Backspacer, a retrospective view

Got a hard hard head
Got a hard hard head Posts: 638
edited May 2010 in Words and Music...Communication
I'm going to come right out and say it - I'm struggling with this album.

Admittedly, there are four great tracks on there (Just Breathe, Amongst The Waves, Unthought Known and The End), but the rest? I just....I don't know, they're not grabbing me. I don't feel any connection with the music, lyrics...anything.

Avocado gets its fair share of criticisms but I feel it's a much better album than Backspacer. There is only Unthought Known where I could say that there isn't a track equal to it on Avocado. For all the others I could, in my personal opinion, match or better each track when comparing the two albums.

Maybe it's because on Backspacer, the mood and lyrical content is more laid back, less serious than on other albums. Maybe it's just me. I'm not trying to be deliberately controversial or pick an argument. Is anyone else feel similarly about this album?
It's gonna be a glorious day...
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • jamingjamers
    jamingjamers Posts: 383
    it took me 4 years to get riot act
    same with st
    i feel the same with backspacer as you but i think i might be coming round
    heard the fixer on the radio today and loved it
    and johnny guitar
    is starting to rock
  • Got a hard hard head
    Got a hard hard head Posts: 638
    jamingjamers wrote:
    it took me 4 years to get riot act
    same with st
    i feel the same with backspacer as you but i think i might be coming round
    heard the fixer on the radio today and loved it
    and johnny guitar
    is starting to rock

    You're lucky - in the UK, Pearl Jam never get a look in. Another reason I don't listen to the pile of shit that passes as radio stations.
    It's gonna be a glorious day...
  • TJW98
    TJW98 Posts: 9
    jamingjamers wrote:
    it took me 4 years to get riot act
    same with st
    i feel the same with backspacer as you but i think i might be coming round
    heard the fixer on the radio today and loved it
    and johnny guitar
    is starting to rock

    I had the same experience with Riot Act, took me a couple of listens before really caught my ear.

    Far as Backspacer I was a fan of Fixer and Got Some immediately, the other songs take some more time. I saw them down in Philly and hearing the songs live helped a lot. I was actually surprised how good Unthought Know, GSMF, and Johnny Guitar sounded live.
  • BALLBOY
    BALLBOY Australia Posts: 1,035
    Got a hard hard head wrote:
    jamingjamers wrote:
    it took me 4 years to get riot act
    same with st
    i feel the same with backspacer as you but i think i might be coming round
    heard the fixer on the radio today and loved it
    and johnny guitar
    is starting to rock

    You're lucky - in the UK, Pearl Jam never get a look in. Another reason I don't listen to the pile of shit that passes as radio stations.
    I concur!! :lol:
    Eastern Creek 95,Syd 1 98,Bris 2 98, Syd 1&2 03, Reading Fest 06, Bris 1 06, London 09, Hyde Park 10, Gold Coast BDO 14 Budapest 22 Krakow 22 Amsterdam 22 St Paul 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 24 New York 1 24 Philly 1&2 24 Boston 1&2 24 Gold Coast 24 Melbourne 1 24 Sydney 1&2 24
  • Macca.
    Macca. Posts: 19
    You get nothing from Force of Nature? I am not saying you should or shouldn't. I just think it's an amazing song both on paper and performed.

    I also think Got Some and The Fixer are great, just over played on the radio. Johnny Guitar and Amongst the waves took me longer but they got there too.

    I reckon Binaural was harder to get into. I did get into it eventually but it took me far longer than this set.
  • Got a hard hard head
    Got a hard hard head Posts: 638
    It may be that I'm listening to the album at the wrong time - something that I think can have a massive effect because your state of mind comes into the equation.

    I'm normally on my way to my second job when listening to it, so subsconsciously not at my best.

    Maybe I should listen to it whilst relaxing? Or having sex? Hmmm...but that would mean I'd only hear two songs..... :lol:
    It's gonna be a glorious day...
  • Macca.
    Macca. Posts: 19
    Ha ha. Well I listen to it in different moods and often react differently to it. Mostly I simply relate to the lyrics in my own way and enjoy the music.
  • joebot
    joebot Posts: 372
    I loved it from the very first listen

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