It took quite some time to get Avocado, but in that time, Ed went through a lot-- death of Ramone, birth of Olivia-- and it made for a rather good album, especially when compared to Riot Act-- which had a few good songs on it based on life experiences (9/11, Roksilde), but the rest was just, well, I didn't quite like it--kind of fell flat...

The band seems to never have problems writing good music, and when it comes to lyrics, I'd prefer the band to wait and let Ed work it out and compose strong ones again, isntead of forcing his words through the laundry chute.

In their earlier days, they seemed to have so much going on around them and to them, they could produce the work a lot easier, now, they are somewhat plateauing, and I'd rather Ed take the time to craft lyrics which will rise to the occassion of following-up this album, and being better than this one

The politics, it's a bit trite, and "Gone" makes for one of the weaker tracks... No Code and Yield both see Ed getting into philosophical lyrics and composition based on little seeds of thought or contemplation (Ishmael), Binaural seems to go in the direction of frustration with politics (for the most part) with Riot Act really continuuing that...

I don't think we'll ever get a politic free album, but if he could do Yield type compositions in conjunction with the "life" ones, it's really be possible for the next album to top Avocado

you and I belong in a mutual admiration society

It better because Avacado is my least favorite album.

I agree, but he hasn't really written a song about his daughter yet has he?

Avocado has aged badly after 7 months. i can't listen to it straight through anymore.

agreed

no, but that experience--of bringing life into the world, onto the planet, at this time--probably permeates the lyric writing process and contrasts with Ramone's departure (maybe heightening the loss of Ramone), but in other ways too, I'm sure

But I don't think there's one mention of it on Avocado, and I'm reading deep into the lyrics. I find that a little strange, but I kinda like that he didn't.

I never could, don't worry


(it's the parachutes - wasted reprise stretch)

even if they would have sequenced Severed Hand after Parachutes (making the sequence through Big Wave significantly more tenable), they still would have hit the brick wall that is Gone (assuming you can take Big Wave)

The album has always made for a better listening experience like this, to me, without compromising its message:

1. Life Wasted
2. WWS
3. Comatose
4. Marker in the Sand
5. Parachutes
6. Severed Hand
7. Unemployable
8. Army Reserve
9. Big Wave
10. Come Back
11. Wasted Reprise
12. Inside Job

I think in the spectrum and cycle of life/death, given the albums direct confrontation with mortality, it's a factor in this album's lyrics, regardless if never addressed in word. I'm glad he didn't capitalize artistically on it, and instead forced himself into new domains (e.g. Unemployable, Severed Hand), grieved (Come Back, Army Reserve), and polished what he does so well (e.g. WWS, Life Wasted, Marker in the Sand, Parachutes, Comatose)

not a surfer??

He left off Gone, not Big Wave.

I never considered Ed had gone in new directions lyrically, but you make a great point. Thanks for the enlightenment, it bumps Avocado up a few notches for me

I have a feeling that the band's next album will be much less political than the 3 previous albums because the current political climate is shifting towards something that is closer to Ed's personal beliefs. I would not be surprised to see a more introspective album (a la No Code or Yield) that deals with personal fulfillment, mortality, fatherhood, and things of spiritual nature.

can't we just get a nice angry Vitalogy-like album?

I think that Avacado is going to be as angry as they'll get for a while. The band seems content with their current popularity (which is why they were so angry during Vitalogy and VS), the political climate seems to be shifting their way (which is why they were angry during Binaurel, Riot Act, and Avacado), and so, without any major source of outside stimulation, they will most likely have to look inward in order to find meaningful lyrics as they did when they wrote Yield and No Code. That just seems like the most likely direction for them to go, IMO.

I've been listening to it a lot recently. I think it is easily their best album since No Code.

Best since Yield no doubt. The first 5 songs I still listen to daily.

Unemployable is a great song for the end of a day at work. Gone is great to play along with on guitar. big wave is alot of fun to sing along with and Army Reserve is still lifting.