Although you probably wont(this isn't synergy where they take everything said about the band personally)

But the shows don't seem to have the same intensity as they did years ago(94-98 )

I'm not only talking about eds voice, im talking about the whole band, they dont seem to play with passion anymore. Some of you mention is could be the drummer, and i may have to agree with you. I'm listening to melbourn 95 and the recording sounds so pure. I mean the guitar the rythm the drums the bass, the sounds are so pure and clean. And eddie's voice is so passionate.

I don't know, maybe they're getting lazy, or they just dont feel the music as much as they did. ::shrugs::

Oh well they still rock. Just an observation.

They are no longer Grunge. Grunge is dead and it's never coming back.

Hey, did i say anything about "grunge"? Since when is playing with a little passion and feeling considered "grunge"? So your saying now since it's not 1995 anymore it's ok to just let themselves go?...not saying that they are, i mean they're increadible musicians. Live shows just seem more muddy now, maybe its the recording...i dont know.

Anyways they were never grunge to begin with IMO


And incase you were wondering, yes i DO own riot act and all other studio albums. I'm just as much of a die hard as any one of you, and except and embrace the changes they have been making. But live, it just doesnt seem as "on" as it once was.

flarme*

They're reaching 40+ now, what do you expect? Does the Who rock as much as they used to? Does Springsteen? Give me an example of a huge band that plays more passionate after age 35 than before? Passionate as in rock harder? or passionate as in involved with their music?

Oh, i don't mean it in a physical sence at all. I know they're not going to jump around like mad men anymore, nor do i expect them to. I just mean instrument wise. They're music was more layered back then, and the guitar was clear sounding, and the drums were snappy and distinct. They were extreemly tight and rythmic back then. But like i said, maybe its just the recording. I kind of doubt it though.

They played a harder, cleaner, more commercial style back then. The passion is most definately there still. I prefer the newer Pearl Jam. When I was 17 I would have agreed with you. I think they're music now is much more interesting.

harmless little fuck i agree with you mostly with the passion part, but only on a lot of the older songs and songs they play every single night. i think thats due to the fact they've played these songs a million times over and are just kind of sick of them. and age i do believe is a factor. sad to say, but they're not getting any younger.

I love their new stuff, Binural is my favorite album. (that and Vitalogy) and i think Riot Act is absolutly amazing. But as a musician, It really concerned me.

Actually that makes a lot of sense, if i had to play the same song night after night, i would get sick of it as well. I'm surprised i didn't think of that.

But i don't agree with age effecting their playing skills. If anything they should be getting better, you know? Age effects alot of things in a band, but this isnt one of them.

Harmlesslittlefuck, dude I am sorry. I know what you are talking about now. I thought you were wondering why Eddie didnt write stuff all over his arms and hang way over the crowd only holding on by his hands and a shitty piece of rope find of things anymore. Remember how "togeather" they were when they played Jeremy on MTV in '92? The ending when it just stopped and all you could here was Jeff playing the outro. That gives me chills every time I watch it but now Jeremy is just another song they play.

It's alright man, just a mis-understanding. I just think their songs kind of run together more now. But like someone else said, it could be just bordem, which i completly understand. I would get bored to if i had to play the same song over and over again for the past ten years.

It's kinda funny, 'cause I remember the band pretty much agreeing wholeheartedly that Riot Act was their BEST album. I think it had a lot to do with the EXPERIENCE the band had making the album, as much as being satisfied with the final product. Just seems like their hearts and minds were all in a good place during the Riot Act sessions.

Personally, I think No Code/Yield was their heyday, and I look forward to (hopefully!), another record of that stature.

I think for a lot of musicians when you're young, even if you won't admit it, you want people to know how good you are. Much time and effort goes into figuring out solos, arrangements, etc. You want to sound tight. This is a huge generalization but I think it can certainly applied to Pearl Jam.

13 years later, you've proven yourself, and you're not as concerned about playing "good". You're much more content to play to the song. Subtleties, you know?

Just one theory. I am 22 though, so I could be totally misjudging aging. I can tell you that it seems after Neil Young quit Buffalo Springfield, his guitar playing became much more raw and rudimentary, so for him it happened fast. Listening to that old BS stuff, its a little surprising to hear Neil playing that "good" (I do prefer by far his later styles).

i dunno it shines through sometimes still like eddie singing know your rights in champagne, i swear there was fire in his eyes... but i mean it seems now they are at the age where they are having more fun on stage it seems than exploding with angst... but their performance is still amazing... they keeps it quites real

Classic Synergy Post. I can't wait till that site is back up.

:poke:
Correcting people's spelling doesn't work when you get it wrong too

i have been to concerts ranging from 96 to the vote for change tour and maybe there isnt as much physical rocking, jumping, climbing shit i feel like the intensity of the band has tripled.

i think their live sound has improved SOOO much too, even from 2000 to 2003 as evident on the bootlegs. and i'm not talking quality of bootlegs i mean how tight the songs were and that kinda thing.

i feel like they just keep getting better with age, like one of eddie's favorite bottles of wine... god that was cheesy

Disclaimer: I believe anyone who takes the time to participate on this board is a true hard core fan.

Anyway, it just seems that as a whole, PJ fans can never be satisfied. I say this because I have come full circle.

I am 27. Been in the fan club since '93 and have had my ups and downs with the band.

Bottom line: they are going to change through times, but you still have to hang in there because every once in a while they come out with a couple of songs that blow your mind (even though they maybe simple) ie Bushleauger and Green Disease.