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FoxyRedLa · January 2015

I read comments that some fans omit Backspacer.....why?? Is it the length of the songs? The lyrics? The music? Solos? It's been mentioned in another thread that the band now tries to write really simple songs - does this play a factor?

I also read comments about sappy love songs - The End, Sleeping By Myself, and Just Breath. What makes these particular songs any different from Oceans, Release, Long Road, and Black??? The lyrics? How are songs like Gone, Smile, Let Me Sleep, and Footsteps not sappy??

I'm not trying to cause a big wave here just curious why some songs are passed up..... First impression? Live experience? Hype?

derbydave · January 2015

FoxyRedLa wrote: »

I read comments that some fans omit Backspacer.....why?? Is it the length of the songs? The lyrics? The music? Solos? It's been mentioned in another thread that the band now tries to write really simple songs - does this play a factor?

I also read comments about sappy love songs - The End, Sleeping By Myself, and Just Breath. What makes these particular songs any different from Oceans, Release, Long Road, and Black??? The lyrics? How are songs like Gone, Smile, Let Me Sleep, and Footsteps not sappy??

I'm not trying to cause a big wave here just curious why some songs are passed up..... First impression? Live experience? Hype?

Speaking of bad songs...and causing a big wave,
I ALWAYS pass on "BIG WAVE"
Worst song in the catalog in my book!!!!

)

Empty Glass · January 2015

Backspacer is better today than it was in '09, in my opinion. I am not a fan of Just Breathe, The End, Sleeping. Has nothing to do w/ the songs themselves, I'm more of a fan of the rocking tunes.

I believe that when an album is released, it's critiqued on here and someone says they dislike a tune and it snowballs from there. Within a week, some post they dislike a tune just to "join the club".

deadendp · January 2015

Backspacer as a whole lands at the bottom of the list for me. I have it. I hardly ever listen to any portion of it. I listen to the public alternative radio station at work that we help to sponsor and if I want to hear Just Breathe, it plays on there often enough. I don't mind the song. I really don't. That is probably the only one I'm okay with on Backspacer.

For you. Hang on. I'll give it another listen and report back. Just for you, though. ;-) This way I can more accurately tell you just why I'm not a huge fan of Backspacer. (And for the record, I came up with this conclusion on my own. I wasn't on the forum until a little over a year ago.)

Poor Cult. I'll have to toss them aside for a few.

deadendp · January 2015

Okay, here is my bit on why I'm not a huge fan. I'm not a yeah, yeah, yeah fan. That knocks two songs out. The flow (from a non-musician's opinion) is a little weird to me. Ed's singing style on some of the songs seem to elongate, round and drag notes out in a HUGE way, which isn't quite my thing, either. It's just more pronounced here. For me, it is like they were humming along, going at a decent rate of speed and tromped on the brake with both feet. (Currently, Speed of Sound is playing which is SO SLOW.)

What makes Oceans different? Um, it's "a little love song I wrote about my surfboard." ;-) For the record, I love Oceans, especially the Redux version that takes the additional crap out of the song. The musical flow was different and Ed wasn't trying to stretch words.

I guess that I feel the same about Black. It's an emotional thing and not forced. It is what it is. A bit overplayed, but great nonetheless.

Release is Release. It's a tear and sway inducing thing. Sorry. Can't give you a better explanation. Long Road is very similar.

I don't pass songs up if they are "sappy." I don't mind them. Footsteps. It's a stripped down thing. Tell me that you haven't belted it out while driving? (Gotta watch that at stop lights.) Hello you sexy song you. :-D

Do I listen to all of these songs on boots when they come up to play? Yup. Live is a different thing for me. But, I will admit that I'm a VERY first impression kind of girl. Backspacer didn't wow me from the first listen and I tend to just divorce songs that don't wow from the first time I play them. (I'm trying to get out of that habit.)

My quarter's worth and all. Now to go make my kiddo some waffles.

joseph33 · January 2015

One of my all time favorite PJ songs is Amongst The Waves. When they record new material i dont think they have in mind what the public might think of the lyrics or music. If people like it,thats just a byproduct. They just simply dont make bad records! Every one is in some form or fashion different than the one before. And it will continue to be so.

Abe Froman · January 2015

I like Backspacer. It's at the bottom for me but mostly just because all the other records are so fucking good! Maybe a little do to the length of it too but I still think it's a good record. Unthought Known, Got Some, Amongst The Waves, Force Of Nature...some great songs. I don't love Speed of Sound and the Fixer but enjoy the rest quite a bit. Live I like pretty much everything BTW.

corduroykelly · January 2015

I love Backspacer! It's my favorite album since Yield.

ceska · January 2015

Backspacer was a breath of rockin' fresh air after three overly dark, depressing albums. Good tunes on all of them, for sure, but the overall mood was depressing. Tell me you didn't go "alright!" when you put the CD on for the first time and it kicked right into Gonna See My Friend. I sure did.

mfc2006 · January 2015

I think it's ok. Not my favorite by a long shot, but there are some good songs. The End is hauntingly beautiful & I really love Force of Nature.

on2legs · January 2015

Abe Froman wrote: »

I like Backspacer. It's at the bottom for me but mostly just because all the other records are so fucking good! Maybe a little do to the length of it too but I still think it's a good record. Unthought Known, Got Some, Amongst The Waves, Force Of Nature...some great songs. I don't love Speed of Sound and the Fixer but enjoy the rest quite a bit. Live I like pretty much everything BTW.

+1

PJForceofNature · January 2015

I really love Backspacer, Force of Nature being my favorite, of course!

mcgruff10 · January 2015

I also thought backspacer was there best since yield. I absolutely love Pearl jam but they lost me on binaural, riot act and self titled. Those three albums imo are their weakest to date, both studio and live.

jerparker20 · January 2015

I've never understood all the hate for Backspacer. It's a solid record.

FoxyRedLa · January 2015

derbydave wrote: »

FoxyRedLa wrote: »

I read comments that some fans omit Backspacer.....why?? Is it the length of the songs? The lyrics? The music? Solos? It's been mentioned in another thread that the band now tries to write really simple songs - does this play a factor?

I also read comments about sappy love songs - The End, Sleeping By Myself, and Just Breath. What makes these particular songs any different from Oceans, Release, Long Road, and Black??? The lyrics? How are songs like Gone, Smile, Let Me Sleep, and Footsteps not sappy??

I'm not trying to cause a big wave here just curious why some songs are passed up..... First impression? Live experience? Hype?

Speaking of bad songs...and causing a big wave,
I ALWAYS pass on "BIG WAVE"
Worst song in the catalog in my book!!!!
)

Jesus Dave! :-)) I like the creativity of a crustacean evolving into a human surfer. And I like the hook lol.

whispering hands · January 2015

I love Backspacer, it's its own thing.. True to form, they came out with a record that I needed, right when I needed it.

derbydave · January 2015

FoxyRedLa wrote: »

derbydave wrote: »

FoxyRedLa wrote: »

I read comments that some fans omit Backspacer.....why?? Is it the length of the songs? The lyrics? The music? Solos? It's been mentioned in another thread that the band now tries to write really simple songs - does this play a factor?

I also read comments about sappy love songs - The End, Sleeping By Myself, and Just Breath. What makes these particular songs any different from Oceans, Release, Long Road, and Black??? The lyrics? How are songs like Gone, Smile, Let Me Sleep, and Footsteps not sappy??

I'm not trying to cause a big wave here just curious why some songs are passed up..... First impression? Live experience? Hype?

Speaking of bad songs...and causing a big wave,
I ALWAYS pass on "BIG WAVE"
Worst song in the catalog in my book!!!!
)

Jesus Dave! :-)) I like the creativity of a crustacean evolving into a human surfer. And I like the hook lol.

Just not a good song for me...
It's the ONLY PJ song I've deleted from my iTunes library,
That way I NEVER have to hear it again!!
:-q

FoxyRedLa · January 2015

Empty Glass wrote: »

Backspacer is better today than it was in '09, in my opinion. I am not a fan of Just Breathe, The End, Sleeping. Has nothing to do w/ the songs themselves, I'm more of a fan of the rocking tunes.

I believe that when an album is released, it's critiqued on here and someone says they dislike a tune and it snowballs from there. Within a week, some post they dislike a tune just to "join the club".

Ok well that makes sense to favor the rock tunes. And I agree with the second half too. Thanks for posting.

FoxyRedLa · January 2015

deadendp wrote: »

Okay, here is my bit on why I'm not a huge fan. I'm not a yeah, yeah, yeah fan. That knocks two songs out. The flow (from a non-musician's opinion) is a little weird to me. Ed's singing style on some of the songs seem to elongate, round and drag notes out in a HUGE way, which isn't quite my thing, either. It's just more pronounced here. For me, it is like they were humming along, going at a decent rate of speed and tromped on the brake with both feet. (Currently, Speed of Sound is playing which is SO SLOW.)

What makes Oceans different? Um, it's "a little love song I wrote about my surfboard." ;-) For the record, I love Oceans, especially the Redux version that takes the additional crap out of the song. The musical flow was different and Ed wasn't trying to stretch words.

I guess that I feel the same about Black. It's an emotional thing and not forced. It is what it is. A bit overplayed, but great nonetheless.

Release is Release. It's a tear and sway inducing thing. Sorry. Can't give you a better explanation. Long Road is very similar.

I don't pass songs up if they are "sappy." I don't mind them. Footsteps. It's a stripped down thing. Tell me that you haven't belted it out while driving? (Gotta watch that at stop lights.) Hello you sexy song you. :-D

Do I listen to all of these songs on boots when they come up to play? Yup. Live is a different thing for me. But, I will admit that I'm a VERY first impression kind of girl. Backspacer didn't wow me from the first listen and I tend to just divorce songs that don't wow from the first time I play them. (I'm trying to get out of that habit.)

My quarter's worth and all. Now to go make my kiddo some waffles.

I get what you're putting down about Ed's singing voice - he appears to change it up each album which I do enjoy. Thanks for posting helps me open my mind - I do understand why some may not like Future Days vs Release (just simply picking a fan fav) - I just didn't understand the "sappy love song" comments - just in my opinion Ed's position has never changed he's always been "stripped down" and honest and sappy, even in the songs he doesn't write - Chloe/Crown.

I'm thankful you gave it another listen - just for me!

derbydave · January 2015

FoxyRedLa wrote: »

deadendp wrote: »

Okay, here is my bit on why I'm not a huge fan. I'm not a yeah, yeah, yeah fan. That knocks two songs out. The flow (from a non-musician's opinion) is a little weird to me. Ed's singing style on some of the songs seem to elongate, round and drag notes out in a HUGE way, which isn't quite my thing, either. It's just more pronounced here. For me, it is like they were humming along, going at a decent rate of speed and tromped on the brake with both feet. (Currently, Speed of Sound is playing which is SO SLOW.)

What makes Oceans different? Um, it's "a little love song I wrote about my surfboard." ;-) For the record, I love Oceans, especially the Redux version that takes the additional crap out of the song. The musical flow was different and Ed wasn't trying to stretch words.

I guess that I feel the same about Black. It's an emotional thing and not forced. It is what it is. A bit overplayed, but great nonetheless.

Release is Release. It's a tear and sway inducing thing. Sorry. Can't give you a better explanation. Long Road is very similar.

I don't pass songs up if they are "sappy." I don't mind them. Footsteps. It's a stripped down thing. Tell me that you haven't belted it out while driving? (Gotta watch that at stop lights.) Hello you sexy song you. :-D

Do I listen to all of these songs on boots when they come up to play? Yup. Live is a different thing for me. But, I will admit that I'm a VERY first impression kind of girl. Backspacer didn't wow me from the first listen and I tend to just divorce songs that don't wow from the first time I play them. (I'm trying to get out of that habit.)

My quarter's worth and all. Now to go make my kiddo some waffles.

I get what you're putting down about Ed's singing voice - he appears to change it up each album which I do enjoy. Thanks for posting helps me open my mind - I do understand why some may not like Future Days vs Release (just simply picking a fan fav) - I just didn't understand the "sappy love song" comments - just in my opinion Ed's position has never changed he's always been "stripped down" and honest and sappy, even in the songs he doesn't write - Chloe/Crown.

I'm thankful you gave it another listen - just for me!

No way in hell...
will I listen to BIG WAVE again!!!

)

23scidoo · January 2015

The less favorite lp from me..i hate the Fixer and i love Force of nature and Speed of sound..the rest are just ok..

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