Happy 22nd Birthday to No Code

lotsalemon said:

Love this record. 

In my Tree is one of my favorite PJ songs. 

HesCalledDyer said:

I remember going to the music store the day it was released. Had a friend who worked there at the time who was also a big PJ fan (I didn't know him extremely well then, but is one of my best friends now).  They were playing it in the store when I went in, I can't remember which song was playing because I didn't know them yet. I asked him how it was and I still remember exactly what he said: "It's really good. But it's not like anything they've done so far.  It's probably not gonna be for everyone, but I think that's the point. You might need to give it a few listens before it hits you."

I couldn't wait to leave the store and pop the CD in my car. Sometimes was a little puzzling musically at first, but I loved the words.  And then the blast into Hail, Hail.  I was hooked.  Who You Are was next, and I had heard it as I already had the single.  The tribal drumming on it followed by In My Tree got me in a rhythm, an almost primal feeling.  The bluesy Smile with its simplistic but heart-wrenching lyrics. Off He Goes, somber and beautiful. Blast into Habit then another bluesy tune Red Mosquito.  Lukin was a raw, powerful punch to the gut.  Present Tense was the song I was waiting to hear, absolutely loves the message of the song. Mankind - wait, Ed sounds weird. Is that Ed? No, it's Stone singing! Groovy!  The spoken-word I'm Open spoke to the lost, fragile child who stared at the ceiling at night, wondering what the world had in store. Around the Bend, good night, see you in the morning.

I only needed one listen but what my buddy said was true. It wasn't like anything they'd done so far. But it was also really good.  Reeaalllyy good! This was Pearl Jam growing from the rawness of Vitalogy, coming into their own. For those who stuck out the long run, this was an album that would be talked about and revered for decades to come. And here we all are.