PearlJamSongRanker.com FINAL poll #24: Tracks 12 and beyond

[Heathen]

Most seem to agree on the rest being as good as it gets. I still think that even with a negative point of view towards No Code, that most would agree that Lukin, I'm Open and Mankind are stronger than Bugs, Aya Davanita, Pry, To and Stupid Mop.

I would take that 2nd group of songs over the first in a heartbeat.

[ABNorman]

Most seem to agree on the rest being as good as it gets. I still think that even with a negative point of view towards No Code, that most would agree that Lukin, I'm Open and Mankind are stronger than Bugs, Aya Davanita, Pry, To and Stupid Mop.

I would take Mankind over Habit any day. I'd also take Bugs & Aye Davanita over I'm Open. I really enjoy Bugs.

[Anders]

I've always found Lukin to be the weakest song on No Code. At least it's short and fun.

I'm Open provides context and mood. I like it. Still it's good it not earlier in the album. I guess from a musical whole for No Code, it could have been a b-side to Who You Are.

I think the delivery on Mankind is great, and Stone singing a song was definitely a good idea. I've heard people say that the lyrics don't fit in well with the rest of the songs, but I don't see a major problem with them. Overall, the quality of the song is right up there.

Habit is a five star song, so I don't know why anyone would knock it.

Most seem to agree on the rest being as good as it gets. I still think that even with a negative point of view towards No Code, that most would agree that Lukin, I'm Open and Mankind are stronger than Bugs, Aya Davanita, Pry, To and Stupid Mop.

Most people consider, excepting perhaps bugs, those songs to be mood pieces/experimental/filler/etc and so ignore them or hold them to different standards. I hate red dot, but I don't consider it a song and would think about it in different terms than, say, mankind

I don't see why Lukin and I'm Open shouldn't be considered mood pieces as well.

Mankind is different I agree. I think it's the best track of all those mentioned. But whether you like it or not, it is certainly a full song.

[stip]

I've always found Lukin to be the weakest song on No Code. At least it's short and fun.

I'm Open provides context and mood. I like it. Still it's good it not earlier in the album. I guess from a musical whole for No Code, it could have been a b-side to Who You Are.

I think the delivery on Mankind is great, and Stone singing a song was definitely a good idea. I've heard people say that the lyrics don't fit in well with the rest of the songs, but I don't see a major problem with them. Overall, the quality of the song is right up there.

Habit is a five star song, so I don't know why anyone would knock it.

Most seem to agree on the rest being as good as it gets. I still think that even with a negative point of view towards No Code, that most would agree that Lukin, I'm Open and Mankind are stronger than Bugs, Aya Davanita, Pry, To and Stupid Mop.

Most people consider, excepting perhaps bugs, those songs to be mood pieces/experimental/filler/etc and so ignore them or hold them to different standards. I hate red dot, but I don't consider it a song and would think about it in different terms than, say, mankind

I don't see why Lukin and I'm Open shouldn't be considered mood pieces as well.

Mankind is different I agree. I think it's the best track of all those mentioned. But whether you like it or not, it is certainly a full song.

How is lukin anything other than a short punk song?

[Anders]

I would take Mankind over Habit any day.

Both are excellent songs.

[ABNorman]

I would take Mankind over Habit any day.

Both are excellent songs.

That's one opinion

[Anders]

I've always found Lukin to be the weakest song on No Code. At least it's short and fun.

I'm Open provides context and mood. I like it. Still it's good it not earlier in the album. I guess from a musical whole for No Code, it could have been a b-side to Who You Are.

I think the delivery on Mankind is great, and Stone singing a song was definitely a good idea. I've heard people say that the lyrics don't fit in well with the rest of the songs, but I don't see a major problem with them. Overall, the quality of the song is right up there.

Habit is a five star song, so I don't know why anyone would knock it.

Most seem to agree on the rest being as good as it gets. I still think that even with a negative point of view towards No Code, that most would agree that Lukin, I'm Open and Mankind are stronger than Bugs, Aya Davanita, Pry, To and Stupid Mop.

Most people consider, excepting perhaps bugs, those songs to be mood pieces/experimental/filler/etc and so ignore them or hold them to different standards. I hate red dot, but I don't consider it a song and would think about it in different terms than, say, mankind

I don't see why Lukin and I'm Open shouldn't be considered mood pieces as well.

Mankind is different I agree. I think it's the best track of all those mentioned. But whether you like it or not, it is certainly a full song.

How is lukin anything other than a short punk song?

It's just a fun minute in between other songs. Filler/mood piece for me. If it was longer, I might skip it like I do the Vitalogy tracks.

[Thurman Murman]

When I am talking about their masterpiece I am talking about which album the serious fan base widely considers their greatest work. I'm not concerned with what the world outside of PJ fans thinks is essential or important enough. That's what greatest hits albums are for.

This.

I love Around the Bend...it just struck me the last time i listened to No Code how incredible that 10 song run is up to and including Present Tense.

[Thurman Murman]

I would take Mankind over Habit any day.

Both are excellent songs.

Mankind should have been a b-side or left for Lost Dogs. I have no issue with Habit though...its not one of my favorites, but its fine where it is on the album.

[stip]

No Code has a ridiculously good 1-6, 1-9 even.

The first 10 songs of No Code is the most perfectly-sequenced run in their catalogue for me.

If No Code ended with Present Tense would it be considered Pearl Jam's masterpiece?

I'd cut Mankind and I'm Open and end it with Around the Bend. Habit makes the cut, but barely. The album needs that one hard rocker. 11 tracks. It could have been considered the masterpiece. Possibly.

not a chance. There are just not enough songs on No Code that the world outside of pearl jam fans would consider essential or important enough. It's not like people want to say 'man, no code would have been just perfect if someone had axed mankind'

I agree the album would have been better, but that's not the same thing

When I am talking about their masterpiece I am talking about which album the serious fan base widely considers their greatest work. I'm not concerned with what the world outside of PJ fans thinks is essential or important enough. That's what greatest hits albums are for.

Understood.

the fan base seems to feel that ten, vitalogy, no code, or yield is their masterpiece already, don't they?

[hlniv]

OK - No Code time.

http://www.pearljamsongranker.com/indexNC.html

The top 9 on this album are so strong. I tend to forget how much I love this album. I let myself think sometimes that I may like Yield or Binaural more, but then I stop and really think, and no, they're not really close. No Code and Vitalogy are definitely my top two albums.

Present Tense (No Code, 1996)
Hail Hail (No Code, 1996)
In My Tree (No Code, 1996)
Red Mosquito (No Code, 1996)
Who You Are (No Code, 1996)
Off He Goes (No Code, 1996)
Smile (No Code, 1996)
Sometimes (No Code, 1996)
Lukin (No Code, 1996)
Habit (No Code, 1996)
Around The Bend (No Code, 1996)
Mankind (No Code, 1996)
Im Open (No Code, 1996)

[hlniv]

Hail Hail (No Code, 1996)
Red Mosquito (No Code, 1996)
In My Tree (No Code, 1996)
Who You Are (No Code, 1996)
Present Tense (No Code, 1996)
Habit (No Code, 1996)
Smile (No Code, 1996)
Around The Bend (No Code, 1996)
Sometimes (No Code, 1996)
Lukin (No Code, 1996)
Off He Goes (No Code, 1996)
Mankind (No Code, 1996)
Im Open (No Code, 1996)


1-3 could really flip either way. I've really come around on around the bend. After Present Tense these are all lower mid-tier songs, though. And I'm Open deserves all the crap we normally throw at leash.

Sometimes?
Off He Goes?
Lukin?

Lower mid-tier songs?!?

Crazy man. Just crazy.

[hlniv]

Today's deal: rank all the Track 4's.

http://www.pearljamsongranker.com/index4.html

In My Tree (No Code, 1996)
Tremor Christ (Vitalogy, 1994)
Given To Fly (Yield, 1998)
Light Years (Binaural, 2000)
Severed Hand (Pearl Jam, 2006)
Why Go (Ten, 1991)
Cropduster (Riot Act, 2003)
Glorified G (Vs., 1993)
Sirens (Lightning Bolt, 2013)
Johnny Guitar (Backspacer, 2009)

Surprisingly, the 4's aren't as good as I would have expected. The top 4 are top notch, then it really steps down from there.

[hlniv]

This is a strong group. 1-7 are 4*+ songs.

Agreed- very strong group.

EXTREMELY strong group.

No weak songs here.

Disagree with all this

The only top level songs in this bunch are In My Tree, Given to Fly and Tremor Christ.

Light Years is close
Why Go is a weak TEN tune
Severed Hand is one of the better tracks on a weak album, but a step below.
I like cropduster, but it's square in the middle of the catalog at best.
Glorified G is probably the weakest Vs track
Sirens is a novelty, and one that i find myself skipping almost all the time
Johnny Guitar is the worst track on the worst album. By far.

[hlniv]

In My Tree (No Code, 1996)
Present Tense (No Code, 1996)
Off He Goes (No Code, 1996)
Sometimes (No Code, 1996)
Habit (No Code, 1996)
Hail Hail (No Code, 1996)
Smile (No Code, 1996)
Mankind (No Code, 1996)
Who You Are (No Code, 1996)
Red Mosquito (No Code, 1996)
Around The Bend (No Code, 1996)
Im Open (No Code, 1996)
Lukin (No Code, 1996)

Easily the best album of all time.

[hlniv]

My MP3 version of No Code on my phone lacks I'm Open and Mankind. I consider the album perfect without these, and it's not only my most played album (in number of spins), but the most enduring. To me it's their masterpiece.

Anyway, it's subjective objectivity. Or something else.

I have done the exact same thing for years.

Lukin -> Present Tense -> Around the Bend is a great closing sequence. The 11 songs that remain are about the best, most well-rounded, high quality series in their entire studio history. That 43 minutes is Pearl Jam for me.

I've had times where Vitalogy or Yield would top my favorites. I've had times where Vs. and Binaural get close. But No Code has always been there. Right at or near the top. It's their masterpiece for me as well, it's the quintessential example of the band and their evolution (past and future from that point), all wrapped up into a nice package 5 years into their career.

[MookieBlaylockMN]

I really, really dig both Mankind and Habit. I find myself listening to the two all of the time, Habit is in my Top 30 (the song just freaking rocks) and Mankind is a really fun tune to me.

Lukin to me is more a novelty song (like Bugs to a certain extent) that has taken on an extra life as a concert favorite (especially the slower and/or acoustic versions). Not to mention, the only song I've seen live that was sung by a member of the audience (St Paul MN 2003 - check it out if you can as it was pretty fun).

[MookieBlaylockMN]

Time for Yield. A very close "second favorite" album for me (behind Ten).

http://www.pearljamsongranker.com/indexYIELD.html

[hlniv]

This one is real tough. The lows on this album are still pretty strong (Pilate/Wishlist/Push,Pull), but the highs jsut aren't as high as some of their others. Great core of an album, but probably jsut a cut below Vitalogy and No Code. Preference between this one, Ten, Vs, and Binaural really just comes down to what kind of mood I'm in.

Faithfull (Yield, 1998)
Given To Fly (Yield, 1998)
In Hiding (Yield, 1998)
Brain Of J. (Yield, 1998)
Low Light (Yield, 1998)
All Those Yesterdays (Yield, 1998)
No Way (Yield, 1998)
Do The Evolution (Yield, 1998)
MFC (Yield, 1998)
Pilate (Yield, 1998)
Wishlist (Yield, 1998)
Push Me Pull Me (Yield, 1998)
Untitled (Red Dot) (Yield, 1998)

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

All Those Yesterdays (Yield, 1998)
Faithfull (Yield, 1998)
No Way (Yield, 1998)
Do The Evolution (Yield, 1998)
Given To Fly (Yield, 1998)
Brain Of J. (Yield, 1998)
In Hiding (Yield, 1998)
Low Light (Yield, 1998)
Wishlist (Yield, 1998)
Pilate (Yield, 1998)
Push Me Pull Me (Yield, 1998)
MFC (Yield, 1998)
Untitled (Red Dot) (Yield, 1998)