I think it is a little premature to make that call. At least for me it is.
Agreed! I'd say it's the best in ten years, but it still doesn't beat Nocode or Yield for me, or any previous album prior to those. It beats Riot Act and Pearl Jam (Avocado) for sure. It's still to early to say if it will one day top Binaural, but I am not sure it will. I love that album. Who knows, all I know is Pearl Jam is the greatest band on Earth, and I love all their albums, and they are constantly evolving.
Thank you Pearl Jam for continuing to make great albums, put on great shows and doing everything else you do for people and your fans
Alpine Valley 06-13-99 [EV-Solo]
Alpine Valley 10-8-00 (The Icebowl)
Chicago 05-16-06, 05-17-06
Lollapalooza 08-05-07
Chicago 08-22-08 [EV Solo]
Chicago 08-23-09, 08-24-09
Chicago 06-28-11, 06-29-11 [EV Solo]
PJ20 Alpine Valley 09-03-11, 09-04-11
Wrigley Field 07-19-13
Wrigley Field 08-20-16, 08-22-16
I can't figure out what I'm missing with Backspacer, but threads like this make me wonder who's the crazy one -- Me or the Backspacer lovers? In my opinion, it's a solid, but completely unspectacular album. To be honest, I'd take every other album the band has put out over Backspacer if I had to make the decision. I suppose part of my problem is that I 100% relate to the live versions of PJ songs and practically disregard the studio cuts. Since I haven't heard any of the Backspacer tunes live, I only base my opinions off the album.
That being said, the last seven songs are just a mish-mash of mostly forgettable tunes to me. My best guess is that people are still just in the honeymoon period with this album and some of the love for it will die down a bit in time. But too many of the Backspacer songs don't sound like Pearl Jam to me. They sound like tracks that belong on another Eddie solo album. It's not that I don't get any enjoyment out of listening to the new album, but I'm just shocked at how many people are acting like it's the best thing ever. I really don't hear it. Even just comparing it to Avocado, I feel like that comes out FAR ahead. To me, that was a really good record with many excellent, standout songs that I love to listen to anytime I play some PJ. Backspacer just doesn't give me many of those tracks.
I can't figure out what I'm missing with Backspacer, but threads like this make me wonder who's the crazy one -- Me or the Backspacer lovers? In my opinion, it's a solid, but completely unspectacular album. To be honest, I'd take every other album the band has put out over Backspacer if I had to make the decision. I suppose part of my problem is that I 100% relate to the live versions of PJ songs and practically disregard the studio cuts. Since I haven't heard any of the Backspacer tunes live, I only base my opinions off the album.
That being said, the last seven songs are just a mish-mash of mostly forgettable tunes to me. My best guess is that people are still just in the honeymoon period with this album and some of the love for it will die down a bit in time. But too many of the Backspacer songs don't sound like Pearl Jam to me. They sound like tracks that belong on another Eddie solo album. It's not that I don't get any enjoyment out of listening to the new album, but I'm just shocked at how many people are acting like it's the best thing ever. I just don't see it. Even just comparing it to Avocado, I feel like that comes out FAR ahead.
I seem to hear/ read negativity only here. Radio djs love it, fans at the show love it, to many casual rock fans its a "comeback" album for PJ... I don't know what some of you are hearing. There are only 2 songs that I don't care for on this album and they aren't that bad either. There are a few songs on this album that are all time PJ to me! I just can't hear how anyone could not love this album, esp a PJ fan. I think it will be more of a case of the hold outs coming along on this album, rather than a dieing down of the honeymoon period. Avocado never did anything for me, there was no honeymoon. And Riot Act was a grower. All other PJ albums including BS, were instant hits for me!
It's not nearly as good as anything Binaural or before. Rock bands don't make their most interesting music when the members are pushing 50, so it's to be expected.
I understand people are gonna like it more than anything that has ever been released, but that doesn't mean we should put up with some of the greatest albums of all time, b/c it's just not.
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
It's not nearly as good as anything Binaural or before. R
now we are talking..
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Binaural, Self Titled and Backspacer are my three favourites. I hope they follow it up sooner than later this go round. Still, I can see this sustaining me for a long time up in these frozen wilds.
Instrumentally it is all very interesting, definitely a departure for pearl jam. But I cant help but hear how strained Ed's voice sounds.. which has prevented me from really falling in love with it.
Wachovia 05 -- Irving Plaza 06 -- East Rutherford II 06 -- The Vic 07 -- Lollapalooza 07 -- Camden I,II 08 -- D.C. 08 -- MSG I,II 08 -- Chicago I,II 09, Spectrum II,III,IV 09 -- SNL 2010 -- Cleavland 2010 -- MSG I 2010
I've just read this entire thread and it seems everyone has made some valid points.
As for me it definately falls into the better of the albums but No Code is still my favorite although I can see myself leaning on this album just like I did with No Code. There is alot of inspiration on this album, alot of reflection which I seem to be in the middle of doing lots of lately so it ties in with my life right now which I can appreciate. Like I said earlier in a seperate thread, it seems they look in and write something I need to hear.
Right now Just Breathe means the most, followed closely by Unthought Known. These guys however always manage to blow me away musically ,so, as for best ever, many are right it's tough to tell yet, but time will tell So far, I think No Code and Yield rule that category, but this one could take a close third.
some of you are completely nuts. a year from now....actually, maybe even a month from now, you will be humming a different tune. you're getting way too excited over new pj. someone said this is now their favorite album of all time!!!? come on....i don't think anybody, even a die-hard pj fan, could say that with a straight face and mean it. in their right mind at least.
this is the best album since riot act. that's about it. riot act is underrated, backspacer is overrated. at this point at least. i think time will make things right....that said, i do enjoy this album. it's just not an all time classic like people want to make it out to be.
It's all a matter of opinion!! We could rate these albums until we are blue in the face, but it's all a matter of what YOUR ears like best. We could rate them, discuss them, and critique them all day and still have no valid points on what makes what the best! IMO it's the only album (along Ten and Vs) that I can listen to straight through without needing to flip to the next song. There are none of those rediculous fillers they've put in the past albums like Pry To, Aye Davanita, Heyfoxymophandlemama, Untitled, so on. A really tight but short album. But then again, some shorts are tight and those look best! Is it their finest work, no, is it parallelled with No Code, no, but is it a really rocking album?, YES! Again, just one man's opinion.
Two questions for both the Backspacer lovers and haters while people argue about it being their best ever:
Did you write off album sales and chart positions when Creed and Nickelback were sitting on the top of the charts?
- and -
What was the reaction on this board when Riot Act and Pearl Jam came out? I didn't get around to joining the fan club until a year ago (kinda sad since I've been listening to the band since Ten came out), so I don't know how those two were received - were there mixed reactions to those albums too?
Personally, I don't think Backspacer comes anywhere near touching the first three - musically or lyrically. It kinda sits in the middle for me, and my feelings toward it haven't changed one iota since I heard it the first time - 10 or so listens ago. There's one song I like quite a lot, a few I don't like at all, and the rest I'm indifferent toward - which makes it pretty much the same as the last few albums they've released.
And I listen for the voice inside my head... nothing. I'll do this one myself.
Comments
Agreed! I'd say it's the best in ten years, but it still doesn't beat Nocode or Yield for me, or any previous album prior to those. It beats Riot Act and Pearl Jam (Avocado) for sure. It's still to early to say if it will one day top Binaural, but I am not sure it will. I love that album. Who knows, all I know is Pearl Jam is the greatest band on Earth, and I love all their albums, and they are constantly evolving.
Thank you Pearl Jam for continuing to make great albums, put on great shows and doing everything else you do for people and your fans
Alpine Valley 10-8-00 (The Icebowl)
Chicago 05-16-06, 05-17-06
Lollapalooza 08-05-07
Chicago 08-22-08 [EV Solo]
Chicago 08-23-09, 08-24-09
Chicago 06-28-11, 06-29-11 [EV Solo]
PJ20 Alpine Valley 09-03-11, 09-04-11
Wrigley Field 07-19-13
Wrigley Field 08-20-16, 08-22-16
work = work + 1;
sleep = sleep - work * 10;}
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reality.equals(false);
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return 0;}
ten, vs, vitalogy, no code, yield, binaural - 10/10
riot act - 8/10
avocado - 4/10
backspacer - 10/10
I so pumped about this return to form!
That being said, the last seven songs are just a mish-mash of mostly forgettable tunes to me. My best guess is that people are still just in the honeymoon period with this album and some of the love for it will die down a bit in time. But too many of the Backspacer songs don't sound like Pearl Jam to me. They sound like tracks that belong on another Eddie solo album. It's not that I don't get any enjoyment out of listening to the new album, but I'm just shocked at how many people are acting like it's the best thing ever. I really don't hear it. Even just comparing it to Avocado, I feel like that comes out FAR ahead. To me, that was a really good record with many excellent, standout songs that I love to listen to anytime I play some PJ. Backspacer just doesn't give me many of those tracks.
I seem to hear/ read negativity only here. Radio djs love it, fans at the show love it, to many casual rock fans its a "comeback" album for PJ... I don't know what some of you are hearing. There are only 2 songs that I don't care for on this album and they aren't that bad either. There are a few songs on this album that are all time PJ to me! I just can't hear how anyone could not love this album, esp a PJ fan. I think it will be more of a case of the hold outs coming along on this album, rather than a dieing down of the honeymoon period. Avocado never did anything for me, there was no honeymoon. And Riot Act was a grower. All other PJ albums including BS, were instant hits for me!
10/30/09.10/31/09.5/17/10.9/7/11
EV:boston 1+2.albnay 1.boston 2010
Backspacer will not hold up well over time. it won't be long before it becomes the next Avo.
I understand people are gonna like it more than anything that has ever been released, but that doesn't mean we should put up with some of the greatest albums of all time, b/c it's just not.
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
why does maryland love their state flag so much?
As for me it definately falls into the better of the albums but No Code is still my favorite although I can see myself leaning on this album just like I did with No Code. There is alot of inspiration on this album, alot of reflection which I seem to be in the middle of doing lots of lately so it ties in with my life right now which I can appreciate. Like I said earlier in a seperate thread, it seems they look in and write something I need to hear.
Right now Just Breathe means the most, followed closely by Unthought Known. These guys however always manage to blow me away musically ,so, as for best ever, many are right it's tough to tell yet, but time will tell So far, I think No Code and Yield rule that category, but this one could take a close third.
You are kidding right? Gems and rhinestones? Really?
Have you perhaps heard of an album called VITALOGY??
The whole world will be different soon the whole world will be RELIEVED
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#standingman #duranadam
this is the best album since riot act. that's about it. riot act is underrated, backspacer is overrated. at this point at least. i think time will make things right....that said, i do enjoy this album. it's just not an all time classic like people want to make it out to be.
Did you write off album sales and chart positions when Creed and Nickelback were sitting on the top of the charts?
- and -
What was the reaction on this board when Riot Act and Pearl Jam came out? I didn't get around to joining the fan club until a year ago (kinda sad since I've been listening to the band since Ten came out), so I don't know how those two were received - were there mixed reactions to those albums too?
Personally, I don't think Backspacer comes anywhere near touching the first three - musically or lyrically. It kinda sits in the middle for me, and my feelings toward it haven't changed one iota since I heard it the first time - 10 or so listens ago. There's one song I like quite a lot, a few I don't like at all, and the rest I'm indifferent toward - which makes it pretty much the same as the last few albums they've released.
Gotta agree here. There are some great lines and Force of Nature is pretty amazing, lyrically, but generally they aren't gettin any better.
The more I hear it, the more I think Unthought Known sounds like the guy from Incubus wrote it.