What's the betting that Now Backspacer has materialised, general opinions of S/T will go up?

I know it's a subject that divides us all. When Avocado first came out I thought it was great. It had that instant likeability. I was listening to a leak (and a pretty poor one- or so I thought), and so the production quality was not such an issue initially. The songs were catchy, seemed fresh and I generally liked it a lot.

As time passed, it became apparent that the album, though good on the surface, did lack certain substance and there wasn’t much under the skin. A bit like a very attractive girl you’ve had weekend fling with, only to come to the conclusion that despite the great sex you’ve had she’s not very intelligent and hasn’t much of a personality to speak of. As I said somewhere on here before, it’s not an album I can see myself listening to much in 10 years time (unlike most other Pearl Jam outings).

However, if that album did little else, it certainly upped the profile of Riot Act. Certain Pearl Jam fans, myself included, somewhat regurgitated our own insides when that album came out. I found it dull, uninspired and boring in a lot of places. S/T helped to show what Riot Act was all about, that it had a soul and an important role in Pearl Jam’s story.

I’m just wondering if Backspacer may do the same for S/T but in a different way.? Not by necessarily making you see how great the previous record was. But by showing that S/T was a necessary stepping stone in Pearl Jam’s ever evolving journey as a band. I couldn't imagine Pearl Jam releasing Backspacer as the follow-up to Riot Act. It wouldn't work for me. I’m not saying Backspacer makes S/T a great record all of a sudden, but a necessary one nevertheless.

Yay or nay?

Avocado sucks.

backspacer does not seem like it will have any worthwhile songs a month from now

sooooo are you saying that backspacer would give me a rim job ?
i confused


ironic however ,because nothing sucks more ass that avo

after a few listens that is my current worry whereas S/T has songs on it that I will always think are great.

Backspacer won't make me like Avocado even a little.

Avacodo is only better than the two terribly shitty records before it.

Backspacer is better than all of the above.

the arrival of a new record always takes the pressure off the previous record. It no longer has to serve as the current artistic standard of the band and we demand less from it. That won't make S/T a great record if you don't think it is, and it won't convince someone who flat out hates it to do anything other than hate it, but for people without such a negatively visceral reaction I think they'll come to appreciate it a bit more (a la riot act)

because the band is looking for " a hit "
or a song that sportscenter can use or one that sounds good behind baseball highlights

this band has completely lost its' intergrity and its' ability to produce meaningful music
what a shame
it's all about the business/money now

That is with the assumption that S/T is some sort of flop in the eyes of the fanbase. It is not. It is in eyes of a number of a group of posters who post ALOT. And when reading the board you see alot of disparaging comments thinking 'whoa, alot of people don't like this thing." Most people I know actually do like it.

That said, I do agree with the comment that Backspacer could not have followed up Riot Act. I've always liked S/T, really like it, and my hope it is viewed as essential in their catalogue cause we would never have Backspacer without.

We're at the very end of the 2000s and alot of great bands have made music and I think the band took notes and kept current. Not in a trendy way, but just letting some new influences creep in. My initial impressions are that the band has kept up with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age (not in sound/style per say, but in making a really impactful, tight, rocking album). It definitely feels like a 2009 album.

Yeah. I'm not saying it will make people who loathe S/T suddenly like it. Just that it may make some see it in a different light and maybe gain some new found respect for it. As in Riot Act. Riot Act may have done the same for Binaural for some (I wasn't a fan until 2001).

I do agree that Backspacer sounds very 2009 and fresh. More-so than S/T. I think the new wave influence helps that a lot. And possibly the fact that its not packed with depressing and political songs.

S/T has nothing that makes me want to hear it again.
Backspacer has much more flavor and replay value for me.

this I don't get.

It is still just not that good.

Not that complicated.
S/T has very little replay value to me. I don't find anything clever or intriguing on that album. A good rock album but i have no personal attachment to any song.

Backspacer has much more in my opinion.

S/T starts off ok with some good energetic rock but after track 4 it falls completely flat for me. Backspacer matches the intro energy in every way for me with much more listenable rockers and continues on with some great mid-tempo and ballad songs.

The lyrics and melodies are crafted much better in Backspacer and the songs overall are just more enjoyable to listen to . I feel like the soul that S/T lacks was put back into Backspacer.

Several backspacer songs are going to work there way into my list of Pearl Jam favs.
No S/T song gets close except maybe Severed Hand.

Does that mean it has any worthwhile songs right now? What does this even mean?

I better hurry home and listen to them while they're still worthwile!

amen

I like self-titled, but dislike Riot Act.
haven't heard the new one yet.

i took it to mean that there are songs that Edzeppe likes but that may not have long lasting appeal. i tend to agree.