Red Mosquito

there isn't a lot of nuance to S/T. That's certainly fair. It's pretty straightforward.

I will go to my grave arguing that there is more depth to backspacer than people give it credit for, although that may be more thematically than musically. Still, songs like Fixer and FoN have a lot of neat things happening in them

I could argue that in a vacuum all day about any of PJ's albums. But comparatively? Not a chance. I don't mind going along for the ride, but this album has made me realise how much I yearn for some really deeply thought-out music again, not just thematically but structurally, verbally, compositionally. We're not going to agree about what that music is or was, of course. We could maybe call a truce at Yield. They're not a million miles away from Yield, Binaural or Riot Act here, but they really could do with a producer who gives these songs some space and air.

a lot of these songs sound Yield-like to me

harmless wrote:I could argue that in a vacuum all day about any of PJ's albums. But comparatively? Not a chance. I don't mind going along for the ride, but this album has made me realise how much I yearn for some really deeply thought-out music again, not just thematically but structurally, verbally, compositionally. We're not going to agree about what that music is or was, of course. We could maybe call a truce at Yield. They're not a million miles away from Yield, Binaural or Riot Act here, but they really could do with a producer who gives these songs some space and air.

even though I'm generally happy with how the songs are produced I'm happy to concede that many of the production choices could be more interesting. But they could also suck the heart and life out of these songs (see Binaural) as easily as enhance them.

I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

harmless wrote:I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

I like the idea of the Binaural production but overall i find it inconsistent and flat.

harmless wrote:I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

Biggest complaint of S/T: Uninspiring. Stale.

chinofstone wrote:

harmless wrote:I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

Biggest complaint of S/T: Uninspiring. Stale.

chinofstone wrote:

harmless wrote:I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

Biggest complaint of S/T: Uninspiring. Stale.

Also, the cover art.

Okonkwo wrote:

chinofstone wrote:

harmless wrote:I like the Binaural production. I dislike the S/T production, though, and I would rather Pearl Jam sounded like this than like that. Apart from the loudness issue, S/T was just so flat and bland. I like the layers on LB.

Biggest complaint of S/T: Uninspiring. Stale.

Also, the cover art.

I think the art direction was fine. The problem was the songs didn't match up to it.

For whatever reason this is currently the song from the album that is stuck in my head the most. Pendulum is still my favorite, but LB is on repeat in my head.

I actually caught myself singing "YAGOTTAKNOWYOU'LLNEVERLETERGO" at work the other day. Like a burp.

There are definite issues with Ed's vocals on the first verse of this song. But I keep wanting to make the case that unlike Backspacer, it's those little performance imperfections that give this album a bit of rough where it's needed. Otherwise it's just so slick and "perfect"-sounding. Those issues kind of remind us that if PJ are going for radio-friendly, it's not completely working. There's awkwardness and imperfection.

Like a stinky post-lunch burp.

I would've stopped before the chorus, too.

harmless wrote:There are definite issues with Ed's vocals on the first verse of this song.

They're almost a bit too quivery. I wonder if there was any timing correction applied.

I really like Mikes guitar solo. No cheese, just good rock.

theplatypus wrote:

harmless wrote:There are definite issues with Ed's vocals on the first verse of this song.

They're almost a bit too quivery. I wonder if there was any timing correction applied.

It's a real possibility.

theplatypus wrote:I actually caught myself singing "YAGOTTAKNOWYOU'LLNEVERLETERGO" at work the other day. Like a burp.

I enjoy Ed's work in the first verse. The delivery is quick and somewhat anxious, so it has a nice effect when he opens up on the full-throated "she comes after theeeee."