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Why are Binaural and Riot Act considered subpar?

musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,117
edited July 2008 in The Porch
Their seems to be a consensus on the board (sort of), that these two records are the worst of the PJ catalogue.

What makes them subpar? Why are they not up to snuff?
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    thebends9thebends9 Posts: 513
    Tchad.
    '98 - MSG 
    '00 - Jones Beach (x2)
    '03 - Nassau Coliseum/Tweeter Center/ MSG (x2)
    '04 - Reading, PA
    '05 - Wachovia Center
    '06 - Irving Plaza; Continental Airlines Arena (x2)
    '08 - MSG (x2); Beacon Theater
    '09 - Philly Spectrum (x2)
    '10 - XL Center; Prudential Center; MSG (x2)
    '11 - Alpine Valley (x2)
    '12 - Made In America
    '13 - Wrigley Field; DCU Center; Barclay Center (x2); Wells Fargo Center; XL Center
    '15 - Ed Sullivan Theater
    '16 - MSG (x2)
    '17 - Barclay Center (R&RHOF)
    '18 - Fenway Park
    '22 - MSG
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    oldfannewposteroldfannewposter Posts: 128
    Riot Act and Binaural are two of the most solid albums ever recorded. But, you're right, people tend to dog these two efforts. I have no idea why. Some of the best lyrics and riffs ever written by Pearl Jam are on these two gems.

    I've really enjoyed each album as a separate entity. They're all good... great I mean. Pearl Jam's longevity and ability to draw sell out crowds with minimal airplay and exposure, in my opinion, is because of their ability to show growth and change with the their music that is honest, effortless, and real. No musician sits down and says, "OK.... let's write a song!". Their personal changes undoubtedly affects the demeanor of each record.

    I saw them for the first time on an off night from the RHCP/ Smashing Pumpkins tour in 1992 in Ithaca, NY at a small place called the Haunt (and for the last time in Mansfield night II) with 28 other shows in between, so I've followed their metamorphosis quite closely although I'm a new poster (or am I?). :0)

    They'll be doing stadiums soon on a regular basis, so enjoy these arena shows while you can... as well as each record they put out... equally.
    "One just escapes, one's left inside the well... and he who forgets will be destined to remember"
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    jeffwmartinjeffwmartin Posts: 71
    I remember when I first listened to Riot Act, I didn't think it was that great. But a few repeated listenings in, I realized how freakin' good it actually was. Even if people consider it a "subpar PJ album", that doesn't mean it's bad. PJ's worst album is better than 90% of the other artists' best albums.
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    Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,486
    exactly...
    they are 2 really good albums

    BINAURAL FTW

    would love to see of the girl as an opener or encore starter. Even parting ways to end or start a show.
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    HailHailLeathermanHailHailLeatherman Posts: 126
    radiohead33 wrote:
    Their seems to be a consensus on the board (sort of), that these two records are the worst of the PJ catalogue.

    What makes them subpar? Why are they not up to snuff?

    Actually Binaural isn't so bad, it is that dang Riot Act that sucks so much.
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    fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    No Pearl Jam album sucks, in my opinion.

    You can argue that they're the worst Pearl Jam albums, but PJ has put out so many fucking good albums, it's hard to choose.
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    Dead Man WalkingDead Man Walking Toronto-ish Posts: 2,761
    I didn't enjoy Binaural at all until I saw them paly the songs live...Now it's fantastic. Such a great sounding album played live...very underrated.
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    Brain Of EBrain Of E Posts: 499
    I think Riot Act is awesome. Binaural, however, is my least favorite PJ record. I think it's because it doen't have as many hard rockers. And some of the songs are kinda awkward (Evacuation). The songs are good and all, it's just kinda weak compared to any of their other records.
    Down in the hole, Jesus tries to crack a smile beneath another shovel load.
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    DiRtyFranK38DiRtyFranK38 Posts: 3,131
    they're both amazing. i don't get it.
    the whole pj catalogue is amazing!
    2006: Hartford
    2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
    2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
    2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
    2011: Ed Solo Hartford
    2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
    2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
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    thunderDANthunderDAN Posts: 2,094
    Binaural is my favorite album-true story
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    markymark550markymark550 Columbia, SC Posts: 5,110
    I don't get all the hate for those two albums either.

    Of all their albums, I've always thought that Binaural was best heard live in concert.
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    gusturtlegusturtle Posts: 440
    radiohead33 wrote:
    What makes them subpar?

    if you're to rank all their albums from best to worst, they would always end up being the last two on the list, at least my list.
    another argument would be that binaural fails simply because its b-sides are better than most of the songs that ended up on the record.
    (and yes, i still maintain that No Code is their best effort yet, by the way.)
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    i_am_minei_am_mine Posts: 53
    anything with grievance and green disease are cool with me! i love both these albums. a lot of great stuff on each. the songs sound really great live too i think.
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    yosi1yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    Easily my two favorite Pearl Jam albums.
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
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    smartass1235smartass1235 Posts: 136
    i think they both kick the shit out of no code
    4-30-03
    7-06-03
    7-11-03
    9-28-04
    9-29-04
    5-13-06
    6-03-06
    6-27-08
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    libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    They aren't my fav PJ albums but they don't suck imo. They both have some good songs. Now Yield is a perfect album in my opinion :)
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
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    fanch75fanch75 Posts: 3,736
    radiohead33 wrote:
    Their seems to be a consensus on the board (sort of), that these two records are the worst of the PJ catalogue.

    What makes them subpar? Why are they not up to snuff?

    Binaural is good.

    YIELD is the best ever, though.

    Remember that song "Bye Bye Bye" by Nsync? That song is better than most of what's on riot act. That's how bad that album is. At least I remember how "Bye Bye Bye" goes.
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
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    armsraisedinaveearmsraisedinavee Posts: 133
    there is no pearl jam album that is bad IMO - i think it is tough to enjoy all of them equally if you listen to random tracks from each - pearl jam is one of those bands that each of the albums has their own feel and their own flow and one of those rare bands that is able to have every album be good and be able to stand on its own right - when i listen to any of their albums all the way through i always find something new to enjoy
    9/1/2000 - E-Centre, Camden, 'Sometimes' started and I was hooked...
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    DiRtYyELLoWoCeAnDiRtYyELLoWoCeAn Medford, Ma Posts: 1,605
    I like going to bed to Binaural listening to it on my Sound dock.... its awesome!
    BOS 9/28/04, 9/29/04
    MTL 9/15/05
    HRTFD 5/13/06
    BOS 5/24/06, 5/25/06
    VEGAS 7/6/06
    CHI 8/5/07
    NJ 6/19/08
    NYC 6/25/08
    HRTFD 6/27/08
    MANSFLD 6/28/08, 6/30/08
    E.V. BOS 8/1/08
    CHI 8/23/09, 8/24/09
    PHILLY 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    BOS 5/17/10
    CHI 7/19/13
    WOOSTA 10/15/13, 10/16/13
    HRTFD 10/25/13
    BOS 8/5/16, 8/7/16
    BOS 9/2/18, 9/4/18

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    tama_drummer91tama_drummer91 Posts: 205
    Along with Avocado they are my favorite PJ albums.
    My first PJ show to witness was at Bonnaroo. How is that for lucky?
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    brainofPJbrainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    Binaural to me is their best album...

    and to hear the songs live....that's a whole different experience!


    Esther's here and she's sick?

    hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
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    CityMouseCityMouse Posts: 1,010
    I don't know, but I LOVE riot act. I think it's one of the best albums ever made, even in terms of pearl jam.
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    libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    fanch75 wrote:
    YIELD is the best ever, though.

    hell yeah!
    fanch75 wrote:
    Remember that song "Bye Bye Bye" by Nsync? That song is better than most of what's on riot act. That's how bad that album is. At least I remember how "Bye Bye Bye" goes.

    cmon now..lol
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
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    U R A Crazy BreedU R A Crazy Breed Posts: 8,370
    Binaural is in my top 3 PJ albums!! it took me awhile to recognize it's true brilliance!!

    i guess it's just going to take the masses a little longer :)
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    Solat13Solat13 Philadelphia Posts: 6,996
    I don't think per say that Binaural and Riot Act are bad albums. They are just my least favorite PJ albums. They both have their moments but they never affected me as much as the original 5 and Pearl Jam.
    - Busted down the pretext
    - 8/28/98
    - 9/2/00
    - 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
    - 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
    - 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
    - 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
    - 8/2/07, 8/5/07
    - 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
    - 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    - 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
    - 9/11/11, 9/12/11
    - 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
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    Evacuation RulesEvacuation Rules Posts: 2,162
    Because people are too stupid to understand songs like "Evacuation" and "Cropduster".
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    falconfalcon Posts: 163
    Binaural, Riot Act, and No Code are my 3 favorite albums. The reason... I think because it took so many listens to appreciate the incredible songwriting.
    MANSFIELD 7/3/03, 7/11/03
    BOSTON 9/28/04, 9/29/04
    HARTFORD 5/13/06
    BOSTON 5/24/06
    MANSFIELD 6/28/08, 6/30/08
    EV BOSTON 8/1/08, 8/2/08
    CHICAGO 8/24/09
    HARTFORD 5/15/10
    BOSTON 5/17/10
    EV PROV 6/15/11
    WORCESTER 10/15/13, 10/16/13
    HARTFORD 10/25/13
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    Yellow BedwetterYellow Bedwetter NYC Posts: 2,832
    cuz they're not rockers like ten and Vs
    2005: Borgata 2, Philly
    2006: Camden 1&2, East Ruth 1&2
    2008: BONNAROO, MSG1, MSG2, Hartford
    2009: Philly 1, 2, 4
    2010: Hartford, MSG1, MSG2
    2012: Made in America
    2013: BK1, BK2, Hartford
    2015: Global Citizens
    2016: MSG 2 (ISO MSG1)
    EV Solo: NJPAC 2008; Tower Theatre, PA 2009; Hartford 2011
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    HushBullHushBull Posts: 996
    Because someone in a previous thread about the same topic, a person with a really high post count, said they didn't enjoy those two albums. Thus, no one does anymore. It was decided by the powers that be.... :o

    Riot Act is probably my favorite. :)
    "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
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    mattcozeamattcozea Posts: 377
    I wouldn't say they're subpar, but they're at the bottom of my list. The others are just that good.
    6-27-98 Alpine Valley
    10-8-00 Alpine Valley
    10-9-00 All State Arena, Chicago
    4-23-03 Assembly Hall, Champaign
    5-16-06 United Center, Chicago
    6-30-06 Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee
    8-05-07 Grant Park, Chicago
    8-21-08 EV, Auditorium Theater, Chicago
    8-22-08 EV, Auditorium Theater, Chicago
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