Definitely, it is NOT a likeable album the first five listens or so, but then it starts growing on you, and growing on you.
Then it jumps up and starts beating you up and then it turns into one of those giant snakes that wraps around you and squeezes you--what's it called? Yeah, that one. Then it grows vines all around you. And then it takes you on a boat to where the Wild Things are. And then the Wild Things say that you are the Love Boat Captain. And all cheese melts away and floats off to sea. Then its just you and music.
The only way tha you could dance proper to 1/2 full is to stop drop and roll. And then flail. And then cover as wide an area as possible where you are just above laying down but just below levitating. Take some legs out.
When you hear Cropduster you remember man, in 6/4, 9/8, and 7/4 and 4/4 time, that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
The best thing about RIot Act is that Boom creates a giant halo of sound arond the songs. You don't hear him playing. He just makes an all-hallowed sound of reverbitating depth, height, width, and glow.
This album is just crazy. No, you're not supposed to like it the first five or seven times you hear it. You can ONLY like it after much repetition. Just keep playing it. There are so many grooves in each song, you HAVE to repetitively play it so that your brain can pick up on all the intricacies. I say give your neurotransmitters and neuroconnectors and myelin protein sheath a chance, man!
Keep playing it. The rewards are great.
Bushleaguer to me was extremely boring the first 10 times then it started growing, now its reached awesomeness.
There is one song that is still a seedling. All or none. I'm not giving up on it, but meanwhile, I'm certainly not going to put it down.
C'mon. Pearl Jam does not let down.
:shock: where are the hypnotic jungle book snake eyes? ~
******************************** "Forgive every being, the bad feelings it's just me"
riot act has always been one of my favorite albums. After vitalogy and no code but those 3 albums are so different that it's difficult to rank them.
I love the vibe of riot act. its production.
2006: Antwerp, Paris
2007: Copenhagen, Werchter
2009: Rotterdam, London
2010: MSG, Arras, Werchter
2012: Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin
2014: Amsterdam, Stockholm
It is a Pearl Jam record so it must be a positive!
Eastern Creek 95,Syd 1 98,Bris 2 98, Syd 1&2 03, Reading Fest 06, Bris 1 06, London 09, Hyde Park 10, Gold Coast BDO 14 Budapest 22 Krakow 22 Amsterdam 22 St Paul 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 24 New York 1 24 Philly 1&2 24 Boston 1&2 24 Gold Coast 24 Melbourne 1 24 Sydney 1&2 24
I really love the bit between the start of Can't Keep and the end of All Or None...
Like a book among the many on a shelf...
Dublin 02 Arena - 22/6/10. Belfast Odyssey Arena - 23/6/10. London Hyde Park - 25/6/10. Berlin Wuhlheide - 30/6/10.
Manchester MEN - 20/06/12. Manchester MEN - 21/06/12
Not really. Nothing on there reminds me if Soundgarden. Maybe have to be in a jazz drumming state of mind.
uote="GS163319"]You need to be in a Soundgarden state of mind to get Riot Act...
It's brilliant - but not always something to listen to. Following Uncle Neil's discography, not everything has to be the most listenable or accessible. Some works hit at very specific psychological times. Riot Act is like this. It's music for a very distinct mood.[/quote]
I probably listen to Riot Act and Yield the most in the car. I think Yield is the yin to Riot Act's yang. To me, Yield is polished, light and breezy whereas Riot Act is jagged and dirty. Riot Act is definitely my favorite of the two.
When I listen to Riot Act, I feel as if I'm intruding on something private. Yield is more of an open invite.
with the exception of Cant Keep, it gets off to a brutal start for me (the LBC-Cropduster-Ghost stretch is horrible and i actually removed them from my personal riot act). but the second half (or a bit more) is so much better and i didnt realize it for a few years.
its a flawed album, but there is still a lot to like.
I absolutely LOVE Riot Act. It is so compact; Ive spent months straight listening to that album, just like I am doing with Backspacer. Unfortunately, it has two of their worst songs of all time in BushLeaguer and 1/2 Full. Oh and Thumbing My Way sucks too. I have never seen a more misplaced song on any album. Nonetheless, Ill defend that album forever!
Riot Act was the first new release from PJ after I became a fan and for that reason I will probably always cherish it. I suppose looking back it could have turned me off them but it didn't. There was just something I liked about it almost immediately. Great mood and great songs.
Personal favourites Save You(live version from Sate College 03 gets me everytime 'LET'S PICK UP YOUR SOULLLLLLL') You Are, LBC, Green Disease. Cropduster and Help, Help maybe aren't their greatest tracks but they work well on this album if that makes sense.
I think I will blast this tommorow. Great thread.
2007 London
2009 Manchester
2010 Dublin / London
2012 Manchester I & II / Berlin I & II / EV: Manchester
2014 Amsterdam I & II / Vienna / Berlin / Leeds
I dislike it because it sounds so phoned in. Eddie doesn't sound somber, he just sounds like he doesn't even want to be in the studio because he has something better to do. There's a few decent songs, like Save You, You Are, etc but it's PJ's most uninspired sounding album, in my opinion.
Bingo. I think LBC and Help, Help are two of their absolute worst and cheesiest songs and Green Disease has become uber hypocritical with the way they are conducting their business these days. Bushleaguer is terrible from a song perspective but a funny subject matter. I love You Are and I dig 1/2 Full. Save You is a great tune but I would like to see it retired from selists for a tour or two. Cropduster sucked the life out of the Spectrum Night 3.
Overall BP said it best....it does sound rather phoned in.
I couldn't disagree more. I think it's one of their most inspired/emotional sounding records. I actually love LBC, Green Disease, and Bushleaguer. Not to mention Arc and Save You two of my favorite pieces they've ever put out. I still spin this record the most right behind "No Code and Yield."
I dislike it because it sounds so phoned in. Eddie doesn't sound somber, he just sounds like he doesn't even want to be in the studio because he has something better to do. There's a few decent songs, like Save You, You Are, etc but it's PJ's most uninspired sounding album, in my opinion.
Bingo. I think LBC and Help, Help are two of their absolute worst and cheesiest songs and Green Disease has become uber hypocritical with the way they are conducting their business these days. Bushleaguer is terrible from a song perspective but a funny subject matter. I love You Are and I dig 1/2 Full. Save You is a great tune but I would like to see it retired from selists for a tour or two. Cropduster sucked the life out of the Spectrum Night 3.
Overall BP said it best....it does sound rather phoned in.
I couldn't disagree more. I think it's one of their most inspired/emotional sounding records. I actually love LBC, Green Disease, and Bushleaguer. Not to mention Arc and Save You two of my favorite pieces they've ever put out. I still spin this record the most right behind "No Code and Yield."
I agree. I don't think riot act sounds phoned in at all. There's alot of emotion on it. You don't have to wail it all the time to sound emotional.
Everytime I listen to the Cropduster/Ghost 1-2 combo, I close to fall asleep. Those two songs are so... bland, plain, vanilla. It kind of just sinks into everything around you and you just kind of forget you're listening to music.
Positives of Riot Act =
Can't Keep
Save You
Love Boat Captain
Cropduster
Ghost
I Am Mine
Thumbing My Way
You Are
Get Right
Green Disease
Help Help
Bu$hleaguer
1/2 Full
Arc
All Or None
I love every song on this album.
2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA 2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD 2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA 2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
I don’t think this was a particularly good period for Pearl Jam, coming after Roskilde and 9/11, the band seemed somber and Riot Act has a feel of them just bashing out a few mid tempo songs...
In the context of the past, maturity, mortality, and dealing with reality, this album is one to be cherished... having "grown up" with the band, and having had two kids by the time RA came out, I found myself dealing with many of the issues explored in the songs... I think it is as strong as any of their discs... for me, there is a strong emotional and experiential connection...
37 PJ Shows, 3 EV Shows, 1134 Total Songs, 24 Different Openers, 9 Different Closers, 252 Unique Songs (never enough)
I always didn't understood why so many people said this album is their worst. I really like it... I think at the moment it's the PJ album I most listen to (from the studio albums). I think they sound really good together on this one. You Are is amazing, I also really love Green Disease, Save You is an awesome rock song, Arc, I am Mine...they're all very good. No song that I'd like to skip (yeah..maybe Bu$hleager).
Haha... I'm tired as hell and can't write proper sentences... but, yeah - I like this record
the songs on it are so much better live than on the album. i dont like Ed's voice on most of them and the music is so sedated. but live, PJ plays them the way they should have been played on the album.
OK, I dislike Riot Act tremendously. I think it is by far their weakest effort. Too long, bloated, and tired, it sounds like Ed slept through his vocal recordings. There are songs that make no sense at all lyrically, others that should have never been included, and b-sides that outshine almost anything on the album. Seems like the band agrees as they have done a complete 180 from Riot Act with Pearl Jam and Backspacer and rarely play anything from it other than Save You and 1/2 Full every once in awhile.
However, it does have its positives and to answer the OP, here are mine:
I Am Mine is an outstanding song. Lyrically relevant to this day, understated but perfectly fitting solo, this song is one of the things PJ does best.
All or None is similarly great. I wish they would play it more. Love the dark tone to this one.
Save You is a decent little rocker that is 100 times better live than it is on the record.
when this cd came out it was as though PJ was reading my mind, the lyrics of my life, speaking the lessons of my soul, 2002, the time of turbulent years with our teens, just after the passing of my mother
Can't Keep.... was the battle to really want to leave this world but at this time now 10 years later for an entirely different reason. More of an "I can't wait to see the other side" a joy not despair and a strong curiosity.
Save You..... strong commitment to love that I had found in my life and needed for my teens
Love Boat Captain..... Love is God, God is love. Some of the most meaningful lyrics for me.
I Am Mine...."I only own my own mind" this song I found conviction and a sense of inner peace
Thumbing My Way....hope no matter how dark
You Are....I love this song, and always picture the romantic whenever I hear it. A tower and a prince and the strength of love to save his princess, I always think of JB and our commitment of love.
Get Right........I never learned all the lyrics just loved the melody and the way Ed sings it
Help Help.....I view this as political songs one of the few I do like.
Arc....I always loved it but a totally new appreciation after EV solo tour, the sound of heaven itself.
All Or None...."To myself I... surrender
To the one I'll never please" this a wonderful lyric that I can relate to, once you are ok with yourself you can be with others
So for me Riot Act is full of positives messages to take with you and get you through life. I love the album and cherish the memories of the live concerts I saw.
This record took me a while to get into. I was very excited when it came out because it had been about 3 years since Binaural; however, I was pretty disappointed on the first listen. Just didn't seem to be as strong as the others and I thought they might have just phoned it in to get out of the record contract quicker.
I like the album just fine now (especially Save You and I Am Mine), but I don't listen to it as often as its predecessors.
Comments
:shock: where are the hypnotic jungle book snake eyes? ~
"Forgive every being,
the bad feelings
it's just me"
At the beginning of your frickin question.
I have lots of love for Ghost.
after all these years listening though...mostly live versions
I LOVE IT!
however...
yield, vitalogy, binaural, avacado album and backspacer are my favs.
I love the vibe of riot act. its production.
2007: Copenhagen, Werchter
2009: Rotterdam, London
2010: MSG, Arras, Werchter
2012: Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin
2014: Amsterdam, Stockholm
sorry..
i meant the actual little moving swirly things ~
"Forgive every being,
the bad feelings
it's just me"
Dublin 02 Arena - 22/6/10. Belfast Odyssey Arena - 23/6/10. London Hyde Park - 25/6/10. Berlin Wuhlheide - 30/6/10.
Manchester MEN - 20/06/12. Manchester MEN - 21/06/12
uote="GS163319"]You need to be in a Soundgarden state of mind to get Riot Act...
It's brilliant - but not always something to listen to. Following Uncle Neil's discography, not everything has to be the most listenable or accessible. Some works hit at very specific psychological times. Riot Act is like this. It's music for a very distinct mood.[/quote]
When I listen to Riot Act, I feel as if I'm intruding on something private. Yield is more of an open invite.
its a flawed album, but there is still a lot to like.
Personal favourites Save You(live version from Sate College 03 gets me everytime 'LET'S PICK UP YOUR SOULLLLLLL') You Are, LBC, Green Disease. Cropduster and Help, Help maybe aren't their greatest tracks but they work well on this album if that makes sense.
I think I will blast this tommorow. Great thread.
2009 Manchester
2010 Dublin / London
2012 Manchester I & II / Berlin I & II / EV: Manchester
2014 Amsterdam I & II / Vienna / Berlin / Leeds
I couldn't disagree more. I think it's one of their most inspired/emotional sounding records. I actually love LBC, Green Disease, and Bushleaguer. Not to mention Arc and Save You two of my favorite pieces they've ever put out. I still spin this record the most right behind "No Code and Yield."
I agree. I don't think riot act sounds phoned in at all. There's alot of emotion on it. You don't have to wail it all the time to sound emotional.
8/7/08, 6/9/09
Thank God for Avocado and Backspacer....Eddie got his groove back.
Can't Keep
Save You
Love Boat Captain
Cropduster
Ghost
I Am Mine
Thumbing My Way
You Are
Get Right
Green Disease
Help Help
Bu$hleaguer
1/2 Full
Arc
All Or None
I love every song on this album.
2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
Bu$hleaguer is probably at the "Moment" in my TOP 10 songs...:)
In the context of the past, maturity, mortality, and dealing with reality, this album is one to be cherished... having "grown up" with the band, and having had two kids by the time RA came out, I found myself dealing with many of the issues explored in the songs... I think it is as strong as any of their discs... for me, there is a strong emotional and experiential connection...
Haha... I'm tired as hell and can't write proper sentences... but, yeah - I like this record
However, it does have its positives and to answer the OP, here are mine:
I Am Mine is an outstanding song. Lyrically relevant to this day, understated but perfectly fitting solo, this song is one of the things PJ does best.
All or None is similarly great. I wish they would play it more. Love the dark tone to this one.
Save You is a decent little rocker that is 100 times better live than it is on the record.
Good Mike moments on 1/2 full and Get Right.
BOS-9/28/04,9/29/04,6/28/08,6/30/08, 9/5/16, 9/7/16, 9/2/18
MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
CHI-8/2/07,8/5/07,8/23/09,8/24/09
HTFD-6/27/08
ATX-10/4/09, 10/12/14
KC-5/3/2010,STL-5/4/2010
Bridge School-10/23/2010,10/24/2010
PJ20-9/3/2011,9/4/2011
OKC-11/16/13
SEA-12/6/13
TUL-10/8/14
Can't Keep.... was the battle to really want to leave this world but at this time now 10 years later for an entirely different reason. More of an "I can't wait to see the other side" a joy not despair and a strong curiosity.
Save You..... strong commitment to love that I had found in my life and needed for my teens
Love Boat Captain..... Love is God, God is love. Some of the most meaningful lyrics for me.
I Am Mine...."I only own my own mind" this song I found conviction and a sense of inner peace
Thumbing My Way....hope no matter how dark
You Are....I love this song, and always picture the romantic whenever I hear it. A tower and a prince and the strength of love to save his princess, I always think of JB and our commitment of love.
Get Right........I never learned all the lyrics just loved the melody and the way Ed sings it
Help Help.....I view this as political songs one of the few I do like.
Arc....I always loved it but a totally new appreciation after EV solo tour, the sound of heaven itself.
All Or None...."To myself I... surrender
To the one I'll never please" this a wonderful lyric that I can relate to, once you are ok with yourself you can be with others
So for me Riot Act is full of positives messages to take with you and get you through life. I love the album and cherish the memories of the live concerts I saw.
I like the album just fine now (especially Save You and I Am Mine), but I don't listen to it as often as its predecessors.
I love,
Can't Keep
Save You
Love Boat Captain
Cropduster
I Am MIne
Thumbing My Way
Get Right
You Are
Green Disease
I hate the song Help Help though. It's a waste of space on the cd.