Lets Actually Listen to the Album: Backspacer

[Anders]

I wonder what the perception will be of Backspacer, once Pearl Jam has released a couple of more albums. Will it be seen as a career dud, or perhaps the opposite? I think people are more forgiving of a brand new album, but then it goes through a rough period unless it somehow is something unique, and finally it gets valued for what it truly is.

[BurtReynolds]

I wonder what the perception will be of Backspacer, once Pearl Jam has released a couple of more albums. Will it be seen as a career dud, or perhaps the opposite? I think people are more forgiving of a brand new album, but then it goes through a rough period unless it somehow is something unique, and finally it gets valued for what it truly is.

I bet I still won't like it.

[Anders]

How much?

[BurtReynolds]

$11.

[Anders]

Which three things do you like the most about it?

[BurtReynolds]

Which three things do you like the most about it?

1. Its short.
2. Their is no law requiring that I listen to it.
3. It hasn't killed anyone as far as I know.

[Anders]

That's the spirit.

[Heathen]

Which three things do you like the most about it?

1. Its short.
2. Their is no law requiring that I listen to it.
3. It hasn't killed anyone as far as I know.

Agree on 1 and 2 but I would like it better if it had killed someone. Preferably someone who liked it.

[Norah]

Which three things do you like the most about it?

1. Its short.
2. Their is no law requiring that I listen to it.
3. It hasn't killed anyone as far as I know.

Agree on 1 and 2 but I would like it better if it had killed someone. Preferably someone who liked it.

Listen, I think stip's opinions are absurd just like everyone else, but I don't want to see him dead!

[Anders]

How would we know if it did kill someone?

[Heathen]

How would we know if it did kill someone?

Oh we would just know. Except for B.

[Anders]

That last part goes without saying.

[dimejinky99]

I miss Backspacer.

[hlniv]

They probably still have some copies at Target if you want to re-connect with it.

[dimejinky99]

We don't have Target here. I'd probably shop there if we did. I like their logo.

[hlniv]

I wonder what the perception will be of Backspacer, once Pearl Jam has released a couple of more albums. Will it be seen as a career dud, or perhaps the opposite? I think people are more forgiving of a brand new album, but then it goes through a rough period unless it somehow is something unique, and finally it gets valued for what it truly is.

There are only a few songs that will be remembered after the next album-

Got Some
Unthought Known
Just Breathe
Speed of Sound
The End

Even these will be thought of as filler, and the rest will be forgotten for good.

Backspacer will never be appreciated more as time goes on, like Vitalogy, Binuaral, or Riot Act.

It will be their career dud, unless they continue with more duds. Lightning Bolt is better, but not all that far removed from dud-ness.

[dimejinky99]

Force of Nature will always be an all time PJ great for me.

[Anders]

Force of Nature will always be an all time PJ great for me.

For me as well. Best song on the album.

[stip]

yup.

[PryTo]

I think Backspacer will be fondly remembered. Perhaps some revisionist history there, but in the grand scheme of things, it will be written about by journalists and perceived by the non fanboys as one of their better latter-day efforts. And right or wrong, "Just Breathe" will be considered an all-time classic by the fans and the band.