This is a multi-part series for each album. We'll move on to the next album when it seems like it's been discussed enough. I'd like to reiterate that the aim of these discussions is to hear opinions on what you think is the single most significant flaw for the album being discussed. We're not looking for general album bashing, but rather a critical look at the single biggest weakness for each record.

Example of a poor post:
There are so many things that suck on this album. Track 4, 8 and 9 are terrible and the lyrics for such and such a song a really bad. Not only that, but the cover is stupid.

Like I said, we're not looking for general album bashing. What I suggest is to go give a listen to the album being discussed. For some of us, it's been a while listening to these older albums all the way through, and it helps you think and take that critical view before you post. Try and be insightful and give good reasons why you believe the flaw you're pointing out is the biggest flaw of the album.

You can also still participate in the previous album discussions.

Previous album discussions:
Ten
VS
Vitalogy
No Code

Yield, in terms of popularity and critical acclaim, was a step up from No Code, which the mainstream found to be a bit of a disappointment. Given TO Fly was a big radio hit, and many felt that pearl jam was "back" after the No Code fall off. Not only that but the band decided to release a video for the first time since Ten. "Do The Evolution" was a great little video with imagery to match the hard hitting lyrics of the tune. I personally think that Do The Evolution is one of the best songs the band has ever written.
There are indeed many great things to say about this record. It's pretty solid all the way through. It doesnt have quite the punch as VS or Vitalogy, but it's a solid collection of songs with a few classics thrown in.
Interestingly enough, I find the same flaw with this album as I do Vitalogy...STUDIO WANKERY. It's interesting to note that some of the best PJ albums include such wankery. Maybe that happens when the band reaches their creative peak and we get a great album mixed with their overflow of creative expression. Who knows. At any rate, if we again remove the wank tracks, I think we have a better album:

01. Brain Of J
02. Faithfull
03. No Way
04. Given To Fly
05. Wishlist
06. Pilate
07. Do The Evolution
08. MFC
09. Low Light
10. In Hiding
11. All Those Yesterdays (minus "Hummus")

I've always been a proponent of "less is more". I think you have to respect your listening audiences attention span, and while it might be interesting to hear these wankery tunes once or twice, it usually doesnt take long before most people just hit skip. This is what B Sides were invented for, or better yet, Anthology albums after the band retires.

Otherwise, a terrific Pearl Jam album.

Lastly, I'll add that I'm not a big fan of Pilate either, but there is a saving grace for me, I think it has one of the best bridges of any Pearl Jam song ever, this side of Corduroy.

per bammer's usual:

yield's only flaw is that there aren't enough songs :wink:

there are none. perfect album. PJ at its peak right here.

i could never get rid of the color red. i love that tune.

I think it could have started slightly stronger. Brain is not their best opener ever, but Yield is their best record.

I dig color red separating the two sides, though. No actual song could follow DTE.

I suspect some will target Pilate, but I love it.

buggy, i don't know how you get rid of push me, pull me. definitely some of their best lyrics.

seriously, this is the only pearl jam album that i look at and say 'wow, this is flawlessly beautiful'

i feel like getting on my knees and saying 'i'm not worthy'

biggest flaw is there are only 3 main stand outs on the album. cant remember the last time i listened to this through.

seriously, i look at this album and i feel randy.

it's not my favorite pj album (i like vitalogy and binaural more), but it is extremely hard to find a flaw.

the only minor flaw for me is that i'm not a big fan of the studio version of wishlist. i dislike the beginning, especially the way the drums kick in. always thought they could have done better on that part.

i absolutely LOVE push me, pull me. i want to hear more stuff like that.

how about this for a list of standouts:

01. Brain Of J
02. Faithfull
03. No Way
04. Given To Fly
05. Wishlist
06. Pilate
07. Do The Evolution
08. The Color Red
09. MFC
10. Low Light
11. In Hiding
12. Push Me, Pull Me
13. All Those Yesterdays

The lyrics are decent enough. The spoken word delivery doesnt excite me in the slightest, and the music is not all that noteworthy....minus maybe the funky-ish bassline.

*4 stand outs
my apology for making that dreadful mistake

1. given to fly
2. wishlist
3. evolution
4. mfc

Yield is the most frustrating Pearl Jam album for me because it comes SO CLOSE to matching the greatness of the first three but can't quite get over the hump. The highlights of the album (Brain of J, Given To Fly, Wishlist, DTE) are as good as anything they've ever done, and the whole album is warm and inviting, but there are enough weak spots to just nudge it off the top of the mountain.

I have two main issues

The first is lyrics. Eddie's stuff is very strong but this is the record where they really started letting the other band members write, and they just can't compete with Eddie. It's fucked up every album since. No Way has an amazing grove to it, but I just can't get into anything Eddie's singing. I love the atmosphere and the jarring chorus of pilate but it has the same problem. Lowlight is beautiful but the words are just terrible. All Those Yesterdays is probalbly the only one I wish Eddie hadn't written

My second issue is that a few of the songs don't quite feel complete enough. In Hiding and Faithful are the two big culprits here. I can't quite describe it, but both feel like demos in a way. There is something unfinished about them to me. LBC has the same problem but that one is compounded by lackluster Eddie vocals. He sounds great here. The problem is somewhere in the music.

Two other small problems. I have some minor lyrical issues. I can't stand the 'ask I'm an ear' line from MFC which knocks the song out of the upper echelons for me. It's too bad because the "they said that timing was everything/made him want to be everywhere/there's a lot to be said for nowhere" verse is one of my all time favorites. I've got some similar issues with faithful and In Hiding. I love the chorus of In Hiding but the verses feel a bit awkward at times. Faithful has a problem similar to uemployable. Great verses, but not enough of them.

Red Dot is the most irritating of all their exeperimental filler tracks to me.

So in the end Yield breaks down like this

Top tier: DTE, Brain of J, Wishlist, Given To FLy
Nearly greats: In Hiding, All those yesterdays, fathful, MFC
Songs that could have been great if Eddie wrote them: lowlight, no way, pilate

If just a handful of the could have beens could get bumped up to the nearly greats, or one or two of the nearly greats crack that top tier, Yield would rank up there with Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy. But it just can't get there. So much potential but it falls just short.

well agree to disagree, almighty one.

when i get lonely, i sleep with my copy of yield and feel loved.

I started my post before anyone responded, and there were 12 before i finished. you guys work fast.

Buggy--I agree with you on push me/pull me. Good lyrics and a funky base line but Eddie just doesn't do spoken word all that well and the sound effects are a bit cheesey


Yield also produced the most craptacular set of b-sides this side of everything.

Also, a close second in terms of overall flaw, something that really bugs me with songs is the "fade out". I think about half the songs on the album just fade out. It always seems like such a copout. Couldnt you find a real way to end the song? Sometimes fadeouts work OK. But half the album? That's a bit dissapointing.

which b-sides came from the yield era (even though this shouldn't be considered an album flaw)?