Red Mosquito

harmless wrote:Copied from another thread and expanded on:

My one prevailing thought about BoB and Pearl Jam's collaboration is that one is definitely not complimenting the other. That jarring disconnect between the two styles and tastes might one day create a really strange magic. It's not happened yet, but they're closer to it here than they were on Backspacer. They've done something right by not just recording run-of-the-mill Pearl Jam songs in a BoB fashion (Backspacer) but actually thinking about bringing in some pop genre expressions and features to compliment the production. In the best spots, Pearl Jam goes pop successfully here. I keep thinking of Robert Palmer in "Infallible", where electronics and gadgetry mesh with rock music quite well and it feels deliberate.

digster wrote:For all the myriad little types of experimentation they commit to, they're primarily a rock band looking to capture the feel of a room and the musicians playing in it.

digster wrote:like a rock band under glass

harmless wrote:

digster wrote:For all the myriad little types of experimentation they commit to, they're primarily a rock band looking to capture the feel of a room and the musicians playing in it.

Are they at this point, though? It sounds to me like they don't care enough, as long as it "sounds good". I would say it's RM wanting them to be "looking to capture the feel of a room...". If they themselves were looking for that, they'd find the right producer, because producers cost money. They throw a lot of money at BoB to do what he does, and while I don't like that much, they know enough about what they're hearing to say it's too synthetic, if they feel that way. The mythical "mid-period" albums sound like they do because it's what PJ wanted. Unfortunately I don't think the theory that BoB is forcing them to sound like this holds water. I used to, and I've changed my mind.

digster wrote:

harmless wrote:

digster wrote:For all the myriad little types of experimentation they commit to, they're primarily a rock band looking to capture the feel of a room and the musicians playing in it.

Are they at this point, though? It sounds to me like they don't care enough, as long as it "sounds good". I would say it's RM wanting them to be "looking to capture the feel of a room...". If they themselves were looking for that, they'd find the right producer, because producers cost money. They throw a lot of money at BoB to do what he does, and while I don't like that much, they know enough about what they're hearing to say it's too synthetic, if they feel that way. The mythical "mid-period" albums sound like they do because it's what PJ wanted. Unfortunately I don't think the theory that BoB is forcing them to sound like this holds water. I used to, and I've changed my mind.

I can't say for sure what they're intending to do, but for the most part when I hear any of their records it sounds like guitar rock with varying levels of studio wizardry. I don't think they've ever stepped outside of that live performance feel, even in studio.

benton netty wrote:All I know is, Brendan doesn't write PJ's songs for them. Garbage in, garbage out. People are far too eager to blame him for shit the band does.

Although I will say that there is too much piano and percussion on this album.