Round 6: Nothing as it Seems vs. Hitchhiker vs. Future Days

Post by **stip** » Sat February 13, 2016 1:40 pm

Vote for your favorite

Post by **stip** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:06 pm

I hate hitchhiker. Probably the song I dislike the most in the whole catalog.

Future Days is lovely and criminally put upon. It feels like a logical extension of Around the Bend--the same gentle space, but lacking that song's foreboding, since the darker times are clearly in the past. It's simple, and it's not a lyrical highlight by any means (a better chorus would have helped a lot--there's some nice stuff in the verses), but there is space for sappy sentimentality when you are in your 50s and you have ten albums under your belt. It feels sincere and earned and not in the least bit calculated (other than the piano parts, perhaps). It's close to a 4 star song for me.

Nothing As It Seems, like Rival, is one of the two Binaural songs that have improved over time. A master's class in atmospheric music, and stellar work by Mike. I like Future Days a lot, and I was probably it's only shot at getting a vote, but NAIS is just better.

Kevin Davis · Post by **Kevin Davis** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:16 pm

I just don't think "Future Days" is a good song on any level -- the melody feels awkward (and not in a "hmm, this song has some interesting turns" kind of way, but rather the "this doesn't feel particularly well thought-out" kind of way), the words are trite, the arrangement is sacharrine. I don't doubt the sentiment is sincere, and sometimes that's enough to carry a song like this, but it's laid on so thick that it can't -- it just weighs it down.

I love "Hitchhiker," but can't vote for it over "Nothing As It Seems." The last "a little bittersweet" in the final chorus of the studio version still gives me chills, all these years later.

Norah · Post by **Norah** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:18 pm

everything kd just said

doone · Post by **doone** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:50 pm

Turns out, I don't like any of these songs.

My vote can be bought...

chewm · Post by **chewm** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:51 pm

cutuphalfdead wrote:everything kd just said

PHATJ · Post by **PHATJ** » Sat February 13, 2016 2:53 pm

Nothing As I Seems is a wonderful song. Easy vote for me.

digster · Post by **digster** » Sat February 13, 2016 3:15 pm

Over time, Nothing as it Seems, like many Binaural songs, have become favorites of mine. That last chorus, with Ed's baritone contrasted against Mike strangling his guitar to death, is one of the most affecting moments PJ's made.

Hitchhiker is neither here nor there for me, and Future Days is probably PJ's worst moment on record, IMO. A vote for Nothing as it Seems.

darth_vedder · Post by **darth_vedder** » Sat February 13, 2016 3:16 pm

I do love Hitchhiker, but NAIS is better.

Kaius · Post by **Kaius** » Sat February 13, 2016 3:19 pm

NAIS without a moment's hesitation.

Future Days is a turd.

Post by **epilogue** » Sat February 13, 2016 3:32 pm

I'm probably one of only a handful that really loves all three of these songs. In some other matches I would vote for Future Days. In most other matches I'd vote for Hitchhiker. I fucking goddamn LOVE Hitchhiker.

But against Nothing As It Seems? No contest. This really should be a shut out with 100% of all votes going to NAIS.

EJ · Post by EJ » Sat February 13, 2016 5:22 pm

Man, I really like Hitchhiker. But, NAIS is the better song. Its debut at Bridge School '99 remains one of my all time favorite Pearl Jam memories.

Norah · Post by **Norah** » Sat February 13, 2016 5:37 pm

EJ wrote:Its debut at Bridge School '99 remains one of my all time favorite Pearl Jam memories.

same

Birds in Hell · Post by **Birds in Hell** » Sat February 13, 2016 9:14 pm

I'm going for Hitchhiker (and not just to infuriate stip).

I have to be in the right mood to sit through Nothing As It Seems, it's sometimes too ponderous and downbeat. I also feel like it's 90% of the way to what it's trying to achieve but doesn't quite make it to the other side of the hill.

I really enjoy Hitchhiker on a melodic level and the the bargain-basement Sonic Youth jam in the middle is great. It's an underappreciated gem.

BurtReynolds · Post by **BurtReynolds** » Sat February 13, 2016 9:16 pm

Birds in Hell wrote:I'm going for Hitchhiker (and not just to infuriate stip).

I have to be in the right mood to sit through Nothing As It Seems, it's sometimes too ponderous and downbeat. I also feel like it's 90% of the way to what it's trying to achieve but doesn't quite make it to the other side of the hill.

I really enjoy Hitchhiker on a melodic level and the the bargain-basement Sonic Youth jam in the middle is great. It's an underappreciated gem.

Hitchhiker fans unite!

LetMeSleep · Post by **LetMeSleep** » Sat February 13, 2016 9:20 pm

Nothing As It Seems blew me away on first listen and continues to do so. I recently realised it was my favourite Pearl Jam track. I wish Matt would experiment with cymbals and snares like he did on Binaural and Superunknown.

Post by **epilogue** » Sat February 13, 2016 9:37 pm

LetMeSleep wrote:Nothing As It Seems blew me away on first listen and continues to do so.

Post by **Bammer** » Sat February 13, 2016 11:55 pm

Cannot stand Hitchhiker.

NAIS is kind of a drag, though good to see live because Mike McCready.

I like Future Days so I voted for it.

BurtReynolds · Post by **BurtReynolds** » Sat February 13, 2016 11:59 pm

Bammer wrote:Cannot stand Hitchhiker.

NAIS is kind of a drag, though good to see live because Mike McCready.

I like Future Days so I voted for it.

tragabigzanda · Post by **tragabigzanda** » Sun February 14, 2016 12:06 am

Birds in Hell wrote:I'm going for Hitchhiker (and not just to infuriate stip).

I have to be in the right mood to sit through Nothing As It Seems, it's sometimes too ponderous and downbeat. I also feel like it's 90% of the way to what it's trying to achieve but doesn't quite make it to the other side of the hill.

I really enjoy Hitchhiker on a melodic level and the the bargain-basement Sonic Youth jam in the middle is great. It's an underappreciated gem.

Perfect description.

Red Mosquito