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PJ's Current Sound

LastExitBJPLastExitBJP Posts: 82
edited April 2008 in The Porch
Does anyone else think that Pearl Jam's music has just "brightened" in the last few years? Listening to bootlegs prior 2003, it seems that their live sound is so much happier, and less, for lack of a better word, grungier (only using this word to describe the guitar sound). Even Eddie's voice seems to have lost a lot of angst. I for one love this. Even though they may not possess all the energy they did back in the early days, there's something about their current sound that I think is better than anything I've ever heard from them. Anyone else feel the same?
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  • LineOneMightyFineLineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    I'd agree that they are brighter than they used to be, but I'd go further and say they are a better live band now than they were back in the 90s. In my opinion, the concerts just seem to flow much better. And, I think they just connect with their audience much better now.

    The only thing I'd prefer is them doing less covers. They have an overabundance of quality material that could be played instead...and, come on now, what's the harm in breaking out All Those Yesterdays, Who You Are, and Tremor Christ once in awhile????
  • scpjfanscpjfan Posts: 131
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.
    Hail, hail the lucky ones, I refer to those in love.
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    ejny wrote:
    I'd agree that they are brighter than they used to be, but I'd go further and say they are a better live band now than they were back in the 90s. In my opinion, the concerts just seem to flow much better. And, I think they just connect with their audience much better now.

    The only thing I'd prefer is them doing less covers. They have an overabundance of quality material that could be played instead...and, come on now, what's the harm in breaking out All Those Yesterdays, Who You Are, and Tremor Christ once in awhile????
    They should break out W.M.A! That would be pretty special.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • LineOneMightyFineLineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.


    Very good points. Is it Ed or Matt who's dictacting the speed?
  • MichaelMcKevinMichaelMcKevin Posts: 1,161
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.

    There was a very good post about this topic before. It's 100% true (think Evenflow especially). Someone made a good point that over time, the intensity of playing the energetic songs live leads to a faster performance. I also think Matt is to blame for a lot of it.
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  • nowayimfaithfullnowayimfaithfull Posts: 2,051
    LastExitBJP wrote:
    Does anyone else think that Pearl Jam's music has just "brightened" in the last few years? Listening to bootlegs prior 2003, it seems that their live sound is so much happier, and less, for lack of a better word, grungier (only using this word to describe the guitar sound). Even Eddie's voice seems to have lost a lot of angst. I for one love this. Even though they may not possess all the energy they did back in the early days, there's something about their current sound that I think is better than anything I've ever heard from them. Anyone else feel the same?
    yes although live on 2 legs was on the bright side.
    Some people have religion I have Pearl Jam.


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  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    GivenToCarve wrote:
    There was a very good post about this topic before. It's 100% true (think Evenflow especially). Someone made a good point that over time, the intensity of playing the energetic songs live leads to a faster performance. I also think Matt is to blame for a lot of it.
    Yeah, in all honesty I think Even Flow is played too fast sometimes.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • elevation622elevation622 Posts: 926
    As far as the guitar sound, I think they just learned to play better than the early days.
  • lalafredalalafreda Posts: 10
    given to fly sounds faster live than the studio version... the live version is SO much better..
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    lalafreda wrote:
    given to fly sounds faster live than the studio version... the live version is SO much better..
    I prefer it slower...
    What the fuck is this world?
  • LineOneMightyFineLineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,318
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.


    me too. i cannot f'in stand how they play even flow. play spin the black circle that fast, but not that one. i was listening some early shows and that song just wasn't meant to be played lighting fast.
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  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,318
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide


    yes! nice list man. took them right from my mouth. given to fly for sure. how the hell does mike play his riff that quickly?
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  • CantKeepmedownCantKeepmedown Portland, Maine Posts: 3,024
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide

    Add SOLAT to that list. It's played way, way too fast now.

    Also, put in TB2000 and listen to Yellow Ledbetter (from the fans montage). I did it the other day, and could not believe how slow it was, compared to the past few years.
  • pouch15pouch15 Posts: 436
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.
    si si, i agree the other day i was listening to atlanta 94, ando solat, or animal, ando even flow just to name a few sound better with a slower tempo, not as slow as the albums, but not as fast as 2003-2007. especially state of love and trust
  • hrd2imgnhrd2imgn Southwest Burbs of Chicago Posts: 4,898
    They are all getting married starting families, Ed has a Daughter and Hot wife, Love just takes you man.
  • Stone Is GodStone Is God Posts: 1,331
    pouch15 wrote:
    si si, i agree the other day i was listening to atlanta 94, ando solat, or animal, ando even flow just to name a few sound better with a slower tempo, not as slow as the albums, but not as fast as 2003-2007. especially state of love and trust

    That version of Even Flow fucking rocks, as well as Animal.

    I totally agree with the fact they need to slow the tempo a tick.
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  • evacuation10evacuation10 Posts: 16
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.

    I notice this too. I was listening to a version of SOLAT from 92' and that version is a lot slower and grovier. Ed's voice is also deeper and he holds the note down longer and with less effort. I also notice similar changes in the earlier versions of evenflow. I wonder if the faster tempos are the band's way of compensating for Eddie's voice slightly changing. This is not to say that the change in his voice is bad. I remember watching the Live at the Garden DVD and being impressed with his singing, but that doesn't mean I don't miss the older versions of some songs.
  • FifthelementFifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,961
    hrd2imgn wrote:
    They are all getting married starting families, Ed has a Daughter and Hot wife, Love just takes you man.


    I think that there is a lot of truth to the above statement - for all of them. I think that they have found a certain peace in their lives hence their sound is brighter.

    As for the tempo of songs like Evenflow and YLB, perhaps they are tired of performing these songs as often as they do, so they change the tempos to mix it up - just thinking out loud on that one.

    Cheers!
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  • WEAPONX24WEAPONX24 Posts: 133
    i dont mind the new sound...but it doesnt even COMPARE to the old days...all the distortion is turned down nowadays and eddies voice has definitely changed...some of those older songs you just need that gain cranked up a bit more...not complaining, but I just prefer the older live sound.
  • NewJPageNewJPage Posts: 3,310
    i can dig the old, dirty sound. but stone's tone is fucking sick nowadays, especially when he gets funky.

    as for overall sound being brighter, i think that has to do a lot with us all having great sounding copies of more current shows, as opposed to old boots from back in the day. as someone said, LO2L sounds bright too...the '00 boots would sound brighter if they recorded them better. i think the change came following the no code tour, but especially with Matt at drums for US '98 tour...
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  • WEAPONX24WEAPONX24 Posts: 133
    I wish stone would put just a tad more gain back into his tone...starting to sound a little too clean...mikes sound is awesome, although I do wish he would play Yellow Ledbetter on his old school strat and through his clean amp...it has that dirty sound to it and just sounds kinda wierd...I do like the hendrix type effects he throws in from time to time with the rotovibe though...but I think that song just needs to be played bright and really really clean. just like it was when it was released.
  • bigbadbillbigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    It's Stone's fault.
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  • Big EdBig Ed Posts: 331
    They just seem so "tight" now. All playing so well togehter...just a really tight sound.
    Ignoring Rusted Signs
  • potluckpotluck Posts: 170
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide

    the faster the better.

    have you heard the frogs version of RVM. you'll fall in love with it because its so slow, then when you listen to RVM on VS it just makes u wanna cream ur pants.

    I want to hear a punk version of Release!!!!!!!
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  • Cree NationsCree Nations Posts: 2,247
    They are progressing like all great bands do and I love them more with each album.
    >>>>
    >
    ...a lover and a fighter.
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  • PilatesBettermanPilatesBetterman Posts: 306
    bigbadbill wrote:
    It's Stone's fault.

    Yeah Stone is to blame
    "So forget the other boys because my love is real.
    Come off your battlefield."
  • Stephen FlowStephen Flow Posts: 3,327
    To me, with the last album they put out it was like they came full circle and are finally in a place that they feel comfortable being and I love it.
  • olivineolivine Posts: 19
    Some songs DO sound much better when they play them fastfastfast. Porch is the best example.

    On the other hand, some songs should NOT be played that fast. And yes, Even Flow is a good example. The other one is State of Love And trust, but that's just my opinion (people usually like when it's faster than in the old days).
  • goldrushgoldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,548
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide

    Definitely add SOLAT to that and I'd like to hear the whole of Porch slowed down, not just the intro, just to see how they'd do it.

    Bring back Speed Wash though!!!
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