Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Binaural

[digster]

I feel the exact opposite of this.

Instead, I would have loved to get a second album consisting of the b-sides that didn’t make this album.

Otherwise, this album is phenomenal and might be the one album where they utilized Matt Cameron perfectly. I do think they did pull back from the full experiment, well documented on RM, but the songs are tremendous. It also generally holds that the songs on every Pearl Jam album sound better live at least during the time period where the album was released.

While sometimes true, I don't think that's ever MORE true than Binaural. Songs that are standouts live like Grievance make no impact on the album at all. If you compare the live versions of an album to the studio versions, NO album would benefit more than Binaural.

I don't think I could disagree with this more. There may not be a Pearl Jam album IMO with more songs where the live versions, as good as they are, never matched the studio versions. Off the top of my head, as much as half the record could fall under that category.

[PHATJ]

I feel the exact opposite of this.

Instead, I would have loved to get a second album consisting of the b-sides that didn’t make this album.

Otherwise, this album is phenomenal and might be the one album where they utilized Matt Cameron perfectly. I do think they did pull back from the full experiment, well documented on RM, but the songs are tremendous. It also generally holds that the songs on every Pearl Jam album sound better live at least during the time period where the album was released.

While sometimes true, I don't think that's ever MORE true than Binaural. Songs that are standouts live like Grievance make no impact on the album at all. If you compare the live versions of an album to the studio versions, NO album would benefit more than Binaural.

I don't think I could disagree with this more. There may not be a Pearl Jam album IMO with more songs where the live versions, as good as they are, never matched the studio versions. Off the top of my head, as much as half the record could fall under that category.

Team digster

[Leatherhead]

Glad to see some good opinions on Binaural after those few scary posts about it not being top tier Pearl Jam.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Just finished a listen through. The only song I wanted to skip was Evacuation. Ed's screaming just hasn't aged well for me on that song. But other than that, this is a near-perfect record. Just behind Vitalogy for me, and my love for that may be more nostalgic than anything.

[Strat]

Just finished a listen through. The only song I wanted to skip was Evacuation. Ed's screaming just hasn't aged well for me on that song. But other than that, this is a near-perfect record. Just behind Vitalogy for me, and my love for that may be more nostalgic than anything.

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

Honestly, There is no flaw on this record for me. I loved it from the beginning and its only gotten better with age. People complain about the production but its such a singular experience in their catalogue. I never once felt the hard songs were neutered. They are so atmospheric and precise at the same time. The playing is just outstanding on this record.

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

That's the problem with all of Matt's songs. They are songs for musicians. I don't think general music consumers have the ability to understand or enjoy them.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

That's the problem with all of Matt's songs. They are songs for musicians. I don't think general music consumers have the ability to understand or enjoy them.

for me it has all to do with Eddie's singing. It's fine I guess, just something I don't want to hear much. I wish more Matt songs made it to their albums

[E.H. Ruddock]

But sometimes I wish the Matt songs that do make it to albums didn't get revised by other band members

[Ms Harmless]

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

That's the problem with all of Matt's songs. They are songs for musicians. I don't think general music consumers have the ability to understand or enjoy them.

he's hardly Meshuggah or anything

[Strat]

But sometimes I wish the Matt songs that do make it to albums didn't get revised by other band members

*fixed

[E.H. Ruddock]

But sometimes I wish the Matt songs that do make it to albums didn't get revised by other band members

*fixed

Strat

[Strat]

what

[Royalearth]

sleight of hand (yawnnn!!)

I guess there’s no accounting for taste.

Lol. Sleight of Hand is the best song they’ve even written.

I tried getting into this song many times over the years. It just doesn’t do anything for me. There are some cool moments. For my taste, the lyrics are subpar and the “Heeee’s okaaay” is a bit wonky for me. I’d rather venture off into Sigur Ros if I want this atmospheric stuff. But I can see why one like it though.

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

for me it has all to do with Eddie's singing. It's fine I guess, just something I don't want to hear much. I wish more Matt songs made it to their albums

I've said this before, but it reminds me of "Omegaman" by The Police or something. Boisterous vocal soundscapes. I don't hear it as "yelling". But that's alright.

[Birds in Hell]

Just finished a listen through. The only song I wanted to skip was Evacuation. Ed's screaming just hasn't aged well for me on that song. But other than that, this is a near-perfect record. Just behind Vitalogy for me, and my love for that may be more nostalgic than anything.

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

Honestly, There is no flaw on this record for me. I loved it from the beginning and its only gotten better with age. People complain about the production but its such a singular experience in their catalogue. I never once felt the hard songs were neutered. They are so atmospheric and precise at the same time. The playing is just outstanding on this record.

I just can't deal with the released tracklisting.

I always had trouble connecting with the record until I tried the "original" tracklisting, then it just totally opened up.

I miss Gods' Dice though.

[Strat]

Just finished a listen through. The only song I wanted to skip was Evacuation. Ed's screaming just hasn't aged well for me on that song. But other than that, this is a near-perfect record. Just behind Vitalogy for me, and my love for that may be more nostalgic than anything.

Evacuation is top tier for me. Love everything about it and just a riot to play on guitar.

Honestly, There is no flaw on this record for me. I loved it from the beginning and its only gotten better with age. People complain about the production but its such a singular experience in their catalogue. I never once felt the hard songs were neutered. They are so atmospheric and precise at the same time. The playing is just outstanding on this record.

I just can't deal with the released tracklisting.

I always had trouble connecting with the record until I tried the "original" tracklisting, then it just totally opened up.

I miss Gods' Dice though.

It's so good im not even mad that Sad, Fatal, and Education aren't on it

[rick malone]

The album doesn't really suffer from it but I agree with a previous comment Eddie's voice doesn't sound as full or strong as it did on Yield.

I do like the vocal effects on Breakerfall.

[mikejasond]

I feel the exact opposite of this.

Instead, I would have loved to get a second album consisting of the b-sides that didn’t make this album.

Otherwise, this album is phenomenal and might be the one album where they utilized Matt Cameron perfectly. I do think they did pull back from the full experiment, well documented on RM, but the songs are tremendous. It also generally holds that the songs on every Pearl Jam album sound better live at least during the time period where the album was released.

While sometimes true, I don't think that's ever MORE true than Binaural. Songs that are standouts live like Grievance make no impact on the album at all. If you compare the live versions of an album to the studio versions, NO album would benefit more than Binaural.

I don't think I could disagree with this more. There may not be a Pearl Jam album IMO with more songs where the live versions, as good as they are, never matched the studio versions. Off the top of my head, as much as half the record could fall under that category.

Every rocker is much better live. Grievance, especially. But Breakerfall and Insignificance are also good examples.

Actualy even non rockers like NAIS and Light Years are better live.

Thin Air is better on the album probably

[EJ]

I feel the exact opposite of this.

Instead, I would have loved to get a second album consisting of the b-sides that didn’t make this album.

Otherwise, this album is phenomenal and might be the one album where they utilized Matt Cameron perfectly. I do think they did pull back from the full experiment, well documented on RM, but the songs are tremendous. It also generally holds that the songs on every Pearl Jam album sound better live at least during the time period where the album was released.

While sometimes true, I don't think that's ever MORE true than Binaural. Songs that are standouts live like Grievance make no impact on the album at all. If you compare the live versions of an album to the studio versions, NO album would benefit more than Binaural.

I don't think I could disagree with this more. There may not be a Pearl Jam album IMO with more songs where the live versions, as good as they are, never matched the studio versions. Off the top of my head, as much as half the record could fall under that category.

Every rocker is much better live. Grievance, especially. But Breakerfall and Insignificance are also good examples.

Actualy even non rockers like NAIS and Light Years are better live.

Thin Air is better on the album probably

I disagree about Insignificance. I think the album cut is far superior than any live performance of it. The studio version just has a bit more heft to it. And that's admitting that they've had some decent performances of it over the years. Koln 2000 is one of my favorites.

[Jorge]

Every rocker is much better live. Grievance, especially. But Breakerfall and Insignificance are also good examples.

Actualy even non rockers like NAIS and Light Years are better live.

You have ears of butt