Yeah, I'm afraid my fears have come true regarding "Speed of Sound". When I heard the demo, I feared that it would become too cluttered once the full band got involved. This is almost a repeat of "Gone"... really liked the "Gone" demo from the 2005 X-mas single, but the album version just missed a little for me. On some songs, less is more. It's Pearl Jam, so I don't completely dismiss it But it's at the bottom of my Backspacer rankings.
Yep. I agree.. Cant win them all... I think the album has a lot of songs they can play for years live though and will be well received...cant say that about Riot Act and Binaural..only couple tunes they really play live off those albums..
I love everything on the album except for Speed of Sound. Now thats not to say that I hate it, but it's just those synthesized, laser, sonic the hedgehog sounds towards the end of the song that just make me cringe
“May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.” - Frank Sinatra
In my opinion, the album version is pretty out there. It almost made me chuckle, I kept expecting to hear some crazy instrumentation. I had to flip to the back of the liner notes (mid song) to check and make sure there weren't going to be additional instruments that pop up during the song. It feels carnival like... to me.
When I heard the demo (I didn't realize it was a demo at the time) I was cheering the fact they brought O'brian back. I thought Speed of Sound was on par with Sometimes, specifically with the nuances in Ed's voice (being able to hear Ed breathing before he sings). It is powerful w/out the power.
I am a painter, and I have often heard from other painters/printmakers/photographers that you never show a work in progress. Generally, I am opposed to that rule in terms of visual art... but this song is making me think twice. I am disappointed in that fact that I know there is a great demo out there (a work in progress) but PJ made the choice artistically to muck it up.
I am enjoying the album... and specifically - Johnny, Just Breathe, Supersonic
In my opinion, the album version is pretty out there. It almost made me chuckle, I kept expecting to hear some crazy instrumentation. I had to flip to the back of the liner notes (mid song) to check and make sure there weren't going to be additional instruments that pop up during the song. It feels carnival like... to me.
When I heard the demo (I didn't realize it was a demo at the time) I was cheering the fact they brought O'brian back. I thought Speed of Sound was on par with Sometimes, specifically with the nuances in Ed's voice (being able to hear Ed breathing before he sings). It is powerful w/out the power.
I am a painter, and I have often heard from other painters/printmakers/photographers that you never show a work in progress. Generally, I am opposed to that rule in terms of visual art... but this song is making me think twice. I am disappointed in that fact that I know there is a great demo out there (a work in progress) but PJ made the choice artistically to muck it up.
I am enjoying the album... and specifically - Johnny, Just Breathe, Supersonic
I guess for me I really enjoy both versions. each one evoking a different emotional state. At least we will always have a quality demo version to cherish.
Byrn, (bye - earn)
"I wanna live my life with the volume full"
Oh man, I couldn't disagree more. I didn't like the demo version at all. The studio album version is at least kinda listenable. But yeah, overall, I am not feeling this song yet.
That said, it took me years to fully appreciate Low Light from YIELD, so all is still alright with the world.
I have to kind of agree here - I actually like the overall band arrangement for this song (and I LOVED the demo), but once the drums kick in it goes downhill.
I feel like the drums don't match the song - musically I dig it on a whole, but it sounds like Matt is playing to a different song...
I do have to say - does anyone else LOVE Jeff's very Beatles-esque bass in "Just Breathe"!?
It's got a very upbeat Beatles/uptempo bluegrass feel to it in the bass. Unlike anything I can recall hearing him play before!
I think the demo version is complete bliss, i cant say i really like the studio version too much as they left out the beautiful howling and guitar part but the vocal melodies are still there,
but yeah thumbs down, not bad enough for a skip though!
The album version actually makes me cringe, not only is it the worst song on Backspacer but possibly one of my least favorite songs ever by PJ. I can't believe some people think it's the best song from Backspacer, that blows my mind, the album is awesome but come on that song sucks!
" Things were different then, all is different now "
Seattle 09-16-96, Vancouver 07-19-98, Seattle 11-05-00, Seattle 12-09-02, Vancouver 05-30-03, Vancouver 09-02-05, Gorge 07-23-06, Seattle 09-21-09, Seattle 09-22-09, Vancouver 09-25-09
I had to give this song some repeated listens in order for it to stick. But it has. Surely, it won't be a hit for some on here, but I really think if you see a glimmer of hope in it, you need to give it repeated listens, and especially if you've heard the demo. I love it now, but I sure didn't the first few spins.
Album version of this song is in my top 3 crap songs on the album.....haven't heard the other version.
Is Gonna See My Friend one of the other ones? It is the only song I dislike on the album as it is boring and has no hook or anything that isn't bland. But the other songs are great!
Album version of this song is in my top 3 crap songs on the album.....haven't heard the other version.
Is Gonna See My Friend one of the other ones? It is the only song I dislike on the album as it is boring and has no hook or anything that isn't bland. But the other songs are great!
Bland? Have you even listened to the song? Are you a fan of PJ's cover of "The Real Me"? If so, GSMF is very close. Listen to Jeff's fabulous playing on this song. Matt does pretty well, too.
You know I am one of few to say this, but it is actually one of my more favorite songs on the record.
After my first listen, I skipped it a few times on the next few listens, but now I'm really starting to like it a lot. It's definitely a grower. Probably because it sounds "different".
OK, I think I'm going to get slammed for this one, but I'm actually digging Speed of Sound a little bit more than Unthought Known.....
I like them both, don't get me wrong, but the only problem I have with Unthought Known is that it's pretty much the same repeated vocal melody on each line of the song. I definitely think it will grow on me though.
That having been said, I LOVE every song on this album, and my early favorites are Amongst the Waves, Got Some, Force of Nature, and Just Breathe (especially the "Did I say that I need you" part; I get goosebumps every time!).
6/3/06 East Rutherford
6/23/06 Pittsburgh
6/19/08 Camden
6/20/08 Camden
6/22/08 DC
6/25/08 MSG
8/4/08 EV NYC
8/5/08 EV NYC
8/7/08 EV Newark
Sorry to say, but in my opinion album version of Speed of Sound is crap. I said it and I repeat.
I can't listen to it, my ears hurt and I feel ashamed.
Sorry, even Foxymop is better...
I don't know how it happened but They did it. They ruin fantastic song. Like from the top to the deepest bottom.
Not 10c member? Have sth to say? write to me - I'll put it on the forum
halszka123@op.pl
Comments
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
A song like that needs to be simple and melodic...
They went WAY too far on the album version.
We just got too used to the demo.
Yep. I agree. The Demo was listenable..studio will skip..Love Johnny Guitar..surprised havent heard much about that one on here
"I wanna live my life with the volume full"
When I heard the demo (I didn't realize it was a demo at the time) I was cheering the fact they brought O'brian back. I thought Speed of Sound was on par with Sometimes, specifically with the nuances in Ed's voice (being able to hear Ed breathing before he sings). It is powerful w/out the power.
I am a painter, and I have often heard from other painters/printmakers/photographers that you never show a work in progress. Generally, I am opposed to that rule in terms of visual art... but this song is making me think twice. I am disappointed in that fact that I know there is a great demo out there (a work in progress) but PJ made the choice artistically to muck it up.
I am enjoying the album... and specifically - Johnny, Just Breathe, Supersonic
"I wanna live my life with the volume full"
As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but together we make a mighty fist ~ Sitting Bull
That said, it took me years to fully appreciate Low Light from YIELD, so all is still alright with the world.
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
I feel like the drums don't match the song - musically I dig it on a whole, but it sounds like Matt is playing to a different song...
I do have to say - does anyone else LOVE Jeff's very Beatles-esque bass in "Just Breathe"!?
It's got a very upbeat Beatles/uptempo bluegrass feel to it in the bass. Unlike anything I can recall hearing him play before!
but yeah thumbs down, not bad enough for a skip though!
Seattle 09-16-96, Vancouver 07-19-98, Seattle 11-05-00, Seattle 12-09-02, Vancouver 05-30-03, Vancouver 09-02-05, Gorge 07-23-06, Seattle 09-21-09, Seattle 09-22-09, Vancouver 09-25-09
★ 2009 - Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Christchurch ★
★ 2011 - EV Newcastle, Melbourne 1, Melbourne 2 ★
Is Gonna See My Friend one of the other ones? It is the only song I dislike on the album as it is boring and has no hook or anything that isn't bland. But the other songs are great!
Bland? Have you even listened to the song? Are you a fan of PJ's cover of "The Real Me"? If so, GSMF is very close. Listen to Jeff's fabulous playing on this song. Matt does pretty well, too.
Haven't heard the demo version.
The song as it is adds yet more variation to an album that fits about 6 different bands into just 30 odd minutes.
Pearl Jam:
Key Arena - Seattle, WA - Sep 21, 2009
Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC - Sep 25, 2011
Key Arena - Seattle, WA - Dec 6, 2013
Eddie Vedder Solo:
Benaroya Hall - Seattle, WA - Jul 15, 2011
I like them both, don't get me wrong, but the only problem I have with Unthought Known is that it's pretty much the same repeated vocal melody on each line of the song. I definitely think it will grow on me though.
That having been said, I LOVE every song on this album, and my early favorites are Amongst the Waves, Got Some, Force of Nature, and Just Breathe (especially the "Did I say that I need you" part; I get goosebumps every time!).
6/23/06 Pittsburgh
6/19/08 Camden
6/20/08 Camden
6/22/08 DC
6/25/08 MSG
8/4/08 EV NYC
8/5/08 EV NYC
8/7/08 EV Newark
I can't listen to it, my ears hurt and I feel ashamed.
Sorry, even Foxymop is better...
I don't know how it happened but They did it. They ruin fantastic song. Like from the top to the deepest bottom.
halszka123@op.pl