Best drum moments in the catalog?

General Pearl Jam discussion.
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Kevin Davis
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Kevin Davis »

I don't think I realized how much ambience Jack brought to "GTF" until I'd become acclimated to Matt's versions. Jack, especially on the studio version, plays with a tentativeness in the verses that betrays the song's newness -- his rumbling cautiously through the verses and then exploding in full force during the chorus is an apt mirror to the song itself, in which a sort of nervous solitude gives way to an overwhelming sense of wonder. Jack's version is like parasailing on a beautiful day and seeing the most breathtaking sunset of your life; Matt's versions are like flying a commercial aircraft at top speed while deliberately swerving to hit avian wildlife.
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Kevin Davis
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Kevin Davis »

Jack is one of those guys I also just really enjoy hearing play a straight rock beat. "MFC" is a great example of this in PJ's catalog, but perhaps my favorite instance of this is "I'm the Ocean" -- he makes that song go for so long by doing so little, other than keep the motor running at just the right speed.

Come back, JI.
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spike
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by spike »

Kevin Davis wrote:Jack's version is like parasailing on a beautiful day and seeing the most breathtaking sunset of your life; Matt's versions are like flying a commercial aircraft at top speed while deliberately swerving to hit avian wildlife.
this sums up the problem with matt cameron in pearl jam quite nicely.
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by evenslow »

Kevin Davis wrote:Jack is one of those guys I also just really enjoy hearing play a straight rock beat. "MFC" is a great example of this in PJ's catalog, but perhaps my favorite instance of this is "I'm the Ocean" -- he makes that song go for so long by doing so little, other than keep the motor running at just the right speed.

Come back, JI.
Yes, his playing throughout Mirror Ball is perfect, especially Act of Love. Love how his snare feels a tad late and a tad heavy at all times. Dude had feel for miles.
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Birds in Hell
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Birds in Hell »

I could listen to Kevin Davis talk about Jack Irons all day.

:heartbeat:
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by parasolmonster »

Dave K:
The solo section of Alive

Dave A:
Even Flow (Greatest Hits version)
Breathe (The solo section)
W.M.A.
Blood
Nothingman
Corduroy (Nothing flashy, but it's perfect for the song)
Spin the Black Circle (my favorite on the drums)

Jack:
Off He Goes (The subtlety is perfect and makes me hate how Matt plays it live)
Who You Are
In My Tree
Habit
Mirrorball (All of it, especially Peace and Love)

Matt:
Grievance
Gonna See My Friend
Got Some (I love the fill before the second verse)
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Norah
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Norah »

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Opening fill of Brain of J. Please lock the thread now.
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VinylGuy
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by VinylGuy »

Jackie's work in Mirrorball is superb. Im The Ocean is such a perfect gem.
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spike
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by spike »

loving all the i'm the ocean love in here
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evenslow
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by evenslow »

Speaking of Jack... still gettin' it done (click through the Instagram link):
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Birds in Hell
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Birds in Hell »

Man, Jack really has such a unique feel on the drums.
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Strat
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Strat »

Kevin Davis wrote:Jack is one of those guys I also just really enjoy hearing play a straight rock beat. "MFC" is a great example of this in PJ's catalog, but perhaps my favorite instance of this is "I'm the Ocean" -- he makes that song go for so long by doing so little, other than keep the motor running at just the right speed.

Come back, JI.
im the ocean is mesmerizing
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Strat
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Strat »

The two beat kick drum hit before launching into the chorus of pre chorus/chorus of sleight of hand is one of my favorite moments.
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Jorge
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Jorge »

evenslow wrote:Speaking of Jack... still gettin' it done (click through the Instagram link):
Someone on those comments says "Whale Song" is their favorite song :shock:
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by epilogue »

Birds in Hell wrote:I could listen to Kevin Davis talk about Jack Irons all day.

:heartbeat:
I really hope Jack Irons is the subject of his next book.
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melonhead4
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by melonhead4 »

My personal faves:
Last Exit
No Way-especially coming out of the jam
Animal
Rats-especially the ending
Half Full
Army Reserve
Anything in Between-if you haven't heard it please go listen, Matt owns this song and it has my personal fav guitar solo from Mike.

Daughter-the live version from SNL is incredible. Dave kills it
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Brett
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by Brett »

I really enjoy Matt's work in "Insignificance."

I tend to like when rock drummers restrain themselves from resorting to a lot of snare and hi-hat action for significant portions of a song, so I'm especially partial to the parts where he's exclusively playing toms and other cymbals (I'm sort of drum-dumb, so I don't know if those are rides, crashes, or a mix).

I also like the progression of his playing throughout the song; adding a few snare hits before transitioning into the chorus section, returning to the tom-focus later on for the subsequent verse and bridge.
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by pappas »

this
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wease
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Re: Best drum moments in the catalog?

Post by wease »

That song hasn't been played right since 1994.
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