OUCH - Chicago Review

Vedderology

what a JACKASS

voodoopug

just read his article....just backs up my point as he has to put a jab at Mick Jagger in there as well.

voodoopug

reborncareerist wrote:

I enjoy Jim's work ... It is seriously pretty funny. I swear he's just doing this because his self-esteem has been eroded by too much hate mail.

he is trying to be the Jay Mariotti of music journalism

gndcd402

voodoopug wrote:

I seen him in the mens room at the United Center on Tuesday and thanked him by telling him that "without his reviews, hundreds of birdcages would go without something to catch the bird shit"

ROFL!!!!! Great quote!!

WhiteMaleRat

This is what I emailed:

Jim:

I just read your review, a link supplied by someone at Pearl Jam's message board. I'm from Boston and was not at the Chicago show. You are entitled to your opinion but I am appalled.

I've seen the band 8 times in 12 years and will see them at both upcoming Boston shows. Unless they have gone way downhill since the 2004 VFC tour, you are grossly mistaken or plain just should not be a rock critic. I'm a die hard fan but not a fanatic or as rabid as many in the fan base are. I am also usually logical and fair.

Your article appalled me, not because you did not like the show but how you go out of your way to slander and put down the band. You are supposed to be a professional and provide a service to your readers with integrity that should be demanded by your employer on a daily basis.

I know that the band and their music is not for everyone. But one who attends their show to write a review should at least be a rock fan who will give the band a chance to at least change your preconceived mind. If you still do not like the show, at least write a negative review without being so careless. I just don't think you are qualified to be a critic and you really should apologize to scores of fans on the website.

Thanks.

tschav

Realistically, he should have some scathing reviews for other bands like the Chili Peppers and when Alice in Chains come back to town. I could really care less.

darkcrow

what a total cock

MasterFramer

I e-mailed him this thread...

moemoe6434

MasterModeler wrote:

I e-mailed him this thread...

Hope he reads this... "You are a moron" Go ahead you can print it too.

Arabesque

I emailed him this...

Mr. Derogatis,

Some of your reasons for comparing the Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam are just. Both bands have (or had) huge live followings (and many obsessive fans) even while album sales lagged. However, there are huge differences. One difference is that while Grateful Dead had a few mildly interesting tunes, Pearl Jam has never made a bad album. Their album sales lagged because they weren't trying to sell records. Pearl Jam made this obvious by recording Vitalogy (I'm specifically referring to the lyrics in "Not For You" and the fact that there are purposely fillers that are not even really songs on the record juxtaposed with tremendous, powerful music), not making videos, and not promoting albums.

After Vitalogy, Pearl Jam pursued more experimental song-writing and followed their creative drive where ever it would take them regardless of what the reaction would be. Consider No Code, Pearl Jam's eclectic head-phone masterpiece that was as anti-mainstream as the oppositional genre gets. However, after completely cutting off the "MTV crowd" with No Code, Pearl Jam followed it up with the breathetaking (and alternatively radio-ready) Yield, once again, proving that they don't adhere to anyone's expectations.

At this time they started regularly touring again and they began accumulating a massive following. This time period is when the "Jamily," or the Pearl Jam family began to form. Was it because of Ten or Vs.? Nope. It was because Pearl Jam had consistently put out great albums over a span of 8 years and had become a force to be reckoned with live.

After Yield, Pearl Jam went in another experimental direction yet again, with Binaural. Binaural is probably Pearl Jam's worst album. And while it is unfocused and somewhat meandering, it still has many good songs on it. After Binaural put off a lot of fans of Yield, Pearl Jam yet again lost some of their fan base but still, it didn't phase them. They released the low key, relaxed, purposefully tired sounding Riot Act, which is a very underrated album.

Through all of this time, Pearl Jam kept getting BETTER live. Their setlists shifted more, they played longer, they were much more experienced and mature as musicians, etc...And their music is 10x more interesting than the Grateful Dead's ever was! I hate jambands like the Grateful Dead. If you want a better comparison talk about Phish. They were the modern day Grateful Dead. They made mediocre records and had like 20 minute long aimless jams that should've bored people to tears if they weren't so stoned. That is not Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam is emotionally charged and along with R.E.M., Radiohead, Nirvana, and the White Stripes, among the best bands of our time.

Thanks for your time,
Matthew Parrish

P.S. You may peg me as one of those "crazed" Pearl Jam fans, but to the contrary, I've only seen Pearl Jam once live. I judge their live stuff by their bootlegs mostly.

yield4life

Nicely said my friend...this jackass probably gives the local karaoke night a four star review.

giventoyfly316

I agree with the criticism of the green laser lights.

Outside of that, is it really fair to criticize the guys for not sounding like they did in 1995? It's also unfortunate that people are going to start marginalizing Pearl Jam now that the Grateful Dead comparison is out there.

Judging from several of the comments made in the review, this guy seems a little too cynical for his own good. I don't disagree with him just because of his opinion. Plenty of people aren't going to like a Pearl Jam show. It's just the way he makes his argument that strikes me as dripping with cynicism.