As to why I still kick around here: 1) good tips in the other music sections 2) addicted to the political debate in the Moving Train. But fear not, I won't be here forever. I intend to let my membership expire next time around.
Let me be the first to say, you wont be missed...
I'm crying inside. I'm going to go tell my therapist SolarWorld doesn't love me :roll:
That's another good point. PJ has hands down one of the best rock vocalists EVER. Why do they insist by squandering it with all these songs where he's reduced to doing little more than rapping essentially? Seriously, listen to the delivery. He's not singing, he's basically just speaking rhythmically twice as fast as some girl from The Hills, and throwing in a few growls or shouts to make it sound like it's rock singing.
Sort of like ... "What the fuck is this world/coming to/you didn't leave a message ..."
Or ... "Ohpleasedon'tgoutonme/don'tgoonmenow"
They've been playing songs like this from Day 1.
You don't like them. Fine. But don't act like this is something new. It's quintessential Pearl Jam, actually.
Those songs both switch to singing for the chorus (dont go on meeee), or the big climax of porch. Compare that to what passes for the chorus on Comatose. "feelitrisin, nextstop fallin, somethin something somethin mumble gibberish"
I liked it and thought ED sounded great. People say he didn't sound that good but honestly, that's about where his vocals are. The vibe seemed okay to me as well. I think Ed just didn't want o be seen as so fucking short next to Conan and that's why he was like that at he end. He seems to have a pet peeve about being next o really tall people. Dennis Rodman makes him behave that way on stage to.
That's another good point. PJ has hands down one of the best rock vocalists EVER. Why do they insist by squandering it with all these songs where he's reduced to doing little more than rapping essentially? Seriously, listen to the delivery. He's not singing, he's basically just speaking rhythmically twice as fast as some girl from The Hills, and throwing in a few growls or shouts to make it sound like it's rock singing.
Sort of like ... "What the fuck is this world/coming to/you didn't leave a message ..."
Or ... "Ohpleasedon'tgoutonme/don'tgoonmenow"
They've been playing songs like this from Day 1.
You don't like them. Fine. But don't act like this is something new. It's quintessential Pearl Jam, actually.
Those songs both switch to singing for the chorus (dont go on meeee), or the big climax of porch. Compare that to what passes for the chorus on Comatose. "feelitrisin, nextstop fallin, somethin something somethin mumble gibberish"
So it's perfectly acceptable for ed to sing/rap, so long as you like the chorus? Got it.
I'm just saying. This method of singing is nothing new.
PS -- If you wanna argue songs with me, at least bother to learn the lyrics. Again, just sayin'.
Post edited by slightofjeff on
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
[
The most memorable moments of the last few albums have all been the slow burners... songs like In Hiding, Of the Girl, NAIS, All or None. I feel they're at their strongest when they use that dynamic tension they do so well and take their time to let a song breathe and build. Some people get bored by that and want all songs sharp, short, and rocking with no jams. I'm not of that latter persuasion. Give me an epic Inside Job or a mind-blowing outro to Immortality or Present Tense or a great groove-based breakdown in Even Flow. Take your short little thrash numbers and hand them off to Good Charlotte
Kinda funny...I love In My tree and Tremor Christ (2 of my all time favs) that you mentioned early in your post, but some of my least favorite Pearl Jam over the long haul (meaning I get bored of them the quickest) are songs like NAIS, All or None, Inside Job...not Of the Girl though, still love that. But I like the mix on the album. I think you need some of what you speak as well as some "Comatose"'s. If it was an album of all songs like NAIS I'd put it done fast and never come back.
Hehe, well, I'm a huge AiC and Pink Floyd fan... so long, epic guitar jams will always hook me. I am so incredibly bored by punk (no, not even the beloved ramones or clash), so short riffers with jumbled vocals are never going to win me over.
Hehe, well, I'm a huge AiC and Pink Floyd fan... so long, epic guitar jams will always hook me. I am so incredibly bored by punk (no, not even the beloved ramones or clash), so short riffers with jumbled vocals are never going to win me over.
The thing is, this is what Pearl Jam is now. It's a transition that has been in the works for the better part of this decade. The "old days" of long epic guitar jams aren't coming back.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Sort of like ... "What the fuck is this world/coming to/you didn't leave a message ..."
Or ... "Ohpleasedon'tgoutonme/don'tgoonmenow"
They've been playing songs like this from Day 1.
You don't like them. Fine. But don't act like this is something new. It's quintessential Pearl Jam, actually.
Those songs both switch to singing for the chorus (dont go on meeee), or the big climax of porch. Compare that to what passes for the chorus on Comatose. "feelitrisin, nextstop fallin, somethin something somethin mumble gibberish"
So it's perfectly acceptable for ed to sing/rap, so long as you like the chorus? Got it.
I'm just saying. This method of singing is nothing new.
PS -- If you wanna argue songs with me, at least bother to learn the lyrics. Again, just sayin'.
No, but a decent chorus or verse with good singing can lift a mediocre and forgettable track up to make it worthwhile. Hell, even a cool jam can redeem a song with worthless lyrics. But there are just too many of these forgettable tunes clogging the last 3 albums. You can tell by looking at setlists what works and what doesn't. There's a reason they don't play Ghost, Gods' Dice, and other album tracks, even though tunes like Deep, Garden, Leash, and Blood still get brought out.
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.
Hehe, well, I'm a huge AiC and Pink Floyd fan... so long, epic guitar jams will always hook me. I am so incredibly bored by punk (no, not even the beloved ramones or clash), so short riffers with jumbled vocals are never going to win me over.
The thing is, this is what Pearl Jam is now. It's a transition that has been in the works for the better part of this decade. The "old days" of long epic guitar jams aren't coming back.
Inside Job wasn't half bad, nor were 1/2 Full and All or None. And they seemed to make a nod to it with Severed Hand. It's still there, they just aren't embracing it much, which I think is a bad move on their part. They've got 2 phenomenal guitarists, a great rhythm section, and a knock out lead singer. That talent is squandered on these crappy punk songs that a 15 year old could write and perform just as well. But you're right. It has been a clear transition over the last few albums towards this sound, much as it saddens me. Doesn't keep me from hoping that they'll abandon this direction though.
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.
Nobody could ever understand what Ed is saying on first blush. Again, that's one of the key reasons it takes a while for Pearl Jam to grow on you. You have to first figure out what he's singing. Then you figure out what he means by it. Then you realize he's probably the greatest poet of our generation, and you don't give a fuck what the music sounds like. At least, that's the way it typically works for me.
I can honestly say last night, the first verse was pretty clear. I definitely picked up the "are you dropping bombs or are you getting out" bit ... which is when I decided I kind of liked the song.
It reminded me of listening to "Grievance" on Letterman back in 2000 or whatever it was. Only line I could really decipher was "pledge your grievance to the flag" ... and that was enough for me to decide I probably was going to really like that song.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Also, I read this whole thread and I'd say 65% of it is placing conditions on the song or performance. Like "After I listened again i loved it" or "The studio version will be better", a bunch of excuses placed in with how much people love the song. If it was a great song, there would be no conditions. Great songs trump over everything. You can hear Eddie sing Immortality with technical problems, and you hear that it's a great song. You don't have to listen to Corduroy 10 times before you decide if you like it. That's the thing. I think some of you guys love the band way too much and can't admit when they didn't put our a solid track. Maybe the album is full of other winners, but even from the text of this thread, I think the general consensus is that people don't really dig this one. Maybe I'm wrong too, who knows
Exactly. This is very telling. It's like people are talking themselves into liking it. As for the rest of the world, this is not going to win any new fans and probably only reaffirm those who think the band is done.
Mike's guitar in the beginning of the song was awful. It sounded like they had a horn section or something. Eddie didnt sound so good either. That being said, the song definitely grew on me as I listened to it over and over.
I cant wait for the new album!!!
I cant wait to see Eddie at the Tower on 6/11!!!
I cant wait to see PJ at ACL!!!
DC-9/24/96
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
Soulsinging, if you couldnt understand ONE WORD that Eddie sang, you must have shit in your ears. While I couldnt understand every single word, the chorus was pretty clear to me.
DC-9/24/96
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.
Nobody could ever understand what Ed is saying on first blush. Again, that's one of the key reasons it takes a while for Pearl Jam to grow on you. You have to first figure out what he's singing. Then you figure out what he means by it. Then you realize he's probably the greatest poet of our generation, and you don't give a fuck what the music sounds like. At least, that's the way it typically works for me.
I can honestly say last night, the first verse was pretty clear. I definitely picked up the "are you dropping bombs or are you getting out" bit ... which is when I decided I kind of liked the song.
It reminded me of listening to "Grievance" on Letterman back in 2000 or whatever it was. Only line I could really decipher was "pledge your grievance to the flag" ... and that was enough for me to decide I probably was going to really like that song.
I'm less concerned with finding any sort of deep meaning in rock lyrics than I am with hearing something I enjoy. I couldn't care less if the lyrics are super deep, my point was the delivery makes me not care. You can have the best lyrics ever, but if the song and the delivery are unlistenable... I might as well go read a bit to get the same meaning elsewhere.
Grievance blew me away when I heard it on Letterman. WWS got me pretty excited for s/t even if it kinda fell short of my hopes. I kinda dug I Am Mine. I'm less than fond of some of those albums, but this is the first time I ever heard a lead single or anything that I was so ambivalent to, if not dismayed.
Soulsinging, if you couldnt understand ONE WORD that Eddie sang, you must have shit in your ears. While I couldnt understand every single word, the chorus was pretty clear to me.
It always took PJ to grow on me a bit b/c their albums had alot of musical depth and not everything popped out the first listen. Lyrics have always been an afterthought for me, so long as the melodies are strong.
Soulsinging, if you couldnt understand ONE WORD that Eddie sang, you must have shit in your ears. While I couldnt understand every single word, the chorus was pretty clear to me.
There was a chorus in that song?
Yes there was. You were probably too busy typing a negative post about the song to hear it.
DC-9/24/96
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
It always took PJ to grow on me a bit b/c their albums had alot of musical depth and not everything popped out the first listen. Lyrics have always been an afterthought for me, so long as the melodies are strong.
"Same here," I say as I sit listening to Physical Grafiti... "Boy I remember when PJ could jam like this!"
You don't like them. Fine. But don't act like this is something new. It's quintessential Pearl Jam, actually.
Those songs both switch to singing for the chorus (dont go on meeee), or the big climax of porch. Compare that to what passes for the chorus on Comatose. "feelitrisin, nextstop fallin, somethin something somethin mumble gibberish"
So it's perfectly acceptable for ed to sing/rap, so long as you like the chorus? Got it.
I'm just saying. This method of singing is nothing new. [/quote]
No, but a decent chorus or verse with good singing can lift a mediocre and forgettable track up to make it worthwhile. Hell, even a cool jam can redeem a song with worthless lyrics. But there are just too many of these forgettable tunes clogging the last 3 albums. You can tell by looking at setlists what works and what doesn't. There's a reason they don't play Ghost, Gods' Dice, and other album tracks, even though tunes like Deep, Garden, Leash, and Blood still get brought out.
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.[/quote]
I dont know why Soulsinging has to wear the Scarlett Letter on his back. His points are pretty astute. Yes they are subjective but it appears his subjective opinion is more in the majority than the minority. I dont even take it that he is dogging the band as much as pointing out some differences in PJ's song style in some of the latter albums, as wells as the most recent song last night, which some people like and others dont like.
I agree that we have people on here defending anything because it's like they dont have it in their dna/fabric accept otherwise. Like, pre-presidential election politics and the die-hard --yet definitely intelligent -- Republicans refusing to admit any flaws in Sarah Palin. Really? Lose a little credibility. It's ok to support your band while accepting some critiques along the way. Yes, this is tricky bc this is music/art and as such is more subjective. But c'mon: I need to listen 20 more times or going into my room and pore over the meaning of the lyrics. You're in the minority if that is how you subjectively determine whether you think a song is good. Just look at the set list choices over the years and back to Soulsingings point that you dont hear God's Dice among others a lot anymore.
The majority on this board --which is not representative of the general music listening population -- were not overly impressed, if not disappointed. As said before, it may have been attributable to bad sound or off-night vocals or both, but this sentiment is from the "extreme" wing of their fan base. Those on this board (myself in included) are akin to like freak neo-cons --only in a much better way as we rally around PJ not guns and whatever else!
No one is crucifying the band. They are on a playing field that we here see few others on. Just across the board, an underwhleming performance hopefully attributable to one-off causes.
I dont know why Soulsinging has to wear the Scarlett Letter on his back. His points are pretty astute. Yes they are subjective but it appears his subjective opinion is more in the majority than the minority.
Then I demand a recount ... because most people on here seem to like the song.
Anyway, I don't think anyone is dogging Soulsinging, either. I know I'm not. He's admittedly not a fan of punk music, which is fine. But Pearl Jam is a punk band these days ... or at least a punk-inspired band. Sleater-Kinney with testes.
We've all got to accept that, or move on.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
I couldn't make out any of WWS either, aside from that chorus.
what that have to do with what I said? Your obviously full of yourself.
I don't know, what was your point to begin with? I couldn't make out a single word of lyrics last night while they were playing the song, and I shit you not. It was all gibberish to me. I know Ed has always been a mumbler, but that was ridiculous. So why the hostility?
I couldn't make out any of WWS either, aside from that chorus.
what that have to do with what I said? Your obviously full of yourself.
I don't know, what was your point to begin with? I couldn't make out a single word of lyrics last night while they were playing the song, and I shit you not. It was all gibberish to me. I know Ed has always been a mumbler, but that was ridiculous. So why the hostility?
I couldnt make out the lyrics either.
Pearl Jam Shows: 1998 - 9/11 New York, NY (MSG night 2); 9/13 Hartford, CT || 2000 - 8/24 Wantagh, NY (Jones Beach 2); 8/27 Saratoga Springs; 8/29 Mansfield, MA (night 1); 8/30 Mansfield, MA (night 2) || 2003 - 4/29 Albany, NY; 5/3 State College, PA; 7/2 Mansfield (night 1); 7/6 Camden, NJ (night 2); 7/8 New York, NY (MSG night 1) || 2004 - 9/28 Boston, MA (night 1); 9/29 Boston, MA (night 2) || 2005 - 10/3 Philadelphia, PA || 2006 - 5/12 Albany, NY; 5/13 Hartford, CT; 5/24 Boston, MA (night 1); 5/25 Boston, MA (night 2); 5/27 Camden, NJ (night 1); 5/28 Camden, NJ (night 2)|| 2008 - 6/19 Camden, NJ (night 1); 6/24 New York, NY (MSG night 1); 6/25 New York, NY (MSG night 2); 6/27 Hartford, CT; 6/28 Mansfield, MA (night 1); 6/30 Mansfield, MA (night 2); 7/1 New York, NY (Beacon Theater)|| 2009 - 9/21 Seattle, WA (night 1); 9/22 Seattle, WA (night 2); 10/27 Philadelphia, PA (Spectrum night 1); 10/28 Philadelphia, PA (Spectrum night 2); 10/30 Philadelphia, PA (Spectrum night 3); 10/31 Philadelphia, PA (Spectrum night 4)|| 2010 - 5/15 Hartford, CT; 5/17 Boston, MA; 5/20 New York, NY (MSG night 1); 5/21 New York, NY (MSG night 2)|| 2011 - 9/3 East Troy, WI (PJ20); 9/4 East Troy, WI (PJ20) || 2012 - 9/2 Philadelphia, PA, 9/30 Missoula, MT || 2013 - 7/19 Chicago, IL (Wrigley Field), 10/12 Buffalo, NY, 10/15 Worcester, MA (night 1), 10/16 Worcester, MA (night 2), 10/18 Brooklyn, NY (night 1), 10/19 Brooklyn, NY (night 2), 10/25 Hartford, CT || 2014 - 10/22 Denver, CO || 2015 - 9/26 New York, NY (Global Citizen Festival) || 2016 - 5/1 New York, NY (night 1), 5/2 New York, NY (night 2), 8/5 Boston, MA (Fenway Park night 1), 8/7 Boston, MA (Fenway Park night 2) || 2018 - 9/2 Boston, MA (Fenway Park night 1) || 2020 - 3/30 New York, NY Eddie Vedder solo: 2008 - Boston night 1 & 2 || 2009 - Albany, NY night 1 & 2 || 2011 - Hartford, CT, Boston, MA
I dont know why Soulsinging has to wear the Scarlett Letter on his back. His points are pretty astute. Yes they are subjective but it appears his subjective opinion is more in the majority than the minority.
Then I demand a recount ... because most people on here seem to like the song.
I don't know, the man has a point. Look at how many people on here said they liked it, but added some qualifier about how the sound was bad, or Ed sounded sick, or it's going to be great on the album, or once they're warmed up live it'll be sweet... that sounds like a lot of excuses to avoid saying what they really feel to me. I think the number of people that didn't like it is pretty comparable to the number of people that do, with a lot of people in the middle saying something like "I think I'll like it if they massively improve it the next time I hear it."
I don't know, the man has a point. Look at how many people on here said they liked it, but added some qualifier about how the sound was bad, or Ed sounded sick, or it's going to be great on the album, or once they're warmed up live it'll be sweet... that sounds like a lot of excuses to avoid saying what they really feel to me. I think the number of people that didn't like it is pretty comparable to the number of people that do, with a lot of people in the middle saying something like "I think I'll like it if they massively improve it the next time I hear it."
so then who's right? us who loved it or those of you who didn't? i feel lucky after reading the negative things because i know i must have the same taste in music as the members of the band, because they keep making music i love. lucky lucky me!
I don't know, the man has a point. Look at how many people on here said they liked it, but added some qualifier about how the sound was bad, or Ed sounded sick, or it's going to be great on the album, or once they're warmed up live it'll be sweet... that sounds like a lot of excuses to avoid saying what they really feel to me. I think the number of people that didn't like it is pretty comparable to the number of people that do, with a lot of people in the middle saying something like "I think I'll like it if they massively improve it the next time I hear it."
so then who's right? us who loved it or those of you who didn't? i feel lucky after reading the negative things because i know i must have the same taste in music as the members of the band, because they keep making music i love. lucky lucky me!
Neither, or both. It's all subjective. I just think there are a lot of people being less than honest about their thoughts on this album. It happens with every album... the response from fans on Riot Act and s/t was initially far more positive and over time both seemed to lose their luster. I fell for it too with s/t... loved it at first, but it doesn't hold up. And I think this is one of those things... people want to believe the band is back to form, they want to love the new single, so they convince themselves it's great and only sounded less than great because of x, y, or z. To me, this song just screams the kind of lack of long-term appeal that has plagued the last few albums.
I don't know, the man has a point. Look at how many people on here said they liked it, but added some qualifier about how the sound was bad, or Ed sounded sick, or it's going to be great on the album, or once they're warmed up live it'll be sweet... that sounds like a lot of excuses to avoid saying what they really feel to me. I think the number of people that didn't like it is pretty comparable to the number of people that do, with a lot of people in the middle saying something like "I think I'll like it if they massively improve it the next time I hear it."
so then who's right? us who loved it or those of you who didn't? i feel lucky after reading the negative things because i know i must have the same taste in music as the members of the band, because they keep making music i love. lucky lucky me!
Neither, or both. It's all subjective. I just think there are a lot of people being less than honest about their thoughts on this album. It happens with every album... the response from fans on Riot Act and s/t was initially far more positive and over time both seemed to lose their luster. I fell for it too with s/t... loved it at first, but it doesn't hold up. And I think this is one of those things... people want to believe the band is back to form, they want to love the new single, so they convince themselves it's great and only sounded less than great because of x, y, or z. To me, this song just screams the kind of lack of long-term appeal that has plagued the last few albums.
Correct. Neither or both. Just look any time a Riot Act thread is started. Everyone either loves or hates that record. But we are all still fans.
I do still love s/t though. And still hate Riot Act.
Comments
I'm crying inside. I'm going to go tell my therapist SolarWorld doesn't love me :roll:
Those songs both switch to singing for the chorus (dont go on meeee), or the big climax of porch. Compare that to what passes for the chorus on Comatose. "feelitrisin, nextstop fallin, somethin something somethin mumble gibberish"
So it's perfectly acceptable for ed to sing/rap, so long as you like the chorus? Got it.
I'm just saying. This method of singing is nothing new.
PS -- If you wanna argue songs with me, at least bother to learn the lyrics. Again, just sayin'.
for the least they could possibly do
Hehe, well, I'm a huge AiC and Pink Floyd fan... so long, epic guitar jams will always hook me. I am so incredibly bored by punk (no, not even the beloved ramones or clash), so short riffers with jumbled vocals are never going to win me over.
The thing is, this is what Pearl Jam is now. It's a transition that has been in the works for the better part of this decade. The "old days" of long epic guitar jams aren't coming back.
for the least they could possibly do
No, but a decent chorus or verse with good singing can lift a mediocre and forgettable track up to make it worthwhile. Hell, even a cool jam can redeem a song with worthless lyrics. But there are just too many of these forgettable tunes clogging the last 3 albums. You can tell by looking at setlists what works and what doesn't. There's a reason they don't play Ghost, Gods' Dice, and other album tracks, even though tunes like Deep, Garden, Leash, and Blood still get brought out.
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.
Inside Job wasn't half bad, nor were 1/2 Full and All or None. And they seemed to make a nod to it with Severed Hand. It's still there, they just aren't embracing it much, which I think is a bad move on their part. They've got 2 phenomenal guitarists, a great rhythm section, and a knock out lead singer. That talent is squandered on these crappy punk songs that a 15 year old could write and perform just as well. But you're right. It has been a clear transition over the last few albums towards this sound, much as it saddens me. Doesn't keep me from hoping that they'll abandon this direction though.
Nobody could ever understand what Ed is saying on first blush. Again, that's one of the key reasons it takes a while for Pearl Jam to grow on you. You have to first figure out what he's singing. Then you figure out what he means by it. Then you realize he's probably the greatest poet of our generation, and you don't give a fuck what the music sounds like. At least, that's the way it typically works for me.
I can honestly say last night, the first verse was pretty clear. I definitely picked up the "are you dropping bombs or are you getting out" bit ... which is when I decided I kind of liked the song.
It reminded me of listening to "Grievance" on Letterman back in 2000 or whatever it was. Only line I could really decipher was "pledge your grievance to the flag" ... and that was enough for me to decide I probably was going to really like that song.
for the least they could possibly do
Exactly. This is very telling. It's like people are talking themselves into liking it. As for the rest of the world, this is not going to win any new fans and probably only reaffirm those who think the band is done.
I cant wait for the new album!!!
I cant wait to see Eddie at the Tower on 6/11!!!
I cant wait to see PJ at ACL!!!
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
I'm less concerned with finding any sort of deep meaning in rock lyrics than I am with hearing something I enjoy. I couldn't care less if the lyrics are super deep, my point was the delivery makes me not care. You can have the best lyrics ever, but if the song and the delivery are unlistenable... I might as well go read a bit to get the same meaning elsewhere.
Grievance blew me away when I heard it on Letterman. WWS got me pretty excited for s/t even if it kinda fell short of my hopes. I kinda dug I Am Mine. I'm less than fond of some of those albums, but this is the first time I ever heard a lead single or anything that I was so ambivalent to, if not dismayed.
There was a chorus in that song?
Not one? give me a fucking break.
8/7/08, 6/9/09
Yes there was. You were probably too busy typing a negative post about the song to hear it.
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
"Same here," I say as I sit listening to Physical Grafiti... "Boy I remember when PJ could jam like this!"
I couldn't make out any of WWS either, aside from that chorus.
Do you wear a hearing aid?
Philly-8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/3/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16
Jones Beach-8/25/00
PSU-5/3/03
Irvine-6/2/03
San Diego-6/5/03
Hershey-7/12/03
Reading-10/1/04
The Gorge-9/1/05
Vancouver-9/2/05
AC-9/30/05
E. Rutherford, NJ-6/1/06,6/3/06
Bonnaroo-6/14/08
VA Beach-6/17/08
MSG-5/20/10,5/21/10
Baltimore 10/27/13
So it's perfectly acceptable for ed to sing/rap, so long as you like the chorus? Got it.
I'm just saying. This method of singing is nothing new.
No, but a decent chorus or verse with good singing can lift a mediocre and forgettable track up to make it worthwhile. Hell, even a cool jam can redeem a song with worthless lyrics. But there are just too many of these forgettable tunes clogging the last 3 albums. You can tell by looking at setlists what works and what doesn't. There's a reason they don't play Ghost, Gods' Dice, and other album tracks, even though tunes like Deep, Garden, Leash, and Blood still get brought out.
I was making a point... that nobody even remotely acquainted with the english language could ever decipher whatever crap ed was spitting on comatose without looking at a lyric sheet. And I couldn't make out a single word of that song last night. Not one.[/quote]
I dont know why Soulsinging has to wear the Scarlett Letter on his back. His points are pretty astute. Yes they are subjective but it appears his subjective opinion is more in the majority than the minority. I dont even take it that he is dogging the band as much as pointing out some differences in PJ's song style in some of the latter albums, as wells as the most recent song last night, which some people like and others dont like.
I agree that we have people on here defending anything because it's like they dont have it in their dna/fabric accept otherwise. Like, pre-presidential election politics and the die-hard --yet definitely intelligent -- Republicans refusing to admit any flaws in Sarah Palin. Really? Lose a little credibility. It's ok to support your band while accepting some critiques along the way. Yes, this is tricky bc this is music/art and as such is more subjective. But c'mon: I need to listen 20 more times or going into my room and pore over the meaning of the lyrics. You're in the minority if that is how you subjectively determine whether you think a song is good. Just look at the set list choices over the years and back to Soulsingings point that you dont hear God's Dice among others a lot anymore.
The majority on this board --which is not representative of the general music listening population -- were not overly impressed, if not disappointed. As said before, it may have been attributable to bad sound or off-night vocals or both, but this sentiment is from the "extreme" wing of their fan base. Those on this board (myself in included) are akin to like freak neo-cons --only in a much better way as we rally around PJ not guns and whatever else!
No one is crucifying the band. They are on a playing field that we here see few others on. Just across the board, an underwhleming performance hopefully attributable to one-off causes.
what that have to do with what I said? Your obviously full of yourself.
8/7/08, 6/9/09
Then I demand a recount ... because most people on here seem to like the song.
Anyway, I don't think anyone is dogging Soulsinging, either. I know I'm not. He's admittedly not a fan of punk music, which is fine. But Pearl Jam is a punk band these days ... or at least a punk-inspired band. Sleater-Kinney with testes.
We've all got to accept that, or move on.
for the least they could possibly do
I don't know, what was your point to begin with? I couldn't make out a single word of lyrics last night while they were playing the song, and I shit you not. It was all gibberish to me. I know Ed has always been a mumbler, but that was ridiculous. So why the hostility?
Eddie Vedder solo: 2008 - Boston night 1 & 2 || 2009 - Albany, NY night 1 & 2 || 2011 - Hartford, CT, Boston, MA
I don't know, the man has a point. Look at how many people on here said they liked it, but added some qualifier about how the sound was bad, or Ed sounded sick, or it's going to be great on the album, or once they're warmed up live it'll be sweet... that sounds like a lot of excuses to avoid saying what they really feel to me. I think the number of people that didn't like it is pretty comparable to the number of people that do, with a lot of people in the middle saying something like "I think I'll like it if they massively improve it the next time I hear it."
God help us
so then who's right? us who loved it or those of you who didn't? i feel lucky after reading the negative things because i know i must have the same taste in music as the members of the band, because they keep making music i love. lucky lucky me!
Neither, or both. It's all subjective. I just think there are a lot of people being less than honest about their thoughts on this album. It happens with every album... the response from fans on Riot Act and s/t was initially far more positive and over time both seemed to lose their luster. I fell for it too with s/t... loved it at first, but it doesn't hold up. And I think this is one of those things... people want to believe the band is back to form, they want to love the new single, so they convince themselves it's great and only sounded less than great because of x, y, or z. To me, this song just screams the kind of lack of long-term appeal that has plagued the last few albums.
Correct. Neither or both. Just look any time a Riot Act thread is started. Everyone either loves or hates that record. But we are all still fans.
I do still love s/t though. And still hate Riot Act.
BOS-9/28/04,9/29/04,6/28/08,6/30/08, 9/5/16, 9/7/16, 9/2/18
MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
CHI-8/2/07,8/5/07,8/23/09,8/24/09
HTFD-6/27/08
ATX-10/4/09, 10/12/14
KC-5/3/2010,STL-5/4/2010
Bridge School-10/23/2010,10/24/2010
PJ20-9/3/2011,9/4/2011
OKC-11/16/13
SEA-12/6/13
TUL-10/8/14