I think this is their best album. I don't see any flaws in it. I think the ommission of Mike's solos is a good thing. I think Mike still shines here, but it's integrated into the songs. I think some of the "wankery" is thrown on there to rid themselves of some people. Didn't work, No Code would take of that. I agree, that this not only my favorite PJ album, but my favorite album period.

We have a lot in common.

I just joined the message board, so I actually haven't had time to read all the comments...

But I agree with the first poster that as a whole its rather inconsistent. Now, as a caveat I will say that I do like the random songs such as Aye Davanita and Bugs, so I can't say that I don't enjoy the album (with the exception of Hey Foxy-------------, which after many many tries I still can't get into).

I think the primary problem is one of sequencing.

The more traditional songs get broken up by the more experimental ones...and I think the flow suffers. Not much you can do to fix it, except for re-shuffling a bit, and scratching two songs (I would pick Hey Foxywhatever and Pry, To). So my ideal Vitalogy tracklist would go like this:

Last Exit
Spin the Black Circle
Corduroy
Not for You
Tremor Christ
Nothingman
Bugs
[I think Bugs can be effectively placed as an "intermission" song.]
Whipping
Satan's Bed
Aye Davanita
[I think Aye Davanita would flow into Betterman very nicely]
Betterman
Immortality

Immortality is in my opinion, a perfect album-closer (and essentially is for me whenever I listen to Vitalogy). You'd still have some experimental songs in this listing...which will of course elicit different reactions depending on one's views of them. I agree with the first poster though in the sense that a tracklist like his would have made critics declare it the best album of the 90s probably.

Those are my two-cents...

welcome to the board. Nice sig that's a solid track listing, although I'd cut aye davanita too.

I guess for me the only flaw with this album is that it doesn't end after Immortality. I don't think the lack of guitar solos is a flaw, only because I don't think they would have been appropriate. Plus, I'll take the Jam at the end of Corduroy over almost any studio solo they've done. I also don't see the "filler" songs as an issue (except stupid mop) I actually really like Aye Davanita and Bugs and I think pry, to works really well in the context of the album.

there is nothing wrong with vitalogy -- - nothing

flawless

the second biggest flaw is it won't fit on my cd rack with the spine facing outwards

My personal least favorite album, though Riot Act is starting to catch up, Vitalogy just doesn't flow at all. I've always called this a collection of songs rather than an album. It's clear that the songwriting process was breaking down at this point as Betterman was already six years old, while Whipping and another song that I'm blanking on at the moment were written in their preparation for Vs. All in all though, I find the period for this album to work as it was a giant enema for the band, getting all of the shit out, finally culminating with the removal of Dave A. And thank god for that. He was the only member of the band that I've never liked at all.

bugs should've been the first single.

didn't you create a thread for your brain farts?

Personally The only issue I have with Vitalogy is Stupid Mop - other then that it's the closest any band has come to creating the flawless album - which brings problem #2 - I listen to this album too much so I go through periods of just being plain sick of it, but after giving it a rest for a wee while - it's like the return of an old friend.

After Ten and VS - this is the album I knew Pearl Jam was capable of with the tightness of the band, the agression - plus their whole 'fuck the system, we'll do it our way' kind of feel

Agreed. I remember my stepsister absolutely hating it when it came out. Vitalogy literally destroyed her enjoyment of Pearl Jam, and she loved the first two albums. Strange. I thought it was one of the best things I'd ever heard, and I loved everything I had heard off the first two albums alreadly. So I taped a copy off her CD back that summer (1995) and the rest is history.

I only have 2 problems.

1: Stupid Mop is worthless and takes away from the album and the way it closes....

2: The number of songs....should've been 1 or 2 more, considering the number of pissin around tracks (4).

Otherwise...the memories I have of getting the vinyl because I couldn't wait, blasting it, and having friends over to hear it, and talking about it all day in school....wow! Everytime I hear it...I relive it!

Forgot about that one

me too. I have shelves for them now so it isn't a problem but used to piss me off.

Am I the only one that most enyoys vitalogy at night? For some reason the darkness of the songs makes me want to listen to the album at night.

Sorry if the above post isn't deep enough or doesn't mention how complex Ed's writing is or the production quality of the album, but I just can't judge an albums flaws that way. The true question is how does it make you feel when you listen to it? What period of your life does it bring you back to? And lastly, does it Kick Ass?

I most enjoy vitalogy whenever I'm listening to it. I've never prefered it at any time of day. But I can seem how it feels appropriate for night time. it's certainly their darkest album