What is with all the Backspacer hating???

pepsigators
pepsigators St. John's, NL Posts: 182
edited July 2013 in The Porch
Did i miss something or was i simply not paying enough attention when Backspacer was released? I thought it was very well received and that it was a fairly popular opinion, around here, that it was a good album. Although lately you cannot read any post without seeing people say how much they hated it and what not because it was too soft. I don't know maybe those who like it don't post about it but it really seems like most people around here don't like it. I don't understand, i like it.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • starmap3333
    starmap3333 Posts: 3,925
    It's cool to say "I hate Backspacer". :roll: I love it as well.
  • Vytis33
    Vytis33 Posts: 196
    Relative to their other work it's pretty weak. For me it hasn't aged well either, hardly ever play it anymore.
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,235
    id say the vast majority like it, there are a vocal minority whom seem intent on shitting on it at every given moment.

    I do like it too. A lot. And yes it was critically acclaimed on release.....seems it was too polished for many and over produced and 'poppy' but personally I was a fan. Its no Vs but then I didn't expect it to be, I still enjoy it 4 years on, and find it very easily accessible and enjoyable.

    One of those things I guess, its become cool to knock it to many.......

    if there was one complaint it would be that it was too short - but that's only because I liked it a lot, and im super greedy
  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,605
    A three year wait for 36(?) minutes of music, much of which is forgettable. I like a few songs but largely I was disappointed. I know some dislike S/T but to me it was a much better record.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • Dr. Delight
    Dr. Delight Posts: 11,210
    This exactly worded thread pops up at least once a week here.
    And so you see, I have come to doubt
    All that I once held as true
    I stand alone without beliefs
    The only truth I know is you.
  • I Met Ed
    I Met Ed Posts: 92
    I actually love Backspacer. Listened to it on repeat on the plane ride back to Seattle yesterday. Great chill music.
    9/5/93; 12/8/93; 9/16/96; 7/21/98; 10/22/00; 11/5&6/00; 10/22/01; 12/6/02; 12/8/02; 7/9/03; 10/22/03; 9/1/05; 7/7/06; 7/22&23/06; 9/21&22/09; EV 7/15&16/11; Wrigley; 11/29&30/13; 12/6/13
  • pepsigators
    pepsigators St. John's, NL Posts: 182
    Yeah i can't really say i dislike any record, but obviously i do like some more than others. To me S/T it probably my least favorite, but Riot Act is probably my favourite so maybe I'm just weird haha. All in all i thought Backspeacer was solid, different but solid.
  • dmaradona10
    dmaradona10 Posts: 915
    Yeah man, it gets crapped on a lot on the forum. I like Backspacer and when I listened to it recently I like it even more than when it came out. The music is the most wide ranging than any other PJ album.
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  • Stephen Flow
    Stephen Flow Posts: 3,327
    I like every Pearl Jam song.
  • Lifted
    Lifted Posts: 1,836
    I dont think people hate it because its "cool" to hate. More likely, they honestly dont care for the music. On this forum particularly, people are passionate about the band, which naturally leads to over-exaggerated opinions. Couple that passion with a collection of highly anticipated, arguably mediocre songs, and youre gonna get a harsh critique.

    Personaly its hard to say I hate it, as there is tons of worse music that im completely apathetic to. But as an album from one of my all time favorite bands, relatively speaking, yeah, I hate it. Just seemed a bit phoned in and generic for pj standards.
  • MayDay10
    MayDay10 Posts: 11,865
    I still enjoy backspacer. Got some, johnny guitar, gonna see my friend, force of nature, the end, supersonic, and speed of sound, are good listens and welcome on any setlist. The fixer and just breathe I am over. I actually never particularly liked amongst the waves and I can take or leave unthought known
  • mookieblalock
    mookieblalock Posts: 3,590
    Got Some, Force of Nature are great songs IMO. Speed of Sound, Just Breathe are two of their worst IMO.
  • Lifted
    Lifted Posts: 1,836
    Just breathe has got to be the worst live staple of the bands career. Kills the vibe for me every time they play it, and since it was released, its played often. While I dont care for the album, I can enjoy some of the songs in small doses. Got some is one in particular that id welcome its addition to any setlist. But man, just breathe kinda makes me cringe.
  • javis el errante
    javis el errante Buenos Aires Posts: 6,145
    It seems that it hasn't grown inside people's hearts as it grew in mine, it's one of my least fav, but I really like it, I found new love for Gonna see my friend after PJ20 DVD disc 2, new love for Amongst the waves after vinyl single and seeing it live, I always liked/loved The Fixer, Got Some, Just Breathe, Unthought Known, Supersonic, Force Of nature... I think the same as you, and this is what I can gather from it... in the end, to each its own...
    ... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...

  • nickburrows14
    nickburrows14 Posts: 858
    It's not my fave PJ album but it's Got some amazing songs on it. Unthought Known, Amongst The Waves, The End and Just Breathe are brilliant songs. I know it's opinion but I think if most people who are slagging it actually gave it some time they'd see it's a good album.
    Happy up here in my tree
  • starmap3333
    starmap3333 Posts: 3,925
    Vytis33 wrote:
    Relative to their other work it's pretty weak. For me it hasn't aged well either, hardly ever play it anymore.

    There's no "relativity". Each work of their's is representative of where they are as a band, and individuals, musically and personally, in that given time period. I don't know why people don't get this.
  • DewieCox
    DewieCox Posts: 11,432
    edited July 2013
    dmaradona10 wrote:
    The music is the most wide ranging than any other PJ album.


    :lol:
    :lol:
    :lol:


    When you've put out a string of albums as great as they have and then follow it with Backspacer, people are gonna have a negative reaction.

    I know they were going for something simple and more direct, but the result was something really dumbed down and pretty bland. Worst lyrics and least interesting music of their career.


    I don't doubt that there are people that enjoy the album and I'm not faulting them for it, but I'm more inclined to believe that there are many more people giving it a free pass rather than people are hating on it b/c it's the cool thing to do.
    Post edited by DewieCox on
  • Lifted
    Lifted Posts: 1,836
    starmap3333 wrote:
    Vytis33 wrote:
    Relative to their other work it's pretty weak. For me it hasn't aged well either, hardly ever play it anymore.

    There's no "relativity". Each work of their's is representative of where they are as a band, and individuals, musically and personally, in that given time period. I don't know why people don't get this.
    I like apples, but relative to other fruits, like oranges, I think they suck. That said, there is no direct relationship between apples and oranges other than the fact that they are both fruits.
  • AzWicker
    AzWicker Posts: 1,162
    It's ok, I mean, they made Backspacer more for my wife then me.

    She was so happy when Ed called up and asked for her approval of the album, I wish I had answered the phone that day damn it!
    Ed: 2011-07-09 2012-11-04
    PJ: 2011-09-03 2011-09-04

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