Red Mosquito

“ahhh, I liked it better before”.

Fuck yea.

I’ll just say I don’t think that they labored over the Backspacer songs until they were most efficient. They spent something like 2 weeks in the studio with BoB, banged out an album, and let BoB handle the rest. They made it sounded at the time like they were going for a Reactor kind of put it all down and walk out and see what happens but instead it feels rushed, incomplete, but still somehow forced. It sounds like a band stepping out of their shoes and in someone else’s, doing well in parts, but then ultimately less satisfying than if they followed through to complete the project.

And I will say this, it felt empty to toss 38 minutes of good enough after waiting so long between the S/T and Backspacer. I still enjoy this album when I listen to it, but these are the reasons i consider it one of their low points. I don’t buy the “it’s supposed to be half assed” excuse to this.

I think Backspacer is a totally satisfying in and out kind of listen. The songs make their points right away, they're performed well, there are moments of depth and pathos if you look for them, but you can let it wash over you if you don't feel like looking.

It's also a direct response to the elation felt at the end of the Bush administration/the start of the Obama administration and feels a bit like a time capsule in that regard.

Really the only thing that doesn't work for me is Supersonic, but I don't think it ever would have. Just not interested in those kind of songs. But everything else on the album has something to say in its way, especially when you think of Backspacer as closing out a 3 album arc that runs through Riot Act and S/T (which it does).

What Backspacer doesn't do is hit you in the ways we'd come to expect after 8 albums. It felt like a facimile of other songs and all a little less than what we'd experienced in the past. I still enjoy it and will play it from time to time, but Gigaton fully realized all of their powers in a way that feels more authentically Pearl Jam.

When I saw them in 2014 at the Pepsi Center (hello Of the Earth!) I was blown away by how they had figured out the SOUND. I don't keep up with their internal changes of crew, but we all felt the messed up nature of Mike's guitar in 2006. I spent years not being able to hear Jeff. Then in 2014, it was a whole different experience. The other thing that hit me was how great Ed's voice still was in the mid-range. I know Evans is a big reason for this records sound, but it also feels like the band has gotten better with staying in Ed's range and perfecting the sound.

I can tell you all without being bashful, each listen has me bursting from inside. I CAN'T BELIEVE this record is so good.

Just finished Jeff´s podcast with a New Angle...interesting to finally hear something about why Brendan is not a part of the album. Im not totally on board with his explanation, but i do believe the band finally got he was hurting the finally outcome of their songs. Jeff also saying Bob would have cut the final part of Retrograde kinda confirms the suspicion on how he handle Lightning Bolt. It also reminds me of Jeff kinda recording Pendulum behind his back...

Jesus im so happy Brendan is out.

liebzz wrote:I’ll just say I don’t think that they labored over the Backspacer songs until they were most efficient. They spent something like 2 weeks in the studio with BoB, banged out an album, and let BoB handle the rest. They made it sounded at the time like they were going for a Reactor kind of put it all down and walk out and see what happens but instead it feels rushed, incomplete, but still somehow forced. It sounds like a band stepping out of their shoes and in someone else’s, doing well in parts, but then ultimately less satisfying than if they followed through to complete the project.

And I will say this, it felt empty to toss 38 minutes of good enough after waiting so long between the S/T and Backspacer. I still enjoy this album when I listen to it, but these are the reasons i consider it one of their low points. I don’t buy the “it’s supposed to be half assed” excuse to this.

Oh Gawd if there was anything I could ever successfully do on this board, it would be to shatter the illusion of "2 weeks in the studio" and a "36 minute record" being proof positive of limited effort. FUCK THAT. Yes, Backspacer sounds breezy and tossed off (kind of the point), but the effort it clearly took to make it that lean of a machine is amazing. I love Gigaton, and I appreciate all 57 minutes, but I am so thankful that they have that one album in their catalogue that achieves what Backspacer does. That concise no letup go-for-the-jugular record that doesn't let go until it's over. They've got one of those, and it's Backspacer.

They went to Montana to practice those songs, they tried different dynamics, the demoed songs over 2 years, they waited until they had all of the pieces right. I remember Ed not going to Neil Finn's December hootnanny thing because he was prepping for the big studio session. They went into it prepared and ready to go, knowing every note. They went in and executed like a mofo. Amazing. They did the lion's share of their work before they got to the studio. They didn't do the Brian Wilson or Phil Spector thing and build a fuckin sand pit in the studio and bang their heads against the mixing board. But they probably slaved over the demos, got together as a group and figured out parts to pull out and simplify, really get into a team decision making mode.

All that said, were all here for Gigaton, and I'm loving how they used the studio as an instrument. And yes they clearly worked hard on this one too, but just in a different way. It's okay to like both approaches, right, right?

mm yeah.

VinylGuy wrote:Just finished Jeff´s podcast with a New Angle...interesting to finally hear something about why Brendan is not a part of the album. Im not totally on board with his explanation, but i do believe the band finally got he was hurting the finally outcome of their songs. Jeff also saying Bob would have cut the final part of Retrograde kinda confirms the suspicion on how he handle Lightning Bolt. It also reminds me of Jeff kinda recording Pendulum behind his back...

Jesus im so happy Brendan is out.

i listened to the whole thing cos i wanted to hear this part and all i got was jeff talking about skating for 2 hours. Whereabouts is this bit?

Tuolumne wrote:

liebzz wrote:I’ll just say I don’t think that they labored over the Backspacer songs until they were most efficient. They spent something like 2 weeks in the studio with BoB, banged out an album, and let BoB handle the rest. They made it sounded at the time like they were going for a Reactor kind of put it all down and walk out and see what happens but instead it feels rushed, incomplete, but still somehow forced. It sounds like a band stepping out of their shoes and in someone else’s, doing well in parts, but then ultimately less satisfying than if they followed through to complete the project.

And I will say this, it felt empty to toss 38 minutes of good enough after waiting so long between the S/T and Backspacer. I still enjoy this album when I listen to it, but these are the reasons i consider it one of their low points. I don’t buy the “it’s supposed to be half assed” excuse to this.

Oh Gawd if there was anything I could ever successfully do on this board, it would be to shatter the illusion of "2 weeks in the studio" and a "36 minute record" being proof positive of limited effort. FUCK THAT. Yes, Backspacer sounds breezy and tossed off (kind of the point), but the effort it clearly took to make it that lean of a machine is amazing. I love Gigaton, and I appreciate all 57 minutes, but I am so thankful that they have that one album in their catalogue that achieves what Backspacer does. That concise no letup go-for-the-jugular record that doesn't let go until it's over. They've got one of those, and it's Backspacer.

They went to Montana to practice those songs, they tried different dynamics, the demoed songs over 2 years, they waited until they had all of the pieces right. I remember Ed not going to Neil Finn's December hootnanny thing because he was prepping for the big studio session. They went into it prepared and ready to go, knowing every note. They went in and executed like a mofo. Amazing. They did the lion's share of their work before they got to the studio. They didn't do the Brian Wilson or Phil Spector thing and build a fuckin sand pit in the studio and bang their heads against the mixing board. But they probably slaved over the demos, got together as a group and figured out parts to pull out and simplify, really get into a team decision making mode.

All that said, were all here for Gigaton, and I'm loving how they used the studio as an instrument. And yes they clearly worked hard on this one too, but just in a different way. It's okay to like both approaches, right, right?

Agreed, well said. Basically all I want from PJ nowadays something different than before. 'Backspacer' was exactly that, it had lighter tones and songwriting and was a succes because of that. LB did not offer a whole lot difference, it was PJ by numbers. It had some good songs, but as a whole it's dissappointing. Luckily we have Gigaton now! And that definitely shows growth and something different for this band.

I like the idea that they have their own studio in the warehouse now and that they are working with inhouse guys (John Burton and Josh Evans). And the fact that they seem really happy about the endresult gives me some hope that they will record (and release) at a bit quicker pace now...Let's say...every 3 years?

why they don’t often name things after songs/lyrics, I kind of wish they called this album ‘Hope Dies Last’

stip wrote:why they don’t often name things after songs/lyrics, I kind of wish they called this album ‘Hope Dies Last’

vs. was originally 'five against one'. at least the was the working title

i assume eddie vedder names the albums after writing the lyrics based on whatever theme he sees

stip wrote:why they don’t often name things after songs/lyrics, I kind of wish they called this album ‘Hope Dies Last’

may as well call it, On The Nose.

Oh man, love Magnolia Electric Company! RIP Jason Molina

WtOB? wrote:

VinylGuy wrote:Just finished Jeff´s podcast with a New Angle...interesting to finally hear something about why Brendan is not a part of the album. Im not totally on board with his explanation, but i do believe the band finally got he was hurting the finally outcome of their songs. Jeff also saying Bob would have cut the final part of Retrograde kinda confirms the suspicion on how he handle Lightning Bolt. It also reminds me of Jeff kinda recording Pendulum behind his back...

Jesus im so happy Brendan is out.

i listened to the whole thing cos i wanted to hear this part and all i got was jeff talking about skating for 2 hours. Whereabouts is this bit?

Its on The New Angle podcast.

Enjoying this album more and more with each listen, but boy howdy does SBWM take me out of it every time.

I have the opposite effect. Since its album release, im loving every second of SBWM.

SBWM is the obvious weak link for me, made worse by its placement in the tracklist. I've started to enjoy it for what it is, but it'll never be a favorite.

It went from ¨yeah i dont think i will listen to this one¨ to ¨FUCK YEAH I WANNA DANCE¨ to me.