Right, i know there have been like a million PJ drummer threads so apologies if this has already been done, but how would rank the 4 albums Matt has made with PJ? Also, if you can be arsed, please include your reasons why!

I'll kick it off (1st being the best, 4th being the lowest ranked):

4th: Binaural. Some great tunes, but to me it has just never felt like a PJ record (in comparison to their wider works). God's Dice, Grievance and Insignifcance are moments though were Matt's strengths really shine though.

3rd: Backspacer. It's probably the most accessible PJ record of them all. I think this cause my Mrs loves it and her taste in music is shite! For me, Matt shines on Got Some and Gonna See My Friends.

2nd: Avocado. Belting straight up rock album. They sound fully charged up on this record. I'd opt for Severed Hand and Inside Job as my favorite Matt tracks. Although, Life Wasted and Marker in the Sand deserve a special mention.

1st: Riot Act. Easily the best art/rock album PJ have ever made. On LBC Matt owns it (incidently, this song is how Inside Job should have been produced), also Save You, You Are, Ghost and Half Full are all tremendous; in fact there's not a band song on that record. Great production, nice and raw sounding.

If were ranking these albums in terms of Vedder's performance, then it'd obviously be a different list, but for Matt this is the list i'd go with.

Binaural
Riot Act
Backspacer
Self Titled

If we're talking about the albums themselves I'd say

Backspacer
S/T
Binaural
RA

If we're just talking about the drumming I'd put Baackspacer first, and probably S/T last. I'm not sure about binaural and riot act

4th: Binaural - Matt's tone on NAIS and Greivance have never felt right to me. His time pattern on SoH doesn't fit with the vocal melody. It might have less to do with Matt than I think but the rhythm of the Binaural songs is what doesn't feel right to me.

3rd: Riot Act - Better performance from Matt and the tone was improved on this record. Save You really shows how Matt can drive a song and lay a strong bed for the rhythm guitar.

2nd: S/T - He nails the rockers and plays a diverse style and improves some songs that would have been less enjoyable without his contribution.

1st: Backspacer - I don't think he and Jeff have ever been recorded this well. With the exception of Speed of Sound (maybe the worst musical decision these guys have made). Matt makes this record for me and I hope they get Brendan to produce the next one just for how well he caught Matt and Jeff working together.

Avocado last? I think Matt does really well on it. In fact, I may put that as the best. I like RA and Binaural as albums much, much more, but Matt has some fantastic moments on Avocdao (MITS breakdown, jam during Severed Hand, ride cymbal during Unemployable, fills and power on Big Wave, etc...).

I agree with you in so much as the production on Backspacer is excellent. That's why O'Brien gets paid the big bucks! I think Matt and Jeff sound superb in Amongst The Waves.

If we're going to talk about excellent production on the Matt Cameron albums we have to start with Riot Act.

I think I'd rank Binaural as his best. I absolutely love the drumming in God's Dice, NAIS, Sleight of Hand, Insignificance, and Grievance. I like the sound of them all too.

For the Binaural sessions, I really like his drumming on Hitchhiker, In The Moonlight, and Sad too.

I'd have to go back and really hone in on the drumming for each of the albums, but for now, I'd say my order is:

Binaural
Avocado
Backspacer
Riot Act

nice list

That's why it's in my top Matt Cameron PJ album! I probably hadn't listened to it properly in about 2 years, then 2 weeks ago i put it on in my car and was blown away!!

But you lost me when you put Binaural last.

If I have to judge Matt:

Backspacer
Binaural
Riot Act
Self-Titled


Judging the albums:

Riot Act
Backspacer
Self-Titled
Binaural

I'm not thinking about what album sounds best, or what album the sound of the drums sounds best...I"m thinking strictly on what album does Matt absolutely nail it? Putting Avocado last is crazy...Matt really rocks well here.

Really though, each Matt album has a hits and misses. For example, although I rated Binaural #1, I'm not a huge fan of his work on "Parting Ways". To me, that song needs the Jack touch. Yet, he blows my mind with God's Dice.

Some of the misses for me:

Binaural - Light Years, Parting Ways
Riot Act - All Or None, Thumbing My Way
Pearl Jam - Come Back, World Wide Suicide
Backspacer - Just Breathe, Amongst The Waves

Guess it's all to do with taste, but it's easily my least favourite PJ record. I mean, it still pisses over most other bands, but in terms of PJ's albums it's down at the bottom of the pile for me.

Your opinion is wrong and you should feel bad!

2000 era PJ is still special to me, it was the year of my 1st show and the last time they played my home town, but if i was listening to PJ albums on shuffle on my iPod, i'd likely skip many Binaural tunes. Those songs are better live than on record.

No they're not!

Guys, darth_vedder is right.

Of course they are! Insignificance, especially.

No no no!