ITT: Mikejasond and StonyGold debate Riot Act

[dimejinky99]

Riot act does one thing that their other albums don’t do. It has a consistent mood and tone all the way through. No other pj record really does that as effectively. I associate it with winter and darkness so I can rarely listen to it. Haven’t in a long time.

[Rusted]

Riot act does one thing that their other albums don’t do. It has a consistent mood and tone all the way through. No other pj record really does that as effectively. I associate it with winter and darkness so I can rarely listen to it. Haven’t in a long time.

Totally agree, which is why I like it so much. I suspect that this is also why others have a tough time with it - it doesn't let up.

[dimejinky99]

Riot act does one thing that their other albums don’t do. It has a consistent mood and tone all the way through. No other pj record really does that as effectively. I associate it with winter and darkness so I can rarely listen to it. Haven’t in a long time.

Totally agree, which is why I like it so much. I suspect that this is also why others have a tough time with it - it doesn't let up.

I’ve always had trouble with ST cos it feels like such a forced overreaction to RA.
They kind of speak to each other those two albums. Like two opposite halves of a whole.
They share more of a relationship with each other than any other albums. For me anyways.

[Anders]

Every album is a reaction to what has come before:
Ten - let’s make some cool music, live life, live from our music
Vs. - let’s be tougher and more pure than on Ten, yet keep our sound
Vitalogy - let’s separate ourselves from the pack, make something more raw, aggressive and artistic
No Code - let’s pull back, be more like Neil, have a more esoteric and warm sound
Yield - let’s be more open and popular, that last record went too far
Binaural - let’s show that we are mature musicians, that can make really interesting records
Riot Act - let’s go back to what we know, and honor our values and those that have passed, the world is a rough and often sad place
S/T - let’s rock again, that last record went too far
Backspacer - let’s make some cool music, live life, live from our music
Lightning Bolt - let’s be tougher and more pure than on Backspacer, yet keep our sound

[dimejinky99]

I like that Anders.

[numbers]

It’s definitely better than all three that came after it.

It’s also better than six that came before it.

[StonyGold]

God, why didn't you guys just let this thread die?

All right. So this whole Riot Act topic ate away at me and eventually I relented and listened to it for the first time in many years, opened minded.

To make a long story short, you all are right. It doesn't deserve the hate I gave it. I was set in my ways from that same terrible, awful time in my life when this record debuted. So I like to think I'm big enough to admit when I was wrong, so I was wrong. Supremely flawed? Yes. Their worst album? No. I will put it right above Lightning Bolt from my original list, with LB being their weakest. I'll venture to say, after listening to it again, it's got a lot of beautiful songs. But Get Right is still shit (I'm sorry Mike. That solo felt linear and lazy but I forgive you), Bu$hleaguer should be arrested and tried for assault, and All or None is pretty but boring (Mike, you were redeemed from Get Right on this one). I still think ST and Backspacer are better.

So there. Hoisted by my own petard.

[Norah]

way to stick to your guns

[StonyGold]

way to stick to your guns

I dunno. Being their second worst album is still pretty shitty. But I’ll admit when I’m wrong.

[dimejinky99]

Wow. Has anyone ever listened to riot act and backspacer back to back??

I’d say that’s a mindfuck

[Iholdthepain]

Hey SG... You've mentioned this a few times now, so I'm curious...

Why was life so bad for you in 2003?

[rick malone]

Wow. Has anyone ever listened to riot act and backspacer back to back??

I’d say that’s a mindfuck

I'll have to try that, I've never listened to Backspacer the album in full.

A big problem with Riot Act is the middle(I Am Mine, Thumbing, You Are). It needs a more rocking track for the album to build to.

[dimejinky99]

Wow. Has anyone ever listened to riot act and backspacer back to back??

I’d say that’s a mindfuck

I'll have to try that, I've never listened to Backspacer the album in full.

A big problem with Riot Act is the middle(I Am Mine, Thumbing, You Are). It needs a more rocking track for the album to build to.

Backspacer is kick ass light on its heels fun. Enjoy it in those lights and it’ll never let you down.

[darth_vedder]

No mention of Help, Help.

Shut up

Help, Help and Can't Keep are my favorites on the album. Get Right, Ghost, and Green Disease are all good too.

[Chris_H_2]

Riot Act is certainly not the worst Pearl Jam album. It’s arguably better than all three that came after it.

and i think that this is the precise reason that some people confuse it for being a good album -- they're using the steaming piles of shit that came after it as points of reference.

[epilogue]

Riot Act is certainly not the worst Pearl Jam album. It’s arguably better than all three that came after it.

and i think that this is the precise reason that some people confuse it for being a good album -- they're using the steaming piles of shit that came after it as points of reference.

Not only is Riot Act "not the worst Pearl Jam album" it's actually their second best album.

[Chris_H_2]

1. help help
2 .cropduster
15. everything else

[Chris_H_2]

Riot Act is certainly not the worst Pearl Jam album. It’s arguably better than all three that came after it.

and i think that this is the precise reason that some people confuse it for being a good album -- they're using the steaming piles of shit that came after it as points of reference.

Not only is Riot Act "not the worst Pearl Jam album" it's actually their second best album.

you forgot to add "that they released in 2003" at the end

[epilogue]

Riot Act is certainly not the worst Pearl Jam album. It’s arguably better than all three that came after it.

and i think that this is the precise reason that some people confuse it for being a good album -- they're using the steaming piles of shit that came after it as points of reference.

Not only is Riot Act "not the worst Pearl Jam album" it's actually their second best album.

you forgot to add "that they released in 2003" at the end

[epilogue]

You Riot Act haters...