Riot Act

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

Pearl Jam's latest album 'Riot Act' was just realises in Australia here today, i am not sure when it was out over in the states. Just wondering, has anyone heard the album? If so, is anyone prepared to give it a quick review?

 

C'mon Illusion-ites, you know you wanna...

 

Illusion

[Guest redbaron51]

releases some time this week I think here in Canada

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I've heard the single, which sucks.

[Guest goodhelmet]

i have downloaded all of the songs off of kazaa. sounds like a solid album but i haven' gotten myself lost in it yet.

[Guest Kinetic]

I'm officially changing the name of my Smart Marks column now. I don't hate Pearl Jam, but I don't want to be affiliated with them either. I'm sure you can all understand my dilemma. As of this moment, I'm accepting ideas for a new name. I want something that looks and sounds cool but doesn't mean anything.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Here's a lame one:

 

Kinetic's Korner

[Guest Kinetic]

That is lame. I'm looking for something more sinister, like "Kinetic's Imperial Fortress of Knowledge and Wisdom and Dismemberment." But shorter.

[Guest Incandenza]

How 'bout naming it after your second favorite Elvis Costello song.

[Guest BifEverchad]

By the end of 2003, Pearl Jam will probably have the world record for the most major label releases in the least amount of time — well over 100 in three years. Of course, only two of the discs will have been studio albums.

 

As with their Binaural tour, during which the band recorded all 72 shows for 72 double CDs, every concert on the band's upcoming jaunt will be preserved on tape for later release, a band spokesperson said. Pearl Jam are finalizing the routing for their next world tour and plan to announce dates in the coming weeks.

 

The band will be touring behind its new album, Riot Act, due November 12. The disc was produced by Adam Kasper and Pearl Jam and mixed by Brendan O'Brien. Bassist Jeff Ament contributed to the album artwork along with Brad Klausen and Kelly Gilliam.

 

The first single from Riot Act, "I Am Mine," will be released to radio September 18. The tune starts with a mystical strum reminiscent of something from Led Zeppelin III, then shifts into a swaying, organic, keyboard-inflected track that sounds at times like an Irish drinking song.

 

For half the verses, Eddie Vedder sings in a wobbly voice that's almost below his range. The vocal tone works to enhance the song's theme of mortality and self-sufficiency: "I know I was born and I know that I'll die/ The in-between is mine/ I am mine."

 

The band's rarities record will likely be released while Pearl Jam are on tour early next year, the spokesperson said (see "Pearl Jam Working On New Album, Planning Release Of Rarities").

 

In addition, Vedder can be heard performing the Ramones' "I Believe in Miracles" along with Zeke on the upcoming tribute album We're a Happy Family (see "Rob Zombie Finalizes Ramones Tribute With Last-Minute Adds"). Initial pressings will also feature the Vedder/Zeke bonus track "Daytime Dilemma (Dangers of Love)."

 

While working on Riot Act, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready found time to join the Wallflowers to record most of the guitar parts for their next record, Red Letter Days, due November 5.

 

Track list for Riot Act, according to the band's publicist:

"Can't Keep"

"Save You"

"Love Boat Captain"

"Cropduster"

"Ghost"

"I Am Mine"

"Thumbing My Way"

"You Are"

"Get Right"

"Green Disease"

"helphelp"

"Bushleaguer"

"1/2 Full"

"Arc"

"All or None"

 

 

—Jon Wiederhorn (mtv.com)

 

Well, I'm a big Pearl Jam mark so I downloaded it a few weeks ago. I gotta say, at first you're kinda skeptical about it, but after a few listens it certainly grows on you. It's very different from their previous stuff, but if I had to compare it to something else they put out, it would have to be their last album, Binaural. The sound is very similar and the song writing is on par. This is a growth album for Pearl Jam as they continue to evolve as a band. I give it 3.5/5.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

This may not be as sinister, but it's certainly more fun:

 

Magical Muff Diving With Kinetic

[Guest Madmartigan21]

By the end of 2003, Pearl Jam will probably have the world record for the most major label releases in the least amount of time ? well over 100 in three years. Of course, only two of the discs will have been studio albums.

 

As with their Binaural tour, during which the band recorded all 72 shows for 72 double CDs, every concert on the band's upcoming jaunt will be preserved on tape for later release, a band spokesperson said.

What the fuck is the point of that?

 

For a band that has fought against, what it deemed, their audience being bilked of their hard earned money, what is the difference here?

[Guest The Man in Blak]

By the end of 2003, Pearl Jam will probably have the world record for the most major label releases in the least amount of time ? well over 100 in three years. Of course, only two of the discs will have been studio albums.

 

As with their Binaural tour, during which the band recorded all 72 shows for 72 double CDs, every concert on the band's upcoming jaunt will be preserved on tape for later release, a band spokesperson said.

What the fuck is the point of that?

 

For a band that has fought against, what it deemed, their audience being bilked of their hard earned money, what is the difference here?

Personally, I think the real Eddie Vedder was decapitated in a car crash after Yield.

 

As for the album, I haven't heard anything about it...and I'm not really surprised, since Binaural virtually pissed away almost all good will Pearl Jam had from the last remaining stragglers from the alternative movement. It could be good, but Pearl Jam "invoking Led Zeppelin III" sounds less than promising.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

By the end of 2003, Pearl Jam will probably have the world record for the most major label releases in the least amount of time ? well over 100 in three years. Of course, only two of the discs will have been studio albums.

 

As with their Binaural tour, during which the band recorded all 72 shows for 72 double CDs, every concert on the band's upcoming jaunt will be preserved on tape for later release, a band spokesperson said.

What the fuck is the point of that?

 

For a band that has fought against, what it deemed, their audience being bilked of their hard earned money, what is the difference here?

Let's see...

 

$15 for 2 CD's (~25 songs) of an entire concert right off the soundboard

 

Vs.

 

$35 (at least) for a scalper version w/ shitty sound quality (at best).

 

No one is forced to buy any of the CD's. And for the price of a new release of a regular CD you get an entire concert on 2 CD's.

 

Yeah, they sure are screwing over their fans

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Yo Spaceman, you get your name from South Park? I just heard it in an episode today....

 

I agree with you about them caring for their fans and all, as anyone who complains about a band releasing tons more music, at a cheaper price, giving the fans choice and not forcing them to buy it, is pretty fucking stupid.

[Guest Madmartigan21]

By the end of 2003, Pearl Jam will probably have the world record for the most major label releases in the least amount of time ? well over 100 in three years. Of course, only two of the discs will have been studio albums.

 

As with their Binaural tour, during which the band recorded all 72 shows for 72 double CDs, every concert on the band's upcoming jaunt will be preserved on tape for later release, a band spokesperson said.

What the fuck is the point of that?

 

For a band that has fought against, what it deemed, their audience being bilked of their hard earned money, what is the difference here?

Let's see...

 

$15 for 2 CD's (~25 songs) of an entire concert right off the soundboard

 

Vs.

 

$35 (at least) for a scalper version w/ shitty sound quality (at best).

 

No one is forced to buy any of the CD's. And for the price of a new release of a regular CD you get an entire concert on 2 CD's.

 

Yeah, they sure are screwing over their fans

Either I'm reading the quote from MTV.com wrong, or you don't understand my point. Let's figure out which.

 

My understanding is that they are releasing SEVENTY-TWO separate double CD live albumns from the SAME tour. SEVENTY-FUCKING-TWO!

 

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other? And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn? It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible. After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other? And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn? It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible. After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase

(note: I'm not using the number format to be an ass, I just thought it would be easier)

 

1) There are plenty of PJ sites around that give reviews of the shows

 

2) The set lists do vary, and they mix in a good number of covers (Elvis, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Buddy Holly, Split Enz, to name a few from the last tour). It's rare to find more than 1 show w/ the exact same set list, so you just have to judge based on what songs you like.

 

3) The object is to provide a good sounding, cheap alternative to crappy sounding scalper CD's. Suppose somebody wants a copy of the concert(s) they attended. This is the only way, save for recording the show yourself (or looking for somebody else who did). People are free to buy as few/many as they want.

 

4) Myself, I have 19 "bootlegs". In deciding which ones I wanted, I picked the show I went to, and then just look to see the setlist of others. If the set list looks great, or if there's a rarely played song (i.e. Breath), or if there's a good cover song, I'll consider getting it.

 

5) It is pretty much for the hard-cores, but again, you're free to buy as many or as little as you like.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Yo Spaceman, you get your name from South Park? I just heard it in an episode today....

It was mentioned in a South Park episode?

 

Anyway, it's from the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes.

[Guest Incandenza]

It's sad how many people are unaware of Calvin & Hobbes.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Brings a tear to my eye.

 

::single tear runs down cheek::

 

See.

[Guest goodhelmet]

It's sad how many people are unaware of Calvin & Hobbes.

it's sad that many people are unaware that calvin and hobbes are based from the REAL (john) calvin and (thomas) hobbes

[Guest Madmartigan21]

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other? And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn? It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible. After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase

(note: I'm not using the number format to be an ass, I just thought it would be easier)

 

1) There are plenty of PJ sites around that give reviews of the shows

 

2) The set lists do vary, and they mix in a good number of covers (Elvis, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Buddy Holly, Split Enz, to name a few from the last tour). It's rare to find more than 1 show w/ the exact same set list, so you just have to judge based on what songs you like.

 

3) The object is to provide a good sounding, cheap alternative to crappy sounding scalper CD's. Suppose somebody wants a copy of the concert(s) they attended. This is the only way, save for recording the show yourself (or looking for somebody else who did). People are free to buy as few/many as they want.

 

4) Myself, I have 19 "bootlegs". In deciding which ones I wanted, I picked the show I went to, and then just look to see the setlist of others. If the set list looks great, or if there's a rarely played song (i.e. Breath), or if there's a good cover song, I'll consider getting it.

 

5) It is pretty much for the hard-cores, but again, you're free to buy as many or as little as you like..

1. This assumes that ALL, or at least MOST Pearl Jam fans, have ready access to the internet. I know that in this day and age that doesn't seem to be a problem, but I submit that the amount of people that regularly use the internet is GREATLY over stated. But, even supposing I'm wrong there, the issue of the amount of shows being released still remains. Did I mention that there are SEVENTY-FUCKING-TWO of them? Do you, or Pearl Jam for that matter, actually expect people to wade through THAT many reviews? Should there be THAT much work involved in buying CD's? If a band I like is releasing a new CD, I just want to be able to go out and buy it, so that I can enjoy it. That's a keyword, ENJOY. I would NOT enjoy reading reviews for hours on end.

 

2. This makes my original point still valid. There is a fairly good chance that many fans will not be able to find any one albumn with all the songs that they want. So, in order to get all the songs they want, they would have to buy more than one albumn.

 

3. I guess this a matter of personal preference, but do people HAVE to own the recording from the show that they went to. Statistically speaking, the odds are against that particular show being the best.

Also, is there an EPIDEMIC of people being screwed by bootleggers, because they aren't aware of the nature of the product they're buying? Obviously the quality is going to be poor, so if you get a shitty recording, you should have known better before hand anyway.

And where is the "people have a choice in what they buy" argument here. Nobody is forcing anybody to buy bootlegs either.

 

4. The point you made here was completely personal, and thus I have nothing to say about. My entire point is in regards to how ethical, and perhaps hypocritical, it is for Pearl Jam to release albumns in this fashion.

 

5. Obviously you can buy as many or as little as you like. Nobody can force anybody to buy any music. Nobody forces Kiss fans to pay astronomical ticket prices, or purchase all that shitty Kiss related merchandise. But it doesn't make it right to charge those prices or market that merchandise. Kiss obviously screws their hardcore fans. I think this is an attempt for Pearl Jam to do the same thing, albeit in a more subtle fashion.

 

BTW, thanks for not calling me

pretty fucking stupid.

like fuck nuts did, when it was completely uncalled for.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

1) Yep, 72 - 1 for each show. No, I don't expect people to wade through 72 reviews. If you're really concerned about whether the show was good, you have the resources to check it out, though. Most fans have their fave songs, so they should be able to judge the show based on the set list alone. For many of the shows I got, I merely looked at the set list and made my decision.

 

3) I like having the show I went to. As for getting screwed by bootleggers, of course you know what you're getting into when you buy them. I know I like the live stuff, and I'm sure a lot of other fans do, too, so it's nice to have a better priced, better sounding, more reliable source for live stuff.

 

4 & 5) PJ could have easily charged $25-$30 bucks for each show, and if they did, I would probably agree w/ you. $15 is a damn good price for what you're getting. Show me someplace else I can get 25+ songs on 2 CD's from any band, much less a big name like PJ.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other? And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn? It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible. After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase.

Try www.allmusic.com, put 'Pearl Jam' in the search box and be amazed at the reviews they have for ALL of their live shows.

 

Music critics exist for a reason you know...

 

Illusion - Did Bon Jovi just flip me off??!!

[Guest Madmartigan21]

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other?  And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn?  It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible.  After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase.

Try www.allmusic.com, put 'Pearl Jam' in the search box and be amazed at the reviews they have for ALL of their live shows.

 

Music critics exist for a reason you know...

 

Illusion - Did Bon Jovi just flip me off??!!

Well if you had bothered to read on, you would have read this counter-argument to that point, already made by me:

 

1. This assumes that ALL, or at least MOST Pearl Jam fans, have ready access to the internet. I know that in this day and age that doesn't seem to be a problem, but I submit that the amount of people that regularly use the internet is GREATLY over stated. But, even supposing I'm wrong there, the issue of the amount of shows being released still remains. Did I mention that there are SEVENTY-FUCKING-TWO of them? Do you, or Pearl Jam for that matter, actually expect people to wade through THAT many reviews? Should there be THAT much work involved in buying CD's? If a band I like is releasing a new CD, I just want to be able to go out and buy it, so that I can enjoy it. That's a keyword, ENJOY. I would NOT enjoy reading reviews for hours on end.

 

Not to mention that most, if not all, of the reviews would be written by different people, due the various locations of the shows, and thus you wouldn't have a steady barometer to judge the reviews by.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

How are their fans supposed to differentiate the quality of any one show compared to any other?  And what if the set lists varies to a degree, where someone can't get the combination of songs that they want on only one albumn?  It seems to me, and of course I could be wrong, that the object would be to attempt to get their hardcore fans to buy as many of the different recordings as possible.  After all they would want to have the best sounding concert, and the likelyhood is that wouldn't be found with only one purchase.

Try www.allmusic.com, put 'Pearl Jam' in the search box and be amazed at the reviews they have for ALL of their live shows.

 

Music critics exist for a reason you know...

 

Illusion - Did Bon Jovi just flip me off??!!

Well if you had bothered to read on, you would have read this counter-argument to that point, already made by me:

 

1. This assumes that ALL, or at least MOST Pearl Jam fans, have ready access to the internet. I know that in this day and age that doesn't seem to be a problem, but I submit that the amount of people that regularly use the internet is GREATLY over stated. But, even supposing I'm wrong there, the issue of the amount of shows being released still remains. Did I mention that there are SEVENTY-FUCKING-TWO of them? Do you, or Pearl Jam for that matter, actually expect people to wade through THAT many reviews? Should there be THAT much work involved in buying CD's? If a band I like is releasing a new CD, I just want to be able to go out and buy it, so that I can enjoy it. That's a keyword, ENJOY. I would NOT enjoy reading reviews for hours on end.

 

Not to mention that most, if not all, of the reviews would be written by different people, due the various locations of the shows, and thus you wouldn't have a steady barometer to judge the reviews by.

And if YOU had bothered to check out the site you would discover that they have 'star ratings' (much like SK's) for quick reference.

 

So a good show can be found as easily as scrolling down the page and looking for 4 to 5 star shows.

 

Or is that too much trouble?

 

Illusion - You suck Bon Jovi

[Guest JohnSkins]

The 'bootlegs' are probablly one of the greatest ideas ever. Who wouldn't want to own a copy of the show they went to? I can say that I was at the coldest Pearl Jam show ever and then pull out the CD and prove it. It's pretty choice. Hey Tracer Bullet, do you have the bootleg from the last show from the last tour? It's 3 CD's long and kicks ASS, but then again I'm sure you allready knew that.

 

I Am Mine = good song to to.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

I'd like to note that Axl looks like a woman at first glance in UYI's sig.

 

Fo sheez,

Kotzenjunge

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Kinetic-Call your column "Mental Bukkake."

[Guest Madmartigan21]

And if YOU had bothered to check out the site you would discover that they have 'star ratings' (much like SK's) for quick reference.

 

So a good show can be found as easily as scrolling down the page and looking for 4 to 5 star shows.

 

Or is that too much trouble?

Yes, it IS too much trouble.

 

Why SHOULD I check out the site? I COULD, but honestly, why should I, or anyone else for that matter HAVE to go online and do any reading in order to purchase a CD? What possible justification is there for this?

 

And my original point with you still remains vaild. Since the reviews are going to be made by different people, they are NOT relative to one another. One person's four stars, could be another person's two stars. The same way that many people often disagree with SK. But at least if you're using his star ratings to judge matches, and you often disagree with him, at least you know that he often overrates or underrates matches relative to what you would have rated the match. So, even if you disagree with his ratings, you know that if he gave a match ****, it will likely only be ***1/2 to you, for sake of argument. It would be an impossible task to gain that kind of familiarity with SEVENTY-TWO different reviewers to know where their judgements lie compared to yours.

 

 

 

The 'bootlegs' are probablly one of the greatest ideas ever. Who wouldn't want to own a copy of the show they went to? I can say that I was at the coldest Pearl Jam show ever and then pull out the CD and prove it.

What if the show you went to was an off-night for the band? And does pulling out the CD PROVE that you were actually at that show. As if that really even matters.

 

As a fan of a band purchasing a live albumn, I would want to own the BEST possible show. The odds are against that being the one I attended.

 

It is really strange to see where Pearl Jam has gone. The seem to have become a band like Phish. There hardcore fans eat up everything they do with a spoon. Pretty much nobody else seems to understand why someone thinks they're so good at this point, never mind why anybody would have this incredible devotion.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

Right, well if your goal in life is to TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY, then well done by good man, you've achieved it.

 

Someone ban him.

 

...kidding

 

Illusion

 

EDIT - Did you know bps HATES NWA/TNA? Well, he'll make you an extra important member of this board if you relentlessly send him private messages outlining the uselessness of the federation. Go ahead, try it.