 - You Are (Riot Act)
I love the opening guitar riff. It's like a rubber band or something expansive if that makes sense. It's actually a good song, but it gets lost in this band's legendary library of greats.
116 - Drifting (Lost Dogs)
I don't care for this, but a harmonica is used so... yea.
115 - All Night (Lost Dogs)
It seems like they've done this song somewhere else... hmmm... a lot of times... hmmm.... but nice harmony ooo yea! Wicked stop in the middle too.
114 - Don't Gimme No Lip (Lost Dogs)
Pretty generic, but Stone sings it so it's a novelty to hear. It was between this and Mankind to make No Code and the better one did.
113 - Hold On (Lost Dogs)
A Ten outtake. Good reason why this didn't make the album, though still it's better than Deep. It bleeds distortion but I loved the melody. High-voiced Ed so early in his career kicks ass too. Where does it end!? Awesome harmony too. I just listened to it again, it's actually pretty badass so I just moved it up a few spots.
112 - Blood (Vs.)
The last album yet to represented (I think) finally gets some. Mike does killer guitar work, as this song certainly brings the noise, but the vocals are a blur to me. ITSSS MAAHHH BLOOOODDDD... this isn't why I love Pearl Jam. I love the hard ones, yes, but they usually never sacrifice sensical music for noise. Here they did. Mike salvages this one which is one it is suprisingly low considering my disdain for what kind of song it is.
111 - 1/2 Full (Riot Act)
It's one of those great live tracks but just doesn't do much on the record. Mike has some great stuff going on here, but the song is unorganized mush. This is actually most of Riot Act's issue but somehow they manage to perform it great live. Most of Riot Act is great live, and this is probably the quintessential difference between a great live song that just doesn't do it on the record, for Pearl Jam at least.
110 - Soon Forget (Binaural)
It's Ed on a uke, so it's definitely got bonus points of uniqueness. He says horny so I lol at that part. Beautiful melody though and it's really fun to play (and easy). It's lyrics ring true though... I think. Whenever he plays it live, it's kinda weird though and it's more solo Ed than anything. I want Pearl Jam in my Pearl Jam. Weird that this one was on the album, when ****ing Fatal and Sad were left off.
109 - Rival (Binaural)
The whole thing is double vocal tracked which is badass, and it's a great drunk sing-a-long. At least, I imagine it to be. >_> The opening whip is pretty odd, and the riff can get a little repetitive. I love the repeating piano strikes though. Nice one there, whoever is playing it. O'Brien maybe?
108 - Spin the Black Circle
If you ever bored look up the Spin the Black Circle acceptance speech at the Grammy's. It's hilarious. Oh well, I'll get it for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHEYs0CMe4U
It's the band's only grammy win and probably will remain that way after that. It's probably the fastest song in the band's song list and has pretty decent melodic content. The old ode to playing records the right way, on the vinyl oh yea.
107 - Breakerfall (Binaural)
Break her fall... haha get it ? Ja. The first of the album openers to appear so I guess by default that makes it the weakest. It's a pretty cool song though and does in fact fit as an opener. The first Matt Cameron drumming experience within Pearl Jam is awesome too you know. He does a slammin' job on this one. Run-of-the-mill Mike work too, which is always a good thing for him. But it's short! A 2:20 opener for a rocker? Meh. I guess that's fine. But cool double voice tracking as well.
106 - Mankind (Binaural)
Isn't it an accomplishment, Stone, that your vocals beat out so many of Ed's? Congrats on that. I suppose. This one actually made the album and is so ****ing catchy. I even think Stone sings this better than Ed could have been I can't be sure unless I heard Ed do it in fact. 60s era pop song done the right way.
105 - Untitled (Yield)
Also known as Red Dot, this is the pride of Jack Irons. The band actually messes with some pretty cool tempos here and speeds and slows rather nicely. Is it just me or is there some sort of chomping going on the backround by someone?
104 - Wishlist (Yield)
I believe this is the first of the Greatest Hits to make the list, though I'm not too sure. Sometimes this song hits top 50 other times it can barely make 130. It's probably the difference between if I am listening and catch a line like "I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow lived on" or I hear "I wish I was a Christmas tree the star that went on top." Today I heard both so here we are.
103 - Leavin Here (Lost Dogs)
Pretty decent late 50's/early 60's type song here. Hey fellows have you heard the news!? AWWW YEAAAA!! Pro treating women right song so that's bonus points. Generic Guitar Rock #7 though, but the song was great when Sleater-Kinney used to come out and sing it back in '05.
102 - Save You (Riot Act)
Nice melody line and this is one of Boom's favorites to play. They play it too much live... **** me. There'd be no us without you is a pretty cliche line I guess, but I love it. Love how it's said too.
101 - Gone (Pearl Jam)
Cliche get away from it all song. So at least it's got that going for it. If I hadn't heard it first played at AC, it probably would not have placed so high.
100 - Green Disease (Riot Act)
Awww... so close to making it out of the tier, but no. G-R-E-E-D-G-R. It's pretty blatant attack on public mindsets on money. Classically awesome guitar intro from Michael. Ed sounds like he's a second or two away from death at the beginning of this one.
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
And he has RED DOT from Yield ahead of Spin the Black Circle!!! Oh my god.....PLEASE stop posting this silly bullshit
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Most annoying chorus you're likely to hear from a band this good. Evac...uation! over and over. Mike does nifty guitar work but it's not enough to salvage the worst song on Binaural. It's so annoyingly catchy that if it gets stuck in yout head, you may be driven to suicide.
TOTALLY AGREE
130 - Deep (Ten)
This is probably my first pick that may be unpopular to Pearl Jam fanatics, but it's a bad song. Don't deny it. It's noise to me. Considering it's the only real blemish on Ten, its stock makes it drop even lower. In tooo Deeep yea!!! I hate the music. I hate the content. I hate the vocals. Gets old very quickly. Bad... bad.
TOTALLY DISAGREE
You've heard the old quote "opinions are like a**holes"? :shock:
You're all gonna agree with his Top Ten! :roll:
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
It's not MY list.... it's just something I remembered seeing on the internets. I'm copying and pasting... (and I'm not doing it to piss anyone off)
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Never said it was you?
Oh shit, i meant to write someone' not you ;p
At the request of I Brisk I, here's the next tier
98-85. The Great Great Music Tier - pt. 1
It's this tier why Pearl Jam is my favorite band perhaps. It just shows how deep they are to have songs of this caliber so high up on such a list. These songs are great great. Problem is that this is Pearl Jam so there are a crapload of songs better than them.
98 - Oceans (Ten)
If you are in a city that is anywhere remotely close to water save New York perhaps, you know that you are getting this as your opener. The video for this song is as cheesy as they come with mullet infested guys tearing it up at the beach. I love Jeff's bassline. It's such a simple song basically, but it actually captures that surf/ocean feel without itself being a surf song. Wonderful.
97 - You (Lost Dogs)
The song just makes you smile. As simple a song as they come. I can really see some crappy emo band covering this song and bringing it to the top of the charts. Perhaps the best boy band pop song that Pearl Jam has ever done. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Pearl Jam isn't a boy band so this song gets lost in the massive confusion that is Lost Dogs and the band in general.
96 - Animal (Vs.)
One of the perfect Mike solos appears in this song and it has one of my favorite intros. 1-2-3-4-5 against 1. I heard it live and the mic cut out so they did it again. Lucky me. I don't like the riff though. They've done it so many times better elsewhere. This song is just simple aggression. If you want to kick someone's ass, listened to this song. You may still get your ass kicked but it'll get you pumped.
95 - Sometimes (No Code)
Ed ****ed up the lyrics last year in San Francisco marking it the first time he's messed up the concert opener. It was the first song of the new era Pearl Jam and it was so vastly different than what the band has previously done. Ed sings the song in a high register and the song is really the only album opener that doesn't literally rock. It's so mellow. Sets the tone for perhaps their best effort.
94 - Bee Girl (Lost Dogs)
The lyrics are so ridiculous, Ed laughs halfway through the official recording. That's how awesome this song is.
93 - MFC (Yield)
Stands for Mini Fast Cars inspired by those little Italian things. Brilliant guitar work by McCready, as he has a a kick ass lead in and guitar solo in a roughly two and half minute song. One of the many Pearl Jam car inspired songs, and is a strong addition to the great ones that they have.
92 - Comatose (Pearl Jam)
One of those punk influenced Ed songs. Live they absolutely nail it. Mike and Stone's guitar harmony interludes are so nice and fitting. One can make the argument Ed struggles with these type of vocals in his old age, but still nothing so much as to detract from the song.
91 - Brother (Lost Dogs)
To this day, I have not heard the version with lyrics so the one that appears in this ranking is Lost Dog. Badass instrumental. It's pretty much as grunge as it gets with Mike just wailing throughout most of the song.
90 - Parting Ways (Binaural)
I really have nothing to say about this song, other than the fact that's a great tune. Weak as far as album closers go considering this band has some of the best, but the song is fantastic on its own. I don't know why.
89 - All Those Yesterdays (Yield)
Two closers back to back!? Baw Gawd! Bleeds with Beatles influence (and no not just having the word Yesterday in your song constitutes as Beatles influence). The Mansfield Experiment version is absolutely wonderful and kinda makes me look less at the album version. Would have been higher if they used that version on the album, but then again, that probably wouldn't fit on Yield.
88 - Last Kiss (Lost Dogs)
Casual fans might think I'm nuts for placing this high. Hardcore fans may think I'm nuts for placing it this low. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. It's one of two songs on my list that Pearl Jam didn't write. (I think...) I'm including Crazy Mary here even though I technically shouldn't but whatever. Also, if you listen to enough Pearl Jam boots, you'll come to abhor the fact that this song gets one of the strongest crowd reactions from the casual fan. I swear if I hear another jackass scream Last Kiss! (or Jeremy for that matter) at a show again... I won't do anything, but it's still upsetting. The song itself is interesting because it is such a morbid story put to pretty poppy/happy music. Can't help but shout those last "oooo"s and "ohh"s with the track whenever I hear it.
87 - Insignificance (Binaural)
I've tried really hard to get insanely into this song, but I only think it's great and nothing more. Only think I love love love hear is the chorus, which is mindblowing. The rest of the song is very good, but the chorus springs it this low on the list, that's how good it is.
86 - Thumbing My Way (Riot Act)
Some of the most beautiful lyrics Eddie has written. Nice version on Live at the Garden. One of those acoustic folky tunes written by Ed's wanna be Bob Dylan side.
85 - Ghost (Riot Act)
*is anything really written here*
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
bwaahahaaha
84 - Not For You (Vitalogy)
As simple a guitar song as it gets. A ton of punk influence and it's just a fun angst-ridden tune. It's beauty lies in its simplicity though its songs like these to always make me wonder who Ed is talking about. What kind of assclown do you seriously have to be to have a song like this written about you? Ehh... it's probably about everyone who's messed with him in his live. Awesome.
83 - Other Side (Lost Dogs)
I consider the first seven tracks of the 2nd disc of Lost Dogs to perhaps be the strongest straight seven that the band has ever put out. This is the first to appear. It's a really beautiful song. Nice harmonies but there's something about Ed's vocals that make you believe that this song could have been just a tad more had he put more into it at parts. Nice usage of the acoustic.
82 - God's Dice (Binaural)
Another of the punk influenced songs. I really enjoy this one's verses for some reason. (In fact, I think all it has is versus on second thought) Mike's got a wicked guitar slide at one point and the subsequent verse that follows mannerism is perfect for the song.
81 - Parachutes (Pearl Jam)
Some hate this song. Others love it. It's heavily Beatles influenced and you would have no idea that this was Pearl Jam had someone played this for you without prior knowledge of the song. Catchy pop song that works because it's such a rare type of song for this band to do. Awesome rendition performed at the Vic this year. Oh crap, it's been this long and I have yet to mention the Vic show? Oh wow, that's surprising. Actually, maybe I mentioned it with I'm Open but maybe not. Stone's acoustic is the maker of this song, imo. I think it's a love song, but I'd have to sit down and read the lyrics to be absolutely sure. You never know with this band...
80 - Grievance (Binaural)
'Have a drink I'm buying' is one of my favorite opening lines. But once the song gets past that (until the chorus) I don't really like it. The chorus brings it back to the greatness it started. I always love Jeff bass in here. Great line. Matt too shines on the drums.
79 - Unemployable (Pearl Jam)
Something about this song seems ssoooooo familiar. Like ripped off familiar. But until I can figure it out, I can only credit it to Pearl Jam and give it this good a ranking because it really is a fine tune.
78 - Cropduster (Riot Act)
I thought the world
Turns out the world thought me
It's all the other way round
We're upside down
Probably top 10 choruses for me. And a nice solo. But the rest of the song keeps it down. Choruses aren't everything and so the rest needs to pick it up!
77 - Nothing As It Seems (Binaural)
I kept trying to put this one off because I really love it. However, just looking at the list I created, there is nothing else that this should probably go over. *listens to wailing opening solo over acoustic backing* You know what scratch this... NAIS lives on...
77 - Low Light (Yield)
This one always catches me by surprise as my ear wants to hear one less chord than is actually played which is one of this tracks great features. It forces you to pay attention even though by nature, it isn't supposed. I am not too fond of it lyrically but the melody clouds over this.
76 - I Am Mine (Riot Act)
I think there is someone here that has this as their favorite so this will **** with them. Like most of Riot Act, Ed sounds as if he just woke up from a long nap right before recorded this. Maybe if I can figure the north is to south what the clock is to time is means I'll put this higher. Actually I guess it means you can only tell what is north if you know what is south, just as you can only know time if you look at a clock to tell you what it is... ? Maybe that’s it, but I lied, it doesn't go higher. We're safe tonight!!
75 - Lukin (No Code)
One minute of bliss. Listen to the Benaroya version or the IIC street version for more bliss. Loses points for not being longer dammit!
74 - Even Flow (Ten)
Ok, here's a rant. My teacher had this on his stereo before class last week. The two girls behind me said "Oh wow, the Guitar Hero song!" I cringed. I wanted to turn around and explain to them how it's not the guitar hero song. How it is one of the most popular songs by one of the most important American bands and has been long before Guitar Hero came out last week. I don't care if it looks like I'm docking it points because of this, because clearly I am. And why the **** do they feel the need to play this to EVERY show!? Why!? Which once again brings me back to the awesomeness that was the Vic show. No Even Flow! Yay! Finally! And why this tour did they need to extend it to about 11 minutes why, and still manage to speed it up by nearly double the speed!? SLOW THE **** DOWN! And why add like three more Mike solos to a song driven by Mike solos! And why add a freaking drum solo? Sorry, Matt, you're a great rhythm guy but you can't solo if you're life depended upon it? It's the quintessential song that people use to show Ed's EERRRRRR voice and that he sounds nonsensical at the same time. But, if I can show so much disdain for a song, why did I even put it this high? Because it's Even Flow. And the song is awesome.
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
You are miles ahead, no need to worry. This list is just a rant and a badly written one at that. More importantly, I think the author doesn't understand the origin, meaning or deeper significance of a lot of the songs, he is just rating the noises he hears. Eg: Habit just sucks for him, I don't think he has any idea what it is about...
Yep, the Examiner dude is miles ahead. That said, I don't think this guy is totally clueless. Here and there, you might find a good observation.
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
74-63. The "This song would be among my favorites from a band had they not been done by Pearl Jam who has too many amazing songs to compete with" Tier, pt. 1
74 - Undone (Riot Act)
"I don't know how the **** this didn't make the record." - Eddie Vedder
73 - Life Wasted (Pearl Jam)
A great rocker. The video is ****ed up and would have scared the crap out of me had I seen it if I was a child. Nice opener setting the tone for the Pearl Jam (mainstream) come back of 06. One of my favorite bridges.
72 - Dead Man (Lost Dogs)
Written for the movie Dead Man Walking but got passed up for a Bruce song. One of the few times Ed's "I just woke up" voice fits the song as this guy is facing the realization that he is about to die. Wonderful. Made a nice Vic pre-set showing (baw gawd did I do it again?). Part of the straight seven I was referring to early.
71 - Nothing As It Seems (Binaural)
Sorry, you can't get out of it this time. I love how the music matches the theme as you get the impression that nothing really is as it seems. It's so trippy. I was walking around Manhattan once and this song came up on my shuffle and the whole demeanor of the scenery changed. Powerful track.
70 - Dissident (Vs.)
This song got me into Pearl Jam, and was my favorite for the first few weeks haha. So that version of myself may kick my ass for this placement. A catchy riff and great vocals makes for a superb song. I remember I was so pissed off they didn't play this at my first show haha.
69 - Go (Vs.)
I used to hate this song. But attending a show in Germany and hearing this as your opener tends to change your mind. Please PLEASE please pleeasse... On an album of conflicts this is the first and sets the tone of just raw aggression. It amazes me how they can have a song this hard but not sacrifice melodic content. *stares at Blood... shakes head*
68 - World Wide Suicide (Pearl Jam)
It's as catchy as hell, and I played the crap out of it when it was first leaked. Over... and over... and over. I love Ed's guitar part with that slide thingy (sorry I'm not a guitarist). Perhaps just as blatant attack on GWB as Bushleaguer but this song doesn't sacrifice the quality to attack it. Just like Even Flow or Jeremy, its a socially relevant song in today's society, proving that the band still cares 16 years later. Really nice medolic changes and Matt Cameron harmony is always great.
67 - Wash (Lost Dogs)
The third appearance of the straight seven of Lost Dogs part 2. This may be the easiest to overlook but it's a really powerful song. Please let it rain today. They opened with this at the Gorge last year because it was freaking hot!! I don't particularly care for the music of it, especially during the chorus (Mike's solo notwithstanding) but I guess that's part of its power. Confusing song but it's one of those to just lay back and listen and not give a crap about why it's confusing.
66 - Brain of J (Yield)
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4! I took me so long to figure out the first spoken words of Yield were actually just a count in. Part of the same family that uses this type of riff, but perhaps does it the best. Let me now focus my attention on the bridge. It's so flipping short, but seriously they should have focused an entire song around it. Brilliant. Jeff's bass work during it is among my favorite from him ever. Plus, being the fanatic I am I needed to read Ishmael (the book Yield was based on) and so this and a lot of Yield songs took on new, better meaning.
65 - Marker in the Sand (Pearl Jam)
This is when it hit me fully how deep the band rolls. This song is so good yet cracks top 65? Geez. This song brings up the funk and has one of the great outros in Pearl Jam history. I've yet to hear them do an extended jam with it though which is a shame.
64 - Crazy Mary (Sweet Relief)
Cover song originally by Victoria Williams and it's hilarious how much they completely blew her out of the water with their version. If I was including how this song was played live, it may very well be top 10-15, because Boom (usually) tears it up on the keys and Ed actually sings it normally. On this studio version, he sounds very weird for most of the song, so that’s why it dropped a few spots. Take a bottle drink it down pass it around is such a fun, singable chorus. Female backing vocals by... somebody... maybe Williams?
63 - Tremor Christ (Vitalogy)
Some of the band's most haunting lyrics. What is it that makes you tremor? This one tells an amazing story, which Pearl Jam doesn't really tend to do for the most part. Of course you'll find a handful, but it's always great to see them do it.
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14