What is Each Album's Major Flaw?: Vitalogy

[Leatherhead]

Out of the "experimental" tracks I think only Stupid Mop actually harms the album (though I might make an argument that Bugs does too if I'm in the right mood) but if I had to keep only one of them it would definitely be Pry, To. It's a great lead-in to Corduroy.

I don't understand, I've loved Bugs since my first listen.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Norah]

*aughts

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Birds in Hell]

It's not as though I don't have an appreciation of unconventional, drone-based instrumental music; I just don't think Stupid Mop is particularly good.

[BurtReynolds]

Stupid Mop would make a good dumb hidden track, even though i hate hidden tracks. Thats what I consider it.

The others are fine.

[bodysnatcher]

i love Stupid Mop and think it works perfectly on the album

[Alex]

this album is flawless

[Strat]

this album is flawless

Not unlike your posting career

[Alex]

this album is flawless

Not unlike your posting career

[Austen 3:16]

I'm not one to be negatively impacted by "filler tracks," maybe it's a generational thing. I'm in my early twenties and grew up listening to a boat load of crappy rap albums with tons of filler tracks (skits, etc).
I've actually always liked the way Pry, To transitions into Corduroy, almost as if Pry, To is in fact directing you to Corduroy. I don't think Bugs was ever meant to be taken seriously in any way shape or form. Aye Davanita is cool as hell and provides a break in the action before the emotional Immortality. Stupid Mop, it is what it is. I don't think any PJ fans are putting it on their iTunes playlist, and it was never intended to be that kind of "song." Most of the time I just stop the track before it starts. But the fact that I never listen to it doesn't tarnish the overall image of the record, I don't count it as a flaw is what I'm saying. It's just kind of there.

The only thing that irks me about the record is that Satan's Bed was forced on without a real drum track (perhaps as a final "f u" to Dave A? Who knows). Satan's Bed is a great tune that, (and this would've been contrary to the band's (Ed's) seemingly ignorant stance on drumming at the time), could've been made even better with a more powerful and assertive sound from behind the kit.

Corduroy is, and always will be the ultimate Pearl Jam song. It combines their early work's propensity to make arena anthems with some punk sensibility. To me, Pearl Jam is a really good mainstream band that makes songs that are extremely sonically pleasing, full of pop sensibility, and yet rough around the edges, and more likely to go into a chunky solo than a lame hook. They're not completely artsy fartsy, they're not completely punk, and they're definitely not a pop group. They're a beautiful, aggressive fusion of all of those things. This album and specifically Corduroy completely captures that. It's fucking beautiful, that song. Other highlights for me are Last Exit and Not For You.

[LetMeSleep]

Nice post. Thanks and welcome.

[Austen 3:16]

Cheers. Long time lurker. I stumbled on the forums looking for boots

[LoathedVermin72]

lol Austen 3:16

[Austen 3:16]

Pretty clever right? I think so

[LoathedVermin72]

It's pretty good

[epilogue]

I've actually always liked the way Pry, To transitions into Corduroy, almost as if Pry, To is in fact directing you to Corduroy.

Yerp.

I always include Pry, To on mixes that include Corduroy. In my mind it's an intro that they, for some dumb reason, made a separate track.

[epilogue]

Also, solid post all 'round Austen. Welcome.

[epilogue]

It's pretty good

I don't get it. But if you like it so much, I'm dubious.

[Austen 3:16]

I've put Pry, To before Corduroy on several mixes as well! I also like to start PJ playlists with Aye Davanita or Master/Slave or Red Dot