Focus on the Family review of Backspacer

jubilairesjl

These are quite funny to read. Here is the latest one.

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... pacer.aspx

gecko

I couldn't remember which word is h---.

thefin190

gecko wrote:

I couldn't remember which word is h---.

Hell.

gecko

thefin190 wrote:

gecko wrote:

I couldn't remember which word is h---.

Hell.

Yeah, I should write: immediately.

curmudgeoness

I think it's safe to assume that the reviewer never has seen PJ live, if he's getting hung up on "h---".

Aww, it's also nice to see the reviewer trying to take an even-handed approach; I'll give him credit for that, even though I get the impression that this is the first PJ album he has heard since "Ten."

Newch91

The ending of that review is h--- and s---!

Given to...

In the Mormon vernacular...

H E Double Hockey Sticks


I laughed the first time a classmate used that one... High school classmate.

unlost dogs

I wonder what they thought of "Vs." and the family-friendly lyrics of say, "Leash."

jubilairesjl

I remembered reading these about previous PJ albums. I think they go back as far as Yield, but I was thinking that Backspacer would probably be "Family Friendly". I guess because of a "hell" it's not. I wonder if there is an album that's not a christian artist that would be acceptable. It's a shame that so many people miss out on such great music because of stuff like this.

En La Clandestinidad

I am a Christian and I also like Pearl Jam and I agree. Backspacer especially is a great album. I mean, hey, there is some stuff that Ed has written that I don't agree with, but there is also a lot of great music coming out of these guys. (Obviously since I am a huge fan! )

MB50486

Given the writers perspective, this is about as good as it gets for a band that doesn't sing about God every song. I think the writer secretly liked it, but can't say it

arq

MB50486 wrote:

Given the writers perspective, this is about as good as it gets for a band that doesn't sing about God every song. I think the writer secretly liked it, but can't say it

I believe the write is a "H s" and he can't admitted

Backspacer_Backer

MB50486 wrote:

Given the writers perspective, this is about as good as it gets for a band that doesn't sing about God every song. I think the writer secretly liked it, but can't say it

actually, it's very positive given that PJ DOES address christianity and religion/God in many of their songs, but almost always in a negative light. if this guy paid attention to songs like God's Dice, Marker in the Sand, Faithfull, etc.; he would be appalled.

Tenzing N.

I thought "gonna See my Friend" was about feeding one's addiction? Is that right or did the reviewer somehow hear something I didn't?

Either way I didn;t even know hell and shit were in the album which further proves that these groups are so intent on exposing the "wrongs" of art that they often completely overlook the deeper meaning.

greenmanny

I love the bit about "hitting the backspace key" on the lyrics that "muddy the album."

ForceofNature101

greenmanny wrote:

I love the bit about "hitting the backspace key" on the lyrics that "muddy the album."

haha yeah that was my favorite part of that review too

Blah

Haha a christian site reviewing an album of a band who's lead singer has openly said he doesn't believe in God is funny.

I would love to read them review the Unplugged DVD. I can see it now.............

Then Vedder sang ( Oh, prayin', now to something that has never showed him anything ) referring to the fact he thinks prayer is worthless or that Jesus is a figment of peoples imagination. He then started to flick off the All Mighty but just held back at the last second. I am flabbergasted and disgusted by the whole display. On another note the song Oceans Vedder sang (Waves roll in my thoughts, hold tight the ring, the sea will rise, please stand by the shore) meaning a friendly hello wave is on our minds and a wedding band is meant as bonding in holy matrimony which will make you rise to heaven and stand on an ocean shore with your savior.

Cradles Broken Glass

As somebody who was raised up in a very strict Christian household, I have to say that is not as bad as some I have seen. Many reviews look way to deep into things, rock and roll has always been my rebellion, so as a kid I always had to watch what my parents heard me listening to. I actually liked the line, "Angst has largely been replaced by a growing sense of maturity as the band affirms that there’s a lot in life worth living for." I thought that actually sums up many of the songs on Backspacer very accurately. I actually laughed out loud though at the part about him looking up her dress or whatever it said. I'm not as much of a strict Christian as my mother so I don't mind the h---s and the s---s,lol.

Edit: I have to say overall the review was a positive one. I read these sort of reviews flipping through the Christian magazine our church provided (during the church service as a teen,lol), and they usually completely trash most secular music.

DaveyG

No Code:

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... ocode.aspx

Yield:

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... yield.aspx

Avocado:

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... rljam.aspx

Here's another one for Avocado from a different site:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-r ... l-Jam.html

They seemed to like it a bit more, possibly because it's not a Christian site. (I think)

I'm dissapointed in the Yield review, I was expecting a lashing for Do the Evolution.

RiotAct10

Thanks for sharing. I just spent some time reading reviews of bands I like. Good for a laugh for sure.

One thing,... "Other lines appear to buy into evolution ("Big Wave") and the right of gays to marry ("Comatose"). "

I have never interpreted Comatose that way. Am I missing something? I guess he is refering to the line,
"High above,... I'll break the law,... If it's illegal
To be in love,... Leave the hatred,.. On the cross"

I guess you could see it that way, but I feel like this guy might be a little oversensitive. Or he just pointed out something I should have figured out on my own. It's one of those for sure.

DaveyG

RiotAct10 wrote:

Thanks for sharing. I just spent some time reading reviews of bands I like. Good for a laugh for sure.

One thing,... "Other lines appear to buy into evolution ("Big Wave") and the right of gays to marry ("Comatose"). "

I have never interpreted Comatose that way. Am I missing something? I guess he is refering to the line,
"High above,... I'll break the law,... If it's illegal
To be in love,... Leave the hatred,.. On the cross"

I guess you could see it that way, but I feel like this guy might be a little oversensitive. Or he just pointed out something I should have figured out on my own. It's one of those for sure.

I did the same thing, here are some highlights:

Out of Exile - Audioslave

“…none of Rage’s political stridency (or foul language) appears on Out of Exile, “

Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers

“The metaphysically confused "Parallel Universe" (from Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Californication) uses Christ's name inappropriately.”

“Vulgarity, profanity and disrespect for police make "Get on Top" a lyrical bottom feeder.”

“This unfocused stream of consciousness contains a lot of neutral material. Even a few positives. However, trashy language, sexual imagery and anti-Christian sentiment drown out any redemptive pondering. Don't let teens plan a trip through Californication.”

Stadium Arcadium – Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Kiedis' lyrics are mostly indecipherable nonsense, a blitzed stream of consciousness filtered through a rhyming dictionary. Kiedis told Rolling Stonehe feels "blessed to be in a position to transmit light to people all over the world with music." Any light on Stadium Arcadium is dimmed by references to sex and drugs. Teens looking for light will find the real thing in John 8:12. “Kiedis' lyrics are mostly indecipherable nonsense, a blitzed stream of consciousness filtered through a rhyming dictionary…”

Elephant – The White Stripes

“As sonically stylish as the disc is, cuts fail to register as life-changingly positive or deeply troubling, making The White Stripes’ magical mystery tour as thematically gray as the pachyderm for which it is named.”

Adore – Smashing Pumpkins

"Liner notes include two photos of bassist D'Arcy Wretzky in a see-through blouse…Only a few lyrical shortcomings. Still, the nudity is inexcusable.”

Some of them you just have to read the whole thing:

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... gades.aspx

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... geles.aspx

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... slave.aspx

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... utero.aspx

Edit: Wait a minute, just got an idea, be right back.

Edit 2:

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/1 ... nclay.aspx

http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2 ... hered.aspx

I find a lot more objectionable content then none.

P.S.: This is what it would look like if Q and R were eliminated.