Red Mosquito

These anti-Matt posts really rub me the wrong way. He joined the band 8 years before I even knew a single PJ song, and he plays on almost all my favorite material. He's as big a part of the band as anybody else is IMO, and I love this band.

Leatherhead wrote:These anti-Matt posts really rub me the wrong way. He joined the band 8 years before I even knew a single PJ song, and he plays on almost all my favorite material. He's as big a part of the band as anybody else is IMO, and I love this band.

Yeah, I'd definitely miss Matt if he left at this point. Jack will always be my favorite drummer but I've definitely spent a lot of hours really digging recordings of Matt's time in the band, and I love his songwriting.

Chad is a good drummer and it's enjoyable hearing him play on PJ songs, but I feel like he'd be a weird fit for PJ overall.

The other drummers had approximately 3 years/2 albums in PJ. If you only count binaural/riot act + the live shows from 98 - 03 as the MC era, I think that's the best era of music overall.

From 03 - present, where everything slowly starts to become routine - that's not really MC's fault. (unless its completely his decision to play all the songs too fast, but I'm sure they would just ask him)

listening to this album, I think every punk-ish song here is less good than every similar song on Earthling (expect maybe RoJ, which has hit its ceiling for me), but every slow song is better than the slow songs on Earthling (and, forced to choose, it's the slow thoughtful songs I wish Ed would get right more); anyway, the whole picture bodes well for a new PJ album

overall I'm liking this album even more than I used to, though, and my overall feeling is very proud of Ed and the boys; now is the best time to be a fan than for a LONG time

Ms Harmless wrote:listening to this album, I think every punk-ish song here is less good than every similar song on Earthling (expect maybe RoJ, which has hit its ceiling for me), but every slow song is better than the slow songs on Earthling (and, forced to choose, it's the slow thoughtful songs I wish Ed would get right more); anyway, the whole picture bodes well for a new PJ album

overall I'm liking this album even more than I used to, though, and my overall feeling is very proud of Ed and the boys; now is the best time to be a fan than for a LONG time

Yeah, on both Gigaton and Earthling, there is a real rush of energy that begs you to buy in. I had missed that for a long time without even realizing I missed it.

It's funny- so many of us wanted a Gigaton 2, and we kinda almost maybe got it. A 12th album, if it really is in the works, is party bonus.

Gigaton average RM score: 3.99
Earthling average RM score: 3.55 (3.61 if we take out the zero vote, as Gigaton didn't have that option)

LB: 2.58
BS: 2.83

RA: 3.91

I mean, I really like Earthling but I hope a new PJ album is even better because my bar for PJ is higher (and that bar is basically "I don't have to love every song, but I don't want to have to skip any"); Gigaton met the bar, Earthling didn't... quite

Ms Harmless wrote:I mean, I really like Earthling but I hope a new PJ album is even better because my bar for PJ is higher (and that bar is basically "I don't have to love every song, but I don't want to have to skip any); Gigaton met the bar, Earthling didn't... quite

Yeah, I feel you. Earthling really, really exceeded my expectations though.

I've cooled on this a little since release. The first 6 tracks are great, and Buckle Up is a delight, but Never Destination and Take The Long Way really kill the mood for me, then the last 3 tracks are a slog to get through.

I initially thought the best way to sequence it when I'm listening was to get rid of Never Destination and end at Comes Then Goes, but CtG has fallen off a cliff for me.

I'm now thinking of replacing the 3 Vedder songs in the back half with Earthling tracks to pep up the back half.

Something like:

7. Try
8. Take the Long Way
9. Buckle Up
10. Fallout Today
11. Retrograde
12. On My Way

But right now I'd be loathe to lose Invincible, The Dark and Mrs Mills from my regular rotation, so might have to come up with a longer mix of the two albums that flows nicely.

you kept retrograde?

LOL that's what I thought

I'm not mad about it but in the context of disliking half the songs it's a bit odd

stip wrote:you kept retrograde?

This was a strictly "replace Eddie's songs" exercise. I'd toss Mrs Mills in there over Retrograde if not. I'd also get rid of TtLW.

I still love Comes then Goes.

This is still a top 3 PJ album for me. I never knew they still had an album like this in them after backspacer and lightning bolt … and can’t deny me (yikes)

God Tier

Vitalogy
Riot Act
No Code
Yield
Binaural
Vs.
Ten
Gigaton

Gah! Tier

S/T
Backspacer
Lightning Bolt (not because I don't enjoy some of the songs, but inconsistency; it's a mess of a tracklist)

i still think 'dance' is one of the best things they've ever done. its hard to even compare it to another pj song. its got this grooviness with this underlying tenseness. it feels like its gonna explode into something loud, but it never does. just those awesome layered vocals at the end.

at this point its hard for me to rank this with albums released when i was a teenager, but this is much better than the last two.

Agree about Dance 100% the rest mostly blows. Alright I have come to like.

Ms Harmless wrote:God Tier

Vitalogy
Riot Act
No Code
Yield
Binaural
Vs.
Ten
Gigaton

Gah! Tier

S/T
Backspacer
Lightning Bolt (not because I don't enjoy some of the songs, but inconsistency; it's a mess of a tracklist)

This is very similar to how I feel (minus enjoying anything about lightning bolt)

I'd probably switch up the order of Riot Act through Binaural, but those 4 are so close it hardly matters.

Tj wrote:Agree about Dance 100% the rest mostly blows. Alright I have come to like.

I admire your consistency on this take

JuanHamm wrote:

Ms Harmless wrote:God Tier

Vitalogy
Riot Act
No Code
Yield
Binaural
Vs.
Ten
Gigaton

Gah! Tier

S/T
Backspacer
Lightning Bolt (not because I don't enjoy some of the songs, but inconsistency; it's a mess of a tracklist)

This is very similar to how I feel (minus enjoying anything about lightning bolt)

I'd probably switch up the order of Riot Act through Binaural, but those 4 are so close it hardly matters.

some days I hate Lightning Bolt, other days it's fine; I feel like an abusive partner towards it

I will listen to any PJ album, front to back, any time.