Now that some of these reviews and such have come out, all showing how strong this album is, I'm wondering how some of the "unpositive" people now feel about the album. There was some pretty negative comments at the time of some of the leaks, have those opinions changed at all? Or do you still have major issues with this record?

what leaks?

Why would someone change their own subjective opinion on a collection of songs just because of other people's newly published subjective opinions of a collection of songs (the reviews)?

If someone didnt like PJ last month, a RS review shouldnt change that. If it did, they didnt have much of an opinion to begin with.

Why should people change their opinion because of positive reviews?

Anyway, I love the album.

No, they dont have much to say, and that is ok!! I think in my own case, sometimes when I hear a record for the first time, especially one where there is so much anticipation, there is a tendency to look for the negative upon the first listen or two, but then change as you listen a few more times. Its like on X-mas morning when you are a kid, and you wanted a new 18 speed bike and didnt get one, you are disappointed for a time, but as you start to open some of the presents and get into them a little, you come around and say..."this was the best Christmas ever!" I'm sure some who were despairing on here when the leaks first hit have gone through that change a little, and thats ok!!

I meant more alomg the lines of the people who felt because we were such big fans that maybe we were just having "new album" excitement, that this record probably isn't as good as we think. Now that actual reviews are out stating pretty much what we all felt initially.......I wonder if that has changed anything? I hope it makes more sense now.

No, still sounds like the same argument. Why should a published opinion have any bearing on how those of us who have already heard the album feel about it?

I'm still curious if opinions have changed........not in...."why would they cause of a review?" Has anyone's changed? Simple question.

I was in love from the begining, and while bad reviews would not have changed that, seeing great reviews from publications normally a bit down on the band (or at least thier recent work) did help to convince me that I'm not just a blind fanboy.

Perhaps from multiple listens, but I'm not sure what a review has to do with anything. My opinion of the album has changed slightly, but to be honest, I haven't read a single review, and I probably won't.

I'll tell you what I think- I think reviewers are moronic lapdogs of record companies. I could have predicted this a mile away. The new album is pretty good, and consistent with Binaural and Yield in my opinion (better than RA). But I knew the reviews like in RS would be outstanding, calling it PJ's best work in ages. Why? Because with the new record label putting on the media assault like saturating radio with WWSS, doing Q&A's and SNL etc., the reviewers are rewarding PJ for making the effort of getting back in the spotlight. There was always what I interpreted as negativity in post-Vitalogy review bc reviewers resented that PJ wanted to drop the album in stores, tour, and be done with it. Now that they are promoting the album, it is clear that it is beneficial to give the album a better than decent review since PJ is attemting to stay in the limelight on this one and the magazines get more PJ stories to cover with their newfound media openness. Thats what I think.

I'd buy that if the record wasn't so good. This really is their best stuff in over a decade

I think Yield and Binaural are still my favorite albums (never have understood why the press bashed Binaural so much). But this shit is great, and so much better than Riot Act.

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It's hard to really say the situation could be different depending on whether the albums is "good" or not. These same reviewers are giving crap albums great reviews and great albums crap reviews, so I don't see how a few sudden good reviews has anything to do with the quality of this album. If it is an indication of anything, this album is only more universally palatable. But as has been discussed in another thread in OB, "better" is purely subjective.

thats the funny thing, I dont think the new record is moroe universally palatable. WWSS is really the only radio friendly song on there. Severed hand, Comatose, Inside Job are REALLY tough listens for the uninitiated. To me this album is less accessable to non-PJ fans than Yield, Bin, or RA. But since PJ is willing to promote it, reviewers are willing to reward it.

Perhaps that's part of it, but I think this is more accessible than anything since Vitalogy or Vs. It's alot more upbeat, and there's nothing overly experimental. I don't think there are necessarily many radio-friendly tracks, but I think in general it's something that can appeal to general rock audiences more than anything they've done recently.

Those were some great points made. I however still believe a review for the most part is an indication on how good an album is. I love Pearl Jam, I really do, but after listening to this record around 10 times now complete, I have to say ( in my opinion ), that it blows Binaural and Riot Act out of the water, is stronger than Yield all around, and quite frankly the best they've done in 12 yrs. I've heard very positive reviews from people who gave up on PJ yrs ago, much like "some" reviewers. My whole thought more or less was about the individuals who thought it was all "Hype". I don't buy it. Never will. New label.....promo...etc etc, doesn't change the fact this is an excellent album. And I do believe people's opinion's can and will at times change. I was just wondering who's did. I still believe reviews matter to an extent. Stip said it best earlier. It makes me realize I'm not just a nut of a fan.

This is true. I do find it to be straight ahead rock.

Damn right it is. It is really a solid album, perhaps their most consistently good album from start to finish.

No, not really. It's clearly much better. You're wrong. I would expect better taste out of an ASU grad.