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The New Album

DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
edited May 2006 in Words and Music...Communication
I was reluctant to give any verdict yesterday, but what a difference a day makes..This Album is an EPIC.
A true piece of brilliant creativity.
And appropriately titled simply-Pearl Jam.

I cannot say enough about the energy, the lyrics, the new sounds, and the positive vibes, with the exception of Come back, but every PJ has to have a regret filled ballad, and it is as good as any theyve done.

My favorite song 3 days in to listening to this masterpiece:

Comatose!!!!!!!!!!! This song rocks!
Marker in the sand
Parachutes
Big Wave
Come back
Inside Job

Please share your initial thoughts on, what I believe will go down as one of their best albums in their history.
This band raises the quality of life for anyone who has connected with their music and @ 36 years old,personally- I feel I've been growing along with their music, Great job Eddie and crew. -Doug
doceddie@aol.com
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    The first thing I did before I even put the CD on was read the lyrics. Then I decided to listen to the 1992 concert because it had "Dirty Frank" and "Alone" on it. I LoVE Alone. I listened to the new CD the following day.

    For this new CD I hear almost direct influences from other bands. I gave Blue Oyster Cult in another thread for Unemployable, and I also hear "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde in WWS. I think it must be very hard to write lyrics, and I recognize that, but I expected them to be clearer. I get a sense the lyrics were made to match the music. I expected more from Eddie as a lyricist because he has written some incredible lyrics in the past, very clear, words that inspired me to be a better writer. I feel he has decide to become obscure. The songs usually start fine, but then I get lost. I may change my mind upon further listenings, but that's my first impression.

    My favorite lyrics are "Inside Job" though. I can't wait to hear the songs in concert! I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes my second favorite Pearl Jam CD after Lost Dogs. I already let a co-worker borrow my CD :)
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • burtschipsburtschips Posts: 734
    I thought the lyrics were very clear compared to previous... Inside Job is a mike one, and I agree they are very very clear on that one.

    I love the album. not sure on come back a but wishy washy?
    Salut baloo
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    Shakespere said brevity is the soul of wit.
    The vagueness in lyrics combined with the backdrop and atmosphere they create with voice and instruments is the brilliance behind PJ in my opinion.
    You are able to extrapolate a succint meaning without him succintly stating it and while not left wondering if its just one of a possible million interpretations you've come up with. generally and espec w this album.

    Any criticism of this album will require pollyiana, high minded, fine tooth combing that I doubt will rear its head on this board, if it does, im open-
    This will go down as one of their best albums.

    "High above I'll break the law,
    if it's illegal to be in love,
    leave the hatred, on the cross" wow.
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    burtschips wrote:
    I thought the lyrics were very clear compared to previous... Inside Job is a mike one, and I agree they are very very clear on that one.

    I love the album. not sure on come back a but wishy washy?
    Besides, Inside Job, which were clear to you throughout the entire song? If I don't understand them, maybe you (and whoever else reads this) can help me figure them out.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • burtschipsburtschips Posts: 734
    DPrecisionist05 wrote:
    Shakespere said brevity is the soul of wit.
    The vagueness in lyrics combined with the backdrop and atmosphere they create with voice and instruments is the brilliance behind PJ in my opinion.
    You are able to extrapolate a succint meaning without him succintly stating it and while not left wondering if its just one of a possible million interpretations you've come up with. generally and espec w this album.

    Any criticism of this album will require pollyiana, high mindedness, fine tooth combing that I doubt will rear its head on this board, if it does, im open-
    This will go down as one of their best albums.

    "High above I'll break the law,
    if it's illegal to be in love,
    leave the hatred, on the cross" wow.

    I agree re vagueness and pjs brilliance. This album though is not vague and is still brilliant. :)
    Salut baloo
  • burtschipsburtschips Posts: 734
    Ms. Haiku wrote:
    Besides, Inside Job, which were clear to you throughout the entire song? If I don't understand them, maybe you (and whoever else reads this) can help me figure them out.

    Don't have to hand Ms H, but we'll get back on this. I will try and summarise in a sentence what i think each one means. Will you give it ago?
    Salut baloo
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    burtschips wrote:
    Don't have to hand Ms H, but we'll get back on this. I will try and summarise in a sentence what i think each one means. Will you give it ago?
    Sounds good, I usually approach a song line by line. For instance the first 2 major stanzas of Unemployable make sense, but i get lost in all the stuff afterwards. Is it just filler? I understand "so this life is a sacrifice" I sense the despair, but not much else in the second half of the song.

    Parachutes I'm confused because it seems that a separation ultimately is more light than dark, but then the last line makes me stop, and wonder if the protagonist was trying to put on a face or something. I mean just because I'm confused doesn't mean the lyrics are bad, because maybe the subject is confusing.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • burtschipsburtschips Posts: 734
    I'm not very analytical when it comes to lyrics, i tend to react to the song as a whole and then their are aspects of the lyrics that resonate with me. So if I give a song a meaning it won't be the meaning unless it is the meaning, ha ha.
    Salut baloo
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    Comatose is a million miles an hour, this track is scorching,
    theyve done nothing like this before, ever.

    I am ingesting this album in waves of excitement,
    This may very well be their finest work to date, I enjoy listening to atleast 11 of the 13 songs, thus far, and ive had the album 3 days..!!!
  • fifteenbombsfifteenbombs Posts: 3
    Anyone else think Comatose is going to sound UNREAL live. Cant wait for the Philly shows. I havent heard anything this good from any rock band in a while, better then just a great PJ album. Im not sure Ten is topable because of the reach and influence it had, but this may already be my #2. Another great album will also go a long way to solidify PJ as the great band theyve always been in the eyes of the casual fan. Normally that would worry me a bit but I dont think we'll see Eddie lunching with foreign heads of state or pitching the Ipod so I can live with it. Everyone have fun and be safe tonight.
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    Ive been listening it all weekend and today....this album is great...i agree with everyone about comatose that song is awesome and it will sound phenomenol live...Im also really digging severed hand. :)....
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • The Waiting Trophy ManThe Waiting Trophy Man Posts: 12,158
    it's a masterpiece. i can't get enough of it. i just have to say marker in the sand has the greatest chorus I HAVE EVER HEARD!! :eek:

    i will not say it's their best album. all their albums in the 90's were great and i'm not going to blow them out of the water after listening to the new album for 3 days. but i will say it's as great as anything they've ever done, and it MAY BE their best ever. i LOVE it. ;)
    Another habit says it's in love with you
    Another habit says its long overdue
    Another habit like an unwanted friend
    I'm so happy with my righteous self
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    Let's give it some time........
    but all the songs are good,
    Ive never said that about any Pearl Jam album,
    the only one Im having trouble playing through is the one
    where it goes leave your lady on the cement floor...
    that lyric sort of scares me off...

    This album, if I may, is a progressive, evolved piece of art, that recaptures and at time transcends the energy of the first two albums, with the wisdom and poignancy of 15 albums later...

    They have exceeded all expectations, first impression, was that , i k now this is going to sound crazy, but there is a very mild, yet signifigant shred of Coldplay influence...theyre choruses are more harmonious, beautiful, without surrendering their uniqueness to some concession to commercial appeal,
    the lofty instrumental inflections in parachutes is something tht lso mde me think of coldplay, (not alluding to the name),
    what does anyone think? I heard someone say Blue Oyster CUlt influence, never relly herd them,...so dont know..
  • jamainiacjamainiac Posts: 429
    I'm enjoying the entire album so much... I feel almost 'silly' :p

    I think overall the biggest difference from any other album I'd anticipated is that I'm so drawn in (in one way or another) by each track that I get 'totally lost' in it.

    The obvious standouts are WWS & Unemployable (because I'd heard them so many times) and Parachutes & Come Back (because they both are so out of left field for PJ... and because they both totally knock me off my emotional feet... each in it's own unique way)...

    ... but the entire album just flows over and though and around me... I've been listening to this pretty much nonstop since it came out of the mailbox on Friday... and everytime I listen it's brand new again...

    I can hardly stand to think about hearing/feeling/seeing/living this at shows this summer... the Gorge... the sunset... the breeze... seeing Mike step up for his solo on Inside Job... Oh My!! I think I'm falling in LoVe all over again... I hope this ride never ends... :D
    Exercising her will to lose control...
    she lets go
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    Ms. Haiku wrote:
    I feel he has decide to become obscure. :)

    I actually had the exact oppoosite thought. I was a *tad* disappointed at first because I thought some of the lyrics on this album were so hit-you-over-the-head obvious. I wanted ed to write a song about the war and how much it sucks, but make me think about. make me decipher it.

    The lyrics in WWS are pretty obvious. But, I've decided that doesn't make it a bad song. and he still does some things with the language that I like. good word play.

    even something simple like "the whole world ... world over." --- that can mean two things. "World over" could just be reiterating that we're talking about a worldwide problem -- as in the phrase "the whole world over."

    OR .... it could mean "world over" as in "world finished" and in "world no more."

    It's simple, yet brilliant at the same time.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    slightofjeff wrote:
    I actually had the exact oppoosite thought. I was a *tad* disappointed at first because I thought some of the lyrics on this album were so hit-you-over-the-head obvious. I wanted ed to write a song about the war and how much it sucks, but make me think about. make me decipher it.

    The lyrics in WWS are pretty obvious. But, I've decided that doesn't make it a bad song. and he still does some things with the language that I like. good word play.

    even something simple like "the whole world ... world over." --- that can mean two things. "World over" could just be reiterating that we're talking about a worldwide problem -- as in the phrase "the whole world over."

    OR .... it could mean "world over" as in "world finished" and in "world no more."

    It's simple, yet brilliant at the same time.


    A song about the war...
    What about Marker in the Sand?
    In my opinion that is exactly what that song is about,
    check out the lyrics dude!
  • burtschipsburtschips Posts: 734
    Life Wasted - being in a bad situation, getting out of a bad place, learning from it and not going back again. beating it and staying in a good place?

    World Wide Suicide - errr it's all fucked up?

    Comatose - tricky but I think it's about being left in peace?

    Severed Hand - A lost man?

    Marker in the sand - we've lost our way, a challenge to put it right. i don't know if it affirms god or challenges him?

    Parachutes - personal love?

    Unemployable - The average joe and the shit he goes through?

    Big Wave - Riding the wave?

    Gone - getting out of there away from it all. nothing is it?

    Wasted Reprise - a reminder?

    Army Reserve - Woman knows her husband's death is coming in the war?

    Come Back - Wanting soemone to come back?

    Inside Job - a bit like a i am mine, personal safety?

    mmmm all just my take so not the meaning.
    Salut baloo
  • Sugar RaySugar Ray Posts: 56
    "Gone" to me after reading the lyrics and hearing the song made me think of "Elderly Woman" perhaps a prequel to it more than anything...

    About how you could have an experience that makes you leave a place and never looking back... I don't know I could be way off base but reading those lyrics and listening to the song it just made me think of Elderly Woman somehow.

    Lyrically this is as strong an album as I have ever seen from anyone. Truly magical.

    Cheers,

    R3
    ...can't touch the bottom....
  • prytocorduroyprytocorduroy Posts: 4,355
    I'm very impressed with PJ's new album. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is, but boy was I wrong. Every track is good in my opinion, my favorites are Big Wave and Inside Job. To me the album reminds me of Vs. and Yield, but only reminds me as it sounds nothing like the two. It's seems like the same format (and I don't mean music, I mean the organization of songs and how eclectic the album is) of the two albums if that makes sense.
  • Seattle1974Seattle1974 Posts: 81
    I hear the Blue Oyster Cult influence in there as well. I hear some Fugazi on a few tracks as well. Does anyone think Parachutes sounds like a Beatles tune?

    My first impression is that this is a great album. I loved all the songs the first time through with the exception of Parachutes. The last two albums took some time to digest before they sunk in. This one comes crashing out of the gates. I am really diggin on it. I will check back and write some more once I have had ample time to chew on the album. I cannot wait to see them perform these tunes live!!!!!




    DPrecisionist05 wrote:
    Let's give it some time........
    but all the songs are good,
    Ive never said that about any Pearl Jam album,
    the only one Im having trouble playing through is the one
    where it goes leave your lady on the cement floor...
    that lyric sort of scares me off...

    This album, if I may, is a progressive, evolved piece of art, that recaptures and at time transcends the energy of the first two albums, with the wisdom and poignancy of 15 albums later...

    They have exceeded all expectations, first impression, was that , i k now this is going to sound crazy, but there is a very mild, yet signifigant shred of Coldplay influence...theyre choruses are more harmonious, beautiful, without surrendering their uniqueness to some concession to commercial appeal,
    the lofty instrumental inflections in parachutes is something tht lso mde me think of coldplay, (not alluding to the name),
    what does anyone think? I heard someone say Blue Oyster CUlt influence, never relly herd them,...so dont know..
  • CenterCityCenterCity Posts: 193
    Inside Job really sounds like a movie soundtrack...the more I listen to it...I can imagine pictures in my head....the music really does tell a story in this song
    I need to finish writing.
  • bacchanalbacchanal Posts: 149
    DPrecisionist05 wrote:
    I was reluctant to give any verdict yesterday, but what a difference a day makes..This Album is an EPIC.
    A true piece of brilliant creativity.
    And appropriately titled simply-Pearl Jam.

    I cannot say enough about the energy, the lyrics, the new sounds, and the positive vibes, with the exception of Come back, but every PJ has to have a regret filled ballad, and it is as good as any theyve done.

    My favorite song 3 days in to listening to this masterpiece:

    Comatose!!!!!!!!!!! This song rocks!
    Marker in the sand
    Parachutes
    Big Wave
    Come back
    Inside Job

    Please share your initial thoughts on, what I believe will go down as one of their best albums in their history.
    This band raises the quality of life for anyone who has connected with their music and @ 36 years old,personally- I feel I've been growing along with their music, Great job Eddie and crew. -Doug
    doceddie@aol.com


    couldn't have said it better myself......ditto would be an understatement!!!!
    except for one thing...Marker In the Sand is AMAZING!!!!!
  • Cropduster49Cropduster49 Posts: 102
    The whole thing is solid as fuck.

    My favorites so far are:

    Parachutes
    Marker in the Sand
    Unemployable
    Gone




    I am so glad this cd finally came out. I was up at my local Best Buy the day it came out, waiting for it to open.
    YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN.
  • Cropduster49Cropduster49 Posts: 102
    Holy crap, I forgot to add Inside Job to my favorites list.

    I believe this is of Pearl Jam's finest songs. I love it.
    YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN.
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    bacchanal wrote:
    couldn't have said it better myself......ditto would be an understatement!!!!
    except for one thing...Marker In the Sand is AMAZING!!!!!


    thanks.
    Marker in the Sand is phenomenol!
    forgiving, needing forgiveness first.... (thats something potent)

    I head someone say this song is about Iraq, and it amkes alot of sense, the forgiveness, needing forgiveness first, .......the message being, we need to be forgiven for actions pre 9-11 before offering our own forgiveness??
  • DPrecisionist05DPrecisionist05 Posts: 61
    Cropduster49 wrote:
    The whole thing is solid as fuck.

    My favorites so far are:

    Parachutes
    Marker in the Sand
    Unemployable
    Gone




    I am so glad this cd finally came out. I was up at my local Best Buy the day it came out, waiting for it to open.


    well said, lol.

    Parachutes does sound beatlesque.....
  • Kentucky ShanKentucky Shan Posts: 59
    Well..

    I totally agree that this album is, by far, one of the best they have ever released. The diversity of the album is what gets me. How can a band have a song like "Comotose" and one like "Inside Job" on the same album? They are so toally different in soundand style, but there they are. I think that is what make Pearl Jam so FABULOUS! They can do anything...and make it work.

    I love "WorldWide Suicide" (partly because of the awesome underlying guitar lick near the end), and I am moved by "Inside Job" (I know that sounds corny, but I feel this song in ways I haven't felt a song in a long while.)

    This year will be the greatest--new Pearl Jam album, Pearl Jam tour (Cincy, June 24!) and, quite possibly, one of the greatest musical compilations ever.

    Thank you, Pearl jam.
    ~A compliment for us, is a compliment for you.~

  • prytocorduroyprytocorduroy Posts: 4,355
    Kentucky Shan wrote:
    Thank you, Pearl jam.

    Yes, thank you PJ! Thank you for still making music even after all those poser kids lost interest almost a decade ago 'cause they're just missin' some great music. Who needs 'em anyway? PJ forever!
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