Red Mosquito

I don't think Binaural's strengths lay in its tracklisting or musical flow either, it's definitely a case of some very strong songs overcoming the record's multiple shortcomings. Breakerfall is one of the weakest opening songs on a Pearl Jam record and I think Light Years, Grievance, Rival and Parting Ways all fail to hit the mark in various ways. All of that said, I'm willing to extend a pretty heavy benefit of the doubt to a record that contains songs as excellent as Evacuation, Insignificance, Gods' Dice, Of the Girl and Sleight of Hand. None of their records since can come close in regards to number (and quality) of high points.

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:Joey, what's your problem with Binaural?

The thing is all over the place. There are some GREAT tunes on that guy, but the first three songs really hurt it, for me. And people can talk about how it doesn't matter or whatever but the leftovers really are stronger than some of the included songs.

Spot on.

Birds in Hell wrote:I don't think Binaural's strengths lay in its tracklisting or musical flow either, it's definitely a case of some very strong songs overcoming the record's multiple shortcomings. Breakerfall is one of the weakest opening songs on a Pearl Jam record and I think Light Years, Grievance, Rival and Parting Ways all fail to hit the mark in various ways. All of that said, I'm willing to extend a pretty heavy benefit of the doubt to a record that contains songs as excellent as Evacuation, Insignificance, Gods' Dice, Of the Girl and Sleight of Hand. None of their records since can come close in regards to number (and quality) of high points.

my three favorite songs on this record

iceagecoming wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:Joey, what's your problem with Binaural?

The thing is all over the place. There are some GREAT tunes on that guy, but the first three songs really hurt it, for me. And people can talk about how it doesn't matter or whatever but the leftovers really are stronger than some of the included songs.

Spot on.

yup. This is the case with every PJ record for me since Vitalogy, but Binaural gets hurt by starting that way. Even Riot Act, which I think has the fewest top flight songs on a pearl jam album, at least starts with two of its best, so I'm more likely to forgive it.

Having said that though, I'd still put Binaural above Riot Act

Vitalogy
Binaural
Ten
No Code
Yield
Vs.
Riot Act
S/T
Backspacer

This was pretty hard, it'll probably be different next week lol.

Yeild and Vs are neck and neck, as are Binaural and Vitalogy. If they had swapped Breakerfall, Gods dice (though i do like those two) and Evacuation for In the moonlight, Fatal and Otherside Binaural would probably be my favourite by a margin. And the most depressing. I forgot Sad and strangest tribe, toss them on there too.

I almost never feel like listening to any particular songs off the last two albums. S/T just sounds like generic rock music that could be any band to me and the only songs from backspacer that are even still on my ipod are got some, gonna see my friend, johnny guitar and supersonic.

Vitalogy
10
VS
S/T
Binaural
Yield
Riot Act
Backspacer
No Code

1. Vitalogy - This was, is and probably will be the perfect Pearl Jam album for me.
2. No Code - Sometimes, Hail,Hail , In My Tree, Red Mosquito, Present Tense are all top tier in my book. The highs are very high , the lows are very low and that's what keeps it from #1.
3. Yield - I want to put this higher. Beyond DTE & GTF I don't think any of the other songs are stellar as much as they are very good.
4. Binaural - If I ranked based on the overall output from the time I think Binaural would jump ahead of Yield and possibly No Code. Given the tracklist as it stands it has way too many flat tires and inconsistencies.
5. Ten - From start to finish it is probably the most consistent album they have produced. Far less interesting than the albums above it on my list.
6. Self Titled - I like the aggressiveness of the album. The opening 6 is very solid. 2 things really kill it for me - Lyrics and production.
7. Backspacer - Yes it is poppy and way too short but I find it to be a great change of pace and enjoyable album. The rhythm section is on point and alot hides under the surface.
8. Vs. - The angst of this album just doesn't resonate with me nowadays.
9. Riot Act - Beautiful production and tone but i just find it to be too limp.

Birds in Hell wrote:I don't think Binaural's strengths lay in its tracklisting or musical flow either, it's definitely a case of some very strong songs overcoming the record's multiple shortcomings. Breakerfall is one of the weakest opening songs on a Pearl Jam record and I think Light Years, Grievance, Rival and Parting Ways all fail to hit the mark in various ways. All of that said, I'm willing to extend a pretty heavy benefit of the doubt to a record that contains songs as excellent as Evacuation, Insignificance, Gods' Dice, Of the Girl and Sleight of Hand. None of their records since can come close in regards to number (and quality) of high points.

Yeah, I've never cared for it that much either. I mean I like it n'all, I just don't think it's in the same league with Last Exit, Brain of J, or Sometimes.

5/5 Vs Ten Vitalogy Yield
4.5/5 Riot Act
4/5 Binaural Pearl Jam Backspacer No Code

No Code
Yield
Vitalogy
Binaural
Vs
Ten
Riot Act
Avocado
Backspacer

Yield
Binaural
Vitalogy
Vs.
No Code
Ten
Riot Act
S/T
Backspacer

Always fun. Always changing.

Vitalogy
Ten
No Code
Vs
Yield
Avocado
Backspacer
Binaural
Riot Act

Vitalogy
Binaural
Yield
No Code
Ten
Vs
Riot Act
Self Titled
Backspacer

Birds in Hell wrote:I think Light Years, Grievance, Rival and Parting Ways all fail to hit the mark in various ways.

I hate you

Birds in Hell wrote:I don't think Binaural's strengths lay in its tracklisting or musical flow either, it's definitely a case of some very strong songs overcoming the record's multiple shortcomings. Breakerfall is one of the weakest opening songs on a Pearl Jam record and I think Light Years, Grievance, Rival and Parting Ways all fail to hit the mark in various ways. All of that said, I'm willing to extend a pretty heavy benefit of the doubt to a record that contains songs as excellent as Evacuation, Insignificance, Gods' Dice, Of the Girl and Sleight of Hand. None of their records since can come close in regards to number (and quality) of high points.

Binaural is mired by its production, IMO. There isn't one song on there that doesn't sound better live. Some live versions are almost unrecognizable from the studio versions, and its an improvement. They wrote outstanding songs for this record, but between the songs they left off and the mix, its vastly inferior to what it could have been.

mkay0 wrote:There isn't one song on there that doesn't sound better live.

Sleight of Hand
Parting Ways
Of the Girl
Nothing as it Seems

theplatypus wrote:

mkay0 wrote:There isn't one song on there that doesn't sound better live.

Sleight of Hand
Parting Ways
Of the Girl
Nothing as it Seems

Disagreed on all, except maybe Sleight of Hand. It may come down to how you like to consume PJ, but those other three are all vastly better live.

Eh. Live "Of the Girl" is so limp and weak, without the richness of the studio version. And Matt's drums are such a snooze when compared to what's going on in the album.

Pearl Jam only has nine albums?

wtf

Riot Act
Avocado
Yield
Binaural
Vs.
No Code
Vitalogy
Ten
Backspacer