DaveA7: WMA vs. Whipping

Post by **stip** » Sat March 14, 2026 11:32 am

WMA vs. Whipping

Post by **stip** » Sat March 14, 2026 11:37 am

WMA felt bold to heavy handed back to bold and prescient. Whipping is about a particular feeling more than a particular cause (despite the abortion liner notes). It's non-specificity is technically a strength because it's adaptable but it also means it will never hit as hard as it could.

Having said that, I'd rather listen to whipping, so it gets my vote

Post by **96583UP** » Sat March 14, 2026 6:11 pm

doing the Dave A mm brackets making me realize how many PJ tracks from this era are heavily characterized by Dave's drumming, as opposed to guitar parts

obviously WMA is eternally unique in the PJ catalog. an experiment unlike any other. and showcasing the wide diversity of styles PJ is capable of

i think of Whipping as a raw expression forged from the energy of the live tour. muscling powering charging through that intense PJ era

i have to give the artistic creative nod to WMA

but Whipping has it's own place in the heart of that PJ era's engine room

wease · Post by **wease** » Sat March 14, 2026 7:23 pm

Whipping is the second song I ever saw them play live. (And I’m sitting in that same room right now, as it happens).

Post by **epilogue** » Sat March 14, 2026 7:39 pm

WMA is one of all time faves.

Anders · Post by **Anders** » Sun March 15, 2026 9:09 am

liebzz · Post by **liebzz** » Sun March 15, 2026 1:18 pm

Love WMA, probably more than Whipping, but Whipping is a song that I genuinely have always been enamored by since I first heard it, and it’s one of those tracks that gets lost in the shuffle of other great Pearl Jam tracks on Vitalogy.

I can feel the claustrophobia in its delivery, especially on the most recognizable line “don’t mean to push but I’m being SHOVED!!” Great f’in song folks.

Red Mosquito