I would agree with a lot of what you said. I look at stuff Radiohead has done, and particularly at Green Day's American Idiot, and fantasize about PJ doing something like it. As for non-musical overdubs, I can't figure out why someone would want such a thing. I buy PJ albums for the music. I get non-musical overdubs on my daily subway commute
Well by non-musical overdubs, I mean stuff like the presidential speeches in Cult of Personality by Living Colour or the helicopters on The Wall. I'm not suggesting they stop the music to talk.
I know.
Those things are okay, but, as I said, it's not something I look for when I buy a record. That's all.
I'm waiting for either my 10C to get here in the mail tomorrow, or just buying the album on Sunday and listening that way, than simply hearing it for the first time off myspace.
But it's hardly a step-forward creatively. But that's not to say that it's step backward either.
Just curious, what would you consider a "step-forward creatively"? I hear this frequently that there is no new creative step in Backspacer but I hear a lot of new things on this record that PJ have not done before. Sure, they don't have the rock opera kind of arrangements that Muse have or more sampled sounds like Radiohead or hip-hop collaborations like Cornell (thank god), but they do sound good in a way that they have not sounded before. That is a step forward, don't you think?
Still waiting for the Eddie Vedder-penned rock-opera I guess. I dunno. There's a lot of cool things employed over the years by various bands that Pearl Jam NEVER does. There's not one instrumental on a PJ album.
Except for Aye Davanita. And Hummus. And possibly you could count The Colour Red.
As for your other examples of experimentation ... not all of that is such a good thing. There are only so many weird-ass songs one band can produce. Help, Help is a fine song ... but at some point those inaccessible songs can get tedious. That's where the "trim the fat" thing comes in ... seems with this album, if any song felt like
"homework" as Ed put it, they scrapped it and went on to something more immediate.
I wouldn't want every Pearl Jam album to work that way. But when you've got a catalogue of Help, Helps
and Who You Ares, etc ... you're allowed to make one album that's easy. Sometimes, straightfoward is the way to go.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Except for Aye Davanita. And Hummus. And possibly you could count The Colour Red.
As for your other examples of experimentation ... not all of that is such a good thing. There are only so many weird-ass songs one band can produce. Help, Help is a fine song ... but at some point those inaccessible songs can get tedious. That's where the "trim the fat" thing comes in ... seems with this album, if any song felt like
"homework" as Ed put it, they scrapped it and went on to something more immediate.
I wouldn't want every Pearl Jam album to work that way. But when you've got a catalogue of Help, Helps
and Who You Ares, etc ... you're allowed to make one album that's easy. Sometimes, straightfoward is the way to go.
There's vocalization in Aye Davanita and he sings the same line over and over in Colour red. Hummus is I guess the closest thing but that's a secret track. But enough about instrumentals....
You are allowed to make one album that's "easy". But this just doesn't seem very inspired. Like I've said, I like it. It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's just good....which is all I ask for anyway.
Except for Aye Davanita. And Hummus. And possibly you could count The Colour Red.
As for your other examples of experimentation ... not all of that is such a good thing. There are only so many weird-ass songs one band can produce. Help, Help is a fine song ... but at some point those inaccessible songs can get tedious. That's where the "trim the fat" thing comes in ... seems with this album, if any song felt like
"homework" as Ed put it, they scrapped it and went on to something more immediate.
I wouldn't want every Pearl Jam album to work that way. But when you've got a catalogue of Help, Helps
and Who You Ares, etc ... you're allowed to make one album that's easy. Sometimes, straightfoward is the way to go.
There's vocalization in Aye Davanita and he sings the same line over and over in Colour red. Hummus is I guess the closest thing but that's a secret track. But enough about instrumentals....
You are allowed to make one album that's "easy". But this just doesn't seem very inspired. Like I've said, I like it. It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's just good....which is all I ask for anyway.
Your opinion isn't far-fetched. It's fair enough.
I just don't need an album to feel like homework for it to be great, is all.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
You have to realize that this band will never make the same album twice. Those people that just want that "ten" sound won't get it again. Accept that, and then go listen again.
Why is it that anytime someone doesn't like the band's new record people assume they want the "ten" sound again?
2003: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Seattle; 2005: Monterrey; 2006: Chicago 1 & 2, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Detroit; 2008: West Palm Beach, Tampa; 2009: Austin, LA 3 & 4, San Diego; 2010: Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbus, Indianapolis; 2011: PJ20 1 & 2; 2012: Missoula; 2013: Dallas, Oklahoma City, Seattle; 2014: Tulsa; 2016: Columbia, New York City 1 & 2; 2018: London, Seattle 1 & 2; 2021: Ohana; 2022: Oklahoma City
Except for Aye Davanita. And Hummus. And possibly you could count The Colour Red.
As for your other examples of experimentation ... not all of that is such a good thing. There are only so many weird-ass songs one band can produce. Help, Help is a fine song ... but at some point those inaccessible songs can get tedious. That's where the "trim the fat" thing comes in ... seems with this album, if any song felt like
"homework" as Ed put it, they scrapped it and went on to something more immediate.
I wouldn't want every Pearl Jam album to work that way. But when you've got a catalogue of Help, Helps
and Who You Ares, etc ... you're allowed to make one album that's easy. Sometimes, straightfoward is the way to go.
There's vocalization in Aye Davanita and he sings the same line over and over in Colour red. Hummus is I guess the closest thing but that's a secret track. But enough about instrumentals....
You are allowed to make one album that's "easy". But this just doesn't seem very inspired. Like I've said, I like it. It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's just good....which is all I ask for anyway.
Your opinion isn't far-fetched. It's fair enough.
I just don't need an album to feel like homework for it to be great, is all.
See I don't really get this 'homework' line. I think that you're implying that something doesn't have to be "complicated" to be good (which I agree with) but it's not like Avocado is a very challenging record. Again, I don't really know what you mean with this.
I have to comment this album is again different. Pearl Jam has always seamed to re-invent them selves without re-inventing them selves. You look at all the music these guys grew up on, they are following footsteps that have gone in the same direction. The Who, the LeD, The Beatles ( I know not as big) these bands have made a mark in history buy changing the way they make music. Inventing new sounds new lyrics. Every time PJ does something NEW, i always hear the same comments and reviews, it doesn't sound like Pearl Jam. The ones that are saying this, have not traveled down the road that the true fan has. Some of those albums that people where saying "this isn't the Pearl Jam I know" are know a staple on there ipods and listening stations. Vitalogy came out and all these people fell off the Bandwagon. I admit it, I was one who questioned the album but i listened and know seriously it is probably my favorite. The only hick-up i have with this album is the song speed of sound, the original we got for solving the puzzle is a ton better than the one that is on the album. The coolest thing about this album is supersonic this song rocks in the car full blast. "Just Breathe" is really cool, Eddies voice is something different in this one. The Fixer is good but I think it has lost a little spunk being played so much, I think once the new toy feeling wears off this one will become a fav. Amongst the Waves Very, Very cool It reminds me alot of presence tense and or given to fly kind of a love story with an image in his head, a short feel good movie. If you are questioning this album, lock your self in a room or your car and turn it up and feal the jam enter your soul. Peace out and see ya at the show
I have to comment this album is again different. Pearl Jam has always seamed to re-invent them selves without re-inventing them selves. You look at all the music these guys grew up on, they are following footsteps that have gone in the same direction. The Who, LeD, The Beatles ( I know not as big) but these bands mad a mark in history buy changing the way they make music. Inventing new sounds new lyrics. Every time PJ does something NEW i always hear the same comments and reviews it doesn't sound like Pearl Jam. The ones that are saying this have not traveled down the road that the true fan has. Some of those albums that people where saying "this isn't the Pearl Jam I know" are know a staple on there ipods and listening stations. Vitalogy came out and all these people fell off the Bandwagon. I admit it I was one who questioned the album but i listened and know seriously it is probably my favorite.
The most jarring change in sound was from Vitalogy to No Code—period. The move from Avocado to Backspacer is nothing in comparison. I love No Code but everyone who heard that album went "What the hell?" at some point listening to it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
So this life is sacrifice...
6/30/98 Minneapolis, 10/8/00 East Troy (Brrrr!), 6/16/03 St. Paul, 6/27/06 St. Paul
The most jarring change in sound was from Vitalogy to No Code—period. The move from Avocado to Backspacer is nothing in comparison. I love No Code but everyone who heard that album went "What the hell?" at some point listening to it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
I think many people have many different opinions on this. I had plenty of friends who did not like Vitalogy one bit when it came out. Each subsequent album has pretty much alienated the rest of my friends, errrr...people I used to know
Whats funny is we have those friends who don't understand our fix on PJ. We suggest to those same friends that they listen to this song that song and then this album and that album, and next thing you know they have joined the 10c to get tics and waiting line for next album. go figure
How 'bout we all sit back and enjoy the ride? Lots of over-analyzation going on here. I think this band is in a very good place right now, and this is the album they wanted to make and release at this point in time. I think it's a very different album than the other 8 in the catalogue, and for that I'm happy.
As a Beatles fan, think of that band releasing Sgt. Pepper's in 1967, and 16 months later releasing "The White Album"... from a very clean, highly-produced concept album to a wide-ranging, stripped down all-over-the place double album! What I'm trying to say is: Variety is good! If there's too much orchestration or pop for you in Backspacer, maybe the next one will be the most stripped down (guitar-bass-drum-vocal) that they'll ever put out. Enjoy the ride... it's fun.
I listened to it in order in myspace. The first thing I thought of at the point of just breathe, was Led Zeppelin III. The good rockers in side 1. Then a change to acoustic. Amongst the waves and untought known are the tangerine song in this record. At least that´s where it took me, and I haven´t listened to led zep III in a long while.
But then it comes again with a rocker like supersonic, so the comparison falls. Not to mention force of nature that is a very heavy rocker with great leading vocals (hard to believe it´s eddie singing those).
And then the end. Takes me back to led zeppelin III.
Loved it!
Edit: Also, after the first lisetn, it made me think of johnny cash and springsteen. I could almost see eddie dancing to these songs, well some. Not every song...
The most jarring change in sound was from Vitalogy to No Code—period. The move from Avocado to Backspacer is nothing in comparison. I love No Code but everyone who heard that album went "What the hell?" at some point listening to it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
Vitalogy sounded different than Vs. and Vs. sounded different than 10 but Vitalogy was still made up (mostly) of radio-friendly rock songs. No Code was the first PJ album to forgo most of that (sans Hail Hail).
So this life is sacrifice...
6/30/98 Minneapolis, 10/8/00 East Troy (Brrrr!), 6/16/03 St. Paul, 6/27/06 St. Paul
They have fucked with my mind, that's for sure. What am I listening to?
But that is great, it's exceptional when a band can just flick so many different switches. And it works...
It's fresh right now but imagine this album in a year's time. This is the album you're gonna reach to when you need a pick me up. 38 quick minutes and you're gonna be feeling a whole lot better about the world.
I have to say, I didn't dig Supersonic or Johnny at first... so why can't I stop humming them?
it's good, but i have a feeling that they will never again, ever, put out an album that stands up to the test of time like vitalogy, no code or yield.........
2003 Mansfield III 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
it's good, but i have a feeling that they will never again, ever, put out an album that stands up to the test of time like vitalogy, no code or yield.........
was listening to yield again this morning..that album never gets old!
2003: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Seattle; 2005: Monterrey; 2006: Chicago 1 & 2, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Detroit; 2008: West Palm Beach, Tampa; 2009: Austin, LA 3 & 4, San Diego; 2010: Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbus, Indianapolis; 2011: PJ20 1 & 2; 2012: Missoula; 2013: Dallas, Oklahoma City, Seattle; 2014: Tulsa; 2016: Columbia, New York City 1 & 2; 2018: London, Seattle 1 & 2; 2021: Ohana; 2022: Oklahoma City
See I don't really get this 'homework' line. I think that you're implying that something doesn't have to be "complicated" to be good (which I agree with) but it's not like Avocado is a very challenging record. Again, I don't really know what you mean with this.
You're right about Avocado. I wouldn't neccesarily consider it a "homework" album. Neither was "Yield," to me. The rest of them ... but particularly Binaural and Riot Act ... were.
Upon first listen, or the first week of listens, there were maybe three or four songs on each of those albums that really stood out. The rest of it really had to grow on me. It took many subsequent listens for me really to "get" a song like Rival, or Help, Help.
I had to force myself to listen to them, to not skip them, to delve deeper into them. Like homework. Eventually, something clicked with them, and it was gratifying, because I had put in the work so to speak.
It will be nice to have a Pearl Jam album that (potentially) just clicks right away. That's all I'm saying.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Now that I've actually got this thing in my hot little hands and have been able to digest it ...
My knee-jerk observation: Ed Vedder carries this album. With his lyrics, phrasing and vocal delivery. Simply stellar.
For months, Backspacer has been billed as "Pearl Jam makes a pop album." In a lesser songwriter's hands, that could have been disaster. I always had faith that Ed could make it work, tie it all together, make it Pearl Jam. My faith has been rewarded.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
it's good, but i have a feeling that they will never again, ever, put out an album that stands up to the test of time like vitalogy, no code or yield.........
I really don't listen to those albums any more evryonce in a while maybe, to me this album is pure magic to my ears ..
The most jarring change in sound was from Vitalogy to No Code—period. The move from Avocado to Backspacer is nothing in comparison. I love No Code but everyone who heard that album went "What the hell?" at some point listening to it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
I agree 100%. I enjoyed No Code, but was left bewildered by the sudden change. When I heard the songs live though....WOW, simply awesome. I am now used to PJs "detours" and actually enjoy the band more as a result. Seriously, would PJ still exist or be relevant to most people if they continued to crank out the same sound? Of course not. They would have withered away long ago like most bands. Even the most ardent fan would have grown up and gotten bored with them.
For those of you who don't enjoy this album as much, take solace in a quote I saw that PJ wanted to have fewer months-long tours and wanted to concentrate more on producing albums. Means, hopefully, more will come. Of course, if you want to see them live all the time (who doesn't) this could be bad news as well.
i often get Binaural and Riot Act confused when it comes to what songs are on which...same with Yield and No Code, though Yield is my favorite album so i know that one well, but if it wasn't i'd probably get the two confused easily.
:roll:
this right here disqualfies you from participating in an intelligent pearl jam discussion.
Comments
I know.
Those things are okay, but, as I said, it's not something I look for when I buy a record. That's all.
Except for Aye Davanita. And Hummus. And possibly you could count The Colour Red.
As for your other examples of experimentation ... not all of that is such a good thing. There are only so many weird-ass songs one band can produce. Help, Help is a fine song ... but at some point those inaccessible songs can get tedious. That's where the "trim the fat" thing comes in ... seems with this album, if any song felt like
"homework" as Ed put it, they scrapped it and went on to something more immediate.
I wouldn't want every Pearl Jam album to work that way. But when you've got a catalogue of Help, Helps
and Who You Ares, etc ... you're allowed to make one album that's easy. Sometimes, straightfoward is the way to go.
for the least they could possibly do
There's vocalization in Aye Davanita and he sings the same line over and over in Colour red. Hummus is I guess the closest thing but that's a secret track. But enough about instrumentals....
You are allowed to make one album that's "easy". But this just doesn't seem very inspired. Like I've said, I like it. It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's just good....which is all I ask for anyway.
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Your opinion isn't far-fetched. It's fair enough.
I just don't need an album to feel like homework for it to be great, is all.
for the least they could possibly do
Why is it that anytime someone doesn't like the band's new record people assume they want the "ten" sound again?
See I don't really get this 'homework' line. I think that you're implying that something doesn't have to be "complicated" to be good (which I agree with) but it's not like Avocado is a very challenging record. Again, I don't really know what you mean with this.
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Nail meet Head
6/30/98 Minneapolis, 10/8/00 East Troy (Brrrr!), 6/16/03 St. Paul, 6/27/06 St. Paul
I think many people have many different opinions on this. I had plenty of friends who did not like Vitalogy one bit when it came out. Each subsequent album has pretty much alienated the rest of my friends, errrr...people I used to know
As a Beatles fan, think of that band releasing Sgt. Pepper's in 1967, and 16 months later releasing "The White Album"... from a very clean, highly-produced concept album to a wide-ranging, stripped down all-over-the place double album! What I'm trying to say is: Variety is good! If there's too much orchestration or pop for you in Backspacer, maybe the next one will be the most stripped down (guitar-bass-drum-vocal) that they'll ever put out. Enjoy the ride... it's fun.
2000: 8/15, 8/18, 10/9, 10/11, 10/12
2003: 6/18, 6/21, 6/22
2005: 9/9, 9/28
2006: 5/16, 5/17, 6/26, 6/27
2007: 8/5
2009: 8/23, 8/24
2010: 5/3, 5/4, 5/21
2011: 9/3, 9/4, 9/11, 9/12
2013: 7/19, 11/16
2014: 10/3, 10/9, 10/12, 10/17
2016: 4/16, 8/20, 8/22
2018: 8/18, 8/20, 9/2
2022: 9/18
2023: 8/31, 9/2, 9/5
2024: 5/18, 6/29
I listened to it in order in myspace. The first thing I thought of at the point of just breathe, was Led Zeppelin III. The good rockers in side 1. Then a change to acoustic. Amongst the waves and untought known are the tangerine song in this record. At least that´s where it took me, and I haven´t listened to led zep III in a long while.
But then it comes again with a rocker like supersonic, so the comparison falls. Not to mention force of nature that is a very heavy rocker with great leading vocals (hard to believe it´s eddie singing those).
And then the end. Takes me back to led zeppelin III.
Loved it!
Edit: Also, after the first lisetn, it made me think of johnny cash and springsteen. I could almost see eddie dancing to these songs, well some. Not every song...
I know I love Just Breathe!
It is awesome, isn't it!
Vitalogy sounded different than Vs. and Vs. sounded different than 10 but Vitalogy was still made up (mostly) of radio-friendly rock songs. No Code was the first PJ album to forgo most of that (sans Hail Hail).
6/30/98 Minneapolis, 10/8/00 East Troy (Brrrr!), 6/16/03 St. Paul, 6/27/06 St. Paul
But that is great, it's exceptional when a band can just flick so many different switches. And it works...
It's fresh right now but imagine this album in a year's time. This is the album you're gonna reach to when you need a pick me up. 38 quick minutes and you're gonna be feeling a whole lot better about the world.
I have to say, I didn't dig Supersonic or Johnny at first... so why can't I stop humming them?
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
was listening to yield again this morning..that album never gets old!
You're right about Avocado. I wouldn't neccesarily consider it a "homework" album. Neither was "Yield," to me. The rest of them ... but particularly Binaural and Riot Act ... were.
Upon first listen, or the first week of listens, there were maybe three or four songs on each of those albums that really stood out. The rest of it really had to grow on me. It took many subsequent listens for me really to "get" a song like Rival, or Help, Help.
I had to force myself to listen to them, to not skip them, to delve deeper into them. Like homework. Eventually, something clicked with them, and it was gratifying, because I had put in the work so to speak.
It will be nice to have a Pearl Jam album that (potentially) just clicks right away. That's all I'm saying.
for the least they could possibly do
My knee-jerk observation: Ed Vedder carries this album. With his lyrics, phrasing and vocal delivery. Simply stellar.
For months, Backspacer has been billed as "Pearl Jam makes a pop album." In a lesser songwriter's hands, that could have been disaster. I always had faith that Ed could make it work, tie it all together, make it Pearl Jam. My faith has been rewarded.
for the least they could possibly do
Matt drumming skills are awesome
Ed vocals rule
Stones guitar showcase
……..album?
I really don't listen to those albums any more evryonce in a while maybe, to me this album is pure magic to my ears ..
I agree 100%. I enjoyed No Code, but was left bewildered by the sudden change. When I heard the songs live though....WOW, simply awesome. I am now used to PJs "detours" and actually enjoy the band more as a result. Seriously, would PJ still exist or be relevant to most people if they continued to crank out the same sound? Of course not. They would have withered away long ago like most bands. Even the most ardent fan would have grown up and gotten bored with them.
For those of you who don't enjoy this album as much, take solace in a quote I saw that PJ wanted to have fewer months-long tours and wanted to concentrate more on producing albums. Means, hopefully, more will come. Of course, if you want to see them live all the time (who doesn't) this could be bad news as well.
this right here disqualfies you from participating in an intelligent pearl jam discussion.
this thread is hereby null and void.
sorry.
your jeagler has spoken.
I think this has been the only time when listening to a new pearl jam album that i have not skipped songs.
It flows so well, I love the 37 minutes length: its short, its cohesive, its a unit.