Underrated/Overrated albums

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?
--
Laurie
http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

I guess it depends what we consider the underachievers. I would
consider Binaural, Riot Act, and Avocado as the underachivers
So...
Underrated: Riot Act. Just skip "Green Disease", "Bushleaguer" and
you have a pretty decent album. Even the unreleased stuff for this
album was great.

Overrated: I can't think of any. I will disagree with your "Ten" as
being overrated. "Ten" is one of the most consistent albums to listen
to from start to finish, not only in PJ's catalog, but rock in
general. With the advent of MP3 players, it has eliminated the need
to skip tracks on an album, since you can add or subtract what files
you want on your MP3 player. But let's say you listened to all of
your PJ albums on a cassette tape, where it would suck to skip songs.
I say "Ten" requires the least amount of "skippage".

--CT

Evolution

2009-08-10 20:45:36 UTC

Post by Evolution
Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?
--
Laurie
http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Is it just the spoken word stuff that you don't like about Bushleaguer?
This song is fantastic, especially live. It is funky, builds nicely,
and has great guitar work. One of the best songs they ever wrote.

Post by Chris (CT)
Overrated: I can't think of any. I will disagree with your "Ten" as
being overrated. "Ten" is one of the most consistent albums to listen
to from start to finish, not only in PJ's catalog, but rock in
general. With the advent of MP3 players, it has eliminated the need
to skip tracks on an album, since you can add or subtract what files
you want on your MP3 player. But let's say you listened to all of
your PJ albums on a cassette tape, where it would suck to skip songs.
I say "Ten" requires the least amount of "skippage".

Well, if you're judging by how many songs you skip, yes it is
consistent. But I tend to judge by how well the songs stand up over
time and how much they grow on you. Nothing on Ten has depth; the songs
don't grow on you; they just are. I liked Ten the first time I heard
it; it made me a fan, but it's their later stuff which has stretched
their boundaries and mine. Like Severed Hand is one which grows and
grows, and will still be interesting 10 years down the road.

Post by Chris (CT)
--CT

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Chris (CT)

2009-08-10 21:23:23 UTC

Post by Evolution

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?
--
Laurie
http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Yeah, I think it's the spoken word that I don't care for. I agree
there is great guitar work that might have been more enjoyable in a
more standard song setup (for me). Didn't Stone write the music for
that one?

Post by Evolution
Well, if you're judging by how many songs you skip, yes it is
consistent. But I tend to judge by how well the songs stand up over
time and how much they grow on you. Nothing on Ten has depth; the songs
don't grow on you; they just are. I liked Ten the first time I heard
it; it made me a fan, but it's their later stuff which has stretched
their boundaries and mine. Like Severed Hand is one which grows and
grows, and will still be interesting 10 years down the road.

Yeah, I guess you are right in terms of depth. I get what you are
saying. I think they've grown and challenged themselves more to write
"bigger" songs in terms of emotion. Maybe it's more nostalgia that I
can see Ten as more consistent. I actually don't listen to many Ten
songs right now (hehe), mostly no code, vitalogy, yield, binaural and
b-sides at the moment. At the time though, 1991-1993, Ten couldn't be
considered overrated. How about that? :)

So, what would you say is their more challenging, diverse album? I'll
say No Code, just off the top of my head.
--CT

Heywood Jablome

2009-08-10 22:53:03 UTC

How the hell has Ten not stood up over time? Once, Alive, Black,
Oceans, Porch, Release.....some of the best songs theyve ever
recorded, and still get played live consistently to this day.

WHile songs like Help Help and Bushleaguer and Rival and Nothing As It
Seems might be more "challenging" than Once, ill take Once every
single time over those songs.

Overrated - Vitalogy ( i consider all their 90s albums classics, but i
think vitalogy is the toughest listen. The filler songs completely
kill any flow the album has, and i dont love spin the black circle and
not for you. )

Underrated - Avocado (i actually think its underrated by pearl jam
fans, the media pretty unanimously gave it positive reviews, but i
find most pj fans arent crazy about it. I think its easily their best
album since Yield, and put it right up there with their 90s stuff)

Evolution

2009-08-11 14:17:24 UTC

Post by Heywood Jablome
How the hell has Ten not stood up over time? Once, Alive, Black,
Oceans, Porch, Release.....some of the best songs theyve ever
recorded, and still get played live consistently to this day.

Of course, because casual fans want to hear them. With the exception of
Oceans/Release which don't get played much, and Porch, which is a jam
song, the rest have gotten very tired to me. I never, ever get tired of
Corduroy or Do The Evolution, for example, which they also play almost
every show; I just think they are stronger songs.

Betterman is also one which is a great song, but doesn't stand up to
endless repetition.

Post by Heywood Jablome
WHile songs like Help Help and Bushleaguer and Rival and Nothing As It
Seems might be more "challenging" than Once, ill take Once every
single time over those songs.

That's why they keep playing those songs... :)

Post by Heywood Jablome
Overrated - Vitalogy ( i consider all their 90s albums classics, but i
think vitalogy is the toughest listen. The filler songs completely
kill any flow the album has, and i dont love spin the black circle and
not for you. )

Yeah, I rarely listen to the album, but the good songs from it are my
favorites live.

Post by Heywood Jablome
Underrated - Avocado (i actually think its underrated by pearl jam
fans, the media pretty unanimously gave it positive reviews, but i
find most pj fans arent crazy about it. I think its easily their best
album since Yield, and put it right up there with their 90s stuff)

It's a good one, but I feel Life Wasted, Unemployable, Gone, Inside Job
are just throwaways... Comatose, Severed Hand, Marker, Parachutes, Come
Back are masterpieces. And Worldwide Suicide has become a favorite live.

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Chris (CT)

2009-08-11 17:23:05 UTC

Of course, because casual fans want to hear them. With the exception of
Oceans/Release which don't get played much, and Porch, which is a jam
song, the rest have gotten very tired to me. I never, ever get tired of
Corduroy or Do The Evolution, for example, which they also play almost
every show; I just think they are stronger songs.
Betterman is also one which is a great song, but doesn't stand up to
endless repetition.

Post by Heywood Jablome
WHile songs like Help Help and Bushleaguer and Rival and Nothing As It
Seems might be more "challenging" than Once, ill take Once every
single time over those songs.

That's why they keep playing those songs... :)

Yeah, I rarely listen to the album, but the good songs from it are my
favorites live.

How about underrated songs on albums?

TEN - Garden and/or Deep
VS - Rats
Vitalogy - aye davanita (or is it too filler?)
No Code - Mankind ? (I think it's got a good chorus, but verses kinda
drag it.)
Yield - No Way
Binaural - Of the Girl
Riot Act - you are (maybe underrated...i don't here much from people
about liking it)
Avocado - unemployable ?

--CT

Evolution

2009-08-11 20:27:50 UTC

Post by Evolution

Of course, because casual fans want to hear them. With the exception of
Oceans/Release which don't get played much, and Porch, which is a jam
song, the rest have gotten very tired to me. I never, ever get tired of
Corduroy or Do The Evolution, for example, which they also play almost
every show; I just think they are stronger songs.
Betterman is also one which is a great song, but doesn't stand up to
endless repetition.

Post by Heywood Jablome
WHile songs like Help Help and Bushleaguer and Rival and Nothing As It
Seems might be more "challenging" than Once, ill take Once every
single time over those songs.

That's why they keep playing those songs... :)

Yeah, I rarely listen to the album, but the good songs from it are my
favorites live.

How about underrated songs on albums?
TEN - Garden and/or Deep

Not crazy about these... although if you watch old videos, Ed really got
into Deep...

Post by Chris (CT)
VS - Rats

It was great to hear this last tour... I agree, some thought it was filler.

Post by Chris (CT)
Vitalogy - aye davanita (or is it too filler?)

I listened to this recently, and really liked it. I think if they threw
it on a more recent album, it would have been better received.

I would say Bugs is underrated... love this!

Post by Chris (CT)
No Code - Mankind ? (I think it's got a good chorus, but verses kinda
drag it.)

Fun song...

Post by Chris (CT)
Yield - No Way

Yep... and maybe All Those Yesterdays...

Post by Chris (CT)
Binaural - Of the Girl

Yep.. and Rival.

Post by Chris (CT)
Riot Act - you are (maybe underrated...i don't here much from people
about liking it)

My friends and I love this! I took an English friend (from work) to see
PJ in Australia, and had gone with his to see RHCP, his favorite band.
The one song he said he liked was You Are... guess it has a sort of RHCP
influence.

Post by Chris (CT)
Avocado - unemployable ?

I think this one is overrated... don't like it much. Underrated would
be Parachutes. Brilliant song.

Post by Chris (CT)
--CT

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Jett K

2009-09-04 01:18:14 UTC

On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:23:05 -0700 (PDT), "Chris (CT)"

Of course, because casual fans want to hear them. With the exception of
Oceans/Release which don't get played much, and Porch, which is a jam
song, the rest have gotten very tired to me. I never, ever get tired of
Corduroy or Do The Evolution, for example, which they also play almost
every show; I just think they are stronger songs.
Betterman is also one which is a great song, but doesn't stand up to
endless repetition.

Post by Heywood Jablome
WHile songs like Help Help and Bushleaguer and Rival and Nothing As It
Seems might be more "challenging" than Once, ill take Once every
single time over those songs.

That's why they keep playing those songs... :)

Yeah, I rarely listen to the album, but the good songs from it are my
favorites live.

How about underrated songs on albums?
TEN - Garden and/or Deep -- Good calls.
VS - Rats -- good call
Vitalogy - aye davanita (or is it too filler?) -- no, great call
No Code - Mankind ? (I think it's got a good chorus, but verses kinda
drag it.) -- EEK! Not my cup of whatever.
Yield - No Way -- Good call.
Binaural - Of the Girl -- Fabulous call.
Riot Act - you are (maybe underrated...i don't here much from people
about liking it) Another fabulous call.
Avocado - unemployable ? Eh. Okay +.
--CT

--Jett

Evolution

2009-08-11 14:09:12 UTC

That unfortunately turns a lot of people off this song (or the politics
of it)... But Ed's made quite a show of that spoken word stuff live. I
don't know who wrote it, but it does sound like Stone played a role.

Well, it started it all. I have fond memories of this album; it hit me
like a brick. My sons were into Metallica, Guns 'n Roses (older one)
and Nirvana (younger one), which were just okay for me. Then my younger
son brought his Ten tape into the car one day, and Evenflow came on... I
was hooked, and never gave it back to him. It's hard to find that same
feeling now that I had then, after hearing it live 140 times... I think
I went to one show where they didn't play it. And they play it so fast
now... I liked the slow, sexy version.

Post by Chris (CT)
So, what would you say is their more challenging, diverse album? I'll
say No Code, just off the top of my head.
--CT

Yep, I would agree. I didn't like it at first, but kept listening, and
one day, it just clicked. But I would say my favorite albums are
Vitalogy and Binaural, as far as masterpieces go. I'm hoping for Tremor
Christ to be pulled out... and Of The Girl is one of the most
underrated songs imo.

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Andrew

2009-08-10 18:40:37 UTC

Over-rated: Vs. Album has some strong cuts but to me not as musically
diverse as other albums. WMA, rearviewmirror, and rats still standout as
enjoyable tracks to me, while dissident, LEASH, and glorified G I don't
care for so much. The rest kind of fall in between.

Under-rated: Yield, to me, the closest PJ have come to putting out a
perfect album. And of course, it's not perfect, but it remains a wonderful
listen and I dont skip or cutout any tracks when listening to the album
through.

I also think Avacado was very strong, but just a notch below the best work
they've done. I think too early to tell if its over- or under- rated, but
time will tell.

-Andrew

Evolution

2009-08-11 13:59:54 UTC

Post by Andrew
Over-rated: Vs. Album has some strong cuts but to me not as musically
diverse as other albums. WMA, rearviewmirror, and rats still standout as
enjoyable tracks to me, while dissident, LEASH, and glorified G I don't
care for so much. The rest kind of fall in between.
Under-rated: Yield, to me, the closest PJ have come to putting out a
perfect album. And of course, it's not perfect, but it remains a wonderful
listen and I dont skip or cutout any tracks when listening to the album
through.
I also think Avacado was very strong, but just a notch below the best work
they've done. I think too early to tell if its over- or under- rated, but
time will tell.
-Andrew

I was just listening to Yield the other day... suddenly, No Way comes
on, and since they don't play it live, I hadn't heard it in ages... It
really is a funky, wonderful song. Isn't it wonderful that you can be
indifferent to a song for years, and then it just hits you?

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Zod

2009-08-15 19:20:03 UTC

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.

Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.

but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.

Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.

- Brian

Evolution

2009-08-16 08:18:41 UTC

Post by Evolution
Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this
album... Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand,
Nothing As It Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live
versions are spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well, that's what's great about this band... they have so many
sides/moods which appeal to different people.

Post by Zod
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

Yeah, it's a good one. Didn't I read somewhere that they turned the
instrumental from that album into a song on their new album? Should be
interesting!

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Heywood Jablome

2009-08-17 22:02:41 UTC

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

Binaural could have been their best album ever if they included the
Lost Dogs songs (Sad, Fatal, In The Moonlight, Education, love all
those songs) and dropped crap like Evacuation and Gods Dice. Not a fan
of Nothing As It Seems and Rival but I can see why those made the
album, but evacuation and gods dice are very weak, so is breakerfall.
They remind me of leatherman or u, aka B SIDES!!! Those opening 3
songs just kill the album for me. How Sad didnt make the album is
truly beyond me, I think its 1 of their top 30 songs.

Chaim

2009-08-18 08:31:16 UTC

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

I agree with most of what you have said. I'd like to add Thin Air to
that list as well as a song that never should have made the cut. I've
actually made my own version of the album with the order of songs
shuffled a but and the first three songs taken out entirely. (I now
have it open with Sad, Grievance and In The Moonlight.) My new
tracklisting has actually led to me listening to the record far more
often than I used to.

-Chaim

Office Manager

2009-08-20 17:47:46 UTC

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

Speaking of Binaural, why oh why doesn't Pearl Jam open with "Of The
Girl" anymore? (just once in a while, i mean)??? IMO, one of the most
spine tingling openers in their catalogue......

Chaim

2009-08-21 08:55:32 UTC

Post by Office Manager

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

Speaking of Binaural, why oh why doesn't Pearl Jam open with "Of The
Girl" anymore? (just once in a while, i mean)??? IMO, one of the most
spine tingling openers in their catalogue......

I agree, it's a great opener. I will be shocked if they don't play it
at some point on the tour.

I am still awaiting the ultimate show opener: Untitled/MFC. Why they
haven't gotten on this already I have no idea.

-Chaim

art-urrrro

2009-08-29 06:41:16 UTC

I can't believe you fools.........most underated PJ song? FREAKEN
EASY............no discussion needed.

N O T H I N G M A N
(NADA SENOR for all the mexicanos on this message board)

I made a video for this song years ago........

ps. you can also hear my daughter singing jack johnson and eduardo on
my other videos. She's singing BLACK next week. I have no idea how she
has the cojones to just go up there and sing in front of a crowd...

Evolution

2009-08-31 19:53:44 UTC

Post by Office Manager

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

Speaking of Binaural, why oh why doesn't Pearl Jam open with "Of The
Girl" anymore? (just once in a while, i mean)??? IMO, one of the most
spine tingling openers in their catalogue......

And the guitar work is great!

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Evolution

2009-08-31 19:53:08 UTC

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

I agree, Thin Air sucks. Evacuation and God's Dice should never have
made the cut over Education and Sad, but Breakerfall... I just don't get
it... it's a great song! One of my faves live, and love the line, "It's
like she's lost her invitation to the party on earth, and she's standing
outside hating everyone here"...

--
Laurie

http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

Heywood Jablome

2009-08-31 22:31:44 UTC

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?

Well binaural I like most of the first have, but not really the 2nd half.
Not a big fan of parting ways, sleight of hand, or nothing as it seems.
but I do like breakerfall, light years (favorite song on the album),
greivance. I suppose the album loses me after grievance.
Wierd thing is that I've probably listened to the into the wild
soundtrack more than I have any of the last 3 albums.
- Brian

THey shouldnt have opened the album with it, cuz i compare it to other
album openers, and breakerfall doesnt hold a candle to once or go or
last exit or sometimes. Grievance should have opened the album. THey
just completely butchered Binaural haha

lastexit99

2009-08-17 13:39:07 UTC

Underrated = Binaural... Yes, the album had a few clunkers and
production problems, but there are so many masterpieces on this album...
Breakerfall, Of The Girl, Parting Ways, Sleight of Hand, Nothing As It
Seems... these songs have held up well, and the live versions are
spectacular, and incredible showcase for Mike's talent.
Overrated = Ten... Yes, these songs are classics, but they don't have
the depth that many of their later songs have. With the exception of
Porch (which never grows old and is constantly changing), Release,
Oceans, Black.
You?
--
Laurie
http://lauriehester.blogspot.com/

To me it sort of depends on whose perspective you are talking about.
No Code was in a lot of ways the album that is considered the first
"not great" one. I think it is great though. Anyway, here's my point
of view...

Underrated - Riot Act. At the end of the day I think this was a step
in the right direction from where Binaural was. I still wish they
would have spent some more time with the production of this album,
because I think it could have been better. Most of the songs
translated well live and Mike got to actually play again. Definitly
not their best album, but much better than it was recieved.

Overrated - probably Vs. I love the album, but I probably listen to
it less than any of the others. Like Laurie said about Ten (which I
don't agree with) Vs. is the album that I think doesn't stand up to
time so well.

Underrated -

Jett K

2009-09-04 01:15:04 UTC