Where is PJ's creativity

Blockhead · September 2009

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.

12345AGNST1 · September 2009

Your crazy.... If Johnny Guitar isn't creative then I dont know what is. that song has so many cool changes in it.

orig_long red · September 2009

you're right. they suck.

Ledbetterman10 · September 2009

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.

joewalshdc · September 2009

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 · September 2009

Some of the lyrics are some of Eddie's best. But oh, well. Too bad you're a hater.

Zidane · September 2009

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!

Zidane · September 2009

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!!!

Ledbetterman10 · September 2009

Zidane wrote:

And what about the packaging???

I really like that picture of the band members hooked up to that brain

Flagg · September 2009

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.

Jeanwah · September 2009

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 · September 2009

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

Ledbetterman10 · September 2009

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

Flagg · September 2009

Ledbetterman10 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?

Ledbetterman10 · September 2009

Flagg wrote:

Ledbetterman10 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.

Gern Blansten · September 2009

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

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun · 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.

fallingupsomehow · September 2009

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.

Blockhead · September 2009

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.

theanswersarefatal · September 2009

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.

citizen54 · September 2009

I'm just standing up in defense of Riot Act.

Smellyman · September 2009

hmmm. People can dislike this album for a myriad of reasons, I don't care.....but to call this album not creative is ludicrous.

Vedderlicious · September 2009

joewalshdc wrote:

HeidiJam wrote:

people questioning ed's voice, the bands playing etc, these 5 guys plus BOB's creativity, who do you think you are?...

as fans, we're critics, all of us. even you. seriously, what kind of a question is that? we have every right to question something we're passionate about. i love the oakland raiders so much that i tattooed myself with them, and i talk more shit on them than anyone who isnt a fan. same goes for this album. love pearl jam, but i definitely dont feel its anything better than "good." i wouldnt go as far to say im disappointed, but i think they are capable of much more. especially mike who should have had at least ONE solo.

joewalshdc · September 2009

Vedderlicious wrote:

joewalshdc wrote:

HeidiJam wrote:

people questioning ed's voice, the bands playing etc, these 5 guys plus BOB's creativity, who do you think you are?...

as fans, we're critics, all of us. even you. seriously, what kind of a question is that? we have every right to question something we're passionate about. i love the oakland raiders so much that i tattooed myself with them, and i talk more shit on them than anyone who isnt a fan. same goes for this album. love pearl jam, but i definitely dont feel its anything better than "good." i wouldnt go as far to say im disappointed, but i think they are capable of much more. especially mike who should have had at least ONE solo.

Its a very valid question...absolutely have your views...you like this, i dont like that...totally fine...what i cant stomach is people dont seem to realise what it takes to put an album out...creativity cant come in to question for a band of PJs calibre...the only people that can question creativity is the band and producer...i understand people dont like the ITW vibe, some people think the albums too punky, too short, no solo's...fine, totally fine...its 2009, music moves on...have your say, debate...dont question a songwriters creativity...thats why I asked this question...someone who creates art, in any form, can debate a bands new direction or sound without questioning their ability to produce or create that art...

joewalshdc · September 2009

HeidiJam wrote:

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.

If you are truly embarrassed about this album then honestly Pearl Jam must be a lost cause for you...cool if you dont like it...to be embarrassed by it...Im not sure what to say to that except I hope the more you listen the less embarrassed you get...

Zidane · September 2009

HeidiJam wrote:

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.

Embarrassed? For listening to a PJ album??? Wow, trust me dude, there will be plenty more of moments in your life where you'll be embarrassed compared to listening to Backspacer...

Blockhead · September 2009

Some of you guys are taking this a little to personal. also learn how to read I did not say i did not like the album. I said it sounds borning, not creative and something that I think most bands could put together.
Kenobi you need to learn how to read, i am not saying anything bad about the into the wild songs all i am saying is that, those cover 3 of the songs, so the other 8 should be alot more creative since its been 3 years since the last album. For those of you saying quit comparing to other albums they stand alone. I am not comparing albums at all. All i am comparing is their progression and there is no progression between this and riot act. this and self titled are taking a step back in creativity. When i say i am embrassed to put this in, i mean it as, my dad is not a huge pj fan he likes them, and aknowledges their talent and creativity, but if i put this album in after no code or vitalogy he would laugh. There last few albums seem rushed and are basic songs.

joewalshdc · September 2009

HeidiJam wrote:

Some of you guys are taking this a little to personal. also learn how to read I did not say i did not like the album. I said it sounds borning, not creative and something that I think most bands could put together.
Kenobi you need to learn how to read, i am not saying anything bad about the into the wild songs all i am saying is that, those cover 3 of the songs, so the other 8 should be alot more creative since its been 3 years since the last album. For those of you saying quit comparing to other albums they stand alone. I am not comparing albums at all. All i am comparing is their progression and there is no progression between this and riot act. this and self titled are taking a step back in creativity. When i say i am embrassed to put this in, i mean it as, my dad is not a huge pj fan he likes them, and aknowledges their talent and creativity, but if i put this album in after no code or vitalogy he would laugh. There last few albums seem rushed and are basic songs.

Hold on, "learn how to read I did not say i dont like the album"....no, youre just "embarrassed to put it on"...??

Blockhead · September 2009

Man, you really don't know how to comprehend do you? I like the album yes i do, I like all PJ music. But seeing as my family is not as of big fans as i am, i would be embarrassed to put this album on after vitalogy or no code, those albums have complexity and atmosphiere, this album is basic, mostly power cords with hardley any solos or small jams.

joewalshdc · September 2009

HeidiJam wrote:

Man, you really don't know how to comprehend do you? I like the album yes i do, I like all PJ music. But seeing as my family is not as of big fans as i am, i would be embarrassed to put this album on after vitalogy or no code, those albums have complexity and atmosphiere, this album is basic, mostly power cords with hardley any solos or small jams.

I comprehend...i guess ill agree to disagree...also you said youre a musician...you must be extremely accomplished if this album is basic...i hope you have more success with your 9th album!!

Flagg · September 2009

Ledbetterman10 wrote:

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.

Gotcha. I don't begrudge you your opinion at all. I just didn't understand what you meant.

I feel different though. I feel this record really speaks to me at this stage in my life like no other since Vs when I was 21.

Where is PJ's creativity

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