Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Riot Act

[epilogue]

Yep. Vs. doesn't have a coherent narrative running throughout it that ties those political songs together like Riot Act does.

What coherent narrative runs through Riot Act?

[Norah]

What coherent narrative runs through any Pearl Jam album?

[Angus]

I think Riot Act is also more than just the political mood of the time. Think of the general mood the band was in after the 2000 tour. A couple of hints they might quit after going through Roskilde. They sure weren't the happiest times. And they assembled all those feelings into that album. The more I think about it, the better Riot Act becomes.

i wish ideas and flights of fancy were enough to make songs like 'can't keep' 'you are' 'get right' '1/2 full' 'all or none' 'thumbing my way' and 'bushleaguer' listenable.

You don't like All or None?

[Angus]

What coherent narrative runs through any Pearl Jam album?

Ishmael through Yield. And even then, in some songs it's pretty vague if existent at all.

[epilogue]

What coherent narrative runs through any Pearl Jam album?

Exactly my point.

[Sigerson]

I think "Bushleaguer" is the most overtly political song in their catalog but other than that, I can't think of any song on Riot Act that's any more political than the songs on Ten/Vs.

[digster]

I think it's because the political songs are different than they used to be. Other than arguably Glorified G, you don't see songs like Insignificance, Grievance, Bushleaguer, Green Disease, etc. on those earlier albums. Yeah, there are politics in songs like W.M.A., but they're really telling more of an emotional story as their subject. With those former songs, the politics are the subject. A lot of stuff on Binaural, like Sleight of Hand or Rival, are closer to the idea of what W.M.A. is doing (despite how far apart they are in sound and style), in that there is a political point to be found but it is also just telling this narrative. That's why I think they've been more political on their records post-Yield than before it.

[Norah]

I think "Bushleaguer" is the most overtly political song in their catalog but other than that, I can't think of any song on Riot Act that's any more political than the songs on Ten/Vs.

Half Full?

[washing machine]

Yep. Vs. doesn't have a coherent narrative running throughout it that ties those political songs together like Riot Act does.

What coherent narrative runs through Riot Act?

Feeling small and ineffective during a time when anxiety and fear run rampant throughout the country's political climate, then looking inward and finding some of the same scary things?

[Sigerson]

I think "Bushleaguer" is the most overtly political song in their catalog but other than that, I can't think of any song on Riot Act that's any more political than the songs on Ten/Vs.

Half Full?

Is it any more political than Glorified G or W.M.A.?

[epilogue]

I think it's because the political songs are different than they used to be. Other than arguably Glorified G, you don't see songs like Insignificance, Grievance, Bushleaguer, Green Disease, etc. on those earlier albums. Yeah, there are politics in songs like W.M.A., but they're really telling more of an emotional story as their subject. With those former songs, the politics are the subject. A lot of stuff on Binaural, like Sleight of Hand or Rival, are closer to the idea of what W.M.A. is doing (despite how far apart they are in sound and style), in that there is a political point to be found but it is also just telling this narrative. That's why I think they've been more political on their records post-Yield than before it.

Whipping is pretty overt.

[Norah]

Yep. Vs. doesn't have a coherent narrative running throughout it that ties those political songs together like Riot Act does.

What coherent narrative runs through Riot Act?

Feeling small and ineffective during a time when anxiety and fear run rampant throughout the country's political climate, then looking inward and finding some of the same scary things?

Those are themes, not a narrative.

[nah]

you know what, i'm lying. i just looked at the tracklisting for riot act and i don't see more than 3 political songs. i guess i just felt it was more political than it was and maybe because of eds looks and stuff. i think i just really dislike the music of that album. sorry for even posting.

Did I say something?

yeah, you made me realize it wasn't the politics, it was just the crappy music they put togther. i love 'undone' and its political but the music is good.

[washing machine]

Yep. Vs. doesn't have a coherent narrative running throughout it that ties those political songs together like Riot Act does.

What coherent narrative runs through Riot Act?

Feeling small and ineffective during a time when anxiety and fear run rampant throughout the country's political climate, then looking inward and finding some of the same scary things?

Those are themes, not a narrative.

Noted.

Yep. Vs. doesn't have a coherent theme running throughout it that ties those political songs together like Riot Act does.

[nah]

i wish ideas and flights of fancy were enough to make songs like 'can't keep' 'you are' 'get right' '1/2 full' 'all or none' 'thumbing my way' and 'bushleaguer' listenable.

That's your opinion. To me, Can't Keep and You Are are two of their best songs and much more listenable than anything on Ten.

i don't listen to 10 either but i like melody and 3 chord harmonies this album lacks a lot of it.

[nah]

I think Riot Act is also more than just the political mood of the time. Think of the general mood the band was in after the 2000 tour. A couple of hints they might quit after going through Roskilde. They sure weren't the happiest times. And they assembled all those feelings into that album. The more I think about it, the better Riot Act becomes.

i wish ideas and flights of fancy were enough to make songs like 'can't keep' 'you are' 'get right' '1/2 full' 'all or none' 'thumbing my way' and 'bushleaguer' listenable.

You don't like All or None?

i do not like 'all or none' but i don't play guitar and maybe people who are musicians like music for different reasons than i do.

[Farmer John]

What coherent narrative runs through any Pearl Jam album?

Exactly my point.

You guys are forgetting that S/T is a concept album about Johnny Ramone.

[digster]

I think it's because the political songs are different than they used to be. Other than arguably Glorified G, you don't see songs like Insignificance, Grievance, Bushleaguer, Green Disease, etc. on those earlier albums. Yeah, there are politics in songs like W.M.A., but they're really telling more of an emotional story as their subject. With those former songs, the politics are the subject. A lot of stuff on Binaural, like Sleight of Hand or Rival, are closer to the idea of what W.M.A. is doing (despite how far apart they are in sound and style), in that there is a political point to be found but it is also just telling this narrative. That's why I think they've been more political on their records post-Yield than before it.

Whipping is pretty overt.

Yeah, it's not without exception; I'm talking overall (I'd also say that Whipping isn't nearly as overt as something like Grievance or Evacuation, but I get the point). Also, I think when I say they're "political" albums I mean in the context of the band's career. Even their most political record (S/T), only had about six or so songs that had a definite political bent.

[Angus]

I think Riot Act is also more than just the political mood of the time. Think of the general mood the band was in after the 2000 tour. A couple of hints they might quit after going through Roskilde. They sure weren't the happiest times. And they assembled all those feelings into that album. The more I think about it, the better Riot Act becomes.

i wish ideas and flights of fancy were enough to make songs like 'can't keep' 'you are' 'get right' '1/2 full' 'all or none' 'thumbing my way' and 'bushleaguer' listenable.

You don't like All or None?

i do not like 'all or none' but i don't play guitar and maybe people who are musicians like music for different reasons than i do.

I found this post a little weird. But well, I play guitar, so I like All or None.

[nah]

I think Riot Act is also more than just the political mood of the time. Think of the general mood the band was in after the 2000 tour. A couple of hints they might quit after going through Roskilde. They sure weren't the happiest times. And they assembled all those feelings into that album. The more I think about it, the better Riot Act becomes.

i wish ideas and flights of fancy were enough to make songs like 'can't keep' 'you are' 'get right' '1/2 full' 'all or none' 'thumbing my way' and 'bushleaguer' listenable.

You don't like All or None?

i do not like 'all or none' but i don't play guitar and maybe people who are musicians like music for different reasons than i do.

I found this post a little weird. But well, I play guitar, so I like All or None.

i knew it. something about that slow strum told me you would.