Totally. I blame adamdude.

Take it to the PIt, Kat.

I'm glad PJ tried to write more accessible rock songs on this album, I prefer that to Binaural type stuff. I just wish they had crafted better tunes for the most part and they may have gotten a bit too poppy in some cases.

Overall, I think the music on this album is pretty tight, well recorded, and kinda fun. Some of it goes into "cheese" territory (read my reviews so far...most focus on music, not lyrics), but the album is nicely textured with a lot of little things going on (this was sorely missing from Avocado). To my surprise, "The Fixer" (sans a few corny Mike riffs) sounds really good. There is a lot of interesting things happening, and I love the piano in the background. Unfortunately for me things just don't always mesh...like when I think the band is rocking, Ed is cheesy, and when Ed is sounding great, the band is kinda cheesy. The bottom line for me is that I've been kinda harsh on the album, and yes, some of it deserves it, but it's a pretty decent record, and it's not really long enough for me to hate it too bad. I listened to the whole thing on my 30+ minute commute to work. Right when I thought I was just getting started with it, I was already on "Amongst The Waves". I don't fault PJ at all for this album, but I hope they go a bit darker and more experimental with the next album. Oh, and like I mentioned, I'd love for them to actually record a studio jam. We have a few live songs with great jams (Porch / RVM namely), but I want a 7 minute jam session on the album. They have yet to do that, and I personally think it's long overdue.

I just want an album of good rock songs Pearl Jam style. I don't need them to re-invent the wheel or try to be Radiohead, or experimental just to be experimental, or something along those lines. Mike and Stone have to have a few great riffs left in them, hopefully they come out on the next record.

This is why I've tried very hard to stay out of the Backspacer debate, because I think the album mostly just sucks. But saying that, when you don't want to hear from people with a dissenting view then you just become a bunch of cheerleaders with the occassional constructive criticism.

As far as bubblegum, disposable rock the album's not that good. Other bands do the same thing much better. I think it's a good attempt by Pearl Jam but not in comparison to what's out there. The slow numbers that I feel are supposed to hold the album together, like Just Breathe and The End, I think are pretty horrible songs. Ed doing is "I'm deep, I finger pick" thing is cliche at this point. Pearl Jam adding strings is nothing I needed to hear. Creed did that 15 years ago and got derided by PJ fans, so the lauding is beyond me. Ed's voice just doesn't do it for me anymore. It used to be magical.

I DISAGREE WITH YOUR OPINION AND YOU SHOULD FEEL BAD ABOUT IT!

My shame knows no bounds.

THis album has gotten worse for me. I'm not even enjoying Unthought Known as much as I used to.

Space. Give it a year. Give it two. It's gonna sound amazing once you've heard the next one hehe:)

Ah but seriously, do go away from it for a long time n come back. It will sound better. You wont hate it nearly as much as you thought you did. Worked for me in a way with self titled.Yeah.

You come off like an asshole when you say shit like that.

"oh you don't like this album? you're just going through some silly phase"

I just went away from it for almost a year.

It's either that or you have your facts wrong, apparently.

not liking an album by a band that gave you many great ones isn't a big deal. and it's not like PJ flat-out sucks nowadays.

exactly, so why can't people who like the album accept that?

replace Backspacer or S/T by Binaural or Riot Act and you might answer your own question

Shut up.

chud, do you still cry when you masturbate?