the different producer thread

[Kevin Davis]

the vocals were for so many people the primary draw of the band, and the thing that almost singularly defined the music

Who is saying this?

You're really projecting your own means of processing PJ's music onto the public at large, Stip. PJ's best music has a wealth of qualities that attract me to it apart from Eddie's voice.

[digster]

I wouldn't argue that Ed's voice is probably the most identifiable part of the band, but that's true really for any band. Even when you have someone like the Edge, who's very overt about weaving his musical trademark into songs, most people identify U2 by Bono.

[Kevin Davis]

Most identifiable feature, yes; solitary driving factor determing one's ability to enjoy their music, no.

[digster]

Yeah, I'm entirely in agreement. I was just trying to point out that the lead singer being the most identifiable part of a band is not really something unique to PJ, and trying to say that reaction to a band's work is predicated solely on that would mean to apply that line of thinking to most rock bands.

[Kaius]

Today has been a return to form for PJ (chat).

[hlniv]

My favorite PJ moments are those when the band has let loose and Ed is side stage smoking a cancer stick.

I'm not saying I don't enjoy his voice, but it is nowhere near the top of the list of things that made me a fan.

Maybe the "public at large" feels different, and pearl jam is most certainly primarily identified by Ed and his baritone, but to say that as Es goes, so goes th band- well that's just short sighted. There are plenty more reasons why the band has put out shitty music, other than his voice.

[EJ]

I think the most flattering thing the band could do given Ed's current voice and our collective dislike for their recent "pop" sound is settle into a cycle of Neil Young-inspired records, featuring a mixture of quiet country-tinged ballads and straight-forward rock numbers. Produce every album like Riot Act, let the songs speak for themselves (without BOB embellishments), and just release different iterations of this album every several years.

I'm more in this camp than anything. I still think they have it in them to put out a Mirrorball II - which I'd love to see them attempt.

But, I don't think they have it in them anymore to make a real left hand turn in their songwriting. They just aren't prolific enough anymore to want/or be able to pull this off.

[stip]

Most identifiable feature, yes; solitary driving factor determing one's ability to enjoy their music, no.

I said primary, not solitary. And for many people, not everyone.

[Strat]

I think the most flattering thing the band could do given Ed's current voice and our collective dislike for their recent "pop" sound is settle into a cycle of Neil Young-inspired records, featuring a mixture of quiet country-tinged ballads and straight-forward rock numbers. Produce every album like Riot Act, let the songs speak for themselves (without BOB embellishments), and just release different iterations of this album every several years.

I'm more in this camp than anything. I still think they have it in them to put out a Mirrorball II - which I'd love to see them attempt.

But, I don't think they have it in them anymore to make a real left hand turn in their songwriting. They just aren't prolific enough anymore to want/or be able to pull this off.

It seems like it just can't happen the way they go about writing songs. Everyone comes in with songs written and then the band kind of plays a long. They seem to all bring in the song they are "supposed" to bring in. This is an ed song, this is a stone song, this is the jeff song etc..

Get in the room and jam. Be a band. Start shit from scratch. Pull at each other.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Kevin Davis]

Most identifiable feature, yes; solitary driving factor determing one's ability to enjoy their music, no.

I said primary, not solitary. And for many people, not everyone.

Sorry -- I think it was the "almost singularly defined the band," and the notion that criticisms of the songs are really just "dancing around" criticisms of Ed's voice, and the idea that criticisms of the songwriting and creative ambition of the band would diminish if Ed was back to sounding like his old self -- all of which struck me as pretty intensely speculative -- that gave me that impression.

Strat's idea sounds good to me until he gets to the part about them pulling at each other, which seems counterproductive and frankly a little inappropriate.

[stip]

Depends on the instrument, I would think

[Leatherhead]

Ed's voice is probably what initially brings people to Pearl Jam, and if one doesn't dig any deeper is also probably the only part of PJ's music that they care about/remember/recognize/etc.

Like most here, I too perceive a drop in quality after Riot Act, however there are certainly times (on the albums) where Ed's singing/voice is the best part of the song. I may have some problems with the melodies Ed chooses (Infallible chorus, Getaway chorus, most of Future Days, etc.), but hardly ever with how his voice actually sounds.

[darthvedder81]

I want the "jam" back in Pearl Jam. That's what made the golden age of PJ for me (94-2000). Obviously it wasn't 100% improvised there in the studio but it certainly felt that way much of the time.

[Strat]

Whoever does produce the next record needs to sit the band down and force them to watch one of their recent live shows.

Listen, ed, you ramble too much. you forget too many lyrics, you ramble too much, you placate too much, and what the hell is with the way you sing? Dont do that

Listen, the rest of you, youve written that song before, you play too goddamn fast, dont do that.

Now, lets make a record

[CopperTom]

Whoever does produce the next record needs to sit the band down and force them to watch one of their recent live shows.

Listen, ed, you ramble too much. you forget too many lyrics, you ramble too much, you placate too much, and what the hell is with the way you sing? Dont do that

Listen, the rest of you, youve written that song before, you play too goddamn fast, dont do that.

Now, lets make a record

"You're fired. Call Brendan."

[epilogue]

Whoever does produce the next record needs to sit the band down and force them to watch one of their recent live shows.

Listen, ed, you ramble too much. you forget too many lyrics, you ramble too much, you placate too much, and what the hell is with the way you sing? Dont do that

Listen, the rest of you, youve written that song before, you play too goddamn fast, dont do that.

Now, lets make a record

"You're fired. Call Brendan."

[McParadigm]

Whoever does produce the next record needs to sit the band down and force them to watch one of their recent live shows.

Listen, ed, you ramble too much. you forget too many lyrics, you ramble too much, you placate too much, and what the hell is with the way you sing? Dont do that

Listen, the rest of you, youve written that song before, you play too goddamn fast, dont do that.

Now, lets make a record

"You're fired. Call Brendan."

Excellent work. Both of you.