Where is PJ's creativity

yosi · September 2009

MrMerkinball wrote:

yosi wrote:

MrMerkinball wrote:

CropDuster, Ghost, Get Right, Save you & LBC have very little imagination at all.

So very, very wrong. All those songs are better than anything on Backspacer with the exception of maybe Got Some.

We'll have to agree to disagree my friend.

It sure seems like it. But to each his own at least we can both agree that we love Pearl Jam.

Hendog · September 2009

ummmmm wow people are really going ape in this thread aren't they??

Let's see here.....ummm.....Pearl Jam's creativity.....where is it???

hmmmm well they wrote the music and short of a couple of songs having similar cords to other songs that being Superonic and Just Breathe they all have a distinct sound of there own. I think that's pretty creative.

Eddie Vedders lyrics (which i'm glad for once don't have a full on politcal agenda to them, not that i dont love those songs its just nice to have more "creativeness" in there) are some of the best most heart felt lyrics he's writen.

Oh it's also nice to see Edde Vedder doing more with his voice as far as singing goes it beats tryinng to push out vocal style that he had 20 years ago with no luck. Unthought Known is a song that shows this off amazingly and has quickly become my favorite song on the album. Listen to this song and tell me its not creative. Music (from all the band members), lyrics & Vedders voice....how more creative can you get.

Ricsard · September 2009

Gern Blansten wrote:

this album kicks ass...

[...]

it fucking rocks

your words are golden!!!

the wolf · September 2009

yield2me wrote:

Flagg wrote:

I said it before. The Pearl Jam elitist is going to have big problems with Backspacer.

it was the same thing on the last album too. I just don't get how after all these years and all these albums that people don't understand that Pearl Jam will never make another album that sounds like Ten or any other previous album. They're always different, and actually today I was thinking about how many times over the years I've played PJ tracks for people and they've said "this is Pearl Jam???" and it would be a song from like Vitalogy or Vs lol.

i consider myself a PJ elitist, and i love this fucking record. i love S/T also. i can say i have loved every album they have put out for different reasons.

i think this album will age well , IMHO.

and i cant understand how PJ "fans" cant love this record.

if this album is a lack of creativity, so be it. lol i still love it.

the wolf · September 2009

i shit and i stink wrote:

OP mentioned the last 2 albums and I've gotta saw that although both are slightly flawed, Avocado is incredibly creative, full of big solos (which you mentioned in the original post) and expansive lyrical and musical content.

Okay, Backspacer is short, concise and punchy. S/T is huge and layered and atmospheric. Lyrically they are both wonderful but from polar opposite viewpoints. Between those two albums you have about as much creativity as most bands could hope for in an entire career.

agreed. well said.

PJammin' · 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.

maybe you just lack the insight of noticing creativity in a band that undoubtedly delivered creativity in the new album. also, too many people on this board make a judgement on an album that just came out.

Mortality · September 2009

yosi wrote:

That's pretty close to how I feel too. Aside from me not several songs on it, the album also doesn't sound like a cohesive album to me. It just feels like a collection of fairly straight foward, poppy rock (aside from the beginning of the album, which I think is pretty strong - GSMF-The Fixer).

Its an 80's influenced pop-rock album. Thats the concept they had for the album, and they nailed it. Its not like they picked Usher's producer, this is the same guy who produced Vs. They gave him the power to soup it up and make it a pop album. If this is what the band turned into after vitalogy and just decided to sell out the rest of thier career, that would suck. But no, it was an idea they had for 1 out of their 9 albums, and the next album will be another hard right turn. Thats Pearl Jam. Accept the album for what it is, and then you will be able to appreciate the nuance and subtle beauty of the production.

yosi · September 2009

Mortality wrote:

yosi wrote:

That's pretty close to how I feel too. Aside from several songs on it, the album also doesn't sound like a cohesive album to me. It just feels like a collection of fairly straight foward, poppy rock (aside from the beginning of the album, which I think is pretty strong - GSMF-The Fixer).

Its an 80's influenced pop-rock album. Thats the concept they had for the album, and they nailed it. Its not like they picked Usher's producer, this is the same guy who produced Vs. They gave him the power to soup it up and make it a pop album. If this is what the band turned into after vitalogy and just decided to sell out the rest of thier career, that would suck. But no, it was an idea they had for 1 out of their 9 albums, and the next album will be another hard right turn. Thats Pearl Jam. Accept the album for what it is, and then you will be able to appreciate the nuance and subtle beauty of the production.

I think I do accept it for what it is. It just so happens that what it is doesn't happen to grab me all that much. And I'm not saying the band doesn't have the right to do that, etc. They can do whatever they want and that's fine, but I'm going to like somethings better than others, and I'm going to have an opinion on whatever it is they do (at least musically).

danleri · September 2009

I think the album is more "pop" than anything else they've ever done and it's not said as a bad thing. Backspacer is different than the other albums and once again they've proved they're evolving and they're not trapped in the past, if they ever were. I don't understand why they had to rearrange Speed of Sound tho, the acoustic sounded just perfect.

Gonna See My Friend is a cool opener, I like Got Some a lot and The Fixer live is great, less on the album.
Just Breathe they forgot to include it in Into The Wild and now it's on Backspacer but it doesn't really fit into it as much as it could on Ed's score for the movie.
I think Amongst The Waves is a beautiful song, I listened to it for the first time on Phantom FM last week and I loved it immediately. I also like the fact that the song I probably like the most on Backspacer is a Stone's song.
Johnny Guitar and Supersonic are great punk-rockers and have actually great rock titles and I am looking forward to the respective live versions.
I think Unthought Known and Force Of Nature don't really sound like Pearl Jam but then again some numbers on No Code and Riot Act don't sound like Pearl Jam either and still manage to be great songs.

I agree with whoever said they would like to hear more Mike. Matt is solid, Jeff is great and Eddie's voice is blowing me away as always... but Mike doesn't seem to have a lot of space on the album. On "Pearl Jam" he was more present and I liked it. The solo in Got Some is great and classic and I love it but it's not enough. I like Inside Job better than Force Of Nature.

In my opinion Brendan O'Brien is overdoing a bit in this record. I'm not a fan of strings or horns on a PJ album. When I want strings I listen to Sigur Ros. A little piano or keyboard here and there is ok but on Backspacer it's a bit too much for my liking. If I really have to find something not good to say about Backspacer is that O'Brien tarted it up a bit and the guys let him.

JonnyPistachio · September 2009

danleri wrote:

I think the album is more "pop" than anything else they've ever done and it's not said as a bad thing. Backspacer is different than the other albums and once again they've proved they're evolving and they're not trapped in the past, if they ever were. I don't understand why they had to rearrange Speed of Sound tho, the acoustic sounded just perfect.

Gonna See My Friend is a cool opener, I like Got Some a lot and The Fixer live is great, less on the album.
Just Breathe they forgot to include it in Into The Wild and now it's on Backspacer but it doesn't really fit into it as much as it could on Ed's score for the movie.
I think Amongst The Waves is a beautiful song, I listened to it for the first time on Phantom FM last week and I loved it immediately. I also like the fact that the song I probably like the most on Backspacer is a Stone's song.
Johnny Guitar and Supersonic are great punk-rockers and have actually great rock titles and I am looking forward to the respective live versions.
I think Unthought Known and Force Of Nature don't really sound like Pearl Jam but then again some numbers on No Code and Riot Act don't sound like Pearl Jam either and still manage to be great songs.

I agree with whoever said they would like to hear more Mike. Matt is solid, Jeff is great and Eddie's voice is blowing me away as always... but Mike doesn't seem to have a lot of space on the album. On "Pearl Jam" he was more present and I liked it. The solo in Got Some is great and classic and I love it but it's not enough. I like Inside Job better than Force Of Nature.

In my opinion Brendan O'Brien is overdoing a bit in this record. I'm not a fan of strings or horns on a PJ album. When I want strings I listen to Sigur Ros. A little piano or keyboard here and there is ok but on Backspacer it's a bit too much for my liking. If I really have to find something not good to say about Backspacer is that O'Brien tarted it up a bit and the guys let him.

I agree. when I hear that piano sound in Speed of Sound - is it even piano, i dunno? I just cant help thinking about a cheesy backgrounbd song in a miami vice episode ala 1986.

Mortality · September 2009

yosi wrote:

I think I do accept it for what it is. It just so happens that what it is doesn't happen to grab me all that much. And I'm not saying the band doesn't have the right to do that, etc. They can do whatever they want and that's fine, but I'm going to like somethings better than others, and I'm going to have an opinion on whatever it is they do (at least musically).

Yeah its not like you have to enjoy it, but if you truly accept it for what it is then you wouldnt say it isnt a cohesive album. This is definitely their most cohesive album since yield and possibly of their career. I hated it after the first 2 listens. I was fighting it and was mad that the band went in this "cheesy" direction. Once I got over myself, I cant even look at individual songs anymore, its just Backspacer, and its amazing. A true album, as close to being a concept album you can get without actually being one.

danleri · September 2009

stranger34 wrote:

Riot Act is like a novel. Backspacer is like an entertaining comic book with some insights.

this is the single greatest line for a review I've read so far.

Mortality · September 2009

danleri wrote:

stranger34 wrote:

Riot Act is like a novel. Backspacer is like an entertaining comic book with some insights.

this is the single greatest line for a review I've read so far.

Comics are all insight. Thats a good way to put it, but I must say, I think their comic book blows away their novel. When you have EV as your frontman, novels should be few and far between, its a waste of his passion.

yosi · September 2009

Mortality wrote:

yosi wrote:

I think I do accept it for what it is. It just so happens that what it is doesn't happen to grab me all that much. And I'm not saying the band doesn't have the right to do that, etc. They can do whatever they want and that's fine, but I'm going to like somethings better than others, and I'm going to have an opinion on whatever it is they do (at least musically).

Yeah its not like you have to enjoy it, but if you truly accept it for what it is then you wouldnt say it isnt a cohesive album. This is definitely their most cohesive album since yield and possibly of their career. I hated it after the first 2 listens. I was fighting it and was mad that the band went in this "cheesy" direction. Once I got over myself, I cant even look at individual songs anymore, its just Backspacer, and its amazing. A true album, as close to being a concept album you can get without actually being one.

I don't agree with you, which is fine. But I actually think that Backspacer is their least cohesive album, with the possible exception of No Code. The only difference for me is that I like the songs on No Code more than Backspacer.

I just think that there is no real connection between the first couple of songs and the second half of the album. I think that the ITW leftovers just don't really fit with the rock. The only thing that is semi-consistent is a level of cheesiness (in my opinion) on the second 2/3 of the album, but that hardly qualifies as cohesive. And I don't think this sounds anything like a concept album.

But again, to each his/her own.

Flagg · September 2009

yosi wrote:

MrMerkinball wrote:

CropDuster, Ghost, Get Right, Save you & LBC have very little imagination at all.

So very, very wrong. All those songs are better than anything on Backspacer with the exception of maybe Got Some.

Even the band doesn't like those songs. Save You is the only Riot Act song that even gets play time anymore.

Mortality · September 2009

yosi wrote:

I just think that there is no real connection between the first couple of songs and the second half of the album. I think that the ITW leftovers just don't really fit with the rock. The only thing that is semi-consistent is a level of cheesiness (in my opinion) on the second 2/3 of the album, but that hardly qualifies as cohesive. And I don't think this sounds anything like a concept album.

But again, to each his/her own.

All the songs have a different pace, but all the songs have that 80's pop-rock sound. The album has a mood, I like to call it optimistic depression. Johnny Guitar would sound out of place on any other of their 8 studio albums, but it has a place and blends here. I cant convince you, but dont want you to give up on it. Only multiple focused listens can do that, and I mean hey, you are in the fan club so I figure youll be doing that anyway.

yosi · September 2009

Flagg wrote:

yosi wrote:

MrMerkinball wrote:

CropDuster, Ghost, Get Right, Save you & LBC have very little imagination at all.

So very, very wrong. All those songs are better than anything on Backspacer with the exception of maybe Got Some.

Even the band doesn't like those songs. Save You is the only Riot Act song that even gets play time anymore.

What about You Are, and 1/2 Full? And I'm pretty sure I got to see Cropduster last tour, and LBC generally pops up and so does I am Mine. By the by, there are plenty of songs that I love on Yield/Binaural that don't get much play either.

I know you keep saying "the band doesn't like Riot Act", but just because you don't, and because you keep saying it, doesn't make it true.

Also, I don't really care which record the band likes best, I don't have to have the same opinion as them.

Mortality · September 2009

Flagg wrote:

yosi wrote:

MrMerkinball wrote:

CropDuster, Ghost, Get Right, Save you & LBC have very little imagination at all.

So very, very wrong. All those songs are better than anything on Backspacer with the exception of maybe Got Some.

Even the band doesn't like those songs. Save You is the only Riot Act song that even gets play time anymore.

The best song on Riot Act is Down. I think that says it all.

PS...Cant Keep on Uke is actually the best song.

i shit and i stink · September 2009

Flagg wrote:

yosi wrote:

MrMerkinball wrote:

CropDuster, Ghost, Get Right, Save you & LBC have very little imagination at all.

So very, very wrong. All those songs are better than anything on Backspacer with the exception of maybe Got Some.

Even the band doesn't like those songs. Save You is the only Riot Act song that even gets play time anymore.

I was looking at the set lists from this tour and I Am Mine got played about twice, Save You a couple of times and a random outing for 1/2 Full. Riot Act may not be considered the pinnacle of the band's output but I think LBC, Can't Keep, Green Disease, Thumbing My Way, You Are and All Or None deserve a bit more love!

Gern Blansten · September 2009

i shit and i stink wrote:

I was looking at the set lists from this tour and I Am Mine got played about twice, Save You a couple of times and a random outing for 1/2 Full. Riot Act may not be considered the pinnacle of the band's output but I think LBC, Can't Keep, Green Disease, Thumbing My Way, You Are and All Or None deserve a bit more love!

agreed....I'm amazed at some of the songs that haven't been played in like 6 years....great songs!!

Where is PJ's creativity

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