I don't think anything they put out will ever overtake their first 13 years of music for me. Those albums, ten to binaural, are woven into my life; the most influential part of my adult life. From the time I was 19 until I was 32. Riot Act was a huge disappointment for me when it was released, although I appreciate it now, their 3 albums after RA never hit me like every album before did. I've kind of accepted it for what it is. I think there's some good music on this album and I feel like there was more of an effort put into it than the previous three. I would rank this one right behind Riot Act right now but I think that's only because there are at least two songs I consider 'classics' on RA; it's hard to predict songs that will stand the test of time on a new album. All just my opinion and everyone is different.
I agree with almost all of this. In my opinion it's the best since Binaural, so would have it like: 1. Ten, VS, Vitalogy, No Code, Yield 2. Binaural 3. Gigaton 4. Riot Act 5. Lightning Bolt, Backspacer, Avocado
Will see if this lasts, but I'd say Who Ever Said is my favorite song since Of the Girl. Love the effort put in all tracks. 7 o'clock is superb. Most fun I had listening to an album since Yield.
Montreal 98, 00, 03, 05, 11
Toronto 03, 06, 11
Ottawa 05, 11
Quebec 05; Saratoga 00; Boston 04; Toledo 04
Albany 06; Honolulu 06; Hartford 08
Costa Rica 11
London (Ont.), Hartford 13
Quebec, Fenway 1 + 2 16; London 18
EV Montreal (2), Berkeley II, Albany, Boston, London (UK)
Love the new album. "Alright" and "Seven O'Clock" are so great back-to-back. Anyway, here's my list: 1) Pearl Jam 2) Ten 3) Riot Act 4) Gigaton 5) Binaural 6) Yield 7) Vs. 8) Vitalogy 9) No Code 10) Backspacer 11) Lightning Bolt
I should note that on my list, there is almost no daylight between entries 1-10.
Definitely not a "masterpiece" or a "triumph" as some have described. Bottom three....
I feel like the band killed the momentum of the album in a couple places. "Never Destination" and "Comes then Goes" could have been left off and the album as a whole would have been better.
It’s still too early to rank it, I think. I do like it more than some of their other records, but I can never really pick a PJ album to put in first or last place.
I have a playlist on my phone that plays on random when I’m driving. It’s a mix of artists, usually just one or two songs each. I’ve added every Gigaton song to the playlist, which is something I’ve never done with an album before. I think it’s a great album, and the songs also work really well when they pop up randomly.
“Do not postpone happiness”
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
Fuck it. I’ll give it a go as of now even though I know it will change over time.
No Code Yield Vitalogy VS Binaural Ten Gigaton Riot Act Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt Backspacer
I love them all. Says so much about the strength of their catalog. In fact the only reason I have Backspacer last is it’s so short. It’s like an EP. And had a couple weaker tracks for me. Still a great record though.
Hate to say it but Ed’s structure and writing is the weak link. Way too much rambling, convoluted writing, and filling musical spaces that don’t need to be filled.
Wow, this is very hard, every album has it's own beauty and greatness! Will change over and over but I have given it a go! I have never been a big fan of Vs.. i think this new record is a brilliant return to full form and I love it. 1. Vitalogy
I can't wrap my head around people who have Ten outside their top 3 let alone those who have it in their bottom 3. I know music is subjective but that's just objectively wrong and feels like a hipster take.
Gigaton has its moments. I feel the album is quite interesting 1-8. Then it completely loses its momentum and never picks up again. QE, DotC, Seven O`Clock and Alright are all songs I like. I find QE to be fantastic! I haven't posted here in ages, but been lurking. Read a comment saying Of the Earth should have been on here. I agree. it would have provided a nice pickup in the finale, maybe between Retrograde and River Cross. Might have made the album a tad long though.
VS Ten Vitalogy Yield No Code Binaural PJ Gigaton Riot Act Backspacer Lightning Bolt
Ranking is always difficult and especially with a new album. When No Code, Binaural and RIot Act all came out, they easily went to the bottom of the pile. I was really excited about Yield when it came out just because of that 4 song opening, but I feel it fell flat in the second half besides In Hiding and ATY. Over the years, I have come to really love No Code and Binaural. No Code is perfect except for Mankind and Binaural only slightly falters overall. I really enjoy Evacuation on the album, especially the lyrics and ultimately, it's the lyrics that bring albums to the top for me. This is why my top 3 albums have been No Code, Binaural and Vitalogy for so long. The music of Ten and Vs cannot be topped, but I don't feel that lyrics resonate as much for me. They're anthems that rock live because they are fun to sing along with. Only Release and Indifference really hit me hard on those albums.
No Code and Binaural are both albums I can get lost in just listening to the lyrics and riding the musical highs and lows throughout that make them so powerful. Vitalogy was the turning point in my opinion and showed how deep they could get with their sound. I think Riot Act has aged much better than most and I appreciate it a lot more than I did at the time. With that said, none of their best music is really well suited for pumping up a large stadium sized crowd, but they are powerful songs that tear at your heart and mind all in one. Don't get me wrong, I love shouting along to DTE, Evenflow and Alive, but they are a surface level emotion experience for me that don't compare to the depths of Immortality, Sleight of Hand, Parting Ways, Present Tense, In My Tree and Off He Goes.
Okay, enough rambling on. Here is my attempt.
No Code/Binaural Vitalogy Vs/Ten Gigaton Yield Riot Act Pearl Jam/Backspacer Lightning Bolt
I can't wrap my head around people who have Ten outside their top 3 let alone those who have it in their bottom 3. I know music is subjective but that's just objectively wrong and feels like a hipster take.
Why? It’s not my favorite record. Pretty simple. Does it hold a special place because it was what started it all for me? Absolutely! But I like 5 albums more than Ten. Personally they got better musically and became more creative. I loved VS, Vitalogy, No Code and Yield more than Ten pretty much right away. And over time it happened with Binaural for me too.
This is a great album and keeps getting better. I put it ahead of LB and Backspacer and it’s still climbing. This thing is easily an A . Very impressed with this.
I agree. I can’t quit listening to this album. Ed is going to have one hell of a time remembering the lyrics on this one. Great fucking album.
I have a hard time believing so many people are ranking this above Riot Act.
I'm in the same boat. I really don't get it either!
I think the album is very good, don’t get me wrong. Probably my favorite album I’ve heard by any band in the lst five years. I just don’t think it really rivals riot act or binaural
Man, this is such a fun question to ask but one of the most difficult to always answer. It becomes even more difficult when you have a new release that's solid from beginning to end like Gigaton is. So for those who really love the new album, I'm sure you struggle just like I do on where to rank this album simply because it's so new. Ranking it too high on your list just seems disrespectful to the other classic albums in their catalog, but ranking it near or at the bottom of the list doesn't feel right either given how amazing this album is.
For my rankings, I like to factor in how well each album has held up over time, second, how often am I inclined to listen to the album in it's entirety and finally the overall number of quality songs on the album. With that said, here are my rankings:
1. Yield - For me, I fell in love with this album on the first listen. Maybe it was due to the stuff going on in my life during that time, but this album just speaks to me on so many levels. 2. No Code - I'll admit, I didn't get this album for quite some time beyond the rockers. I had to grow up and experience some life before this eventually resonated with me. 3. Vitalogy - The only album from the "early years" that has a timeless feel to it imo. To this day, I can still listen to that album from beginning to end without skipping a single track. 4. Gigaton - Outside of Yield, no other album of theirs has captured me from the very first listen like this one has. Maybe as was the case with Yield, it was the timing and events taking place in our world that made me instantly love it. 5. Binaural - I know I'll get shit for ranking Gigaton ahead of Binaural but it is what it is. A great album from beginning to end that was another slow burner for me. 6. Vs. - Loved it when it first came out and there are still plenty of good tunes to spin from this one, but I rarely find myself going back and listening to it now. Sound wise it feels a little dated, but maybe that's just because I'm getting old. 7. Pearl Jam (Avocado) - This album was music to my ears after Riot Act as I felt the band got back to that vibe they had during the Yield years. Marker in the Sand, I feel, is one of the most underrated songs in their catalog. 8. Lightning Bolt - Depending on the day Avocado & LB could probably switch spots here. This album holds a special place with me as its the first one my oldest daughter really got into and she loves the title track. 9. Ten - What, the holy grail behind Avocado & LB??? Don't get me wrong, I love the album, it's what got me into them in the first place. But if Vs. feels dated to me then you know I feel the same about this one. When I go back to listen now, it gives me more of a nostalgic feel than anything else. 10. Backspacer - This album gets such a bad rap, and I'm perpetuating it by ranking it 10th myself, but I think it's better than most people give it credit. 11. Riot Act - Give me some Green Disease, Get Right or I Am Mine any day of the week, but overall this album just feels like the band was tired and uninspired when they recorded it when you compare it to their other efforts.
That was actually harder than I thought but I feel this is very accurate ranking (for me anyway).
Comments
No code
Vs
Vitology
Gigaton
first five
gigaton
self titled
backspacer
binaural
lb
riot act
Avocado
Yield
No Code
Riot Act
Vs
Gigaton (could move up over time)
Vitalogy
Lightning Bolt
Ten
Backspacer
My list has changed a lot over time and expect it to do so in the future. Interesting to see everyone’s lists.
Montreal 98, 00, 03, 05, 11
Toronto 03, 06, 11
Ottawa 05, 11
Quebec 05; Saratoga 00; Boston 04; Toledo 04
Albany 06; Honolulu 06; Hartford 08
Costa Rica 11
London (Ont.), Hartford 13
Quebec, Fenway 1 + 2 16; London 18
EV Montreal (2), Berkeley II, Albany, Boston, London (UK)
Anyway, here's my list:
1) Pearl Jam
2) Ten
3) Riot Act
4) Gigaton
5) Binaural
6) Yield
7) Vs.
8) Vitalogy
9) No Code
10) Backspacer
11) Lightning Bolt
I should note that on my list, there is almost no daylight between entries 1-10.
It took forever but I’m proud of their achievement. Definitely doesn’t sound like they’re just phoning it in.
I have a playlist on my phone that plays on random when I’m driving. It’s a mix of artists, usually just one or two songs each. I’ve added every Gigaton song to the playlist, which is something I’ve never done with an album before. I think it’s a great album, and the songs also work really well when they pop up randomly.
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
“Put yer good money on the sunrise”
(Tim Rogers)
No Code
Yield
Vitalogy
VS
Binaural
Ten
Gigaton
Riot Act
Pearl Jam
Lightning Bolt
Backspacer
I love them all. Says so much about the strength of their catalog. In fact the only reason I have Backspacer last is it’s so short. It’s like an EP. And had a couple weaker tracks for me. Still a great record though.
Hate to say it but Ed’s structure and writing is the weak link. Way too much rambling, convoluted writing, and filling musical spaces that don’t need to be filled.
9 Lightning Bolt
10 Backspacer
11 Gigaton
There are no kings inside the gates of eden
Will change over and over but I have given it a go! I have never been a big fan of Vs.. i think this new record is a brilliant return to full form and I love it.
1. Vitalogy
3. No Code
I haven't posted here in ages, but been lurking. Read a comment saying Of the Earth should have been on here. I agree. it would have provided a nice pickup in the finale, maybe between Retrograde and River Cross. Might have made the album a tad long though.
VS
Ten
Vitalogy
Yield
No Code
Binaural
PJ
Gigaton
Riot Act
Backspacer
Lightning Bolt
No Code and Binaural are both albums I can get lost in just listening to the lyrics and riding the musical highs and lows throughout that make them so powerful. Vitalogy was the turning point in my opinion and showed how deep they could get with their sound. I think Riot Act has aged much better than most and I appreciate it a lot more than I did at the time. With that said, none of their best music is really well suited for pumping up a large stadium sized crowd, but they are powerful songs that tear at your heart and mind all in one. Don't get me wrong, I love shouting along to DTE, Evenflow and Alive, but they are a surface level emotion experience for me that don't compare to the depths of Immortality, Sleight of Hand, Parting Ways, Present Tense, In My Tree and Off He Goes.
Okay, enough rambling on. Here is my attempt.
No Code/Binaural
Vitalogy
Vs/Ten
Gigaton
Yield
Riot Act
Pearl Jam/Backspacer
Lightning Bolt
9.Gigiton
10.Riot Act
11. Lightning Bolt
2. Ten
3. Pearl Jam
4. Vitalogy
5. Vs
6. No Code
7. Gigaton
8. Binaural
9. Riot Act
10. Lightning Bolt
11. Backspacer
I would like to apologize to Binaural and Riot Act though.
For my rankings, I like to factor in how well each album has held up over time, second, how often am I inclined to listen to the album in it's entirety and finally the overall number of quality songs on the album. With that said, here are my rankings:
1. Yield - For me, I fell in love with this album on the first listen. Maybe it was due to the stuff going on in my life during that time, but this album just speaks to me on so many levels.
2. No Code - I'll admit, I didn't get this album for quite some time beyond the rockers. I had to grow up and experience some life before this eventually resonated with me.
3. Vitalogy - The only album from the "early years" that has a timeless feel to it imo. To this day, I can still listen to that album from beginning to end without skipping a single track.
4. Gigaton - Outside of Yield, no other album of theirs has captured me from the very first listen like this one has. Maybe as was the case with Yield, it was the timing and events taking place in our world that made me instantly love it.
5. Binaural - I know I'll get shit for ranking Gigaton ahead of Binaural but it is what it is. A great album from beginning to end that was another slow burner for me.
6. Vs. - Loved it when it first came out and there are still plenty of good tunes to spin from this one, but I rarely find myself going back and listening to it now. Sound wise it feels a little dated, but maybe that's just because I'm getting old.
7. Pearl Jam (Avocado) - This album was music to my ears after Riot Act as I felt the band got back to that vibe they had during the Yield years. Marker in the Sand, I feel, is one of the most underrated songs in their catalog.
8. Lightning Bolt - Depending on the day Avocado & LB could probably switch spots here. This album holds a special place with me as its the first one my oldest daughter really got into and she loves the title track.
9. Ten - What, the holy grail behind Avocado & LB??? Don't get me wrong, I love the album, it's what got me into them in the first place. But if Vs. feels dated to me then you know I feel the same about this one. When I go back to listen now, it gives me more of a nostalgic feel than anything else.
10. Backspacer - This album gets such a bad rap, and I'm perpetuating it by ranking it 10th myself, but I think it's better than most people give it credit.
11. Riot Act - Give me some Green Disease, Get Right or I Am Mine any day of the week, but overall this album just feels like the band was tired and uninspired when they recorded it when you compare it to their other efforts.
That was actually harder than I thought but I feel this is very accurate ranking (for me anyway).