PJ Lacking Desire To Be The Best?

wnh1977

Pearl Jam gets a lot of flack on this board... that's not a bad thing. It's a fan forum... a place fans should be able to give their opinion. Some of the complaints that I notice quite often are aimed at:
* Quality of music nowadays not as good (Backspacer & Lightning Bolt)
* Long delays between albums (7 studio albums in first 12 years... only 3 in the past 13)
* Not as much touring
* Higher costs/more of a merchandise & touring for the $$$ band

Yes, all of the guys are older, have wives, kids, etc... but do some of you out there feel like this band hasn't reached their potential? Some of their idols (Bruce, Neil) are older, but are putting out music with much more regularity than Pearl Jam these days. They don't seem as hungry. They seem a little complacent. I was concerned with a comment made around the release of Lightning Bolt. I think it was Stone that said they've gotten smarter and written simpler songs that are easier to play live (something along those lines). Why not push yourself?

The touring is the one thing I listed that I understand... I don't fault the guys for not wanting to be away from home as much. I understand wanting to do shorter tour runs. They still put on an amazing live show and ticket prices are still very reasonable. It does seem, through some interviews that they've given, that they're pretty open about not being excited to go on tour anymore... and it's unapologetically about making some coin (hey, they have themselves and a big team to support... can't blame them).

Bottom line... I guess I wish there was more of a sense that there was a passion and hunger to be the best band in the world. And not as much keeping the gravy train on the tracks when we get around to it.

Tim Simmons

I never got the sense from them that being the best was ever an objective of the band.

Nor have I read that that they don't love touring and just making money. (I know Jeff said he dreads a tour starting but has fun once it starts).

Also, Neil Young has put out some incredibly mediocre to plain bad music over the past 15 years outside of an album or 2. So maybe few and far between albums is a good thing. Sure maybe their hunger has diminished, but that's fine and not that irregular. I'd say Bruce and Neil are more the exception than the rule in terms of quantity of music released.

myoung321

So they should be greedy like others that have burned out or become predictable?

The fact that they've stood by their values all these years is worth noting.

Higher Cost of Tickets?? ...have you looked at the price of tickets of other bands or acts at the same venues? PJ is way lower priced, yet sale out almost everywhere, with little to no advertising.

not to mention.. They're in their early 50's now and family is important.

tino_11

PJ will do as they please in terms of albums and touring, and I don't think they care too much about the merch side of things for the most part.

But you certainly can't question value for money for a live show. Tickets are reasonably priced IMO and the shows are incredible. Leaving fans always wanting more is never a bad thing (I just hope they come back to Europe soon!)

Wma31394

They are getting older..typically in music your best stuff and desires to make great music are when your younger. I can't think of too many artists who's best stuff is past the age of 50. Can you?

It should be also noted that most great bands aren't even together or making music and touring at 50 so I am thankful they are...but pearl jam as a nostalgic band is right around the corner that's the reality.

Weston1283

Wma31394 said:

They are getting older..typically in music your best stuff and desires to make great music are when your younger. I can't think of too many artists who's best stuff is past the age of 50. Can you?

It should be also noted that most great bands aren't even together or making music and touring at 50 so I am thankful they are...but pearl jam as a nostalgic band is right around the corner that's the reality.

I agree. They're closing in on nostalgia band territory. One of those bands that comes to town and people say "man, I only know a few songs, but I have to go, its Pearl Jam!"

They should go back to playing shows at outdoor amphitheaters. I'm 23 and kids my age dont want to pay more than 25-30 to see a concert, so I wish they played more places that had lawn seat availability. Would definitely help draw a younger audience.

FoxyRedLa

Nostalgia? F that In my opinion PJ couldn't be more here and now.

Tim Simmons

I Wouldn't go that far. They are more on the nostalgia end of the spectrum. Just not really far along that end.

I mean, if you think PJ are here and now, you must not listen to music 2 degrees beyond PJ.

buck502000

Best live band on Earth

PJfanwillneverleave1

buck502000 said:

Best live band on Earth

Now that is the post of the year!

Lacking desire? Fuck that.

FoxyRedLa

Tim Simmons said:

I Wouldn't go that far. They are more on the nostalgia end of the spectrum. Just not really far along that end.

I mean, if you think PJ are here and now, you must not listen to music 2 degrees beyond PJ.

Oh ok. I see. Jesus. All I meant was when it comes to PJ I don't automatically get sentimental and long for the past. I think about the exciting here and now - my 4 shows coming up!

Next time I'll keep my different opinion to myself. Pardon me.

PJfanwillneverleave1

FoxyRedLa said:

Tim Simmons said:

I Wouldn't go that far. They are more on the nostalgia end of the spectrum. Just not really far along that end.

I mean, if you think PJ are here and now, you must not listen to music 2 degrees beyond PJ.

Oh ok. I see. Jesus. All I meant was when it comes to PJ I don't automatically get sentimental and long for the past. I think about the exciting here and now - my 4 shows coming up!

Next time I'll keep my different opinion to myself. Pardon me.

No don't!
Always give your opinion.

GS163319

It's also hard to compare them to Neil and Bruce... Solo artists (yes, Bruce has a band, but he clearly calls shots) can do whatever the want, whenever they want. A true band has several people equally involved in the process.

somebodyelsessky2020

IMO there really is no one "best" band but there are a bunch that are on top and will always stay there because of their entire catalog of music. PJ is one of the very few newer generation bands that have had the ability to reach a status that many from the same time period have not.

I'm just happy they are still together, making new music and touring as little or as much as they choose. As for the business side of things. They could be making a hell of a lot more money if that's what they were after.

For me almost all of their songs are hits. There may be a handful of not so greats but I know there are plenty of people that like the few songs I don't. You can't please all the people all the time.

And as far as their passion goes....you don't play 3 hour live shows if you don't have the passion anymore and if they are faking it they all deserve an Oscar each for best actors pretending to enjoy being in a band.

Stop trying to analyze their business, careers and lives and just enjoy the music while you still have the chance. And if they never make another song or album you can appreciate, just be thankful for the ones you do.

jp307677

I couldn't disagree with this post/statement more. I feel the last two albums have been great...many of the songs are just as good as the classic stuff (Unthought Known, Lightning Bolt, etc...). Backspacer and Lightning Bolt are the best albums since Yield in my opinion.
As far as them taking time between albums...who cares. I'd rather them put out music when they have something good out together instead of just releasing albums just for the sake of making money or trying to keep themselves out in the public eye.
They have nothing to prove at this point and have done everything perfect by me.

jp307677

I got so wrapped up on the quality of the albums I forgot to mention their live performances..."lack the desire to be the best"?
I've been following the band since 2000 and I've never had the feeling of not getting my money's worth.
They were the best live touring band in 2000 (and before that) and have just got better and better with age.

Abe Froman

I don't think nostalgia acts sell out 2 shows at Wrigley in 11 minutes and 2 shows at Fenway in 6 minutes.

Malroth

NOSTALGIA!



good book.

pdalowsky

My expectation is that they are just enjoying being what they are, and couldn't give a fuck about being whatever 'the best' is.

Tim Simmons

Abe Froman said:

I don't think nostalgia acts sell out 2 shows at Wrigley in 11 minutes and 2 shows at Fenway in 6 minutes.

Huh? Sure they could. Rolling Stones sell out stadiums all the time. So will Guns and Roses. Granted, PJ is still more vital than those bands, but don't mistake a rabid fanbase for being of the moment still.

But yes, I don't think TGAF. They just make and play tunes and that's great.

rummy

U2 still tries to be the best band in the world and they get a lot of flack for it. I'm willing to bet the same would hold true for Pearl Jam.

I am a big fan of both bands but prefer the way Pearl Jam does things.