Pearl Jam played 130+ songs over the Spectrum run. So, what didn't they play? (The list includes anything on an album release, as well as single b-sides.)
Oceans
Release
WMA
Indifference
Pry, To
Aye Davanita
Hey, Foxymop...
Sometimes
Who You Are
Red Mosquito
Around the Bend
Brain of J.
Untitled (Red Dot)
Breakerfall
God's Dice
Thin Air
of the Girl
Sleight of Hand
Soon Forget
Can't Keep
Love Boat Captain
Thumbing My Way
Get Right
Help, Help
Bu$hleaguer
Arc
All or None
Comatose
Marker in the Sand
Big Wave
Army Reserve
Come Back
Man of the Hour
Leatherman
Brother
Sad
Hitchiker
Don't Gimme No Lip
Alone
In The Moonlight
Education
Black, Red, Yellow
U
Leaving Here
Gremmie Out of Control
Whale Song
Undone
Fatal
Other Side
Hard to Imagine
Wash
Dead Man
Strangest Tribe
Driftin'
Let Me Sleep
Dirty Frank
Just a Girl
Soldier of Love
2,000 Mile Blues
Evil Little Goat
=70, assuming I can still count.
I'd say the surprises here are: Oceans, Release, Indifference, Who You Are, Brain of J., Breakerfall, God's Dice, Comatose, Brother, Sad, Alone, Wash, Hard to Imagine
A few they almost played by listening to tuning and noodling: Come Back, Soldier of Love, Love Boat Captain
Songs I most wanted: Release, Indifference, Of the Girl, Love Boat Captain, Thumbing My Way, Sad, Alone, Undone, Wash, Fatal, Hard to Imagine, Just a Girl, It's OK tag for Daughter.
Only heard Sad out of those, but they could play a whole show of that and I'd be happy.
Guess I'll have to go to a few more shows, eh?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Ranking Backspacer
Been listening to Backspacer almost non-stop, with the exception of spinning the newly-arrived Andrew Bird vinyls. Preliminary thoughts: It's fun. I know that's getting cliche already in the PJ review. But I'm right. It's a downright enjoyable record. Vs. it ain't, but I don't much care. It's honest, if not earnest, and I'm down with the angst-free PJ. All that said, there isn't much in the way of brilliance, though there ain't much crap either. The last few albums, hell, everything since Vitalogy has had it's moments of absurdity. Backspacer doesn't. It is the lean, mean fighting machine that PJ has honed through touring.
Anyhow, from worst to first: 11. Johnny Guitar. One of those strange Matt tunes where it seems like Ed has to work in the lyrics to fit the music. I would compare it to "Evacuation," but more accessible (a quality that distinguishes this album from Binaural and Riot Act).
10. The Fixer. Yeah, way catchy, and something to scream in the car. Still, the lyrics blow. I expect far more from EV.
9. Supersonic. A bit more thoughtful than like #10, but it's got a great breakdown where Mike and Stone play off each other, one of the only times we get Mike on the album.
8. Force of Nature. Didn't think much of it on first listen. I'm a sucker for the anthemic. This doesn't quite get there the way a couple later ones do, but it's close. EV seems entirely consumed by the idea of love and redemption throughout the album. It's a fine line to walk, staying away from the cloying. Again, we get some Mike.
7. Speed of Sound. It KILLS me to put this song so low. I was super-spoiled by the demo the band released. It was going straight to my Top 25. Then I got the produced, album version. Sounds like a "Low Light" rip off. It gets better each time I listen. Still, it'd be just above (below?) "Johnny Guitar" if not for the stunning lyrics. Sigh.
6. Just Breathe. I'm in the minority on this one, I know. I don't dig strings, for one. It is beautiful musically, yet a little too over the top lyrically, as noted in #8.
5. Gonna See My Friend. Damn, what a great opener. Very much like "Breakerfall" or "Life Wasted." Sets the tone for the entire album. Straightforward, simple rocking out.
4. Amongst the Waves. Yeah, Mike has the anthem mojo rolling. This song begs to be "Given to Fly." Not the lyrical equivalent. It doesn't soar (heh) quite as high. I can't wait to hear it live though.
3. The End. This was a highlight of the EV solo show this past summer, even never having heard it before. It's heartbreaking, and cuts out in the way The Office does prior to the theme music. (You know what I mean - just not playing to the funny.) As with "Gonna See My Friend," this song is a like a walk-off homer. Abrupt and wholly satisfying. A definite, and worthy, Into the Wild successor.
2. Got Some. I LOVE Jeff Ament compositions. He just rolls out the funk. First, this sounds most like a classic PJ song. Second, it's complex musically, without having the quick shifts of a Matt song. I like EV politcking too, and it's good to hear some challenges to our oh so hopeful current government. "Have you heard of diplomatic resolve?"
1. Unthought Known. EV premiered this at NJPAC in summer 2008. You knew it was classic, but Ed's strumming was repetitious. The dynamics on the album launch the song into the stratosphere. Someone on the boards explained the title's background. Basically, we have thoughts in the back of our consciousness, knowledge that we don't know we have, but still drives us. Being mindful, we can obtain tht information and integrate into our known selves. Psychologically, that has plenty of implications. The part that stands out to me, "Look for love & evidence,... That you’re worth keeping,... Swallowed whole in negatives,... It's so sad & sickening,..." It's the you're as sick as your secrets idea, but with the hope that, through searching and giving into the search, you can find reason and redemption. Who needs more than that?
Anyhow, from worst to first: 11. Johnny Guitar. One of those strange Matt tunes where it seems like Ed has to work in the lyrics to fit the music. I would compare it to "Evacuation," but more accessible (a quality that distinguishes this album from Binaural and Riot Act).
10. The Fixer. Yeah, way catchy, and something to scream in the car. Still, the lyrics blow. I expect far more from EV.
9. Supersonic. A bit more thoughtful than like #10, but it's got a great breakdown where Mike and Stone play off each other, one of the only times we get Mike on the album.
8. Force of Nature. Didn't think much of it on first listen. I'm a sucker for the anthemic. This doesn't quite get there the way a couple later ones do, but it's close. EV seems entirely consumed by the idea of love and redemption throughout the album. It's a fine line to walk, staying away from the cloying. Again, we get some Mike.
7. Speed of Sound. It KILLS me to put this song so low. I was super-spoiled by the demo the band released. It was going straight to my Top 25. Then I got the produced, album version. Sounds like a "Low Light" rip off. It gets better each time I listen. Still, it'd be just above (below?) "Johnny Guitar" if not for the stunning lyrics. Sigh.
6. Just Breathe. I'm in the minority on this one, I know. I don't dig strings, for one. It is beautiful musically, yet a little too over the top lyrically, as noted in #8.
5. Gonna See My Friend. Damn, what a great opener. Very much like "Breakerfall" or "Life Wasted." Sets the tone for the entire album. Straightforward, simple rocking out.
4. Amongst the Waves. Yeah, Mike has the anthem mojo rolling. This song begs to be "Given to Fly." Not the lyrical equivalent. It doesn't soar (heh) quite as high. I can't wait to hear it live though.
3. The End. This was a highlight of the EV solo show this past summer, even never having heard it before. It's heartbreaking, and cuts out in the way The Office does prior to the theme music. (You know what I mean - just not playing to the funny.) As with "Gonna See My Friend," this song is a like a walk-off homer. Abrupt and wholly satisfying. A definite, and worthy, Into the Wild successor.
2. Got Some. I LOVE Jeff Ament compositions. He just rolls out the funk. First, this sounds most like a classic PJ song. Second, it's complex musically, without having the quick shifts of a Matt song. I like EV politcking too, and it's good to hear some challenges to our oh so hopeful current government. "Have you heard of diplomatic resolve?"
1. Unthought Known. EV premiered this at NJPAC in summer 2008. You knew it was classic, but Ed's strumming was repetitious. The dynamics on the album launch the song into the stratosphere. Someone on the boards explained the title's background. Basically, we have thoughts in the back of our consciousness, knowledge that we don't know we have, but still drives us. Being mindful, we can obtain tht information and integrate into our known selves. Psychologically, that has plenty of implications. The part that stands out to me, "Look for love & evidence,... That you’re worth keeping,... Swallowed whole in negatives,... It's so sad & sickening,..." It's the you're as sick as your secrets idea, but with the hope that, through searching and giving into the search, you can find reason and redemption. Who needs more than that?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Stuff & Nonsense
1. Let's Go, Phillies!
2. I don't think I ever write without intent. I actually plot out posts. Flyers line-up analysis. Musical lists. These things mostly incubate in my brain and never see the light of the computer screen. At least my planned, abandoned mixes are written down somewhere.
3. I like lists. They give the random the appearance of order.
4. Tonight's beers: Left Hand Oktoberfest. One of the better fall seasonals, which isn't surprising given the brewery. Wouldn't mind a Deep Cover Brown Ale right now. Good that Left Hand is becoming easy to find around here. Now, when will I get some New Belgium 1554?
Blue Point's Oktoberfest. I love how everyone throws that 'k' into October. Now it's truly, authentically German. Eh, so far. There isn't much to it, certainly not enough to distinguish it among straight lagers, much less the other O'k'toberfests.
Hey, I just looked at New Belgium's site, and they have some where I'll be in NC on my birthday! Whoo!
5. Bottom 1st, V is for Victorino! on 2nd, 1 out, Utley's up. BEAT LA!
6. So, my birthday. Good times in NC, then FOUR nights of Pearl Jam at the Spectrum. That's right, FOUR! Songs I'd like to hear: Present Tense, State of Love & Trust, In My Tree, No Way, Fatal (yeah, right), Sad, Grievance, Untitled/MFC, In Hiding, Love Boat Captain, Go, RVM...
Do I care what they play? Not really..it's fucking Pearl Jam!
The only concern I have: How am I going to top this at 30 next year?
7. I'm eating pastry from Veniero's. Jealous?
8. 4-0!
9. The Strand no longer has a bag check. Stolen used, cheap books abound! Nah, I paid $13+ for Dexter Filkin's The Forever War. As if I don't have a book I committed to read and write about sitting on my shelf.
10. Nearly finished the Times crossword this week.
11. I am not enamored with the Fly Guys thus far. The problems that plagued them last year - not holding leads, indifferent play, turnovers in the defensive and neutral zones - remain. I don't know how they change that culture. I love Capt. Richie, and he leads by example on ice, and he's great for my fantasy team, but something's not translating. Here's hoping Pronger reams the team out. 'cause the Rangers are playing well, and the Pens aren't going anywhere.
12. Speaking of hockey, why the hell aren't there any games on today? This is the second dark day of the season. So when the NHL bitches about shutting down two weeks for the Olympics, why is anyone buying Bettman's kool-aid? Stop wasting these days in October, and quit your whining. And have the Flyers play more than 2 games in 11 days.
13. I love where I live. My coffee shop owner gave me a key/alarm code to use the store's internet for my fantasy draft. How many people can say that? Been here 5 1/2 years. No desire to leave. The only problem is the distance from my non-village friends. I don't see them near often enough, and I love being with them. Be it the city or several states away, it's far, particularly given my moodiness around travel. Most of the time, I can ignore this missing piece in my life. But then we spend a few hours hanging out, and I feel it when I get home. Not much to do to change this. God knows I'm not about to become a phone person. I dunno.
14. Backspacer is an entertaining album. Not the greatest thing ever, but a highly listenable 37 minutes. And "Unthought Known" is right up there in the PJ stratosphere. Only song I really don't care for is "Johnny Guitar." One of those weird Matt songs where Ed had to fit lyrics in, a la "Evacuation." And then there's the album "Speed of Sound" vs. the demo they previewed. It certainly went in a different direction musically. I'm getting used to it, mostly due to the lyrics being the same. But the album sounds like a "Low Light" retread.
15. Four more work days.
2. I don't think I ever write without intent. I actually plot out posts. Flyers line-up analysis. Musical lists. These things mostly incubate in my brain and never see the light of the computer screen. At least my planned, abandoned mixes are written down somewhere.
3. I like lists. They give the random the appearance of order.
4. Tonight's beers: Left Hand Oktoberfest. One of the better fall seasonals, which isn't surprising given the brewery. Wouldn't mind a Deep Cover Brown Ale right now. Good that Left Hand is becoming easy to find around here. Now, when will I get some New Belgium 1554?
Blue Point's Oktoberfest. I love how everyone throws that 'k' into October. Now it's truly, authentically German. Eh, so far. There isn't much to it, certainly not enough to distinguish it among straight lagers, much less the other O'k'toberfests.
Hey, I just looked at New Belgium's site, and they have some where I'll be in NC on my birthday! Whoo!
5. Bottom 1st, V is for Victorino! on 2nd, 1 out, Utley's up. BEAT LA!
6. So, my birthday. Good times in NC, then FOUR nights of Pearl Jam at the Spectrum. That's right, FOUR! Songs I'd like to hear: Present Tense, State of Love & Trust, In My Tree, No Way, Fatal (yeah, right), Sad, Grievance, Untitled/MFC, In Hiding, Love Boat Captain, Go, RVM...
Do I care what they play? Not really..it's fucking Pearl Jam!
The only concern I have: How am I going to top this at 30 next year?
7. I'm eating pastry from Veniero's. Jealous?
8. 4-0!
9. The Strand no longer has a bag check. Stolen used, cheap books abound! Nah, I paid $13+ for Dexter Filkin's The Forever War. As if I don't have a book I committed to read and write about sitting on my shelf.
10. Nearly finished the Times crossword this week.
11. I am not enamored with the Fly Guys thus far. The problems that plagued them last year - not holding leads, indifferent play, turnovers in the defensive and neutral zones - remain. I don't know how they change that culture. I love Capt. Richie, and he leads by example on ice, and he's great for my fantasy team, but something's not translating. Here's hoping Pronger reams the team out. 'cause the Rangers are playing well, and the Pens aren't going anywhere.
12. Speaking of hockey, why the hell aren't there any games on today? This is the second dark day of the season. So when the NHL bitches about shutting down two weeks for the Olympics, why is anyone buying Bettman's kool-aid? Stop wasting these days in October, and quit your whining. And have the Flyers play more than 2 games in 11 days.
13. I love where I live. My coffee shop owner gave me a key/alarm code to use the store's internet for my fantasy draft. How many people can say that? Been here 5 1/2 years. No desire to leave. The only problem is the distance from my non-village friends. I don't see them near often enough, and I love being with them. Be it the city or several states away, it's far, particularly given my moodiness around travel. Most of the time, I can ignore this missing piece in my life. But then we spend a few hours hanging out, and I feel it when I get home. Not much to do to change this. God knows I'm not about to become a phone person. I dunno.
14. Backspacer is an entertaining album. Not the greatest thing ever, but a highly listenable 37 minutes. And "Unthought Known" is right up there in the PJ stratosphere. Only song I really don't care for is "Johnny Guitar." One of those weird Matt songs where Ed had to fit lyrics in, a la "Evacuation." And then there's the album "Speed of Sound" vs. the demo they previewed. It certainly went in a different direction musically. I'm getting used to it, mostly due to the lyrics being the same. But the album sounds like a "Low Light" retread.
15. Four more work days.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Griping. Hardly Gripping.
Early morning awakening (psycho speak for insomnia) has produced one thing: a lame blog entry! Mostly, I want to make a list of complaints:
1. I can't sleep.
2. Pearl Jam's new album, Backspacer, was released on 9/20. I ore-ordered mine from 10Club (Screw Target. Give the band more money) on the first pre-order day months ago. The vinyl shipped yesterday (9/22). Grr.
3. 180 gram vinyl is lovely. But it limits how much music you can put on each side, so many new (re)releases take up two LPs. This drives the cost up to at least $25. Unless I go the city, I have to order over the internet. Add almost $8 shipping. Equals, well, you can do the math.
4. There is not one good music store in Westchester County.
5. I have stupid office coverage today. I don't know how anyone can tolerate working 9-5, or 7:30-5 in my case.
6. Fantasy hockey draft is tomorrow. 9pm. That's late.
7. Cablevision isn't letting me order Center Ice through the cable box. Now I have to call them. Yep, calling the cable company. You know how that goes.
8. My belt is too big, even with the new hole I punched in it.
9. Daniel Carcillo's contract/existence.
10. Money, money, money.
That is all.
1. I can't sleep.
2. Pearl Jam's new album, Backspacer, was released on 9/20. I ore-ordered mine from 10Club (Screw Target. Give the band more money) on the first pre-order day months ago. The vinyl shipped yesterday (9/22). Grr.
3. 180 gram vinyl is lovely. But it limits how much music you can put on each side, so many new (re)releases take up two LPs. This drives the cost up to at least $25. Unless I go the city, I have to order over the internet. Add almost $8 shipping. Equals, well, you can do the math.
4. There is not one good music store in Westchester County.
5. I have stupid office coverage today. I don't know how anyone can tolerate working 9-5, or 7:30-5 in my case.
6. Fantasy hockey draft is tomorrow. 9pm. That's late.
7. Cablevision isn't letting me order Center Ice through the cable box. Now I have to call them. Yep, calling the cable company. You know how that goes.
8. My belt is too big, even with the new hole I punched in it.
9. Daniel Carcillo's contract/existence.
10. Money, money, money.
That is all.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
PJ25
As a reply to this, I actually tried to rank my Top 25 Pearl Jam songs. Here y'all go, minus commentary:
25. Grievance
24. Insignificance
23. Low Light
22. Man of the Hour
21. Leash
20. Off He Goes
19. Nothingman
18. Indifference
17. Untitled/MFC
16. Not For You
15. Release
14. Present Tense
12. Daughter (It's OK)
11. Footsteps
10. Go
9. Love Boat Captain
8. Fatal
7. Once
6. Sad
5. Rearviewmirror
4. I Am Mine
3. In Hiding
2. Immortality
1. State Of Love and Trust
25. Grievance
24. Insignificance
23. Low Light
22. Man of the Hour
21. Leash
20. Off He Goes
19. Nothingman
18. Indifference
17. Untitled/MFC
16. Not For You
15. Release
14. Present Tense
12. Daughter (It's OK)
11. Footsteps
10. Go
9. Love Boat Captain
8. Fatal
7. Once
6. Sad
5. Rearviewmirror
4. I Am Mine
3. In Hiding
2. Immortality
1. State Of Love and Trust
Saturday, August 1, 2009
You Are My Shirt
In anticipation of The (Not So) Great Wilco post, here's a rundown of the band t-shirts I noticed at the Wilco show on 7/18:
Eddie Vedder (Who could that be?)
The Ramones
Rolling Stones
Misfits
Wilco (!)
Neil Young
Martin Sexton
Lollapalooza '08
Okkervill River
Bob Dylan
Bon Iver
The Hold Steady (Don't like 'em, yet find myself strangely entertained when on the radio. Also have a theory that they're this generations Counting Crows.)
Slayer
Dropkick Murphys
Donna the Buffalo
My Morning Jacket
Phish
I think Okkervill River wins as the least likely to be seen anywhere outside an OR show or Brooklyn.
Might try this experiment at the M. Ward, Mike Watt, Nels Cline, etc show again tonight. Over/Under on at least 5 Minutemen shirts?
Eddie Vedder (Who could that be?)
The Ramones
Rolling Stones
Misfits
Wilco (!)
Neil Young
Martin Sexton
Lollapalooza '08
Okkervill River
Bob Dylan
Bon Iver
The Hold Steady (Don't like 'em, yet find myself strangely entertained when on the radio. Also have a theory that they're this generations Counting Crows.)
Slayer
Dropkick Murphys
Donna the Buffalo
My Morning Jacket
Phish
I think Okkervill River wins as the least likely to be seen anywhere outside an OR show or Brooklyn.
Might try this experiment at the M. Ward, Mike Watt, Nels Cline, etc show again tonight. Over/Under on at least 5 Minutemen shirts?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
This Is Not a Photograph.
Been thinking a lot about the proliferation of photograph(er)s. In the age of digital cameras, it's easy. Everyone, everywhere, all the damn time. Last night at Wilco, a gaggle of girls pushed up to our primo position (alliteration unfortunate, but intended) to take some action shots of the band. The they slunk away, though not before one saw my EV shirt and said "You're a Pearl Jam fan!" - big points for her. What exactly is that, though? It's one thing to love Nels Cline, it's another to love taking pictures of Nels Cline and not pay attention to, you know, the music.
It's not that I'm opposed to easy access to candid/beautiful/etc. moments. I'm quite in favor. And I don't think it steals one's soul or anything. Although there are times I've not taken a picture precisely because it was a spiritual moment and it felt as though a picture would detract. I wanted to keep the essence of memory. Also, I reject the argument that photography/art, particularly in difficult periods, is just voyeurism that exploits pain and serves no purpose (see the documentary War Photographer).
Still, I wonder how much living we miss while trying to document our experience. Is a walk in the woods meant to be a series of pixels? On the other hand, taking photos on the trails today, I noticed a lot I've missed in the hundreds of other trips I've taken back there. And I can share those images with others who might never have the joy of seeing the real thing.
I have no answers, as usual. But I do have a link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsey.r.allen/DamNTrails#
It's not that I'm opposed to easy access to candid/beautiful/etc. moments. I'm quite in favor. And I don't think it steals one's soul or anything. Although there are times I've not taken a picture precisely because it was a spiritual moment and it felt as though a picture would detract. I wanted to keep the essence of memory. Also, I reject the argument that photography/art, particularly in difficult periods, is just voyeurism that exploits pain and serves no purpose (see the documentary War Photographer).
Still, I wonder how much living we miss while trying to document our experience. Is a walk in the woods meant to be a series of pixels? On the other hand, taking photos on the trails today, I noticed a lot I've missed in the hundreds of other trips I've taken back there. And I can share those images with others who might never have the joy of seeing the real thing.
I have no answers, as usual. But I do have a link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsey.r.allen/DamNTrails#
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