Backspacer turns 15 years old

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Comments

  • ElEl Posts: 139
    I should have been clearer. What I meant is, what is the thing which makes Force of Nature so likable? Is it the overall melody? Lyrics? Certain riffs? Just curious, because I seem to remember the song was getting mostly praise so would like to understand what I may be missing or on what tp focus to maybe get it. 

    As for Vitalogy, yes, it has some great songs, like the ones you listed, but because of things like Bugs, or Hey..., Pry to it just feels disconnected to me (but thats for another thread I think). 
    Music is what feelings sound like.
  • Hankj25Hankj25 Posts: 328
    When I got the full album on ITunes I was rocking a 16gb phone.  Had to trim it quite a bit.  Only songs that made the cut were Just Breathe, Amongst The Waves, Got Some, Force of Nature and The End. 

    People like to rag on JB and The End but I find them to be some of my favorites.  I love music that brings out all the emotions and those two have lyrics that hit home.  

    The album itself has songs that I don’t really enjoy, but I find myself appreciating the songs that I originally liked even more over time. 
    Seattle 8-8-18
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    Denver 9-22-22
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    EV
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  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,271
    There’s a lot to like about Backspacer.  Some really great songs.  

    I’m not a fan of the album art.  Too cartoonish.  I feel like it subliminally affects people’s opinion of the album.  
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh


  • CantKeepmedownCantKeepmedown Portland, Maine Posts: 3,039
    I'd break it down as 2 great songs - Unthought Known and Amongst the Waves
    3 good songs - Just Breathe, Got Some and Force of Nature
    1 if I'm in the mood, I enjoy listening to songs - The End
    The rest I could do without
  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 28,044
    El said:
    I should have been clearer. What I meant is, what is the thing which makes Force of Nature so likable? Is it the overall melody? Lyrics? Certain riffs? Just curious, because I seem to remember the song was getting mostly praise so would like to understand what I may be missing or on what tp focus to maybe get it. 

    As for Vitalogy, yes, it has some great songs, like the ones you listed, but because of things like Bugs, or Hey..., Pry to it just feels disconnected to me (but thats for another thread I think). 
    All of those things about Force of Nature are what makes it great.
    I don't understand people not liking Vitalogy. Especially from people who only like Ten. Pry to and Bugs did not affect my enjoyment of the album. Although I do like Pry to and Bugs and aye and Hey Foxy
    I miss igotid88
  • WhywhyzedWhywhyzed Posts: 270
    Love love love Unthought and Force of Nature.
  • pledgeagrievancepledgeagrievance Posts: 2,861
    I find myself listening to Backspacer a lot more than LB. Very easy listen and production feels cohesive. I actually listen to BS more than Binaural and Riot Act. Though I rank BS at the bottom just above LB, it is stronger now over 10 years ago than when it came out: 

    GSMF underrated rocker. 
    Got Some is solid, likely the best traditional PJ song on the album. 
    Just Breathe is one of the best post 00’s songs there are, along with Unthought Known. 
    The Fixer and the End wouldnt/doesn’t really bring the album down but can’t say I love either. 
    Problem is Johnny Guitar, Supersonic, Force of Nature are B-sides. 
    Amongst the Waves tries to be an anthem but never quite gets there. Always a just miss for me. 

  • TJ25487TJ25487 Posts: 1,479
    Solid album from start to finish with a couple of clunkers (Johnny Guitar, Supersonic) in there but so what. I take it for a quick, fun upbeat album with cool artwork. Come on who doesn't like an astronaut drummer in space? Haha! Seriously, it's one of my favorite stickers! 
  • pearljammr78pearljammr78 Posts: 1,613
    edited May 2020
    That’s 10 years too many. Lost dogs is better than that album. Everything about that album sucks except a couple songs. The art work is complete shit. Poppy and Happy Pearl Jam is not what I signed up for. 

    Great Songs
    Speed of Sound
    The End


    Ok Songs 
    Just Breathe
    Amongst the Waves
    Force of Nature
    Unthought Known (except for the Rhinestone lyric, that goes in dog shit)

    Dog Shit Songs
    Gonna See My Friend
    The Fixer
    Got Some
    Johnny Guitar
    Supersonic 

    The Dog Shit songs are no where as bad as Mankind  or the Whale Song but close. 

    Not everyone bats a thousand. Hopefully we never see Backspacer part deux 

    Peace,Love and Pearl Jam.
  • PSUS2HPSUS2H USA Posts: 2,263
    I really enjoy backspacer, I dont get the hate, but we all have varying tastes. 
    Pittsburgh, PA September 28, 2005 || Washington, DC June 22, 2008 || Barstow, VA May 13, 2010 || Seattle, WA  August 10, 2018 || Dana Point, CA September 29, 2018 (EV) || Dana Point, CA September 28, 2019 (EV) || Dana Point, CA September 25, 2021 (EV) || Dana Point, CA October 1, 2021 || Dana Point, CA October 2, 2021 || Chicago, IL August 29, 2024 
  • pearljammr78pearljammr78 Posts: 1,613
    I don’t HATE Backspacer as you could say I HATE mumble rap. It was and still is a disappointment for the caliber band that Pearl Jam is. Still better than most bands could do but not the standard Pearl Jam has set for themselves. 
    Peace,Love and Pearl Jam.
  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,271
    Some people’s opinions are very interesting.  
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh


  • TJ25487TJ25487 Posts: 1,479
    on2legs said:
    Some people’s opinions are very interesting.  
    You mean people with the numbers 78 in their name?  ;)
  • on2legson2legs Posts: 15,271
    :whistle:
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2025: Raleigh


  • cp3iversoncp3iverson Posts: 8,702
    They went down to LA and made a lean, easy to listen to record.   Nothing wrong with that.  Lots of friendly songs.  

    I love Backspacer.  
  • KN219077KN219077 Montana Posts: 1,146
    Supersonic is underrated. It’s a fun dumb rocker done right. Of course I love 90’s NBA so I might be biased 
  • BrainofBGABrainofBGA Australia Posts: 4,376
    Like it, don’t love it, and you can’t compare it to their best work. It’s an easier listen than say Binaural and Riot Act, but not as rewarding. I quite like a lot of it’s songs but don’t listen to the album that much other than in boots. 
    Melbourne #1 '98
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    Melbourne #1 '06
    Melbourne #3 '06
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    Melbourne '14
  • ryph raphryph raph Posts: 887
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    10-26-91 Cleveland
    4-2-92
    7-29-92
    5-4-95 Hovercraft / Cleveland
    8-26-98
    4-25-03
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    8-21-08 E.V. Chicago
    10-31-09 Philadelphia
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  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 28,044
    ryph raph said:
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    You're missing out 
    I miss igotid88
  • ryph raphryph raph Posts: 887
    edited May 2020
    igotid88 said:
    ryph raph said:
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    You're missing out 
    Been with this band since 1991.

    There're past their prime now.

    No, I'm not.

     Listen to backspacer, lightning bolt, gigaton ? Wasted time that is spent listening to much, much, better music.
    Post edited by ryph raph on
    10-26-91 Cleveland
    4-2-92
    7-29-92
    5-4-95 Hovercraft / Cleveland
    8-26-98
    4-25-03
    5-20-06
    8-21-08 E.V. Chicago
    10-31-09 Philadelphia
    5-09-10 Cleveland
    5-10-10 Buffalo
    6-26-11 E.V. Detroit
    10-11-13 Pittsburgh
    10-12-13 Buffalo
    10-29-13 Charlottesville
    4-18-16 Hampton
    8-22-16 Chicago

  • TJ25487TJ25487 Posts: 1,479
    ryph raph said:
    igotid88 said:
    ryph raph said:
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    You're missing out 
    Been with this band since 1991.

    There're past their prime now.

    No, I'm not.

     Listen to backspacer, lightning bolt, gigaton ? Wasted time that is spent listening to much, much, better music.
    Would you care to tell us what that much, much better music is? I'm all ears! 
  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 28,044
    ryph raph said:
    igotid88 said:
    ryph raph said:
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    You're missing out 
    Been with this band since 1991.

    There're past their prime now.

    No, I'm not.

     Listen to backspacer, lightning bolt, gigaton ? Wasted time that is spent listening to much, much, better music.
    You couldn't be more wrong. So is this more of an age thing than a music thing? Just cause those albums don't sound like Ten doesn't mean they're bad.
     
    I miss igotid88
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,905
    igotid88 said:
    ryph raph said:
    igotid88 said:
    ryph raph said:
    Only three full listens in 10 years.
    Not worth the time. 
    Better music to listen to. 
    You're missing out 
    Been with this band since 1991.

    There're past their prime now.

    No, I'm not.

     Listen to backspacer, lightning bolt, gigaton ? Wasted time that is spent listening to much, much, better music.
    You couldn't be more wrong. So is this more of an age thing than a music thing? Just cause those albums don't sound like Ten doesn't mean they're bad.
     
    ???>https://youtu.be/i7dKbm_WSFY
  • Celticskemba8Celticskemba8 Posts: 335
    PSUS2H said:
    I really enjoy backspacer, I dont get the hate, but we all have varying tastes. 

    Yeah same here! It might be my fav album. It’s not their best obviously, but I love it. 

  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 28,044
    I miss igotid88
  • cp3iversoncp3iverson Posts: 8,702
    Backspacer is in the top 7 for me in the PJ album rankings.  
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,614
    I can't believe those specturm shows were almost 11 years ago.  09-11 were some really fun touring years.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PapPap Serres, Greece Posts: 29,173
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1&2 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024
  • False_BeliefFalse_Belief Cardiff Posts: 763
    Happy birthday 🥳.    Some of my fondest memories as a fan are associated with this album and the shows they played in support of it

    Leeds 2006, London 2007, Hartford 2008, London Shepherds Bush 2009, London O2 2009, Dublin 2010, London Hyde Park 2010, Amsterdam 1 2012, Amsterdam 2 2012, Berlin 1 2012, EV solo London 30/7/2012, Berlin 2014, Stockholm 2014, Milton Keynes 2014, Amsterdam 1 2018, London 1 2018, London 2 2018, EV solo Dublin 2019, London 1 2022, London 2 2022, New York City 2022 

  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,155
    Giving it another good listen today, happy b-day!
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
    10/31/09- Philly
    5/21/10- NYC
    9/2/12- Philly, PA
    7/19/13- Wrigley
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    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly. PA
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
    RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
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