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An instrument rather than a storyteller...

todd1974todd1974 Posts: 69
edited August 2009 in The Porch
I think that this might be the first thread I've ever started on here. I'm nervous. :oops:

Anyway, in the backspacer 'making of' video that's floating around, Ed says more or less the following (I've removed the 'you knows'):

"You can listen to songs that have meaning but never know what they mean for decades. It would always seem like the lyrics they have to be this or they have to be that, they have to be three dimensional and they have to…but they don’t. That’s new for me too--kind of participating as an instrument rather than a storyteller--writing is great but there are so many words…there’s too many options".

What are your thoughts this? Agree/disagree? How does this relate to backspacer etc...
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    relates to my other thread. I see this record as being a "fun" record. Fun and Pearl Jam usually dont go together.

    I think the last few albums, especially, Avocado were so draining emotionally on the band, that it was time for them to make a fun, quick, back to rock record. Army Reserve, Marker in the Sand, Come Back, are all such emotional and intense songs. The lyrics are dripping with emotion. So I think, the quote you are talking about is in reference to this.

    They did the political thing, and will still do that, but for Backspacer it was time, to just play music, to write, more personal and introspective songs, and to just let the music do the talking as opposed to political angry words and lyrics.

    This makes me pretty excited to hear the new record. its something new. As I said in a previous thread, go through the Pearl Jam catalogue, politics has always been a part of their music, as has angry and dark songwriting.

    I dont get the sense that Backspacer is a dark record. I dont get the sense they are writing about death, war and violence. I dont get the sense they are pissed off about anything, or if they are, those feelings wont reflect themselves lyrically on the record.

    I cant think of many other pearl jam records where this is the case.

    For the last few years the band has been one of the more political bands around. Thats neceassary and good. But I also think its fun to listen to music that is just plain old rock and roll
  • LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSunLikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun Posts: 6,097
    honestly, i have no idea what he's talking about most of the time.
  • todd1974todd1974 Posts: 69
    alright, well, to reply to my own question, I find that quote (if he means what I think he means) really annoying.

    He should strive to be an instrument and a storyteller. There are enough damned instruments out there. The reason I got into pearl jam in the first place was because he was the best damned storyteller I'd ever heard. I think maybe I'll skip backspacer and reconvene with ya'all when he starts telling stories again (okay I won't really but I am tempted).

    Becoming merely an instrument is boring (unless it's an album full of ARCs). I know he's got a frickin awesome voice, but it never was just the voice. It was what he was sayin. Maybe that's just me.
  • PJammer4lifePJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,657
    I think what he means is that he felt comfortable with his place being adding vocals to the songs in terms of melody rather than trying so hard to have powerful lyrics. This will give a better sounding record, but maybe not as deep lyrically. Its a bit of a change, but hopefully turned out better than concentrating so hard on the lyrics that don't fit the songs as well. As a songwriter you can hum, harmonize with the parts and add words/ lyrics that fit that sound. Or you can make lyrics and stretch them over the guitar /bass but they may not really mesh and are more dissonant. "If somethings ooooold...put a little shine on it..." matches the guitar lick...but may not be the best lyric that stands alone. But a better stand alone lyric may not fit the song..its how you come at the song...
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  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    todd1974 wrote:
    alright, well, to reply to my own question, I find that quote (if he means what I think he means) really annoying.

    He should strive to be an instrument and a storyteller. There are enough damned instruments out there. The reason I got into pearl jam in the first place was because he was the best damned storyteller I'd ever heard. I think maybe I'll skip backspacer and reconvene with ya'all when he starts telling stories again (okay I won't really but I am tempted).

    Becoming merely an instrument is boring (unless it's an album full of ARCs). I know he's got a frickin awesome voice, but it never was just the voice. It was what he was sayin. Maybe that's just me.


    I dont think he is saying that at all. I would humbly say, look at what i posted in response to your question.

    I dont think he means he means anything like you are suggesting. His voice isnt going to be more of an instrument.

    Its like I said. All advance reviews of the record say this is a different Pearl Jam. Take that how you will. We know the album isnt full of political lyrics. And it isnt long. It is a quick fast album.

    Eddie is a gifted lyricist, one of the best in rock today. But I think, as I said before, its most likely pretty draining to write a song like Come Back or WWS. To be "an instrument" rather than a storyteller, means, what i just said. There are no intense political rants and diatribes on the record. Its quick and rapid, the lyrics are probably less of a focus on this record, because its non political. The focus is on the music.

    I dont think he is going to be doing more Arc type songs.
  • todd1974todd1974 Posts: 69
    alright. I'll lighten up.
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    PJammer4life wrote:
    I think what he means is that he felt comfortable with his place being adding vocals to the songs in terms of melody rather than trying so hard to have powerful lyrics. This will give a better sounding record, but maybe not as deep lyrically. Its a bit of a change, but hopefully turned out better than concentrating so hard on the lyrics that don't fit the songs as well. As a songwriter you can hum, harmonize with the parts and add words/ lyrics that fit that sound. Or you can make lyrics and stretch them over the guitar /bass but they may not really mesh and are more dissonant. "If somethings ooooold...put a little shine on it..." matches the guitar lick...but may not be the best lyric that stands alone. But a better stand alone lyric may not fit the song..its how you come at the song...


    exactly. Pearl Jam has always had a strong focus on the lyrical content of the songs. Ed has always tried to say SOMETHING. And it pays to learn the lyrics. But as I said, I think this time, they said, forget it, lets just rock out.

    I think being an "instrument" also has another connotation. Ed and the band are instruments of inspiration, so to speak. The spirit flows through them, they are the instruments so to speak. I think this could be another aspect of the ed quote.
  • todd1974todd1974 Posts: 69
    PJammer4life wrote:
    I think what he means is that he felt comfortable with his place being adding vocals to the songs in terms of melody rather than trying so hard to have powerful lyrics. This will give a better sounding record, but maybe not as deep lyrically. Its a bit of a change, but hopefully turned out better than concentrating so hard on the lyrics that don't fit the songs as well. As a songwriter you can hum, harmonize with the parts and add words/ lyrics that fit that sound. Or you can make lyrics and stretch them over the guitar /bass but they may not really mesh and are more dissonant. "If somethings ooooold...put a little shine on it..." matches the guitar lick...but may not be the best lyric that stands alone. But a better stand alone lyric may not fit the song..its how you come at the song...

    yeah, I think you hit it on the head there. My favourite bands basically fit essays to music. Most people hate that, but to me, it's what does it for me. And that's personal taste, but I like the Dead Kennedys/propagandhis/fugazis/anis more than the radioheads/etc.

    I'm only discussing for the sake of discussing. I'm sure that backspacer will have three or four songs that totally do it for each of us.

    for example, off binaural, I only really like Grievance, Insignificance and Evacuation. Everyone would have a difference list.

    Just discussion :)
  • Gonzo1977Gonzo1977 Posts: 1,696
    edited August 2009
    Nice Thread.

    Interesting points.

    Eddie like many of us is a fan of MUSIC....ROCK MUSIC -to be specific-

    WHY NOT??? It's fun as shit to play. It's like sex in many ways. Basically, the shit just get's you off.

    It's a release and it get's something out of your system...out of your brain.

    It starts with a guy who can play three chords and a drummer who can count to 4...

    There's really not much to it other than that...It's just making noise...LOUD NOISE.

    Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike, Boom, Dave, Matt, Dave, Dave, Dave, Mattt....Joe....who ever....They all started bands this way...and for this reason.

    ROCK MUSIC IS FUN!!!

    I think the purpose of Backspacer -without hearing the album- is to BACKSPACE...get back to music for music sake...

    forget the Politics...Forget BUSH...

    Get together and play ROCK MUSIC for what rock music is for.......ROCKING OUT!!!!

    There doesnt' have to be some huge political meaning behind it...the shit is just fun....it's noise...it's friends...it's rock.

    Let's have some fun...We're 40!!!

    See you out there.
    Post edited by Gonzo1977 on
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    musicismylife78 wrote:
    PJammer4life wrote:
    I think what he means is that he felt comfortable with his place being adding vocals to the songs in terms of melody rather than trying so hard to have powerful lyrics. This will give a better sounding record, but maybe not as deep lyrically. Its a bit of a change, but hopefully turned out better than concentrating so hard on the lyrics that don't fit the songs as well. As a songwriter you can hum, harmonize with the parts and add words/ lyrics that fit that sound. Or you can make lyrics and stretch them over the guitar /bass but they may not really mesh and are more dissonant. "If somethings ooooold...put a little shine on it..." matches the guitar lick...but may not be the best lyric that stands alone. But a better stand alone lyric may not fit the song..its how you come at the song...


    exactly. Pearl Jam has always had a strong focus on the lyrical content of the songs. Ed has always tried to say SOMETHING. And it pays to learn the lyrics. But as I said, I think this time, they said, forget it, lets just rock out.

    I think being an "instrument" also has another connotation. Ed and the band are instruments of inspiration, so to speak. The spirit flows through them, they are the instruments so to speak. I think this could be another aspect of the ed quote.

    I would caution against thinking Ed has abandonded lyricizing altogether, however. Some of the lyrics I've heard floating around, in bits and pieces, are pretty fucking stellar.

    Also ... there's an interview out there with Jeff saying this record might have the best lyrics of any in the PJ catalogue (IRRC). I would be stunned if the album is a vapid, let's rock-out-with-our-cocks-out record either.

    I think there is some middle ground they are traversing.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • helplessdancerhelplessdancer Posts: 5,281
    i think sometimes the music can be bigger than the words, but certainly, the combination of the two is total nirvana

    when i first hear a song i want the BEAT to be right, before i can even listen to the lyrics

    sure, lyrics are important and pj have some of the best. but it must rawk first. pearl jam are an amazing rock band. it's what i expect, and it's what keeps me a fan.

    an ummm sometimes i don't like to be so challenged to discover real meanings of deep dark slow(?)songs. sometimes i want light and fluffy. whipping, thank ya very much

    i am so fired up on the fixer for the very reason why this thread exists. i first heard it and LOVED IT

    it f'n rocks
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