Riot Act: Official Album Thread

[epilogue]

Do people think All or None and Indifference basically have the same message? Or are there subtle (but important) differences between them (I'm looking at you, Joey)

Don't think for a second that I didn't see this post... I'm just working out my reply.

take your time. Ellie just woke up from her nap.

At the risk of B starting a new thread, I have to say that your daughter is adorable.

[epilogue]

Do people think All or None and Indifference basically have the same message? Or are there subtle (but important) differences between them (I'm looking at you, Joey)

Okay, I would say they do not have the same message. And I would argue the differences aren't all together subtle.

[Fuzzcharger]

I just realised that it's now Winter and I haven't even listened to this album and it's my favourite autumn/winter album of all time. Damn grown up responsibilities taking up my time.

[VinylGuy]

Can´t Keep is amazing.

One of their best songs.

[mastaflatch]

i'm listening to this one right now - it's been a long time. i'm currently at the beginning of I Am Mine and it's relieving to find out that it's not as bad as i thought. Ghost was a revelation - it's a minor song but still, the band is really solid and sounds hungry on it.

[mastaflatch]

so, TMW is still a tad too drenched in miserabilism - nothing redeeming in the music either. i just don't like it.
You Are is a failed experiment, unsuited to PJ. i'm not saying it's downright shitty though - the band made it come to life but it's not a good song.
Get Right is enjoyable that's for sure but i can't say that it's a good song. some nice moments. all in all it's better than i remembered.
still love Green Disease.
Helphelp is completely awesome. it's the kind of experimentation that fits with PJ. give me Jeff's experimental over Matt's any day.

[tommymtcom]

i'm listening to this one right now - it's been a long time. i'm currently at the beginning of I Am Mine and it's relieving to find out that it's not as bad as i thought. Ghost was a revelation - it's a minor song but still, the band is really solid and sounds hungry on it.

I always preferred Cropduster to Ghost. I think it's because of the "away away"s

[mastaflatch]

i'm listening to this one right now - it's been a long time. i'm currently at the beginning of I Am Mine and it's relieving to find out that it's not as bad as i thought. Ghost was a revelation - it's a minor song but still, the band is really solid and sounds hungry on it.

I always preferred Cropduster to Ghost. I think it's because of the "away away"s

i think that the intention is more noble on Cropduster but that the results of band effort come off at their best on Ghost.

[Grungy Sea Ice]

This was the first imperfect release in my opinion, after my personal favourite. Can't Keep, Ghost & Crop Duster are sublime, but Bush leaguer and Help Help are diabolical. Some other songs would be amazing or at least interesting B Sides but the whole vibe was a little off. All or None is phenomenal structure and guitar wise, but when would you want to hear those lyrics except on the dark night of the soul? Even then...

The packaging for what little it matters was nowhere near as cool as Vitalogy through Binaural.

Lastly, Arc is a powerful moment and the solo in Get Right is awesome.

[Norah]

Love me some Help, Help.

[Vic Cognac]

I used to hate this album, but have lately warmed to it.
Still find it mediocre compared to all the albums that came before it.

Yet it contains 2 of my current favourites.... 1/2 Full & All or None.

I also get a blast out of playing Bushleaguer on guitar - learning that song gave me a totally new appreciation for the song.

[Sgt. Crackpot]

I used to hate this album, but have lately warmed to it.
Still find it mediocre compared to all the albums that came before it.

Yet it contains 2 of my current favourites.... 1/2 Full & All or None.

I also get a blast out of playing Bushleaguer on guitar - learning that song gave me a totally new appreciation for the song.

The funny thing about Bushleaguer is that I initially hated that song, it was nothing to do with the political meaning behind it, but just because I felt it was musically terrible and unlistenable.

Then I heard it live, and I'm not sure what/if they changed anything, such as the key or something, but it sounded great. As guitarist, you may know, is there any difference when they play it live?

[knee tunes]

I used to hate this album, but have lately warmed to it.
Still find it mediocre compared to all the albums that came before it.

Yet it contains 2 of my current favourites.... 1/2 Full & All or None.

I also get a blast out of playing Bushleaguer on guitar - learning that song gave me a totally new appreciation for the song.

The funny thing about Bushleaguer is that I initially hated that song, it was nothing to do with the political meaning behind it, but just because I felt it was musically terrible and unlistenable.

Then I heard it live, and I'm not sure what/if they changed anything, such as the key or something, but it sounded great. As guitarist, you may know, is there any difference when they play it live?

Yes, this was it. When they changed the key when they played it live was the difference that made it sound great.

[griffinxi]

Just listened to this one...Pearl Jam seems best to me when I'm not expecting much from them. I wasn't following the band very closely when this album came out, and the release of it actually sort of took my be surprise.

I love the production and tone. This album is a bit bleak, which I find paradoxically refreshing. I'd long gnashed my teeth at Ed's ever-growing lyrical predilection toward feel-good lyrics and heart-on-his-sleeve affirmations of wisdom/love/brotherhood-- I don't put much stock in generalizations, and his imagery often leans pedantic. And, despite containing a song entitled "Love Boat Captain", those tendencies are refreshingly muted on this album for me. Even "I Am Mine" keeps its feet somewhat on the ground; maybe because Ed's admitting that his beloved ocean/tide can also be dismal in the proper light, and maybe we could stand some realism from time to time, as opposed to blindfolded expressions of wisdom/love/serenity. Call me a pessimist, but this feels like their most uplifting album to date. I don't need to have a gigantic chorus about the ocean dropped in my lap to metabolize a feeling.

This is a very autumnal presentation. And autumn is my favorite season for many of the same reasons-- it's no less beautiful for being fractured.

[Monkey_Driven]

It may be my personal connection with this album but it keeps slowly moving its way up my overal rankings. There really aren't too many stand out tracks but it works so well as a whole.

[darth_vedder]

Love me some Help, Help.

[darth_vedder]

i'm listening to this one right now - it's been a long time. i'm currently at the beginning of I Am Mine and it's relieving to find out that it's not as bad as i thought. Ghost was a revelation - it's a minor song but still, the band is really solid and sounds hungry on it.

I always preferred Cropduster to Ghost. I think it's because of the "away away"s

i think that the intention is more noble on Cropduster but that the results of band effort come off at their best on Ghost.

I Ghost so much. Right off the bat, Ghost, Can't Keep, and Green Disease were my favorites. After more and more listens, Help Help rose to the top stop of the album for me.

[LostDog1079]

Gave the whole album a listen for the first time in years yesterday during all the PJ hoopla. Better than I remembered, but still not that great.

Still loving me some Save You, Cropduster, I Am Mine, Green Disease and 1/2 Full.

[Birds in Hell]

In the wake of the two new (old) songs leaking, I've been inspired to work on a retracking of Riot Act that encompasses the three officially released b-sides from the sessions (Down, Undone, Other Side.)

It made me realise both that I like all of the songs from the record a whole lot more than I often realise (not that I ever thought they were bad, mind you) and how much I don't really care for the flow of the official tracklisting.

It hasn't been an easy task, I'm currently on my fourth (and hopefully final) revision. Once I've given this one a few spins I'll decide whether it's as good as I think it can be or if it needs some further alteration.

Such a great, creative session for the band; directionless in the most pleasant way.

[VinylGuy]

In the wake of the two new (old) songs leaking, I've been inspired to work on a retracking of Riot Act that encompasses the three officially released b-sides from the sessions (Down, Undone, Other Side.)

It made me realise both that I like all of the songs from the record a whole lot more than I often realise (not that I ever thought they were bad, mind you) and how much I don't really care for the flow of the official tracklisting.

It hasn't been an easy task, I'm currently on my fourth (and hopefully final) revision. Once I've given this one a few spins I'll decide whether it's as good as I think it can be or if it needs some further alteration.

Such a great, creative session for the band; directionless in the most pleasant way.

Those 3 b sides are good; Down is a nice pop song with a good little solo at the end and some good lyrics, the last line is really strong for me...Undone; while im not a fan per se, the guitars sound good and Matt is great.
Otherside...wow. Such a beautiful song...the melody, Eddie´s delivery, Jeff ( and Stone i think) bass, and those great lyrics...one of the most underrated songs from PJ.