Well, let me first say that, for me, it's impossible to call any pearl jam album their "best". All of them have high's and low's, all of them have grown on me, and all of them (at times, due to over playing) have gotten a bit "old" to me. All of them bring me back to a certain time, and for that reason alone i could never say that i have a favorite Pearl Jam album. How could i NOT say that Ten, vs., or Vitalogy arent my favorite? those are the albums that defined them, and the albums i grew up to. summers playing basketball, camping, partying, etc. SO many memories to those albums. but if i look exclusively at the MUSIC, and not memories, i still cant say what my favorite album is... lol i WILL say that Backspacer is without a doubt their best effort since yield, and if it were possible for me to rank their albums, this new one would be in the top three im pretty sure. Backspacer is an AMAZING album. For me, it is closely compared to yield. And im not one of these "must defend the band no matter what" types of people. i will say what albums are good, and which arent so good. Here are my two main reasons the album is amazing:
1.) THE SONGS. There is not a weak song on this album in my opinion. it's short, a bit "poppy" for this band (which is debated as a good or bad thing on here all the time, and is just fine with me) A great mixture of songs. Most of which are short, and to the point. A few longer ones, and a few beautiful ballads. The lyrics are amazing, the guitar work is second to none of their previous albums, with beautiful layering (alot of stones influence on this album) And did i mention the sound?! FINALLY we get a good drum sound from Matt. a nice punchy sound (especially his snare) and not a muddled, flat mess.
2.) BRENDEN O' BRIEN. Pearl Jam should NEVER use another producer. he knows how the band should sound, and this album in my opinion, has the best overall sound of ANY Pearl Jam record ever.
"...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.....”
Everyone has their own opinions..But, I don't Backspacer is pearl jam's best album ever...I may put it in the top five or six...But, it is to early to make that call right now..
It is different from the other albums...that is for sure. But, I am still a fan of the self titled. What do you like about it so much if you don't mind me asking. I think the style is very very different.... If it were not Pearl Jam I would never give it a chance. :idea:
I've been listening to it while I cook dinner for a week and I've decided maybe it is the most like a story.
It certainly flows very well as a whole group of songs!!
And, it doesn't matter that it is short because it feels complete.
I have listened to this album a bunch of times...heard some tracks in chicago....At first I thought it's a good album. But after listening to it more from beginning to end it is a great album....I would not go as far as saying the best ever...It was not what I expected...but it is great. good job PJ....Hope to hear more soon
I like to wait and see how a record ages before I start ranking it. But after a week Backspacer is the best I've heard since Yield. The songs are positive for the first time in years. The majority of the songs, actually all of them lack any kind of political theme. I didn't think that was possible again after the direction they were headed.
Also after seeing these songs live in Seattle my opinion of this record is even higher. These songs sound GREAT live! They fit the fun atmosphere that live shows have become. This isn't 1995 anymore. The fan base isn't headed to shows to take out their frustration on life. Were older, a lot of us have families, houses, careers. Live shows now have more of a family atmosphere than they ever have before. Seems like with each passing tour we appreciate the band a little more. I think the band feels the same way about each other. Watching the band itneract with each other on stage right now is amazing. There's a joy that wasn't there in 2000-2004 era shows. I saw it coming back in 2005-2008 and now it's peaked. This album fits the theme perfectly.
I think this album is a "classic". It personifies rock and roll and once again PJ is keeping that flame lit. But it also has depth with songs like "Just Breathe" and "The End" which dont come off like just your everyday sappy song on the radio, but rather show the maturing of the fruit of their talents. This is a masterpiece, lyrically, melodically, and musically. It will long stand the test of time! Thanks guys! I listened to it 7 times straight through now! Whens the last time I did that? Oh wait, the last PJ album!
“The love received is the love that is saved.”
Key Arena - Sep 22, 2009
Gorge Amphitheatre - Sep 01, 2005
Key Arena - Dec 08, 2002
It took me a long time to fully appreciate No Code, maybe thats because I was 12 at the time, but things change with age- its still less than a month people!
Let me ask you this- what makes Backspacer better than Ten? than Vs? than Vitalogy? etc...
"The world is dangerous, feel safe here tonight..." EV 9/17/06
38+6 shows at the age of 27 and counting...but still no Undone
Comments
1.) THE SONGS. There is not a weak song on this album in my opinion. it's short, a bit "poppy" for this band (which is debated as a good or bad thing on here all the time, and is just fine with me) A great mixture of songs. Most of which are short, and to the point. A few longer ones, and a few beautiful ballads. The lyrics are amazing, the guitar work is second to none of their previous albums, with beautiful layering (alot of stones influence on this album) And did i mention the sound?! FINALLY we get a good drum sound from Matt. a nice punchy sound (especially his snare) and not a muddled, flat mess.
2.) BRENDEN O' BRIEN. Pearl Jam should NEVER use another producer. he knows how the band should sound, and this album in my opinion, has the best overall sound of ANY Pearl Jam record ever.
Backspacer is their best album?
That is the stupidest thing I've ever read.
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I wish I could read some threads about responses when Yield and Binaural came out.
38+6 shows at the age of 27 and counting...but still no Undone
My podcast: Hotel Manager Talk- Dedicated to Hotel Employees, tell your friends. http://www.HotelManagerTalk.com
a good summary.
I love Backspacer and what it stands for, it is a reflection of where many of us are now.
But with that said Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy will never be topped.
- EV
It certainly flows very well as a whole group of songs!!
And, it doesn't matter that it is short because it feels complete.
Depends which religion you subscribe to
38+6 shows at the age of 27 and counting...but still no Undone
My podcast: Hotel Manager Talk- Dedicated to Hotel Employees, tell your friends. http://www.HotelManagerTalk.com
Also after seeing these songs live in Seattle my opinion of this record is even higher. These songs sound GREAT live! They fit the fun atmosphere that live shows have become. This isn't 1995 anymore. The fan base isn't headed to shows to take out their frustration on life. Were older, a lot of us have families, houses, careers. Live shows now have more of a family atmosphere than they ever have before. Seems like with each passing tour we appreciate the band a little more. I think the band feels the same way about each other. Watching the band itneract with each other on stage right now is amazing. There's a joy that wasn't there in 2000-2004 era shows. I saw it coming back in 2005-2008 and now it's peaked. This album fits the theme perfectly.
Key Arena - Sep 22, 2009
Gorge Amphitheatre - Sep 01, 2005
Key Arena - Dec 08, 2002
Go sell crazy someplace else.
i cant believe it but i am actually starting to agree with you.....
Let me ask you this- what makes Backspacer better than Ten? than Vs? than Vitalogy? etc...
38+6 shows at the age of 27 and counting...but still no Undone
My podcast: Hotel Manager Talk- Dedicated to Hotel Employees, tell your friends. http://www.HotelManagerTalk.com