So am I in the minority when I say....

stateoflove79 · March 2011

That I feel PJ's sound nowadays (pretty much from 03, onward) is alot better than the 90's? Don't get me wrong, PJ is PJ and they are always amazing...but their sound has really evolved alot, stating in 00, and then really jumping forward in 03. The addition of Boom is a great move and lately with the strings on the slower tunes I think adds a real nice touch. And well, Matt Cameron drumming is by far the biggest reason for me. (I know he was there in 98)...I dunno, just throwing my thoughts out there.

lukins.lawyer · March 2011

Agreed. Starting in '03 they really started kicking ass and smashing faces.

TalkofCircles · March 2011

prob not the minority or majority...but, prob right down the middle
It's hard for me to remember shows pre Cameron. The last show I saw pre-cam was in '96...so, some time ago.

hopethatuchoke · March 2011

I respectfully disagree. I didn't see them live until 1998 at the Tibetian Freedom Concert. One of Matt's early shows. If you look for videos on Youtube, he sounded so much better back then. Watch Given to Fly. They all sounded GREAT. And based on bootlegs, I think they sounded even better than that with Jack and especially Dave. I'm not a fan of how fast they have made certain songs and I think Matt's drum sound, not talent, is worse than it once was.

satansbed · March 2011

well i agree, but probably only because i wasn't old enough in the 90's to be a fan, so this is the only way i remember them, the first two albums i got into as a fan where yeild, and self titled

pandora · March 2011

nowadays better than the 90's?

Its been a trip... each album perfect for that particular time

an evolution of both personal growth and growth as a unit

for me there are no betters...each fits like a piece of a puzzle to make a beautiful
finished product

best part...they're not done yet..... the masterpiece continues

RedMosquito22 · March 2011

stateoflove79 wrote:

That I feel PJ's sound nowadays (pretty much from 03, onward) is alot better than the 90's? Don't get me wrong, PJ is PJ and they are always amazing...but their sound has really evolved alot, stating in 00, and then really jumping forward in 03. The addition of Boom is a great move and lately with the strings on the slower tunes I think adds a real nice touch. And well, Matt Cameron drumming is by far the biggest reason for me. (I know he was there in 98)...I dunno, just throwing my thoughts out there.

How can you not be better after playing together for 20 years? They are all far better musicians than they were 20 years ago.

TalkofCircles · March 2011

white belt -> black belt -> white belt

Blockhead · March 2011

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

RedMosquito22 · March 2011

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

I don't feel that way at all.

stateoflove79 · March 2011

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

I respectfully disagree with this statement.

Jerome230 · March 2011

A few of the Backspacer songs are de-tuned a half step down when played live...why is that, to accommodate Ed's voice?

Cool Face Ryan · March 2011

their 2006 sound and Avocado was/is my favorite

Cool Face Ryan · March 2011

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

you dont think Avocado was creative? your crazy

RedMosquito22 · March 2011

Jerome230 wrote:

A few of the Backspacer songs are de-tuned a half step down when played live...why is that, to accommodate Ed's voice?

It's not just done on live Backspacer songs. It's virtually done with every song Ed has to belt out. Yes, it's easier to sing when tuned down a half step live.

given2fly23 · March 2011

This band's peak was during 1994-1996, and it's mostly because of EV. Listen to the shows. The passion and rage with which he sings is unreal. Every show felt like he left every piece of himself out on the stage.

Most of the band's songs are written from a dark, low place. When the singer feels them, they will of course sound better. No one blames him for being happy, which is great, but those songs dont have the same feeling anymore.

Like I said, it's great that they're all happy and healthy now. The only thing I ask is that they release those shows, especially the ones that werent taped by fans, so we can enjoy them.

RedMosquito22 · March 2011

given2fly23 wrote:

This band's peak was during 1994-1996, and it's mostly because of EV. Listen to the shows. The passion and rage with which he sings is unreal. Every show felt like he left every piece of himself out on the stage.

Most of the band's songs are written from a dark, low place. When the singer feels them, they will of course sound better. No one blames him for being happy, which is great, but those songs dont have the same feeling anymore.

Like I said, it's great that they're all happy and healthy now. The only thing I ask is that they release those shows, especially the ones that werent taped by fans, so we can enjoy them.

What low dark place? Those songs were written on tour in hotel rooms and recorded in a mansion for vs. Eddie wasn't dark during Vitalogy, he might have had bad feeling towards the press, tried to change ticketmaster and dealing with Kurt dying, but if you think he was in a dark place after 10 was out you are crazy. He was hanging with Neil and Pete, surfing with pro surfers, orchestrating a pirate radio station. Basically having the time of his life.

I think you are overreacting how dark Eddie really was at that time. hahahahahahaha

Dru_Cortez · March 2011

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

With utmost respect-
False!
I've been a sucker for
the self-titled album for
a long time now.
Cheers.

Spiritual_Chaos · March 2011

How can you not be better after playing together for 20 years? They are all far better musicians than they were 20 years ago.

So, then. Why are a film directors best work often in the first three films he or she makes? Shouldn't he/she also master the craft and become better after 20 years?

I don't think many would disagree about their best work being in TEN, VS or VITALOGY. Even though they had not been playing together for 20 years.

My favourite album is Riot Act though (Don't feel much lovbe for S/T and Backspacer on a whole)... so what do I know. But I would argue that some songs sound tired nowadays and songs like The Fixer being in their bottom five.

Yep.

LikeAnOcean · March 2011

I feel the '03 to '06 boots are the best as far as performance goes.

The 90s boots have tons of energy, but I think Ed over did it. Back in my raging high school days I loved it, but he sounds over dramatic back then now.

And something about his '98 singing bugs the hell out of me. He sounded like he was holding his nose when he sang or something.

stateoflove79 · March 2011

LikeAnOcean wrote:

I feel the '03 to '06 boots are the best as far as performance goes.

The 90s boots have tons of energy, but I think Ed over did it. Back in my raging high school days I loved it, but he sounds over dramatic back then now.

And something about his '98 singing bugs the hell out of me. He sounded like he was holding his nose when he sang or something.

I completely agree about 03 and 06. 09 and 10 were great too, don't get me wrong...but there was just something special about 03 and 06 for me personally. I must say that the setlists in 09 and 10 were alot more diverse though. That would be a edge in my opinion.

Gary Carter · March 2011

pearl jams best years were 94-98

look at the legendary cds they made and the legendary concerts they put on during this time frame

NorthShoreBlues · March 2011

RedMosquito22 wrote:

given2fly23 wrote:

This band's peak was during 1994-1996, and it's mostly because of EV. Listen to the shows. The passion and rage with which he sings is unreal. Every show felt like he left every piece of himself out on the stage.

Most of the band's songs are written from a dark, low place. When the singer feels them, they will of course sound better. No one blames him for being happy, which is great, but those songs dont have the same feeling anymore.

Like I said, it's great that they're all happy and healthy now. The only thing I ask is that they release those shows, especially the ones that werent taped by fans, so we can enjoy them.

What low dark place? Those songs were written on tour in hotel rooms and recorded in a mansion for vs. Eddie wasn't dark during Vitalogy, he might have had bad feeling towards the press, tried to change ticketmaster and dealing with Kurt dying, but if you think he was in a dark place after 10 was out you are crazy. He was hanging with Neil and Pete, surfing with pro surfers, orchestrating a pirate radio station. Basically having the time of his life.

I think you are overreacting how dark Eddie really was at that time. hahahahahahaha

Angst. Youth. "Troubled souls unite, we got ourselves tonight!" :twisted:
I think the golden era of this band was 1993-1996; but with that said, I believe the sound of PJ was top notch '03-'06. But a strange little thing has happened, our beloved rock band has gotten old. Its only natural and sometimes, depending on your point of view, its disheartening. Rock'n'roll is a young man's game . . .

I love this band as we all do. But the band has been up and down these past few tours, :oops: pehaps from '07 on. They were so damn consistent everynight prior to '07; but it seems now peaks and valleys, its tough when your singer's pipes get rusty. Still have to admit, however, that I love Ed's voice now and how it has evolved . . .

I think Giventofly and Redmosquito2 are both right to a certain extent. Vs. was written in hotel rooms and plush recording places, but it was only the second album, Ed still had the anst, he wasn't or not yet used to being a rich rock star. Even vitology had, for example, betterman which he wrote pre-PJ . . . but all in all both views have merit; and its always fun to mythologize our band . . . which doesn't happen anymore with today's rock music
:ugeek:

TalkofCircles · March 2011

I think the golden years were certainly pre '96. Ten - No Code. However, that is only looking back on the young days, as I think you would with any band. So, I say that and take it with a grain of salt.

However, let us not forget the gems that are Yield and Binaural. There is certainly some debate with S/T and Backspacer.

S/T and Backspacer aren't really a drop in creativity, just a more direct approach to their sound. They can still whip out a deeper jam. The question is..."do they want to?"

I'm sure Stone has a bag full of All or None's and Jeff has his Nothingman/Nothing as it Seems Part II

....I hope.

pjamaholic · March 2011

stateoflove79 wrote:

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

I respectfully disagree with this statement.

So do I. They are not devolving, rather Evolving. Let the good times roll on!And whoever said they're better players now rather than in the 90s is dead right, the boys have improved over the years like a mature wine.

stateoflove79 · March 2011

pjamaholic wrote:

stateoflove79 wrote:

Blockhead wrote:

I wish the same could be said for the studio albums...
because if self titled and backspacer show anything, its that their de-evolving in the creativity department

I respectfully disagree with this statement.

So do I. They are not devolving, rather Evolving. Let the good times roll on!And whoever said they're better players now rather than in the 90s is dead right, the boys have improved over the years like a mature wine.

My point exactly.

UpSideDown · March 2011

I would say the most notable improvements on stage are A) the band's mood/happiness and

Ed's guitar playing.

Other than that, I prefer the sound of 2003 and earlier.

Alive_and_Evolving · March 2011

I kinda split the band up into the 90's sound and th 00's sound and i agreee with op that their 00 is fantastic

Spencer · March 2011

metsfan wrote:

pearl jams best years were 94-98

I'd extend that period to be 1993 to 2000.

I think they're undoubtedly a happier band since then but a better band? No way.

They're still great, don't get me wrong, but they'll never be able to match the raw intensity of those years (nor should they try).

Parksy · March 2011

I'm on the fence... but leaning to disagree with OP.

The early stuff seemed raw and full of emotion. And Mike ripped real good.

Between studio albums and live shows... the early stuff really really kicked ass.

So am I in the minority when I say....

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