Why are Binaural and Riot Act considered subpar?

musicismylife78

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?

thebends9

Tchad.

oldfannewposter

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.

jeffwmartin

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.

Brisk.

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.

HailHailLeatherman

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.

fuck

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.

Dead Man Walking

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.

Brain Of E

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.

DiRtyFranK38

they're both amazing. i don't get it.
the whole pj catalogue is amazing!

thunderDAN

Binaural is my favorite album-true story

markymark550

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.

gusturtle

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.)

i_am_mine

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.

yosi1

Easily my two favorite Pearl Jam albums.

smartass1235

i think they both kick the shit out of no code

libragirl

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

fanch75

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.

armsraisedinavee

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

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAn

I like going to bed to Binaural listening to it on my Sound dock.... its awesome!

tama_drummer91

Along with Avocado they are my favorite PJ albums.