Red Mosquito

i have a hard time picking a favorite or least favorite among avocado, backspacer, and lightning bolt. they collectively send a pretty clear message that the band isn't really interested in its own existence anymore.

that said, enjoy backspacer, LV! report back with your thoughts.

I think their output has quite obviously gotten progressively worse since Riot Act, and the gap between RA and Avocado is fairly wide.

The PJ I love recorded S/T, but I now have a big gripe with production in terms of mastering and song selection. After those b-sides released a few months ago, it's apparent they left off their best material in favor of Wasted Reprise and the other duds on the back half of the album. It just doesn't make any sense, and I hold it in contempt as a result.

I was ok with Backspacer when it first came out. it was a focused, punchy half hour of sentimental pop punk. the songs have not aged well in retrospect, and seem very meek compared to pretty much everything that preceded them.

Lightning Bolt is Backspacer 2.0. I like some of the ideas, but I think it's even more poorly executed as a collection of songs than the prior two albums.

It's hard to believe this is the same group that birthed No Code, Yield, and Binaural, but I suppose that was a long time ago.

Alex wrote:i have a hard time picking a favorite or least favorite among avocado, backspacer, and lightning bolt. they collectively send a pretty clear message that the band isn't really interested in its own existence anymore.

that said, enjoy backspacer, LV! report back with your thoughts.

I remember back in like '95-'00 a shitton of fans (like millions and millions) said the same thing about Vitalogy and No Code. Like, exactly the same thing.

"Shitton" looks weird without some sort of hyphenation to signify the compounding of the two words. What you've typed sounds kind of like Chinese food.

I'm listening to Backspacer. Initial reactions:

"Gonna See My Friend" - Damn, really good opener. Rocks hard, Eddie sounds great. Tons of energy.

"Got Some" - Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have put off listening to this for so long. This is leagues better than LB.

"The Fixer" - I'd already heard this, and I've always really dug it. Solid song.

"Johnny Guitar" - Yeah, I like this album.

"Just Breathe" - Oh no. Oh NO. What the fuck is this? Holy hell. Eddie, why? Oh my god, what have I done?

"Amongst the Waves" - Oh no, oh no...

lol

This is making me uncomfortable

So,

Tracks 1-4: Yeah, all right, cool.

Tracks 5-12: Oh no, oh no, oh no...

Actually, now "Johnny Guitar" seems kinda fucked up.

Tuolumne wrote:

Alex wrote:i have a hard time picking a favorite or least favorite among avocado, backspacer, and lightning bolt. they collectively send a pretty clear message that the band isn't really interested in its own existence anymore.

that said, enjoy backspacer, LV! report back with your thoughts.

I remember back in like '95-'00 a shitton of fans (like millions and millions) said the same thing about Vitalogy and No Code. Like, exactly the same thing.

well, those people were the folks who listen to def leppard and ac/dc and only liked pearl jam because of ten, so that was a justifiable purge

Alex wrote:

Tuolumne wrote:

Alex wrote:i have a hard time picking a favorite or least favorite among avocado, backspacer, and lightning bolt. they collectively send a pretty clear message that the band isn't really interested in its own existence anymore.

that said, enjoy backspacer, LV! report back with your thoughts.

I remember back in like '95-'00 a shitton of fans (like millions and millions) said the same thing about Vitalogy and No Code. Like, exactly the same thing.

well, those people were the folks who listen to def leppard and ac/dc and only liked pearl jam because of ten, so that was a justifiable purge

I like AC/DC, especially Bon Scott era, and No Code is by far, my favorite Pearl Jam album.

Alex wrote:

Tuolumne wrote:

Alex wrote:i have a hard time picking a favorite or least favorite among avocado, backspacer, and lightning bolt. they collectively send a pretty clear message that the band isn't really interested in its own existence anymore.

that said, enjoy backspacer, LV! report back with your thoughts.

I remember back in like '95-'00 a shitton of fans (like millions and millions) said the same thing about Vitalogy and No Code. Like, exactly the same thing.

well, those people were the folks who listen to def leppard and ac/dc and only liked pearl jam because of ten, so that was a justifiable purge

I think it's just a matter of opinion, but to me a justifiable purge are the people who will never be pleased no matter how many b-sides they devour or hundreds of shows they go to. They'll never be enough "depth" and they think they own a share in the band. Rather, there are lots of people who liked, say Yield, and dropped off during Binaural or Riot Act or only go to a show when the band comes through their town maybe once or twice a decade. They are still worthy fans and they are good fans. An album like Backspacer was good for alot of people, you just won't see them frequent this place much.

Why are we talking about fans, omg

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Why are we talking about fans, omg

Rank the fans.

LetMeSleep wrote:

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Why are we talking about fans, omg

Rank the fans.

stip
10c
Tool fans

Vs.
No Code
Vitalogy
Binaural

Ten
Yield

Pearl Jam
Backspacer

Riot Act

Lightning Bolt

Vs.
Yield
Vitalogy
Ten
Lightning Bolt
riot Act
No code
Binaural
Backspacer
Pearl Jam

LoathedVermin72 wrote:Actually, now "Johnny Guitar" seems kinda fucked up.

No, you were right the first time, Johnny guitar is pretty great.

Vitalogy
Binarual
Riot Act

Yield
No Code

Ten
Vs


LB
Backspacer


Avocado

Yield
Binaural
Vitalogy

Vs
Avocado
No Code
Riot Act

Ten

Lightning Bolt
Backspacer