Frank

Glad you plan on contributing to this thread!

Binaural was the first Pearl Jam album that I didn't hear in its entirety all the way through upon first listen.

As I said in the Yield thread, the local record store owner used to call me when he got the new Pearl Jam in so I could purchase it ahead of the standard Tuesday release date. This time around, he got the CD's in on the Saturday before the release date, so I got it 3 days before the rest of the album-buying world. The problem is that I was delivering pizzas that Saturday, which prevented 2 things:

1. Being able to listen to the album front to back with no interruptions
2. Being able to listen to the album with headphones

I ended up listening to the album, albeit disjointed, about 3 times that day. Because of these broken listening sessions, all they really did was give me a feel for each of the songs - there was no way I could judge the album. Nonetheless, the standout tracks were Evacuation, Thin Air, Grievance, Rival and of course Parting Ways. Grievance, besides being one hell of a song, is just a perfect tune to listen to while driving. I still refer to these listens as "The Ford Sessions," for they were listened to through the shitty factory speakers of my Ford Contour. Before I knew it, it was 10:30 and I was at home from a long day's work. I broke out the headphones, turned out the lights, and listened to the album properly.

Wow. I was thoroughly impressed after the first listen as to where I decided to listen again. What a dark, beautiful album it was; it had all the themes of Ten, but they were packaged within pieces of music that made more sense to me. I was in serious relationship trouble at the time, and Parting Ways was such a strong closer that it damn near brought tears to my eyes. I think I've said this before, but Ed's "drifting away" coda in Parting Ways contains more emotional frailty than a dozen emo albums combined. 2 little words - 2 simple words - and I was brought to my knees.

I still don't understand why Stone once called this album the "black sheep" of Pearl Jam albums. Was it their least best seller up to that point? I don't know, and really don't care. To this day I still think this album is underrated, by both the band and their fans. I mean, they tour with a fucking organ player and yet we've yet to be treated to a Parting Ways with the organ, as per the studio version? Weak sauce, ladies and germs. Weak sauce.

And for one more aside, it always made me laugh when fans came up with the brilliant idea that the title "Parting Ways" as the last track of the album signified an inevitable band break-up. While I can sorta understand why people would think that, I always felt people were looking too hard into something they had absolutely no proof of. 7 years later, all I can say is that if the band had broken up directly after the Binaural tour (which was a real possibility/worry after the Roskilde incident), they'd have gone out on top. Maybe not for the average PJ fan, but definitely for me.

Nick--where is your damn riot act write up?

Stip,
Isn't it obvious nothing can top this thread?

Stip's foaming at the mouth just at the idea of being able to tear Riot Act apart. If he says anything derogatory about Thumbing My Way, he's gonna have my size 9 steel-tipped boot up his keister.

Hey, I like riot act more than no code

You are a sad, scared little man Stipster.

You're fuckin mental.

i think he's left the internets for a while.

In that case...

Last night, I watched Grievance from the Letterman performance....

I'm in a Binaural mood.

Edit: my god, I haven't listened to it (or any PJ) since I bought my new Sennheiser headphones a couple of weeks ago... I'm in for a treat.

Parting Ways is one excellent song. Absolutely beautiful.

The transition Sleight of Hand - Soon Forget is so perfect. I don't get why many people see Soon Forget as filler. It fucking fits perfectly where it is.

Agreed.

believe it or not, I haven't listened to this is in at least a month

this sounds made up

it really does, doesn't it.