I've posted on RM for almost four years now; I started about two months before the Dallas show to try to see if I could meet up with any fans there. I haven't posted much in the Pearl Jam sections since then, and probably haven't started a fresh topic here since my newbie days.

I've listened to Pearl Jam for half of my life. I love them, and I think the band is one of the greatest in history. However, I have always had a problem with loving the band's live music more than the studio albums - even when I was young, I'd blow $25 on those ripoff live albums that popped up in the "import" sections of CD stores. The best birthday present I ever received from my brother is the Atlanta live show that came out on three disks (the Dissident single, I think).

It continues today. I've listened to all of the albums multiple times, of course - even on record and Binaural with fantastic earphones and etc. None of it matches to the shows, though. This is the only band whose live performances blow the studio songs out of the water; I can still get rocked from Even Flow, for example, even though listening to the Ten version is boring and dead for me now. I haven't even owned any Pearl Jam studio albums apart from Lost Dogs and Avocado since all my "studio CD's" were ganked four years ago.

My problem now is that the new album has lost its effect. I've stopped listening to it, but to its credit it lasted longer in my CD player than Binaural and Riot Act combined.

But like Binaural and Riot Act, I'm pretty confident that the live performances of the album songs are incredible, and as I'm starting to swing back to Pearl Jam, I'd like to see whether people with the "live syndrome" like me exist here, and what shows they'd recommend purchasing that have great versions of the new songs. I already have every 2000 and 2003 show, but this time around I don't have my "partner in crime" who I split the cost of the shows half and half for both of those tours, so I'm looking to get my hands on around ten recordings from the latest tour. I hope they're still around.

Anyway, thanks for reading; if I've touched a nerve, please don't flame.

I like the live material much more than the albums, in general. I still like the studio material more than most bands so, I cannot totally simpathize.

I am with you there on the studio material, though. I'll only buy it if it doesn't suck. I definitely have bands with holes throughout the catalogue as far as my CD collection goes, but Pearl Jam isn't one of those bands. I still think live >>>>>>> studio, however.

The 05/06 shows are available from pearljam.com till march 9th, after that we're not sure if they will be tradeable

i love reading about other people wasting their money on those expensive imports. i still listen to the ones i have, i put the songs ed played w/ the doors on my itunes from "5 musketeers". that shit is classic

It was actually Live on 2 Legs that really got me hooked on PJ in the first place. I have all the studio albums but really only listen to the live stuff.

I like the studio stuff, love the live.

With that annoying chick talking into the microphone throughout?

I prefer most studio albums.

Hmm... You like the latest album but you are tired of the studio versions. You think you might like it better live...

You might want to try 9/19/06 Torino, Italy. The band played the self titled album in its entirety, start to finish.

really? i barely ever listen to studio albums in general. almost always live.

I started out with the Tampa 2000 boot, and also heard songs off of a few other boots. It took me a while to really get used to the studio version of most of the songs. Hell, the first time I heard Ten, I had to ask my friend if that was really Pearl Jam. Of course that has a bit to do with the changes of Ed's voice over time, but the songs still sounded a bit different to me.

In my car, I almost always have a bootleg on. But my favourite albums (Vitalogy up to Riot Act), I prefer them on album rather than live.

that's cool.

Binaural is pretty much the only album i listen to semi frequently.

I don't think i can make it a clear distinction of studio or live. There are some songs that sound way better live and vice versa.

For example, in my opinion these are better live....
Black - There's no solo on the studio version.
Daughter - extended outro with tags, etc
Betterman - same thing
corduroy - again, there's practically no solo on the studio version.

These are better studio imo...
RVM - The verse/chorus is ok, but the jam at the end becomes a big noisey blur.
DTE - Ed's vocals tend to be off.
No Way/You Are - With the guitar effects they never sound right live.

so yeah, I can't say that I prefer one or the other.
However, Live on Two Legs is just about a perfect listen. How great is 'Go' from that album? Wow!

I like how you use the word "ganked" to describe theft. I use that word, too. It rocks.

Binaural is the only album I even bother with anymore. Occasionally Yield.

http://forums.theskyiscrape.com/vie ... hp?t=61055

You tempt me in ways impossible to express.

Ahhhhh, the 95 Australian import was the best money I had ever spent... I cherished that double CD.

I was like, wow! This is what they sound like live! Every song was better then anything else I had. Every song.

Though I cant say I like live better then the albums though. Too hard to choose, just depends on mood or situation I guess.

Fond memories of rummaging through the import sections...