Pearl Jam Fans' Music Critic Roleplay. (Be Honest)

Igottago

zootown wrote:

Art becomes increasingly diminished in quality when it begins to be made according to what consumers want and demand (like yourself...)

Which i would argue is what Pearl Jam did with Avocado...easy to swallow generic songs. Pearl Jam's return to form indeed.

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAn

LongRd. wrote:

I Just Realized That Pearl Jam Hasn't Made A Good Album In Ten Years.

Before the Avocado album was released, a lot of the music critics were saying the self-titled release was one of their best work in ten years and sounded similar to Ten and Vs. That was totally wrong. Personally, I think it is their WORST work yet. I've bashed Riot Act before but it's much better than the Pearl Jam album. The main reason for these mediocre releases is because of Eddie's love for punk music. Eddie, can you just stick to writing lyrics please and leave the composing to Jeff, Mike and Stone. Matt writes a bit here and there, and I can tolerate with most of his songs. With that being said, I'm just hoping their next studio release would be more of a band effort rather than just individual pieces.

Here's my ranking and reviews of their studio albums.
7-10 are good to great albums, with 10 as a masterpiece.
4.5-6.5 are decent and average albums. For casual fans, just buy used ones.
1-4 are garbage. For casual fans, not worth buying, just download it.

Ten is their best-seller, well, because it was a masterpiece. The worst song on the album is Jeremy, which is probably their most famous song.
That just shows what a classic album this was. I'll give it 10/10 rating.

Vs is great but not a masterpiece, mainly because there was only one anthem song, Daughter, from that album. But every song on that release are still really good. I also think that their choice of singles also demised the album's value a bit. If RVM and Small Town were singles instead of Go and Glorified G it could turn out to be a masterpiece as well. Gets 9/10.

Vitalogy was good but not near their first two releases. It might also be the reason for their decline of popularity. The problem is because only 10 out of the 14 songs were "regular" songs. Like Vs, the singles for this album were poorly selected, why weren't Corduroy and Better Man released as singles? But like Black from Ten, both of these songs made a life of their own and became very popular. 7/10 rating for this.

No Code had a new sound, somewhat cultural flavor to it. Personally, it's my second favorite album. Even without a signature single, it's still an amazing album in its own right. Receives 8/10 due to the lack of sales.

Yield is possibly the best album to describe Pearl Jam's music and sound.
Every single songs on it are solid with exception to the "Red Dot" song. The lyrical content were diverse of various subject matter. It had a spirit feeling to it. Personally, it's my favorite album of theirs but only gets 8.5/10.

Binaural was the first album I can say that had songs I truly disliked. They were Gods' Dice and Rival, and sadly these were written by Jeff and Stone, the two veterans. Rest of the tracks were above average to the point that I can tolerate with them. This piece gets 5.5/10 ranking.

Riot Act was good at first but slowly drifted away from my rotation. But after listening to it several times recently it became favorable again. "LBC," Green Disease, Help Help, Half Full, and Arc were just unpleasant to listen to.
The rest of the tracks are average to good. Still only gets 6/10.

Pearl Jam AKA Avocado album had a good reception by reviewers. But to me, this album was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It had 7 solid tracks but also contained 6 terrible ones as well. Tracks 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 were very unpleasant to my ears. I never thought I'd say ever think that a Pearl Jam album would be a waste of my money but this album truly was.
Therefore only receives 3.5/10 rating.

Please for the love for your fans NO MORE mediocre releases. Just get rid of that punk sound. Thank You!

I love the punk sound..... I hope it never goes away!

UpSideDown

LongRd. wrote:

1) Got me there with the record sales thing remark. But I do think singles/marketing/promoting (major contributor of record sales) have a lot to do with how the overall album's value turns out to be.

2) You like all their stuff, that's fine to think...
...in a fanboy way. I pay hard earn money for their releases and I think I have the rights to criticize them if I think the production is being poorly produced.

3) Again, no need to bash members.

No need to bash members, but you say im a fanboy.

I can appreciate Eds vocals on any song. I can appreciate the creative guitar work and the dynamic of Matt/Jeff. I would think any 10C member would feel this way. So I can't understand how you would say the last album was a waste of money. The fundamentals are there and that, in my opinion, should satisfy any pearl jam fan.

I have no problem with being critical of the music. But telling them how to do it and trying to blame specific members? Thats ridiculous to me.

Evacuation Rules

Igottago wrote:

Avocado is a good record for mini van driving soccer mom's who like to think they still rock. For anyone who enjoys creativity and adventure in their music, it will put them to sleeeeeep.

Exactly.

Igottago

TheGossman wrote:

hell no, I'm not one of those people, I didn't really care for Riot Act, but what does it for me are the live shows, seeing the songs performed are a totally different thing, I'm not one of those people that think PJ can do no wrong. I'm not one of those people who say. PJ is not a studio band,they don't sound good in the studio, the live shows bring the song to life. Kinda like....dare I say....Dave Matthews Band.

I think PJ should concentrate on being a studio band and writing a GREAT album again. We all know they are amazing live. We've been reminded with billions of bootlegs and live DVD's of the same songs we've all heard billions of times before.

I'm talking about writing new material...that feels urgent..that is intense..that you can feel. Frankly I'd rather they write a great album and take a break from touring.

slightofjeff

JWBusher wrote:

Exactly.

I don't drive a mini van. I'm not a soccer mom. I KNOW I still rock.

I like Avocado a lot.

Why can't you people realize that some people like some things, and some people don't?

Some people like chocolate, some like strawberry. It's called life. There's no need to play holier-than-thou with musical tastes.

slightofjeff

Igottago wrote:

I'm talking about writing new material...that feels urgent..that is intense..that you can feel. Frankly I'd rather they write a great album and take a break from touring.

Some people would say that's Avocado. Sorry you didn't like it.

Igottago

Corey Erven wrote:

No need to bash members, but you say im a fanboy.

I can appreciate Eds vocals on any song. I can appreciate the creative guitar work and the dynamic of Matt/Jeff. I would think any 10C member would feel this way. So I can't understand how you would say the last album was a waste of money. The fundamentals are there and that, in my opinion, should satisfy any pearl jam fan.

I have no problem with being critical of the music. But telling them how to do it and trying to blame specific members? Thats ridiculous to me.

What fundamentals are there though?

Its fundamentally a weak record. It doesn't have that intangible thing that makes it a classic like everything from TEN through to Yeild.

Its like having a meal..you have your meat and potatoes..your fundamentals so to speak. It does the job. You get to eat some dinner. But its not a meal that you will ever remember, because it doesn't have the spices, the flavour and the flare of those meals. Its a meal just like any other meal, you soon forget it.

LONGRD

TheGossman wrote:

hell no, I'm not one of those people, I didn't really care for Riot Act, but what does it for me are the live shows, seeing the songs performed are a totally different thing, I'm not one of those people that think PJ can do no wrong. I'm not one of those people who say. PJ is not a studio band,they don't sound good in the studio, the live shows bring the song to life. Kinda like....dare I say....Dave Matthews Band.

We're talking about their studio performances not live . Live band? hands down, one of the best bands ever.

zootown wrote:

Oh, I get it I think. You are person that believes that because you personally dont like something (like punk music) than that makes it inherently bad. Is that it? Because I am still unclear about how any point you make has anything to do with the integrity or the quality of the music. Do you really think Dee Dee Ramone or Johnny Rotten could give two fucks about melody and rhythm? They made groundbreaking, original music that was a direct expression of their personal experiences and views of this world. This is art, and the artists ability to write music or paint or sculpt or act according to their own true feelings and thoughts is what qualifies art as "good" or "bad".. Art becomes increasingly diminished in quality when it begins to be made according to what consumers want and demand (like yourself...)

Punk is disorganized and terrible, when it penetrates through my ear holes, it painful to hear. I don't like it. That's how Eddie has turn this band into a disorganized simple band.

Igottago

slightofjeff wrote:

I don't drive a mini van. I'm not a soccer mom. I KNOW I still rock.

I like Avocado a lot.

Why can't you people realize that some people like some things, and some people don't?

Some people like chocolate, some like strawberry. It's called life. There's no need to play holier-than-thou with musical tastes.

I acknowledge the fact that people like it. I have no problem with that. I'm trying to have a conversation about the record, to express my opinion and to hear other opinions. That's it. Its interesting. I thought that's what these forums are for?

Evacuation Rules

The reason there is so much animosity is because there is so much WORSHIP for Avocado on this board. People talk as though it's the greatest album they ever made, while others such as myself think it's the LAMEST album they've ever made...Pearl Jam's "Bon Jovi" album as someone said earlier. So there are bound to be people who absolutely love it, and people who wanna vomit when they hear it. (Bon Jovi does have a huge fanbase after all.)

I thought Riot Act kicked major ass while most of the board seems to think it's a "bad" album. Why, I don't know. I though Avocado was a major step backwards after Riot Act but most people disagree. I don't get it. I guess generic = good for some people.

slightofjeff

Igottago wrote:

Which i would argue is what Pearl Jam did with Avocado...easy to swallow generic songs. Pearl Jam's return to form indeed.

Consumers want a guy shrieking about a "World Wide Suicide?" Really? Somehow, I don't think I could envision Beyonce singing that song.

I don't get the idea that this is some sort of sell-out album. It's not. Outside of Gone, there isn't much on that album I would consider to be particularly radio-friendly.

Also, nobody has talked about the lyrics at all on this thread. First time I heard Avocado, I thought from start to finish, it was the best job Ed had ever done lyrically. Lots of great poetry on there.

pjfan31

||Release_Me|| wrote:

I have no problem admitting that i think Ten is easily their weakest album. It's good, and showed that the band had tons of potential. But i think they've bettered themselves since with each album. Ten is definitely the worst album, despite it being filled with anthems.

There isn't a bad song on Vs, Vitalogy, No Code, Yield or Pearl Jam in my honest opinion.

Binaural is my favourite, even though i don't really care for Rival. It's got a groovy funk to it, i guess.

I love Riot Act too; not their strongest by any means but its fairly solid. The latest record is phenomenal to my ears; i can listen to it without ever getting bored. I'm not the biggest fan of the full-band 'Gone', though.

I still find it fascinating that people think Ten is PJ's greatest album. That's not a criticism of people's opinions, but i just don't understand it when there are 7 albums after it that are so much stronger.

I agree with about 95ish%. I love Ten, I know exactly what you mean that the band are stronger in later albums. But you look at Ten, and you think of what songs a part time fan will go off at a concert, and you get Alive, Even Flow, Black, jeremy, Daughter betterman and Last kiss. And we can see 4 out of the 7 I named were from ten. I'm not saying that they won't enjoy/look forward to other songs, Its just I guess the only songs of pearl jam that have reallyu been commercialised therefore, it appeals to the part time fan.

Ten has made Pearl Jam what it is today. Therefore to me, there most defining album

slightofjeff

Igottago wrote:

I acknowledge the fact that people like it. I have no problem with that. I'm trying to have a conversation about the record, to express my opinion and to hear other opinions. That's it. Its interesting. I thought that's what these forums are for?

You don't want to hear other opinions.

You want people to agree with you.

If people tell you why they like the album, you tell them, in not so many words, why they are an idiot for doing so.

I don't mind the thread. I just don't know why you are so strident about it. We get it, you don't like the album. That's cool. I'm not sure what else you expect to accomplish here.

zootown

LongRd. wrote:

We're talking about their studio performances not live . Live band? hands down, one of the best bands ever.

Punk is disorganized and terrible, when it penetrates through my ear holes, it painful to hear. I don't like it. That's how Eddie has turn this band into a disorganized simple band.

Listen man, I have my favorite albums, the ones that occasionally get played, and the ones that haven't seen the light of day much. I just take offense when I hear folks criticizing music based simply on their personal opinion. I mean, the title of this thread was "music critic roleplay". Music critics, at least in theory, are assigned the task of critiquing music based on the artistic integrity of the music, not their own personal tastes. By the way,I would think if you described punk as "disorganized and terrible" and that it hurts your ears, most real punks would slap you on the back and say "FUCK YEAH" (that's what they intended it to be....)

slightofjeff

JWBusher wrote:

People talk as though it's the greatest album they ever made, while others such as myself think it's the LAMEST album they've ever made...Pearl Jam's "Bon Jovi" album as someone said earlier.

Ok, we get it. Now what?

LONGRD

slightofjeff wrote:

Also, nobody has talked about the lyrics at all on this thread. First time I heard Avocado, I thought from start to finish, it was the best job Ed had ever done lyrically. Lots of great poetry on there.

Yes I mentioned the lyrics. Eddie's words are still top notch compared to any singer-songwriter out there. It's the music that slowly sinking. Avocado has sunk into an all-time low. Yes, I thought I wasted money on it. Never thought I say that in my life about PJ.

LongRd. wrote:

...The main reason for these mediocre releases is because of Eddie's love for punk music. Eddie, can you just stick to writing lyrics please and leave the composing to Jeff, Mike and Stone. Matt writes a bit here and there, and I can tolerate with most of his songs. With that being said, I'm just hoping their next studio release would be more of a band effort rather than just individual pieces...

slightofjeff

LongRd. wrote:

It's the music that slowly sinking. Avocado has sunk into an all-time low. Yes, I thought I wasted money on it. Never thought I say that in my life about PJ.

Again, it's just a matter of taste. Some people like the music. I think Parachutes is fucking beautiful. I think Army Reserve is interesting as hell. Marker in the Sand is interesting.

I love the aggressive E-Bow work on WWS. I really like Severed Hand, musically. Come Back has an interesting vibe to it I'm not sure they've approached before.

Like I said. Matter of taste.

Igottago

slightofjeff wrote:

You don't want to hear other opinions.

You want people to agree with you.

If people tell you why they like the album, you tell them, in not so many words, why they are an idiot for doing so.

I don't mind the thread. I just don't know why you are so strident about it. We get it, you don't like the album. That's cool. I'm not sure what else you expect to accomplish here.

I never called anyone an idiot, or thought of anyone to be an idiot. I'm not really accomplishing anything, i'm just bored on a Wednesday night having a conversation. If you don't want to talk...alright, see ya later. You are sitting here wasting your time telling me that i'm wasting my time. That's not a good use of your time.

slightofjeff

Igottago wrote:

I never called anyone an idiot, or thought of anyone to be an idiot. I'm not really accomplishing anything, i'm just bored on a Wednesday night having a conversation. If you don't want to talk...alright, see ya later. You are sitting here wasting your time telling me that i'm wasting my time. That's not a good use of your time.

There's just a vibe on this thread that if you like Avacado, you must be some kind of Nickelback-loving simpleton.

It's tiresome.