No Code: Official Album Thread

[Birds in Hell]

I do not care for Jack Iron’s drumming at all. It sticks out to me, often like he is playing along to a different song

Jack's drumming is one of my most-loved things about No Code.

[Ms Harmless]

it's *definitely* about that Neil Young adherence that Ed had back then

[stip]

Lukin is way heavier (in a good way) than I remembered, but again Ed is just shrieking over it.

This album does sound really really good. BoB used to have his shit together. Where was this touch on lightning bolt?

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[RockPusher]

Lukin is way heavier (in a good way) than I remembered, but again Ed is just shrieking over it.

This album does sound really really good. BoB used to have his shit together. Where was this touch on lightning bolt?

Dude got comfortable

[RockPusher]

Implied harmony is a thing dude

I understand that, but I don’t understand how he claims to hear from this boring ass bass line

Listen to the bassline starting at 2:08- that is NOT boring! Elevated my soul from the first time I heard it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_P135_ ... u.be&t=124

[Jorge]

Implied harmony is a thing dude

I understand that, but I don’t understand how he claims to hear from this boring ass bass line

But whether a melodic line is "boring" has nothing to do with whether it implies harmony. A simple repeated "root note bass line," by its very nature, communicates enough information to imply harmony around it, certainly much more discernably than a complex melody that flies up and down and across scales. We're really drilling down on this comment but I think the point was very simple: starting the song with only a simple bassline to imply harmonic accompaniment sounds neat, and it makes it that much more satisfying when those guitars finally do kick in.

[digster]

The only part I could agree with is Ed's lyrics; there are a couple of big clunkers here. But I wouldn't say it's his overall worst album lyrically.

I'd agree in moments (Present Tense is one where parts of it might not sit too well on the page) but also would agree that this is definitely not the nadir. And the strength of the songs overwhelms any individual characteristics that may come up short. My issues with Present Tense's lyrics usually only arise when I divorce them from the song itself, never when I'm actually listening, which is a testament to everything else going on.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Jaeti]

I do not care for Jack Iron’s drumming at all. It sticks out to me, often like he is playing along to a different song

Jack's drumming is one of my most-loved things about No Code.

[digster]

I'd be interested in the songs stip is talking about, because I can't think of a single song where Jack is doing what he shouldn't be doing. I get preferring Dave A.; though they're both rock drummers, they have identifiable and clearly different styles and approaches. But Irons doesn't ever feel out of place here, to me.

I wonder if it's more a question of Jack's style; I feel his impact on the songs a bit more overtly on this one than I do on Yield, for example.

[VinylGuy]

I'd be interested in the songs stip is talking about, because I can't think of a single song where Jack is doing what he shouldn't be doing. I get preferring Dave A.; though they're both rock drummers, they have identifiable and clearly different styles and approaches. But Irons doesn't ever feel out of place here, to me.

I wonder if it's more a question of Jack's style; I feel his impact on the songs a bit more overtly on this one than I do on Yield, for example.

Dave A couldnt have played like Jack did on both No Code or Yield. Musically, this band needed Jack for this moment. Im sure Dave could have done some great music with them, but im glad we got MirrorBall, No Code and Yield.

[Anders]

It always pains me when I read what Stip writes about No Code. I also enjoyed the debate that's been here over night. So today I will listen to No Code. Let's see if it holds up as my favorite album.

[Anders]

Starting now.

[Anders]

On first listen, this was not what I was expecting. Now, the simple notes at the beginning, bring me joy. I already feel more relaxed.

The song has a lot of atmosphere and a warm sound. Still it's Ed at his very best, tender and heartfelt, that makes the song a five star song.

I wouldn't post the lyrics on my wall at home, but inside the song, they feel genuine and searching. A fantastic premise to start an album with.

[Anders]

Hail, Hail just gets better every year. A solid single at the time, now it stands as a titan of its time.

To me the song is a relationship that is either fading, or at the very least have arrived at a time when you are questioning if the relationship is the right place to be. I would have known nothing about that at the time.

But if it's Ed that drives Sometimes forward, here the band is truly excellen, from the pulsing guitars to Jack's drumming. Then when Ed comes in with "I sometimes realize i could only be as good as you'll let me", I'm sold. Top ten Pearl Jam song.

[Anders]

What a shock to the system Who You Are was as a single. The wonderful drums at the beginning, the hesitant music, leading into a soft spiritual hymn. There is a lot of Jack in this.

It's not the best song on the album, but it sounds as fresh in 2020 as it did in 1996. Timeless.

[Anders]

I can't get enough of the sonic landscape that In My Tree lives in. The band has never sounded better.

We have always got something new to learn, ever until the day we die. But hopefully we can enjoy life along the way, and not get stuck in a negative news cycle.

up here in my tree
newspapers matter not to me
no more crowbars to my head
i'm trading stories with the leaves instead

I remember when
I swore I knew everything
let's say knowledge is a tree
it's growing up just like me
i'm so light the wind he shakes
i'm so high the sky i scrape
i'm so light i hold just one breath and go back to my nest

[Anders]

Smile has simple lyrics, but they go to an emotion we all feel. Missing someone. The music is warm like PJ has never sounded before or after. The harmonica and the guitar even sound flawless together.