Best Pearl Jam Album

[andrew]

Tremor Christ is good, not great. But dammit if anyone ever took off Last Exit and Whipping. Those two are big ass kickers that show PJ really know how to rock. And man, I WISH Satan's Bed was Santa's Bed, that sounds like the best ever sexually-charged Christmas rock song. HA!

Paul, there was a guy on the old RS boards under the alias "dobs" who thought Matt Cameron was the best drummer to fit Pearl Jam's style. Actually, he described his reasons down to a T, and he was pretty convincing. But I still think Jack Irons had this flow that couldn't be beat. It is songs like Faithfull and In My Tree that prove his status. In fact, I'd go so far as to say those two songs alone justify him being the best PJ drummer.

[kool]

Vitalogy is head and shoulders above anything else they ever did.

1. Vitalogy
2. Vs.
3. No Code
4. Yield
5. Ten
6. --
7. --
8. --
9. Binaural
10. Riot Act

Binaural and Riot Act are borderline stinkers IMHO.

[primixed]

I like Vitalogy because it made their musical ambitions clear for all to see. Moving away from the classic rock, grunge label that was their albatross, and moving towards a more punk sound with world music influences. But No Code was the fruition of the steps taken during Vitalogy, and hence is the better album.

I didn't like Binaural that much when I first heard it... then I listened to it with headphones and realized why Tchad Blake is considered the production genius that he is. It is a completely different experience with headphones, trust me. Though the lyrics are a tad forced in Binaural, it has Pearl Jam's most complex song - Insignificance. Which has great lyrics as well.

As for Matt Cameron, there's no doubt that he's brought more than the stability of being the longest running drummer in PJ. Since he's arrived, and I don't know if it's just a coicidence, the guys seem to be having a lot more fun, have shed some of their earnestness, and have also become far more democratic as far as song writing and composition is concerned.

of course, i could be wrong. but i don't think so!

[Paul]

Actually, you're spot on.

While Jack is my personal favorite drummer w/ the band, Matt has proved to be quite the work horse, solid as a rock, and w/o him I don't know if Pearl Jam would still be together. Plus he's a beast live w/ endless endurance, I don't think Dave A. or Jack could pull of the massive touring that PJ has become known for since 1998. Matt has done a terrific job and I'm glad he's w/ the band.

My initial problem w/ Matt was that I think/thought he was too good for the rest of Pearl Jam. PJ has never been a technical/well oiled machine kind of band; there has always been a little slop to them, and I like that. Matt is a true professional, and plays in such a timed manner, that I simply thought the rest of Pearl Jam just weren't good enough to keep up w/ him.

Soundgarden is the prime example of how Matt fits perfectly w/ the music. PJ has drastically adjusted their sound, and the song most notable w/ this newer sound it the one you pointed out...Insignificance. That is the song where Pearl Jam learned how to write and play w/ someone like Matt Cameron. IMO it's one of Pearl Jam's ten best songs.

A good way to listen to the different sides of PJ w/ various drummers is to buy a copy of Lost Dogs. The first song "All Night" is w/ Jack on drums, and IMO is a style that is best suited for PJ. The second song (which may be the best on the album) "Sad" is technical and you hear the vast difference between Jack and Matt. Matt is the better drummer (he may very well be the best rock drummer since Bonham and Moon), Jack is the better drummer w/ Pearl Jam.

Oh, and good analysis of Binaural, easily PJ's most underrated album.

[primixed]

Cool to read your analysis of the PJ phenomenon. Yes, Matt is technically great drummer. But he also has good feel (though maybe not the tribal beat type thing that Jack has going for him).

Just his work on Superunknown itself is worth putting him in the pantheon of the greats. I haven't heard that kind of complex drumming and percussion in years from "modern bands".

I also liked You Are from Riot Act. Very weird and new age, but it strangely fit... I think Matt used drum loops on that one. Another first for PJ because of him.

I'm feeling strangely happy to think that PJ might be naming their new album some version of superunknown. Kinda brings things full circle in some way for me.

[andrew]

I think there are a lot of reasons Pearl Jam is/should be having so much fun these days. The biggest reason is probably the fact that they don't have to prove their worth as much. IMO they have made it, they are one of "those bands" - the ones that have deservedly achieved critical and popular success through persistence and energy. As well, it now truly is an equal group of musicians, not just Eddie and the band. He has passed over a lot of creative control to other members with each member contributing songs and/or lyrics. And the comfort factor of having played and lived with these guys for so long brings a kindred friendship more important than a regular friend. And yes, I think Matt has been the Krazy Glue in the more recent years of PJ.

While this has improved the live shows, making them much more relaxed, entertaining, lively, etc., I think it has taken a toll on the recording sessions. With not having to prove themselves much anymore, the band have been a bit laid back when it comes to studio creativity. As well, although sometimes a variety of writers can make a band that much better, here I think Eddie is losing his ability to give an album its focus.