PJ's Current Sound

LastExitBJP
LastExitBJP Posts: 82
edited April 2008 in The Porch
Does anyone else think that Pearl Jam's music has just "brightened" in the last few years? Listening to bootlegs prior 2003, it seems that their live sound is so much happier, and less, for lack of a better word, grungier (only using this word to describe the guitar sound). Even Eddie's voice seems to have lost a lot of angst. I for one love this. Even though they may not possess all the energy they did back in the early days, there's something about their current sound that I think is better than anything I've ever heard from them. Anyone else feel the same?
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Comments

  • LineOneMightyFine
    LineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    I'd agree that they are brighter than they used to be, but I'd go further and say they are a better live band now than they were back in the 90s. In my opinion, the concerts just seem to flow much better. And, I think they just connect with their audience much better now.

    The only thing I'd prefer is them doing less covers. They have an overabundance of quality material that could be played instead...and, come on now, what's the harm in breaking out All Those Yesterdays, Who You Are, and Tremor Christ once in awhile????
  • scpjfan
    scpjfan Posts: 131
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.
    Hail, hail the lucky ones, I refer to those in love.
  • Murderers.
    Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    ejny wrote:
    I'd agree that they are brighter than they used to be, but I'd go further and say they are a better live band now than they were back in the 90s. In my opinion, the concerts just seem to flow much better. And, I think they just connect with their audience much better now.

    The only thing I'd prefer is them doing less covers. They have an overabundance of quality material that could be played instead...and, come on now, what's the harm in breaking out All Those Yesterdays, Who You Are, and Tremor Christ once in awhile????
    They should break out W.M.A! That would be pretty special.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • LineOneMightyFine
    LineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.


    Very good points. Is it Ed or Matt who's dictacting the speed?
  • MichaelMcKevin
    MichaelMcKevin Posts: 1,161
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.

    There was a very good post about this topic before. It's 100% true (think Evenflow especially). Someone made a good point that over time, the intensity of playing the energetic songs live leads to a faster performance. I also think Matt is to blame for a lot of it.
    Camden I '06, Camden II '06, Bonnaroo '08, Camden I '08, Camden II '08, Philly Spectrum II/III/IV '09, MSG I '10, MSG II '10, Made In America '12, Wrigley '13, Brooklyn II '13, Philly I '13, Philly II '13, ...
  • nowayimfaithfull
    nowayimfaithfull Posts: 2,051
    LastExitBJP wrote:
    Does anyone else think that Pearl Jam's music has just "brightened" in the last few years? Listening to bootlegs prior 2003, it seems that their live sound is so much happier, and less, for lack of a better word, grungier (only using this word to describe the guitar sound). Even Eddie's voice seems to have lost a lot of angst. I for one love this. Even though they may not possess all the energy they did back in the early days, there's something about their current sound that I think is better than anything I've ever heard from them. Anyone else feel the same?
    yes although live on 2 legs was on the bright side.
    Some people have religion I have Pearl Jam.


    no more shows
  • Murderers.
    Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    GivenToCarve wrote:
    There was a very good post about this topic before. It's 100% true (think Evenflow especially). Someone made a good point that over time, the intensity of playing the energetic songs live leads to a faster performance. I also think Matt is to blame for a lot of it.
    Yeah, in all honesty I think Even Flow is played too fast sometimes.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • elevation622
    elevation622 Posts: 926
    As far as the guitar sound, I think they just learned to play better than the early days.
  • lalafreda
    lalafreda Posts: 10
    given to fly sounds faster live than the studio version... the live version is SO much better..
  • Murderers.
    Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    lalafreda wrote:
    given to fly sounds faster live than the studio version... the live version is SO much better..
    I prefer it slower...
    What the fuck is this world?
  • LineOneMightyFine
    LineOneMightyFine Posts: 347
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,462
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.


    me too. i cannot f'in stand how they play even flow. play spin the black circle that fast, but not that one. i was listening some early shows and that song just wasn't meant to be played lighting fast.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,462
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide


    yes! nice list man. took them right from my mouth. given to fly for sure. how the hell does mike play his riff that quickly?
    www.cluthelee.com
  • CantKeepmedown
    CantKeepmedown Portland, Maine Posts: 3,124
    ejny wrote:
    Here's a few songs that would sound much better played slower:

    Corduroy
    Even Flow
    Given To Fly
    World Wide Suicide

    Add SOLAT to that list. It's played way, way too fast now.

    Also, put in TB2000 and listen to Yellow Ledbetter (from the fans montage). I did it the other day, and could not believe how slow it was, compared to the past few years.
  • pouch15
    pouch15 Posts: 436
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.
    si si, i agree the other day i was listening to atlanta 94, ando solat, or animal, ando even flow just to name a few sound better with a slower tempo, not as slow as the albums, but not as fast as 2003-2007. especially state of love and trust
  • hrd2imgn
    hrd2imgn Southwest Burbs of Chicago Posts: 4,925
    They are all getting married starting families, Ed has a Daughter and Hot wife, Love just takes you man.
  • Stone Is God
    Stone Is God Posts: 1,331
    pouch15 wrote:
    si si, i agree the other day i was listening to atlanta 94, ando solat, or animal, ando even flow just to name a few sound better with a slower tempo, not as slow as the albums, but not as fast as 2003-2007. especially state of love and trust

    That version of Even Flow fucking rocks, as well as Animal.

    I totally agree with the fact they need to slow the tempo a tick.
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me.
  • evacuation10
    evacuation10 Posts: 16
    scpjfan wrote:
    I was watching Picture In A Frame last week, and I've noticed that a lot of their songs are played a little faster, and a lot of them are played all at the same speed. I'd like to hear them change up the tempo and not rush things.

    I notice this too. I was listening to a version of SOLAT from 92' and that version is a lot slower and grovier. Ed's voice is also deeper and he holds the note down longer and with less effort. I also notice similar changes in the earlier versions of evenflow. I wonder if the faster tempos are the band's way of compensating for Eddie's voice slightly changing. This is not to say that the change in his voice is bad. I remember watching the Live at the Garden DVD and being impressed with his singing, but that doesn't mean I don't miss the older versions of some songs.
  • Fifthelement
    Fifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,965
    hrd2imgn wrote:
    They are all getting married starting families, Ed has a Daughter and Hot wife, Love just takes you man.


    I think that there is a lot of truth to the above statement - for all of them. I think that they have found a certain peace in their lives hence their sound is brighter.

    As for the tempo of songs like Evenflow and YLB, perhaps they are tired of performing these songs as often as they do, so they change the tempos to mix it up - just thinking out loud on that one.

    Cheers!
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • WEAPONX24
    WEAPONX24 Posts: 133
    i dont mind the new sound...but it doesnt even COMPARE to the old days...all the distortion is turned down nowadays and eddies voice has definitely changed...some of those older songs you just need that gain cranked up a bit more...not complaining, but I just prefer the older live sound.

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