Red Mosquito

Do you see the way that tree bends? Does it inspire? Leaning out to catch the sun's rays. A lesson to be applied.

That is 10th grade poetry club right there.

He's literally telling me that the tree is offering a lesson, instead of letting me draw the connection myself.

I quoted Not For You.

You know, now that I think about it, Present Tense might be the single most overrated Pearl Jam song there is.

tragabigzanda wrote:I even went so far as to quote present tense in my high school yearbook! I used to think it was the be-all end-all of pearl jam. But as chud correctly states, the lyrics are very bad, and the music doesn’t really hit the crescendo I wanted to. And it is god awful live.

The whole thing feels like an obvious snoozer that is trying to beat me over the head with its metaphysical depth.

PT was always my least favorite song on No Code, something I don't know if I ever fully admitted here out of fear of having sticks thrown at me. It's never grabbed me, and in most instances, straight up bored me. I enjoy the ending with the mini jam and quiet outro, but that's about it.

You ever been at a show where this song is the opener? JFC talk about a buzzkill.

bodysnatcher wrote:I don't know if I ever fully admitted here out of fear of having sticks thrown at me.

Oh please, I openly admit that I don't like In My Tree. Quit being so sensitive.

E.H. Ruddock wrote:

bodysnatcher wrote:I don't know if I ever fully admitted here out of fear of having sticks thrown at me.

Oh please, I openly admit that I don't like In My Tree. Quit being so sensitive.

i specifically remember that

cutuphalfdead wrote:I quoted Not For You.

Which line?

I quoted something from the Strip Battleship sketch from The State. Not an inspired choice, in retrospect.

this Present Tense bashing has accelerated at an unexpected rate

that said this is a thread designed to criticize aspects of the album, so I should be prepared for such things

on the topic of major flaw I would propose the following:

either

1) the omission of 'Sunburn'

2) The choice to include 'Mankind', a song about people copying Pearl Jam, at a time when the world had very much moved far beyond giving 2 shits about what Pearl Jam does

3) The degree of volume jump from Sometimes to hail hail. i know it's become a signature item, but it is simply too much, i always have to turn it down. they could have jumped from a 5 to a 7 rather than a 5 to a 10

bodysnatcher wrote:i specifically remember that

Lol

Mankind reminds me of a Foo Fighters outtake.

tragabigzanda wrote:I even went so far as to quote present tense in my high school yearbook! I used to think it was the be-all end-all of pearl jam. But as chud correctly states, the lyrics are very bad, and the music doesn’t really hit the crescendo I wanted to. And it is god awful live.

The whole thing feels like an obvious snoozer that is trying to beat me over the head with its metaphysical depth.

God awful live???

I can understand having reservations about the studio version but its like....a top 5 PJ live song. It's AMAZING live

I love "Present Tense", beautiful piece of music. Don't really think about the lyrics too much, but they're not "Inside Job" level embarrassing

I even find the chorus lyrics quickly. Mostly

"You can spend your time alone, redigesting past regrets OHHHHH"
"Or you can come to terms and realize you're the only one who cannot forgive yourself OOOOOHHHHHH"

Theyre just so....on the nose and straightforward.

(I do like it makes more sense to live in the present tense, corny as it may be)

theplatypus wrote:I love "Present Tense", beautiful piece of music. Don't really think about the lyrics too much, but they're not "Inside Job" level embarrassing