_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
Brain of J is one Pearl Jam's best openers—second only to Last Exit. After Do the Evolution and Given To Fly I’d say its probably my third favorite song on Yield. This is definitely one of their elite rockers: an awesome riff, great energy, shredding vocals, a nice solo. There’s something for everyone here. It’s also one of their best songs to hear live.
Brain of J is actually one of those songs who’s lyrics I’ve never thought about too much so I’m really looking forward to seeing what the rest of you come up with. It seems to be a song about defying expectations, especially political expectations. After JFK died, and especially with the death of his brother and MLK following not too far after, the left in this country has really lacked leadership and inspiration. There has been a deadening acceptance of things having to be the way they are, and a fear of dreaming big. I think Brain of J is a furious attempt to confront that apathy and complacency. It’s an invitation to imagine that the world can be remade over---as long as we’re not afraid to try.
There are a few lyrical clunkers in here. Nothing as bad as ‘nothing for to say’, but a few lines are a bit awkward. I don’t like the inclusion of the word ‘boss’ in the ‘it’s hard to trust line’ and the ‘and by name’ also doesn’t flow off the tongue well. This is a chronic problem of Eddie’s. Some great lines but not enough time spent trying to finesse the weaker ones. It’s too bad, because the song opens with such a striking image and the second verse is terrific.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
if there was a four and a half star option this would have gotten it. It's just not quite at the five star level for me.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:46 pm Posts: 4970 Location: Portland, OR Gender: Male
Brain of J is What puts Yield above No Code for me. It's so full of energy. I've always been partial to the harder stuff. To me it's the closest thing to my favorite album...VS
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:26 pm Posts: 14525 Location: Buffalo
One of my all-time favorites and PJ's best album opener. I don't have a ton to say about it right now, because my mp3 player is stuttering and I want to throw it against a wall, but suffice it to say I love Brain of J.
-Rhymemaster Rizzo
_________________ If animal trapped call 410-844-6286, then hit option 1123 6536 5321, then dial 4 8 15 16 23 42
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
Ensign9 wrote:
my mp3 player is stuttering and I want to throw it against a wall
You should--I imagine that could only end with the mp3 player working again.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:44 pm Posts: 8910 Location: Santa Cruz Gender: Male
Great rocker. I was at one of the fist shows they played it live, with the alternate lyrics. I actually like the "go to hell if you don't believe it" line rather than "The whole world will be relieved."
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
warehouse wrote:
Quote:
The whole world will be different soon
why isnt this the name of the thread?
this song is fucking awesome. great way to open yield, even better early in a live set.
agreed on all accounts.
giving it 4 stars.
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:47 am Posts: 27904 Location: Philadelphia Gender: Male
Buggy wrote:
Great rocker. I was at one of the fist shows they played it live, with the alternate lyrics. I actually like the "go to hell if you don't believe it" line rather than "The whole world will be relieved."
I always wonder why they changed that. Talk about a fun line to sing along to.
_________________ It's always the fallen ones who think they're always gonna save me.
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
dirtyfrank0705 wrote:
Buggy wrote:
Great rocker. I was at one of the fist shows they played it live, with the alternate lyrics. I actually like the "go to hell if you don't believe it" line rather than "The whole world will be relieved."
I always wonder why they changed that. Talk about a fun line to sing along to.
I like that old line better too--although I'm glad he got rid of Oh, jackie O, oh how we feel for you now.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
clever_pj_reference wrote:
guess i never knew about the original lyrics, too bad he changed them.
still i'd give it 4.8 stars. 2nd favorite on yield after faithful and always excited to hear it live
what's your favorite?
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
if someone is feeling ambitious over the next couple of days it would be cool if they could post the original brain of J lyrics.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
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