Pearl Jam (self titled): Official Album Thread

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

Stuff like that "Jesus Saves" lyric pushes the song into condescending territory. And the subject matter was already trite and obvious to begin with.

Trite? Maybe. But what's condescending about a guy that has a lot of faith in Jesus and then his life gets really fucked up and his ring/faith becomes dented? Do only stupid people believe in Jesus and wear things that say Jesus Saves?

I just think it's a super lame sentiment and the imagery and storytelling style and some of the phrases he uses are extremely cheesy...the kind of thing a country singer or John Cougar Mellonhead would sing about to get their redneck fans riled up. I can see the guy in my mind, smashing his locker and acting out the lyrics as Eddie sings. It's a lame "concept" video from the 80's set to music.

[chewm]

i love Unemployable´s lyrics. Avocado got Ed telling stories of other people again after a long time, and i really love his storytelling in Unemployable, WWS and Army Reserve.

[mikejasond]

I feel like Army Reserve doesn't fit in this album. The album has a great flow and Wasted Reprise should go right into Come Back, but Army Reserve pops up out of nowhere and Im like "What is this song again?" I just don't think it flows well, and I think the album would be stronger just removing that song altogether. For some reason Im down with everything the album is doing and then this song comes and it pushes me over the edge into there's a bit too much filler here.

[Norah]

Army Reserve is one of the only decent songs on this album.

[darth_vedder]

Army Reserve is one of the only decent songs on this album.

i'd say the album is at least half good. life wasted, severed hand, marker, parachutes, unemployable, big wave, and army reserve are all pretty solid. the "brickwall hater" version is even better, and gives me a new / better appreciation for this album.

[mikejasond]

I dunno, there are 4 songs to me that kind of feel...hm...'fillery'? I guess?

Those songs are

Marker in the Sand
Unemployable
Big Wave
Army Reserve

Of those, I think Marker in the Sand is really good, it just doesnt stand out very well after the first 4 songs...Big Wave is short and harmless...that leaves Unemployable and Army Reserve. To me Army Reserve is the worse song and also comes at a strange place on the album (Seriously Wasted Reprise -> Come Back sounds really nice). Army Reserve feels shoved in there in a strange way.

I think the highlights of the album are the very strong opening 4 tracks, Gone (honestly just for that awesome chorus), and Come Back. (Edit: Oh and I LOVE parachutes)

Inside Job is meh but it doesnt feel fillery, just undercooked.

[mikejasond]

And I dont think its just the song that matters for a 'fillery' feel, album placement and structure affects it to. Obviously a song that starts or closes an album has a special significance. For me, with the structure of the album, those songs feel like they are not the meat of the album to me.

[Norah]

The only good songs on this album are Parachutes, Army Reserve, and Marker in the Sand.

[wease]

Unemployable is easily the best song on the record.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[McParadigm]

The only good songs on this album are Parachutes, Army Reserve, and Marker in the Sand.

Confirmed.

[hlniv]

The only good songs on this album are Parachutes, Army Reserve, and Marker in the Sand.

Confirmed.

Verified

[LoathedVermin72]

Comatose is better than any of those

[dimejinky99]

The Backspacer thread is just about twice as many pages long than this thread.

That tells you all you need to know about Avacadont.

[Birds in Hell]

The only songs on this record I don't like are World Wide Suicide and Come Back.

The rest are good to fantastic.

[darth_vedder]

The Backspacer thread is just about twice as many pages long than this thread.

That tells you all you need to know about Avacadont.

It tells me Backspacer is more fun to hate on, and rightfully so.

[mikejasond]

I dont know whats so great about Army Reserve...but maybe I have to read the lyrics.

World Wide Suicide I think is one of the best songs like it they've done in the catalog, and IMO so is Comatose. Comatose > Mind Your Manners

[mikejasond]

I dont know whats so great about Army Reserve...but maybe I have to read the lyrics.

World Wide Suicide I think is one of the best songs like it they've done in the catalog, and IMO so is Comatose. Comatose > Mind Your Manners

[Birds in Hell]

I think Army Reserve is wonderful and I have no idea what the lyrics are. It's just a great piece of music.

[chewm]

S/T is great.
Unemployable and Army Reserve are 2 of my all time favorites from the band.
Comatose is the only weak song.