Stone - not writing as many songs anymore (music)?

OceansJenny

I always considered Stone to be the song writing powerhouse of Pearl Jam (music, not lyrics). After all, he wrote just about all of Ten and a majority of Vs. Vitalogy was composed on the road so that doesn't count, but since the early days his song writing has really dropped off. I didn't realize until I watched his interview/video on youtube of him playing Let the Records Play that that was the only real song he wrote on Lightning Bolt (co-wrote two others with Jeff).

Whats the deal?? Does this have to do with the "power struggle" between him and Eddie (hinted at on PJ20)? I love Eddie's songs and everything but I would really love to hear more from Stone (just not lyrics or singing, dear god no).

JonnyPistachio

Its baffling to me too.
Moonlander?

JTH

This is nothing new. Stone has never been the sole writer of very many songs on any of the other albums, all the way back to Vs.

Ten is obviously the exception but even that album only has four songs where he gets the *sole* music credit .

mookieb10

Stone has proven to be a great song writer, but if "let the records play" was the finest piece of music he brought to the table for this album, if glad we didnt hear anything else. From what i understand the process of making a record is a bit diffent for pj than it once was. Now, they write music in their time apart then bring their best works when the band collaborates.

SVRDhand13

More than Matt at least

boyo79

All 5 members of Pearl Jam contribute the music. They all bring something to the table. I don't think there is a conspiracy where they go "Oh lets reject all of Stone's ideas". They pick the best batch of songs for an album, regardless of who wrote the song.

OceansJenny

boyo79 wrote:

All 5 members of Pearl Jam contribute the music. They all bring something to the table. I don't think there is a conspiracy where they go "Oh lets reject all of Stone's ideas". They pick the best batch of songs for an album, regardless of who wrote the song.

So your conclusion is that Stone's songs aren't as good as they used to be? Or he's not writing much anymore?

Eddie wrote almost all of Backspacer; are you saying no one else brought much to the table? The concept that everything is fair and equal in the band is a nice idea but I'm just not sure if it's reality.

DewieCox

JTH wrote:

This is nothing new. Stone has never been the sole writer of very many songs on any of the other albums, all the way back to Vs.

Ten is obviously the exception but even that album only has four songs where he gets the *sole* music credit .

This might be the case as far as the credits, but I think Stone has done alot of uncredited things to enhance the others' tunes. I think the level of Stone's contributions is directly reflected in the quality of the music.

It pains me to say, but I agree he is underrated around here. Mike seems to get the accolades, but Stone has exhibited a much deeper knowledge of the instrument throughout the bands run. Also, an infinitely more interesting player. They make a great tandem, but Stone carries the real weight.

Empty Glass

Moonlander = greatness

YieldToNothing

Stone's leads on this record are fucking fantastic. he really adds so much to some of the tracks with his guitar work.
sirens would absolutely BLOW if not for stone.
his little riff at the end of lightning bolt is brilliant
his work on MFS is fantastic


dude is a genius
he's a god

bone

I was thinking about it today on the car ride to work, and generally the band direction has gone from being Stone, Jeff and Eddie's baby to Eddie's baby with support from Mike and Matt. Generally, the music isn't as good as a result. I love Mike and Matt, but really there needs to be more Jeff and Stone influence on the albums. Frankly, Jeff's solo and side work over the past few years is generally better than the last couple PJ albums. Moonlander was pretty good as well, but I struggle with Stone's voice.

tcadd94

I would love to hear more of Stone's compositions, because Moonlander was great.

RatherBe

Gossard also cowrote the music to "Pendulum" and "Infallible".

boyo79

OceansJenny wrote:

boyo79 wrote:

All 5 members of Pearl Jam contribute the music. They all bring something to the table. I don't think there is a conspiracy where they go "Oh lets reject all of Stone's ideas". They pick the best batch of songs for an album, regardless of who wrote the song.

So your conclusion is that Stone's songs aren't as good as they used to be? Or he's not writing much anymore?

Eddie wrote almost all of Backspacer; are you saying no one else brought much to the table? The concept that everything is fair and equal in the band is a nice idea but I'm just not sure if it's reality.

FrankieG

Stone talked about this in an interview I watched.

I forget what he said or where the video is... but i remember him talking about this... :fp:

OceansJenny

FrankieG wrote:

Stone talked about this in an interview I watched.

I forget what he said or where the video is... but i remember him talking about this... :fp:

What was the gist??

HollisBrown

I'd love to hear a song from Boom. Can you imagine a 21st century version of In A-Gadda-Da-Vida?

boyo79

This is a super interview with Stone

http://www.stereogum.com/1519972/qa-pea ... interviews

curmudgeoness

Excellent interview, thanks for sharing!

igotid88

Maybe the majority are going to Brad and his solo stuff.

OceansJenny

boyo79 wrote:

This is a super interview with Stone

http://www.stereogum.com/1519972/qa-pea ... interviews

FANTASTIC interview, thank you! Now I feel a bit better knowing that Stone is still a high influence, just in a different way.