Where is PJ's creativity

Blockhead
Blockhead Posts: 1,538
edited September 2009 in The Porch
I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.
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Comments

  • Your crazy.... If Johnny Guitar isn't creative then I dont know what is. that song has so many cool changes in it.
    5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
    8/7/08, 6/9/09
  • you're right. they suck.
    Jam out with your clam out.
  • HeidiJam wrote:
    I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.

    Yeah i jokingly referred to it as Blandspacer. I say it in every thread: It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's solidly good.
    2000: 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, 2024Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • HeidiJam wrote:
    I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.

    Do you play in a band? Do you write songs for a living? Do you teach music? Too many George Martins on this forum...Opinions are good but saying this band isn't creative? Wrong. Totally wrong...Don't like the songs..no problem..people questioning ed's voice, the bands playing etc, these 5 guys plus BOB's creativity, who do you think you are?...
  • hedave
    hedave Posts: 201
    Some of the lyrics are some of Eddie's best. But oh, well. Too bad you're a hater. :D
    He who forgets will be destined to remember...
  • Zidane
    Zidane Ottawa Posts: 362
    Vitalogy will always be my favorite album but man, you're going a bit too far in your comment. There's a lot of maturity in Backspacer with arrangements that I'm sure they wished they could do back then. I think that this album is way better than the last 2 but as for anything done in the 90's, just seems to me that it's a good progression.

    I hear you on some of the songs that could've been on Into the Wild. BUT... having the band in the back make those songs even better!
    You're not what you own - Ian MacKaye, Fugazi

    98 - Montreal
    00 - Montreal
    03 - Toronto, Montreal
    04 - Boston (Show #1)
    05 - Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
    06 - Toronto (Show #1)
    09 - Toronto, Philly (Show #3-4)
    10 - Cleveland
    11 - Montreal, Toronto (x2), Ottawa
    13 - London (ON), Philly (x2)
    16 - QC - Ottawa

  • Zidane
    Zidane Ottawa Posts: 362
    And what the hell.... NO CREATIVITY??? What about that damn string section? The horn arrangements??? And what about the packaging???

    At least they're not Coldplay who's trying to be "creative" way too much!!!
    You're not what you own - Ian MacKaye, Fugazi

    98 - Montreal
    00 - Montreal
    03 - Toronto, Montreal
    04 - Boston (Show #1)
    05 - Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
    06 - Toronto (Show #1)
    09 - Toronto, Philly (Show #3-4)
    10 - Cleveland
    11 - Montreal, Toronto (x2), Ottawa
    13 - London (ON), Philly (x2)
    16 - QC - Ottawa

  • Zidane wrote:
    And what about the packaging???

    I really like that picture of the band members hooked up to that brain
    2000: 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, 2024Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • Flagg
    Flagg Posts: 5,856
    Where is their creativity? All over Backspacer. Too bad you can't hear it.

    And thank GOD they didn't make another Riot Act. Even the band doesn't like that album.
    DAL-7/5/98,10/17/00,6/9/03,11/15/13
    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
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    I can identify with the OP, even though I think the album is really good. I miss Mike on this album, I wish there were more jams, and the album sounds more like an EV album than a PJ album. I'm not trying to put them down, but I don't hear the band's collaboration in it, I hear mostly Ed. That, in itself, disappoints me just a little. I'm sure I'll come around. But that's my first take on it. I want to hear more Stone. Jeff. Mike. & Matt's writing and creating.
  • 81
    81 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    to me, pearl jam isn't about studio albums anymore. it's about the live show.

    i barely ever listen to the studio albums, almost all my listening is to boots. it will be interesting to hear some of these new songs on the upcoming tour
    81 is now off the air

    Off_Air.jpg
  • Jeanwah wrote:
    the album sounds more like an EV album than a PJ album. I'm not trying to put them down, but I don't hear the band's collaboration in it, I hear mostly Ed.

    Totally
    2000: 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, 2024Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • Flagg
    Flagg Posts: 5,856
    HeidiJam wrote:
    I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.

    Yeah i jokingly referred to it as Blandspacer. I say it in every thread: It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's solidly good.

    That makes no sense. You call it solidily good and bland?
    DAL-7/5/98,10/17/00,6/9/03,11/15/13
    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
  • Flagg wrote:
    HeidiJam wrote:
    I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.

    Yeah i jokingly referred to it as Blandspacer. I say it in every thread: It's not bad by any means. But it's not great either. It's solidly good.

    That makes no sense. You call it solidily good and bland?

    Well I say this because I don't really dislike anything but there's nothing I'm really into either. I don't have a problem with Amongst the Waves or Unthought Known....but I sort of zone out while they're playing. I find myself forcing myself to listen to it. Unlike previous Pearl Jam albums where they're all I can listen to for the first month of their release.
    2000: 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, 2024Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • Gern Blansten
    Gern Blansten Mar-A-Lago Posts: 22,890
    this album kicks ass...

    I'm not in a band but I've played guitar for 25 years and have a music background

    it fucking rocks
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
  • LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun
    edited September 2009
    i could do without the polish and dreaded "maturity", but its a pretty good album. in the end i don't think i'll have a very strong opinion about this either way. The rockers and slow ones i like, but the mid tempo stuff is too u2-ish.
    Post edited by LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun on
  • I can't believe some of the negative reviews of the album. I've been listening to PJ since the beginning, and Backspacer is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite album they've ever done (Yield and Vs. are probably tied for 1st). Everyone has their own opinion, and my opinion is that this album is one of the best.
    I'm a SPACERBACKER! WHO'S WITH ME????

    Sometimes you'll see a strange spot in the sky, a human being that was given to fly

    I know it's already been sung...can't be said enough. Love is all you need, all you need is love.
  • Blockhead
    Blockhead Posts: 1,538
    to the person asking if i play music - yes i do, but that is not relevant at all. TO back up my point, the songs on this album seem like songs that any band could come up with exception to maybe 3. Now i could not say that about any of their other albums. I don't get the maturity comments fly around, and these lyrics are not even close to their best. I know its new and exciting but this will fade same as self titled did. Even when i listen to riot act i think, there is no band that could come up with these songs other than PJ. Backspace songs are boring. A couple time a year i got up to pittsburgh with my family about a 5 hour drive me and my dad would listen to every PJ album over and over until we got there. I am embarrassed to put this one in if we have any driving trips together this year.
  • HeidiJam wrote:
    I can't belive a band that has made Vitalogy, no code, yeild, riot act has put out these last two albums. I like the new album but its so average compared to what they used to do and are clearly capible of. I know they are maturing but these new songs are so basic and un-original. They have no jams, no guitar solo's (5 seconds does not count) and 3 of these songs were clearly written when eddie was writing into the wild. I like the album as i do self titled but i can't belive it took 3 years to make this. Hopefully they get their creativity back. They seem to be digressing with these last two.

    where's the creativity in your review? are they un-original because the songs from backspacer sound like someone else's songs? or maybe their own previous songs? there's no jams? what do you mean by that...since when does pearl jam "jam" on their studio albums? no solos?? what do you call the solo on "amongst the waves", just to name one...and probably the most exciting moment of the album, in my opinion...and yeah, eddie wrote ITW and writes for PJ, and wow go figure a couple of the songs sound like they could have been on ITW...why would you be surprised about that...and they weren't on ITW so what's it matter...not to get off topic here, but ITW is so awesome because it shed a different light on eddie's capabilities (not that there was ever any doubt), so i think it's cool that some of that has bled into backspacer because well, "that's eddie". and it probably didn't take three years to make it. you're obviously not a musician nor someone who realizes that bands aren't working non-stop between albums. obviously i'm not eddie's best friend, but i can't imagine that they started really recording this album more than a year or so ago. "hopefully they get their creativity back"...nope, they're not "creative anymore"...what an empty statement. obviously everyone's entitled to their opinions and i'm not trying to be mean here but if you rewrite your review and use some poignant adjectives you might perhaps get a better response.

    but i think your overall misconception is that you're comparing this album to their others and the thing about their albums is that none of them lean on each other. they all stand on their own.
    "If you love someone, set them free. If someone loves you, don't fuck up." -ev

    6/29/03 - Montreal, QC 10/1/04 - Reading, PA
    10/3/05 - Philadelphia, PA 5/12/06 - Albany, NY
    6/27/08 - Hartford, CT (FRONT ROW CENTER!)
    8/2/08 - (ev) Boston, MA 6/9/09 - (ev) Albany, NY
    8/21/09 - Toronto, ON 5/10/10 - Buffalo, NY
  • I'm just standing up in defense of Riot Act.
    :mrgreen: