Gigaton: Official album thread

[Strat]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

You’re making more sense to me. I think I get you know. Life is a lot and overwhelming at times. So trag likes his music to be minimalist these days. That’s cool

[Kevin Davis]

My favorite thing about "Quick Escape" is the Def Leppard-esque "haaad toooo" backing vocals in the chorus.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[guitar_davey]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

You’re making more sense to me. I think I get you know. Life is a lot and overwhelming at times. So trag likes his music to be minimalist these days. That’s cool

just a little space would be nice!

I get what you mean.

[Jaeti]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

Haha, this makes perfect sense, and, also, I love it.

[Jaeti]

Still probably the Pearl Jam album I will listen to the most from this point forward. I wouldn't change a thing.

Agree, I think.

Is Alright an absolute all-time top tier PJ tune? Probably not, but it works perfectly in that spot on the album.

Agree, it's perfect where it is. I also think it's now finally had time to stand on its own merits a bit, too. Right out of the gate it had the Covid context propping it up a bit, while still being perfect for that slot on the album. Then the Covid context faded some, and it was clear how it wasn't on the level of the rest of tracks 1–6. But, now, I've found myself liking it more than I ever did before. It's still a fine sentiment, no matter what's going on in the world. And I've always been on board with the music itself.

Does the record basically end with three straight closers? Yes, but again I wouldn't take any of them out.

Agree.

Oh, and I love Never Destination. Seems to be the one that a lot of folks here are ready to discard or replace, but I absolutely love it.

Do not love, but probably would not replace.

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

Endorse.

[Ms Harmless]

I think "Alright" is the song that I would soonest put alongside their greatest ballads from Riot Act and before; come to think of it, I'd say that about every ballad here: Comes Then Goes, River Cross, they're unmatched by any ballad on ST, Backspacer or Lightning Bolt

[Ms Harmless]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

You’re making more sense to me. I think I get you know. Life is a lot and overwhelming at times. So trag likes his music to be minimalist these days. That’s cool

just a little space would be nice!

I wish the word "we" had replaced the word "Trump"; it would make more sense semantically and sonically

[Leatherhead]

Trump's a dick. I'm fine with that being immortalized in the song.

[Ms Harmless]

well I'm not contesting that, but there's a better Trump reference in 7 O'Clock; not really a big deal though

[Tj]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

You’re making more sense to me. I think I get you know. Life is a lot and overwhelming at times. So trag likes his music to be minimalist these days. That’s cool

just a little space would be nice!

I wish the word "we" had replaced the word "Trump"; it would make more sense semantically and sonically

I agree 100%. I mean he plays private gigs for people who have screwed this place up beyond belief. He is giving Trump way to much credit for our perils. 7 oclock reference is ten times better. Taking the distorted vocals away. Change Trump to we and get rid of the busting rocks line. Maybe a line about people not caring there own weight.

[VinylGuy]

Quick Escape is awesome.

[evenslow]

My favorite thing about "Quick Escape" is the Def Leppard-esque "haaad toooo" backing vocals in the chorus.

i always thought this was really funny.

[evenslow]

one thing i'll say for Quick Escape is it feels right to have MC behind the kit for this one. that's not always the case.

[VinylGuy]

Matt is a beast on QE but also Jeff. They work so well together.

Man, those two have amazing moments.

[warehouse]

Also, Quick Escape is as Pearl Jam as it gets. I don't get any of the hate for it.

It's kind of a needy song. "Watch me work!" [notes notes notes words words words EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO EPIC SOLO] It's probably the most maximalist thing they've ever done. I can totally get why some people love it; I do not love it though.

So...it's *too* Pearl Jam for 2020 Pearl Jam?

It kind of reminds me of a Baz Luhrmann movie. Can I get a fuggin second to process everything you just threw at me?

You’re making more sense to me. I think I get you know. Life is a lot and overwhelming at times. So trag likes his music to be minimalist these days. That’s cool

just a little space would be nice!

I wish the word "we" had replaced the word "Trump"; it would make more sense semantically and sonically

i always assumed he would do this when they play it live.

[liebzz]

Maybe once Trump (and possibly even more so the movement that’s grown around him and remains centered on him) loses daily political significance they may change the line, but I think it stays because the name now conjures the image, automatically, or where he’s going with this.

[epilogue]

Maybe once Trump (and possibly even more so the movement that’s grown around him and remains centered on him) loses daily political significance they may change the line, but I think it stays because the name now conjures the image, automatically, or where he’s going with this.

Yeah to me the use of Trump is specific and goes beyond what a like like "we" would mean. Both appropriate to the overall themes of the song, to be sure. But I don't think that's what Ed's getting at there. He's talking about something far more specific in that line.

[liebzz]

Maybe once Trump (and possibly even more so the movement that’s grown around him and remains centered on him) loses daily political significance they may change the line, but I think it stays because the name now conjures the image, automatically, or where he’s going with this.

Yeah to me the use of Trump is specific and goes beyond what a like like "we" would mean. Both appropriate to the overall themes of the song, to be sure. But I don't think that's what Ed's getting at there. He's talking about something far more specific in that line.

As the story goes, the people flee to increasingly remote places to avoid the disastrous impact of Trump (I think both the human being and the movement), until they find the only escape is Mars - only to find that the same divisions and mistakes on earth plague them there (does this say something about the human condition indirectly?). The obvious point of reference for it, and the whole album, is global warming but the larger, if there is one, narrative I think applies.

[Monkey_Driven]

Maybe once Trump (and possibly even more so the movement that’s grown around him and remains centered on him) loses daily political significance they may change the line, but I think it stays because the name now conjures the image, automatically, or where he’s going with this.

Yeah to me the use of Trump is specific and goes beyond what a like like "we" would mean. Both appropriate to the overall themes of the song, to be sure. But I don't think that's what Ed's getting at there. He's talking about something far more specific in that line.

The use of Trump pushes the responsibility of the fucked up world onto someone else, which provides a "valid" reason to escape. It's not until the person is away do they realize they were a part of both the good and the bad parts of the human experience on Earth. Escape is the easy path. The song provides a framework for the activism and agency on the rest of the album.