Let's Actually Listen to the Album: Pearl Jam

[Jorge]

Daaammmnniiiit! Wanted that so badly.

He's lying to you. It's totally possible. He's just very precious about his work.

[LetMeSleep]

Reminds me of all the times I had to explain a mixed production to my clients. They usually understood when I said that you can't take an egg out of a cake.

BTW I still listen to BMAvo and it rocks.

[philpritchard]

I listened to this the other day for the first time in a long time. The only song I actually dislike is Big Wave (more accurately, I "dislike" compared to other Pearl Jam songs... it's really not that bad), but I find the album hits a bit of a speed bump at that point that it never really recovers from. I like the last few songs enough, but it just doesn't compare to the first half of the album, which is really strong.

[WaitingForBluey]

My true test for Lightning Bolt is whether or not I'm still listening to it as much 7 years down the road as I still am with S/T

[Anders]

Is it a myth that the first half of the album is better than the second half? I feel the first half has a lot of punch, but it's not really a fun listen, nor a lyrical masterpiece. I think the album starts picking up from Marker and out, as it is followed by the excellent Parachutes and the engaging Unemployable. Big Wave feels more like a b-side that's true, but then you have the underappreciated Gone and the excellent Army Reserve. Come Back is one of the lyrical highlights of the album, while Inside Job clearly has the best guitars.

[stip]

it is not a myth

[Anders]

I think Comatose is one of the weaker songs to make a Pearl Jam album, and it follows the worst first single from an album. But we will never agree on this Stip.

[stip]

lets just go talk about books in A+E

[Anders]

Books are a good subject. I write reviews and updates on books I read on goodreads.com. But why not here as well?

[Anders]

What do people consider to be the best lyrics on S/T?

[Jorge]

Let me run into the rain
to be a human light again

[Self]

When the gas in my tank
Feels like money in the bank

[BurtReynolds]

ST might be the weakest lyrically of all their albums. Yes. It is in fact.

[Strat]

Let me run into the rain
to be a human light again

[stip]

ST might be the weakest lyrically of all their albums. Yes. It is in fact.

yeah, that's probably true

[stip]

My favorite lyric is probably:

Consider me an abcess. Leave me in my vacuum.
Blood on all the pistons. Running my transmission



I am also a big fan of:

I've seen the home inside your head,...
All locked doors and unmade beds


and

I would've fallen from the sky
Til you
Parachutes have opened now

[Mine]

Let me run into the rain
to be a human light again

[warehouse]

"like a tear in all we know"

'severed hand' might be the best song describing a trip

[hlniv]

"once dissolved, we are free to grow"



"I've been wishin' out the days"
"It's a real possibility I may meet you in my dreams"

[stip]

I like how he sings the real possibility lyric, though