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Post by melon1 on Dec 29, 2005 18:06:36 GMT -5
Strange that the album that got the highest rating of any PJ album in the new Rolling Stone Album Guide didn't get a single vote: Vitalogy
They gave it 4 & 1/2 stars. Ten got 4 and No Code got, get this, 2. Sometimes RS mag doesn't know their head from their ass, obviously. One of their live albums got 5 stars, the only PJ 5 star album.
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Post by melon1 on Dec 29, 2005 18:07:35 GMT -5
But then again, they shit on Blind Melon worse than any band I saw listed in the whole damn book.
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andrew
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Post by andrew on Dec 30, 2005 2:31:25 GMT -5
I just voted for Vitalogy. And trust me, I thought this one through a long time ago. If Ryosuke ever shows up here again, he'll back me up on this one.
The only votes that would shock me as best album are Ten and anything post Yield. Ten was good for its time, but most Pearl Jam fans view that as their amateur album (fair enough being their FIRST album and all). After Yield, Pearl Jam have hit a slump with their abilities - tunes aren't as memorable, drumming too ordinary, Eddie's shouts and screams sounding weak... it is the sign of a band getting old.
Anyway, despite the fact that hands down Jack was the best drummer Pearl Jam ever had (unfortunately he lasted only two albums and had to quit due to his chronic wrist problems) Vitalogy edges its way ahead of No Code. This was Pearl Jam the closest they got to punk music. Spin the Black Circle, Whipping, Corduroy, Not For You... this album is full of rapid guitars and biting lyrics. As well, Pearl Jam never get as weird (read: interesting) as they do on Vitalogy. Privacy To is a song meant to be played backwards to say "Oh, Pete Townshead how you saved my life". And how fucked up is Foxymophandlemama That's Me? 13 minutes of guitar noise, loops and disturbing samples - none of which would ever be considered a Pearl Jam trait. And some of PJ's best songs are on here. Beyond Not For You and Immortality, Last Exit is my favourite.
I will go a step further and name my favourite songs off Pearl Jam albums:
Ten - Oceans
VS - Small Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town
Vitalogy - Last Exit
No Code - Smile
Yield - Faithfull
Binaural - Parting Ways
Riot Act - the first song
Even though I have not listened to a Pearl Jam album in over a year, I still get excited thinking about the wonderful times I've had listening to them.
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andrew
Streetcorner Musician
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Post by andrew on Dec 30, 2005 2:36:55 GMT -5
By the way, who DARE voted for Ten?? Speak up!  |
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Dec 30, 2005 4:51:25 GMT -5
And Melon, JLLM did indeed agree with me there. Think his memory's just off a bit. Yeah, yeah, yeah... Immortality. I didn't realise I'd signed a covenant in my own blood. But I did say that, I admit. Ten - Porch (prefer the MTV Unplugged by miles though) Vs - Rearviewmirror Vitalogy - Immortality No Code - Off He Goes Yield - Evolution Binaural - Light Years Riot Act - All or None |
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primixed
Streetcorner Musician
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Post by primixed on Dec 30, 2005 5:39:50 GMT -5
. ten - alive (the best air guitar ever)
. vs - elderly woman behind a counter in a small town (one of the most haunting songs they've written)
. vitology - corduroy
. no code - in my tree (the best air drum ever...)
. yield - given to fly (best going to califonia rip-off ever. seriously though, i like every song in this album, which i can't say for the rest.)
. binaural - grievance
. riot act - green disease
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Dec 30, 2005 14:09:16 GMT -5
. ten - alive (the best air guitar ever) Spot on. Many's the time I've made a wanker of myself doing just that. You just reminded me of melon's question too - "In My Tree" is one of the 3 great No Code songs I spoke of, along with "Off He Goes" and "Smile". |
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Post by luke on Dec 31, 2005 16:09:37 GMT -5
Vitalogy, IMO, is about five or six good songs and a bunch of filler trying to be weird for the sake of being weird.
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Post by maarts on Dec 31, 2005 19:06:28 GMT -5
I voted for Ten because I simply liked it the best.
No discussion needed on why or what, I just simply do.
Hope you simply understand.
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andrew
Streetcorner Musician
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Post by andrew on Jan 2, 2006 11:11:10 GMT -5
Luke, I would be the first to admit that Bugs and Hey Foxy... was put on Vitalogy to be artsy for artsy sake. But HALF of Vitalogy? No way. Pearl Jam showed their strength as a band that didn't have to conform to verse-chorus-verse all the time, yet still maintain popular status and catchy tunes even if not using traditional structure. I would take more risky, versatile PJ any day over more mundane latter-day PJ. That said, to each his own.
Sorry maarts, I didn't want to come across as cocky with my previous post. No need to explain yourself. Part of the enjoyment of music is the fact that two people can have similar tastes in music yet have completely different favourites in music. It's these polarities that make the music out there so diverse and interesting. If everyone liked what I liked, there wouldn't be a need for discussion. And music would be pretty boring.
Has anyone heard Jack Irons' recent solo album? I heard snippets of a few songs and was somewhat impressed. His drumming is as good as ever, and he got quite a few great musicians to play on the album, but it seemed a little too focused on percussion. But then again, this is based on small samples so I don't know if it is worth investing in.
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Post by Paul on Jan 3, 2006 9:15:08 GMT -5
I heard his solo album....It's OK, and very out there to say the least. There are cool moments, but overall it's really not my bag.
I post on PJ sites sometimes, and there is some serious dislike for Jack Irons on those boards....Some even agree that the drums/percussion is the weakest part of those albums. IMO those people are completely wrong. Actually I don't know if I can take a PJ fan serious after a dumb ass comment like that. IMO it's crystal clear that Jack is the best fit w/ PJ, and his drumming adds a flow and grace PJ did not have on earlier and later releases w/o Jack.
Anyway, my order for PJ albums:
1. No Code
2. Vitalogy
3. Yield
4. Binaural
5. Vs.
6. Ten
7. Riot Act
Does anyone here have Lost Dogs? If not, that is a great album, and many of the b-sides/outtakes are better than what made the album, especially the Riot Act songs.
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Post by luke on Jan 3, 2006 10:37:54 GMT -5
IMO, this is how I would have lined up the "Vitalogy EP."
1. Spin the Black Circle
2. Not For You
3. Nothingman
4. Corduroy
5. Better Man
6. Immortality
With MAYBE some Tremor Christ. Everything else, chunk it.
Of those songs, though, Immortality is their best, and Corduroy still one of my favorites.
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Post by luke on Jan 3, 2006 10:39:20 GMT -5
My old roommate has Lost Dogs, and it's fucking excellent. Always meant to burn it off him. I agree that there's a lot on there better than what made the albums.
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Jan 3, 2006 12:56:15 GMT -5
IMO, this is how I would have lined up the "Vitalogy EP." 1. Spin the Black Circle 2. Not For You 3. Nothingman 4. Corduroy 5. Better Man 6. Immortality With MAYBE some Tremor Christ. Everything else, chunk it. Of those songs, though, Immortality is their best, and Corduroy still one of my favorites. I agree 100% with everything there, except I'd probably keep Tremor Christ, Last Exit, Whipping and Santa's Bed for B-sides/outtakes stuff. |
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Post by Paul on Jan 3, 2006 13:32:50 GMT -5
IMO, this is how I would have lined up the "Vitalogy EP." 1. Spin the Black Circle 2. Not For You 3. Nothingman 4. Corduroy 5. Better Man 6. Immortality With MAYBE some Tremor Christ. Everything else, chunk it. Of those songs, though, Immortality is their best, and Corduroy still one of my favorites. I agree 100% with everything there, except I'd probably keep Tremor Christ, Last Exit, Whipping and Santa's Bed for B-sides/outtakes stuff. I completely disagree w/ this... Last Exit, Tremor Christ, and Whipping are all awesome songs and help make Vitalogy the killer album it is. |
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