10th album rumors and speculation

[McParadigm]

Also, Nostrand complained about hit songs bringing too many teeny bopper girls into the pit, and stip perked up quite a bit about that. If I remember correctly, he said something vaguely offensive like "Twenty or not, here I come."

it's why we both got into education!

That line plays out way creepier on my end than it does on yours.

Yeah, as a high school teacher myself, I'd edit that one. The NSA is reading this.

Where have you gone, Edward Snowden? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

[BurtReynolds]

Prediction: we'll find in about 6 months to 1 year's time that Backspacer set up the 10th album perfectly.

Put another way: imagine if they did another "middle of the road" rock record instead of the left turn (for them) of Backspacer. There would be no interesting context to place the new record in. It would probably feel like "more of the same," which equals death for a longtime rock band.

Now, this doesn't mean Backspacer is a genius record, rather it's exactly what they intended it to be - a fun palate cleanser of sorts meant to add a new color to the palette (to mix metaphors).

After the new record is out, Backspacer will be something to react off of instead of endlessly reflect upon. The former suits it better.

i like the thought, but i still hope backspacer was just totally a one off and they decide not to try it again, though that might also mean that in 5 or 6 years it is being called a lot of peoples favorite because its so much different then everything else they have done.

that's the point i was making

wishful thinking im afraid.

You seem pretty sure about that, as if you know something we don't.

no comment.

Wait, you're 'PJ' aren't you.

its sounds just like Vitalogy, if Vitalogy was by a band of fifty year old dads who shop at Target.

[Strat]

It's too late to turn back, here we go.....

[Mine]

I appreciate that they tried to do something different, i just do not enjoy the sound of it. There's just too much going on, it's a swirling sonic mess of wtf to me.

The demo is ok though.

I wouldn't be bothered if they used synths if they used them well. That's my main issue with their last 2 reocords compared to all of their previous. All of their albums from 10 to Riot Act are developed in their overall sound. They sound like whatever they had to say they made sure it came through and i don't even like all of it. Then came s/t and all they seem to have to say is - loud.
I don't think everything's done wrong on BS. The End is exactly like it should be, so is, like it or not, The Fixer and so on. That's where a good producer would have to step in if the band can't do it any more. It seems that O'Brien's input was the exact opposite. For instance he made what was the bridge of Just Breathe the chorus which doesn't make the song better it just makes it more generic.

I do think there are good songs on the last 2 albums i just don't think they are "developed" as well as their songs used to be.

I agree with what you say about Just Breathe's changes not making the song any better. But again, maybe (generic) 'pop song', something palatable, is what they wanted for that album's theme?

I don't know if that's what they wanted for the album. I'm not sure that's why they brought O'Brien on board to begin with. Eddie's songs don't usually change that much in their structure from demo to finished songs judging from the few demos and acoustic versions that are known.

I don't think that there's any prominent style on the album that would justify any change or arrangement choice. If you think about it Just Breath isn't any more palatable that way is just more generic that it needs to be.

[harmless]

I appreciate that they tried to do something different, i just do not enjoy the sound of it. There's just too much going on, it's a swirling sonic mess of wtf to me.

The demo is ok though.

I wouldn't be bothered if they used synths if they used them well. That's my main issue with their last 2 reocords compared to all of their previous. All of their albums from 10 to Riot Act are developed in their overall sound. They sound like whatever they had to say they made sure it came through and i don't even like all of it. Then came s/t and all they seem to have to say is - loud.
I don't think everything's done wrong on BS. The End is exactly like it should be, so is, like it or not, The Fixer and so on. That's where a good producer would have to step in if the band can't do it any more. It seems that O'Brien's input was the exact opposite. For instance he made what was the bridge of Just Breathe the chorus which doesn't make the song better it just makes it more generic.

I do think there are good songs on the last 2 albums i just don't think they are "developed" as well as their songs used to be.

I agree with what you say about Just Breathe's changes not making the song any better. But again, maybe (generic) 'pop song', something palatable, is what they wanted for that album's theme?

I don't know if that's what they wanted for the album. I'm not sure that's why they brought O'Brien on board to begin with. Eddie's songs don't usually change that much in their structure from demo to finished songs judging from the few demos and acoustic versions that are known.

I don't think that there's any prominent style on the album that would justify any change or arrangement choice. If you think about it Just Breath isn't any more palatable that way is just more generic that it needs to be.

Again, you seem to be unable to separate your feelings about the end result with the possible motives behind the song arrangement change. Whether or not you think it's 'more generic than it needs to be', it's pretty plausible that O'Brien suggested the song should fit a pop-song verse/ chorus/ verse/ chorus framework, given the album context. Whether or not that worked for you is irrelevant.

[Strat]

PJ rarely ever did "generic". Thats why Backspacer was somewhat refreshing for me.

[Mine]

Whether or not that worked for you is irrelevant.

I agree.
The thing is that structure isn't how all of the songs on Backspacer are composed nor is every generic pop song. I also don't think they need a producer for this kind of things.

[Strat]

Whether or not that worked for you is irrelevant.

I agree.
The thing is that structure isn't how all of the songs on Backspacer are composed nor is every generic pop song. I also don't think they need a producer for this kind of things.

i think pearl jams natural tendency is to veer to the left. to de construct a pop song and make it their own. I believe it is unnatural to them to make a song/album like backspacer. BOB is more familiar with this approach.

[harmless]

Whether or not that worked for you is irrelevant.

I agree.
The thing is that structure isn't how all of the songs on Backspacer are composed nor is every generic pop song. I also don't think they need a producer for this kind of things.

I think that Unthought Known is weaker for not being composed like that. Maybe Brendan O'Brien would've improved it. But every other song has a pretty standard structure.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Pearl Jam Ten Club Members Facebook page is blowin' up today!

i just joined, lets see how silly it is

Well?

im pretty sure im gonna leave the group now, my timeline is full of garbage

[Mine]

Whether or not that worked for you is irrelevant.

I agree.
The thing is that structure isn't how all of the songs on Backspacer are composed nor is every generic pop song. I also don't think they need a producer for this kind of things.

i think pearl jams natural tendency is to veer to the left. to de construct a pop song and make it their own. I believe it is unnatural to them to make a song/album like backspacer. BOB is more familiar with this approach.

They've done that plain structure since 10.
What bothers me with Backspacer it that it sounds rushed especially in the arrangements as if they threw away the chance of making a realy decent record that is more accessible then they tend to be.

[Blenheim Augustine]

Does anyone have concrete proof as to how B O'B has shaped PJ's songs? Aside from Better Man, his influence to keep songs concise, and his infatuation with loudness, what else? He's never shared a songwriting credit, simply a producer/mixer and maybe advisor.

There were a few examples given from the last record - Just Breathe is one where the chorus was essentially a bridge played once rather than the chorus and Brendan made it into the chorus. On ATW Mike said that after his initial solo Brendan asked him to play something that wasn't improvised i.e. to create a part rather than an improvised solo. On Yield I remember that Brendan talked to Jeff about playing sparser bass lines i.e. holding the root and playing fewer fills (GTF, Wishlist). On Vs I believe he played a major role in crafting a lot of those songs but I don't have specific examples - the arrangements on that album have not been surpassed in terms of the way the whole band fills out and leaves space in the songs.

[B]

Pearl Jam Ten Club Members Facebook page is blowin' up today!

i just joined, lets see how silly it is

Well?

im pretty sure im gonna leave the group now, my timeline is full of garbage

There's a Fan Club Members Facebook page?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Pearl Jam Ten Club Members Facebook page is blowin' up today!

i just joined, lets see how silly it is

Well?

im pretty sure im gonna leave the group now, my timeline is full of garbage

There's a Fan Club Members Facebook page?

Yeah, i wouldn't recommend it though

[dimejinky99]

I'm excited for this. It's new music. Even of it isn't to my taste, at least it'll bring new life into the set lists, and we all know that's been needed for years now. I never liked ST bit those songs were always far better live. So there's that at the very least.
I want to love it. Hope I'm not setting up for a disappointment.

[Rangi Guy]

I really liked Backspacer, so I guess I'm easy to please. I'm really looking forward to some news Pearl Jams

[bodysnatcher]

[dimejinky99]

Someone earlier described Backspacer as a pallet cleanser.

Great analogy. That's exactly what it was. We were due some sorbet after the stodge of the previous two.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

I really liked Backspacer, so I guess I'm easy to please. I'm really looking forward to some news Pearl Jams

I still like Backspacer, i just don't really want more of it, im hoping for something a good bit different then it

[dimejinky99]

I really liked Backspacer, so I guess I'm easy to please. I'm really looking forward to some news Pearl Jams

I still like Backspacer, i just don't really want more of it, im hoping for something a good bit different then it

Same here.