"Backspacer": All Killer, No Filler

BF25394

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

Hammartime33

BF25394 wrote:

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

Using a Sum 41 album title in reference to pearl jam?!?! aren't you supposed to be better than that??

that was a pretty cool album though, I'll give you that.

Indifference71

BF25394 wrote:

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

It is pretty damn nice to be able to listen to the album all the way through without some garbage in the middle clogging up the flow of the album.

I'm not calling "Wasted Reprise" garbage. I really enjoy it, but the placement on S/T was just plain terrible.

BF25394

Hammartime33 wrote:

BF25394 wrote:

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

Using a Sum 41 album title in reference to pearl jam?!?! aren't you supposed to be better than that??

that was a pretty cool album though, I'll give you that.

Sum 41 did not coin the phrase.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

Personally i think Vs. is probably their most uneven, inconsistent album (Dissident, Glorified G? bleh), but i agree that this is a very consistent album. even the songs i dont like aren't that bad. (edit: except the Fixer, which i skip so much i forget its on the album. but even when i let it play it isn't really noticeable or long enough to annoy me.)

the wolf

Indifference71 wrote:

BF25394 wrote:

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

It is pretty damn nice to be able to listen to the album all the way through without some garbage in the middle clogging up the flow of the album.

I'm not calling "Wasted Reprise" garbage. I really enjoy it, but the placement on S/T was just plain terrible.

the placement of Wasted Reprise is fine, that is what a reprise is, a return to an idea or riff, or something from a song prior.

just my 2 cents.

but yeah, Backspacer is awesome.

BF25394

the wolf wrote:

Indifference71 wrote:

BF25394 wrote:

One of the things that I appreciate about the new album is that it is the first Pearl Jam record since "Vs." that does not contain a song or songs that interrupt the flow of the album and that would have been better as a B-side. Every record from "Vitalogy" through "Pearl Jam" included songs that, while they may have been interesting on some level, were basically novelties that do not stand up to repeated listens the way the more traditionally structured songs do. On "Vitalogy," there was "Bugs," "Aye Davanita" and "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me." (I actually think "Pry, To" was a fitting transition from the first half of the album to the second, but you could probably include it in this category as well.) On "No Code," there was "I'm Open" (and, frankly, "Lukin"). On "Yield," there was "Untitled"/"The Color Red" and "Push Me, Pull Me." On "Binaural," there was "Soon Forget" (which had "hidden track" written all over it). On "Riot Act," there was "Bu$hleaguer" and "Arc." On "Pearl Jam," there was "Wasted Reprise" (a song which would have made much more sense if it had opened the album and led into "Life Wasted" instead of just popping up randomly between "Gone" and "Army Reserve").

All of the tracks listed above (with the possible exception of the unlistenable "Bugs" and the misplaced "Wasted Reprise") would have made for really interesting B-sides, the kind of song that you listen to occasionally on its own, but that you don't really want to hear every time you put in the CD.

"Backspacer" doesn't have any tracks that derail the album. Everything seems to fit where it is, and every song sounds like something that will merit repeated listens. Only time will tell whether the songs are as good as those on the earlier albums, but I don't see myself skipping any tracks when I listen to this album five years from now, as I sometimes do with the tracks mentioned above from the prior albums.

It is pretty damn nice to be able to listen to the album all the way through without some garbage in the middle clogging up the flow of the album.

I'm not calling "Wasted Reprise" garbage. I really enjoy it, but the placement on S/T was just plain terrible.

the placement of Wasted Reprise is fine, that is what a reprise is, a return to an idea or riff, or something from a song prior.

just my 2 cents.

but yeah, Backspacer is awesome.

I understand what a "reprise" is-- I just don't think it was an idea worth returning to. "Sgt. Pepper's," it ain't.

Vedderlicious

i personally would love to hear bugs live.....

the wolf

BF25394 wrote:

I understand what a "reprise" is-- I just don't think it was an idea worth returning to. "Sgt. Pepper's," it ain't.

okay, thats fine. but that is not what you said. you guys were saying the placement was bad, and someone said it should have led into Life Wasted. if it had, it would not be a "reprise" it would be an "intro".

sorry i was not breaking your balls, but there have been lots of people on here claim to know what a reprise is, but bitch about it being "too short" or "dumb that it didnt come before Life Wasted"

that just bothers me. sorry, i'll leave your thread now

Johnny Abruzzo

Sorry - I really love Wasted Reprise and think it comes at a great place in the album. Fine, it's only 50 seconds or so - but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Otherwise, re: those other songs you mentioned, I agree with you. At this point, I consider the following PJ's "no filler" albums: Ten, Vs., Avocado, Backspacer

over bends

I'm glad you aren't constructing the band's albums quite frankly.

You'd take Arc, Lukin, Push Me Pull Me, and Soon Forget off their respective albums? Huh?

I hate the term filler. It makes it seem like the band sludged through a song/songwriting just to fill a time quota. The purposes of the songs have nothing to do with that.

Red Lukin

*cough* speed of sound

OGT92

I agree with most of what the op said, but 1 that really sticks out is Soon Forget. That song is really good, and I would listen to it 24/7 no problem....okay a little problem....

LukinFan

over bends wrote:

You'd take Lukin, off their respective albums? Huh?

.

:shock:

jimbojones1138

wow... you consider lukin a filler song?!?

umkay

Mad Mohab

Aye Divinita is one of their finest moments in my opinion. How is that filler? Its way better than some of their other more simple songs which I almost always enjoy also, like habit, You Are, Down and U, but divinita is the cron. I know Vedder himself thinks its some of their best material. It sums up that album and really a vibe for that time for me, although others who have gotten into them have said they are as blown away by it long after the 90's came and went. Anyway, bin you are if you must but leave Aye alone!!!

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

i don't think 'filler' automatically means bad. I could see thinking Lukin is filler, but its awesome. same with Bugs. i kinda miss the filler.

kenny olav

Vedderlicious wrote:

i personally would love to hear bugs live.....

+1

BF25394

over bends wrote:

I'm glad you aren't constructing the band's albums quite frankly.

You'd take Arc, Lukin, Push Me Pull Me, and Soon Forget off their respective albums? Huh?

I hate the term filler. It makes it seem like the band sludged through a song/songwriting just to fill a time quota. The purposes of the songs have nothing to do with that.

"Filler" was just a figure of speech. Don't take that too literally. And I wouldn't necessarily have left off the songs you name. I think "Arc" would have been better placed either as an opener or a closer. I think "Soon Forget" could have been a hidden track after "Parting Ways."

I like "Push Me, Pull Me," but it's spoken word. It just doesn't fit. It would have been a cool B-side.

But, yes, I think "Lukin" is a toss-off. It has its charms, but it is not a fully realized song. Even "Habit," which might be my least favorite Pearl Jam song ever, is at least a fully realized song.