Will Backspacer really be a "return to form"?
Comments
-
hopethatuchoke wrote:Jeanwah wrote:
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that the more they try to be commercial, the less they succeed at it, whereas they were bigger when they didn't want all the attention.
Great point. When they were the biggest band in the world, they wanted nothing to do with that title. After they lost it, it feels as though some of them want it back. I think I remember reading that Ed was the one who pushed for them to more or less "sabotage" things (No Code) but the rest of the band wasn't of that mindset. I think they have pretty much established who they will be for the rest of their career...they don't sell albums and their post-1998 songs don't get very much radio play but they sell out shows.
I dont think it was "more of less sabotage" it was sabotage. They intentially created an experiemental and non commercial album because they wanted to lose fans. There isnt a question or doubt reguarding that.
You are indeed right, ed was the one who pulled back. It wasnt the bands idea really. Ed being the focal point of the band, I think, during the grunge madness and the tragedy of Kurt Cobain, I think Ed really kind of went through the ringer. And to be someone who respects indie culture and people who have uncompromising vision and ideals like Pete or Neil or Bruce or Michael Stipe, and then to be on the cover of all those magazines was really tough for him I think.
I dont think the band agreed with his decision to pull back. But from what I gather it sounds like the band wouldnt be around today if they did pull back, and more importantly, the fading from the spotlight and fame, was also essential to Ed and the band remaining alive and breathing0 -
The Fixer is a fucking great song. So what if it's a bit catchy-- Maybe the band would like to see more than 4 of their songs get played on the radio. I can't believe there are people on here saying they're turning into the American REjects or whatever. It's Pearl Jam for crying out loud! In case you haven't noticed, they pretty much reinvent their sound on every album. Have they ever let us down?0
-
norm wrote:why is an artist wanting as many people as possible to see/hear/experience their art sad?
yes early in their carreer they shunned the spotlight and generally tried to kill the mega-fame they had...well they've done that and now they can handle the fame and would like to expose their music to more, new people
many a time on here you'll see a kid post how they just got into the band and before there were listening to whatever was the trending music at the time then they heard (insert pearl jam song here) and became a huge fan
i don't think that's sad
I think some people didn't get the memo that the anti-commercialism war is over. It's kind of like my grandpa ... he's still pissed at the Japanese for Pearl Harbor.
Some people have trouble letting go and moving on.everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do0 -
norm wrote:Jeanwah wrote:musicismylife78 wrote:
Your probably right, the band doesnt seem poised to create a American Idiot type album, however, stranger things have happened.
And additionally, as I said, the band these last 2 records seems more into commercial success than any time I can remember. For Avocado it was the J Records deal, SNL, the Verizon thing, contests, Rolling Stone, and interviews galore. And for this album we have the Target deal, and the Rock Band thing, the cell phone thing etc...
So they definitely seem to be pushing to have a American Idiot type reaction to the album.
It appears the band is more focused on appealing to, and winning the approval of, wider audiences and becoming more commercial. Something they used to be adamantly against years ago. They're conforming now that they're a bit older. Some people like it, some don't. We all evolve, and so does the band....sadly.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that the more they try to be commercial, the less they succeed at it, whereas they were bigger when they didn't want all the attention.
why is an artist wanting as many people as possible to see/hear/experience their art sad?
yes early in their carreer they shunned the spotlight and generally tried to kill the mega-fame they had...well they've done that and now they can handle the fame and would like to expose their music to more, new people
many a time on here you'll see a kid post how they just got into the band and before there were listening to whatever was the trending music at the time then they heard (insert pearl jam song here) and became a huge fan
i don't think that's sad
Whats with everyone tip toeing around the whole 90's issue of pearl jam and fame. People are saying they "more or less sabotaged" their career, and "they generally tried to kill the megafame".
There is no in between with the 90's pearl jam. They killed their megafame and they sabotaged their career, there isnt middle ground here people.
They didnt put out no code and then go and lisence their songs for tv, or appear in a huge amount of interviews.
The new era pearl jam is harder to pin down in terms of their goals and wants in terms of success for the band, but I dont think their is a shadow of a doubt that they intentially created No Code to lose fans. There wasnt a debate about it. "Gee guys maybe Who You Are will be a huge hit, lets put that out". They had that as the single for the complete opposite reason0 -
musicismylife78 wrote:Whats with everyone tip toeing around the whole 90's issue of pearl jam and fame. People are saying they "more or less sabotaged" their career, and "they generally tried to kill the megafame".
There is no in between with the 90's pearl jam. They killed their megafame and they sabotaged their career, there isnt middle ground here people.
They didnt put out no code and then go and lisence their songs for tv, or appear in a huge amount of interviews.
The new era pearl jam is harder to pin down in terms of their goals and wants in terms of success for the band, but I dont think their is a shadow of a doubt that they intentially created No Code to lose fans. There wasnt a debate about it. "Gee guys maybe Who You Are will be a huge hit, lets put that out". They had that as the single for the complete opposite reason
I tend to agree with you in general.
But I also don't think they said, "Man, 'Who You Are' really sucks. Let's put that out and drive away all our fans." I think they were happy with Who You Are, and No Code ... but at that point in their careers, they only wanted fans who were willing to go in that direction, too.
If that makes any sense.
You're kind of implying that Pearl Jam put out a *bad* album to drive away fans, and I don't think that's the case at all.everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do0 -
norm wrote:Jeanwah wrote:musicismylife78 wrote:
Your probably right, the band doesnt seem poised to create a American Idiot type album, however, stranger things have happened.
And additionally, as I said, the band these last 2 records seems more into commercial success than any time I can remember. For Avocado it was the J Records deal, SNL, the Verizon thing, contests, Rolling Stone, and interviews galore. And for this album we have the Target deal, and the Rock Band thing, the cell phone thing etc...
So they definitely seem to be pushing to have a American Idiot type reaction to the album.
It appears the band is more focused on appealing to, and winning the approval of, wider audiences and becoming more commercial. Something they used to be adamantly against years ago. They're conforming now that they're a bit older. Some people like it, some don't. We all evolve, and so does the band....sadly.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that the more they try to be commercial, the less they succeed at it, whereas they were bigger when they didn't want all the attention.
why is an artist wanting as many people as possible to see/hear/experience their art sad?
yes early in their carreer they shunned the spotlight and generally tried to kill the mega-fame they had...well they've done that and now they can handle the fame and would like to expose their music to more, new people
many a time on here you'll see a kid post how they just got into the band and before there were listening to whatever was the trending music at the time then they heard (insert pearl jam song here) and became a huge fan
i don't think that's sad
They've been trying to become popular since riot act came out and have failed big time. Young kids these days aren't into old dudes in jean jackets with grey hair and grey beards. Young kids are into bands like green day that were guyliner and tight jeans. If pj is going for that age group they will fail big time and the new cd won't even sell a million copies. I support this band in everything they do but they need realize there ship of being popular has sailed long ago for them.Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
Sammi: Wanna just break up?0 -
I think the important thing to remember is that we're dealing with art. Music is art. And in this case, you've got the talents, egos and baggage of 5 men growing and changing, not only with their own lives, but having to deal with each other and the media and the fans and the tumultuous times that were the 90's and are now the 00's (or whatever the hell you call it). I think that as artists and as people, they are in the wave of what life is dealing them and spitting back how they are reacting to it. The music they create is a definite reflection of this, so we're all just invited along for the ride.
Whether they are mad-grungy, happy-poppy, confused-experimental, whatever, they are always current to themselves and their ideals, placed within the moment.
If you would have told me 15 years ago that they would be selling their album exclusively through Target and creating viral campaigns for the same album, working with mainstream rock-n-roll magazines and offering ringtones, I would have thought you crazy. But as smart artists, they do what they have to in order to allow their art (commodity or not) to have availability to their fans in whatever fashion fits the moment. They are still cranking out good music and playing big shows, but shit, they're in their 40's and have lived 2 decades of rock-n-roll... watched their mentors go through the ranks.. learned from their mistakes, and are settling into this phase of their careers.
Love 'em or hate 'em, I'm buying this ticket and taking this ride.peace,
gonzo
4/10/94, 9/28/96, 9/29/96, 4/30/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 10/01/04, 9/15/05, 9/30/05, 10/01/05, 5/4/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/31/09, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/15/13, 10/18/13, 10/19/13, 10/25/13, 9/26/15, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 5/1/16, 5/2/16, 8/5/16, 8/7/16, 4/7/17, 8/8/18, 8/10/18, 9/10/22, 9/11/220 -
metsfan wrote:They've been trying to become popular since riot act came out and have failed big time. Young kids these days aren't into old dudes in jean jackets with grey hair and grey beards. Young kids are into bands like green day that were guyliner and tight jeans. If pj is going for that age group they will fail big time and the new cd won't even sell a million copies. I support this band in everything they do but they need realize there ship of being popular has sailed long ago for them.
Honest to God, I don't think Ed is staying up at night worried about record sales.
They've done some press. They've played some TV shows. Last I checked, they were doing OK for themselves. I don't think anybody expects them to outsell Ten again.everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do0 -
slightofjeff wrote:I think some people didn't get the memo that the anti-commercialism war is over. It's kind of like my grandpa ... he's still pissed at the Japanese for Pearl Harbor.
Some people have trouble letting go and moving on.
A-fuckin-men.0 -
alive told a story, the fixer doesnt...while there really isnt a difference between the lyrics you posted lets look at "son, she said, have i got a little story for you" and "when somethings dark, let me shed a little light on it" and all the repetitiveness of the lyrics...theres no comparison between the rest of the song.slightofjeff wrote:Lyrically speaking, what's the difference in "yeah, yeah, yeah .. .fight to get it back again" and "whoa, oh, oh ... I'm still alive?"
And if The Fixer is so "pop rockish" how come I've yet to hear it on the radio where I live?
also, you are free to bash me on this, but the reason you arent hearing the fixer even though it is really poppy is that pearl jam is yesterdays news whereas bands like all american rejects, linkin park, rise against, etc. get all the play since they are big right now.0 -
all i can say is that i really like what i've heard so far....this record somehow sounds/feels "different" to me...can't wait to hear it.
I LOVE MUSIC.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com0 -
slightofjeff wrote:metsfan wrote:They've been trying to become popular since riot act came out and have failed big time. Young kids these days aren't into old dudes in jean jackets with grey hair and grey beards. Young kids are into bands like green day that were guyliner and tight jeans. If pj is going for that age group they will fail big time and the new cd won't even sell a million copies. I support this band in everything they do but they need realize there ship of being popular has sailed long ago for them.
Honest to God, I don't think Ed is staying up at night worried about record sales.
They've done some press. They've played some TV shows. Last I checked, they were doing OK for themselves. I don't think anybody expects them to outsell Ten again.
I wasn't saying ed stays up at night worrying bout record sales. If I had a good looking wife and 2 kids, the last thing on my mind would be how many cd's I sold. All I'm saying it seems like the band is trying to go for the 12-18 age group. An age group that isn't gonna like them and probably won't ever.Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
Sammi: Wanna just break up?0 -
And they deserve it. They've managed to stand up for what they believe, and still stand after all these years. They deserve a little recognition for it.musicismylife78 wrote:Mike made it clear that back in 06 the band was hoping to really become big again, to be on the radio and all that. Which of course was quite different from the past 12 years or whatever, when the band had made it a point to purposely limit its fanbase.Thanks EPOTTSIII!
"Vinyl or not, you will need to pay someone to take RA of your hands" - Smile05
424, xxx0 -
soulsinging wrote:slightofjeff wrote:I think some people didn't get the memo that the anti-commercialism war is over. It's kind of like my grandpa ... he's still pissed at the Japanese for Pearl Harbor.
Some people have trouble letting go and moving on.
A-fuckin-men.
I agree too, but the FIxer still sucks.0 -
if "return to form" means another than ridiculously good album, just like we've got for the last 20 years than, yep....I believe it will be.0
-
you know i never looked at it like that. interesting comparison.slightofjeff wrote:Lyrically speaking, what's the difference in "yeah, yeah, yeah .. .fight to get it back again" and "whoa, oh, oh ... I'm still alive?"
And if The Fixer is so "pop rockish" how come I've yet to hear it on the radio where I live?0 -
Over Analysis? GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
-
it'll be something totally new for them. another new direction. strings, viola, piano, and horns! into the wild type stuff, poppy stuff, straight forward stuff, and heavy stuff (according to stone) .. brenden obrian is back again. shortest yet. guys .. it'll be another gem in the pearl jam catalogue and it'll not be perfectly comparable to any pj "form". every pearl jam album is so different what does a return to form even mean anyway? just enjoy it when it comes out. it's going to be fantastic! 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, Hartford0 -
snipes824 wrote:
you know i never looked at it like that. interesting comparison.slightofjeff wrote:Lyrically speaking, what's the difference in "yeah, yeah, yeah .. .fight to get it back again" and "whoa, oh, oh ... I'm still alive?"
I think you're confusing "words" with "lyrics." From a lyrical standpoint, The "whoa I'm still Alive" line from the chrous is like a victorious battlecry after they gloominess of what the lyrics to verses represent. The "yeah yeah yeah" line in The Fixer is just there to fill a couple bars2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024: Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com0
Categories
- All Categories
- 148.9K Pearl Jam's Music and Activism
- 110.1K The Porch
- 275 Vitalogy
- 35.1K Given To Fly (live)
- 3.5K Words and Music...Communication
- 39.2K Flea Market
- 39.2K Lost Dogs
- 58.7K Not Pearl Jam's Music
- 10.6K Musicians and Gearheads
- 29.1K Other Music
- 17.8K Poetry, Prose, Music & Art
- 1.1K The Art Wall
- 56.8K Non-Pearl Jam Discussion
- 22.2K A Moving Train
- 31.7K All Encompassing Trip
- 2.9K Technical Stuff and Help