Eddie Vedder sings like his life depends on it, but there's only so much anyone could do with such a totally indistinguished composition.
Pearl Jam is beating the (anti) war drums for a big new album release coming May 2 on J Records, after a long association with Epic. Here's the track listing:…
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— go to most recent comments76 - Freedom Fries
That was me by the way. I have a couple more tips for you since you seem so inclined to give them.
When reviewing music, it's better to be specific. You quoted none of the lyrics of Worldwide Suicide. You made no mention of similar-sounding songs. You used the word "indistinguished" when there are better words. It leaves the reader wondering, did the reviewer mean "indistinct" (vague) ? Or did the reviewer make a mistake and should have used "undistinguished" (ordinary).
If you make a simple mistake in your review, people are more likley to dismiss your music criticism even if they are wrong to do so. For example, New Hampshire has no East Rutherford or Continental Airlines Arena. Leaving a mistake like that in a review shows a lack of attention to detail.
77 - IgnatiusReilly
"I'm a highly knowledgeable connoisseur of American popular music"
What horseshit! Just because you put that on a t-shirt and wear it around the mall, doesn't mean squat. You're just a guy in love with his own opinion. You think because you like something you are a music critic, yet your posts and comments illustrate that you know very little about the subject. Do yourself a favor and stop responding. You take one step backwards every time you open your trap.
78 - Axl
You suck.Pearl Jam rule.
79 - Ark
God, some of this tripe reminds of why it's sometimes embarassing to be a Pearl Jam fan. For the record, I like "world wide suicide" a good deal. I particularly like the vocal scat of the pre-chorus. The vocals on the new songs seem to be mixed pretty low, but it sounds like Ed is bringing a little more energy to his performance this time around.
BUT, I have to agree with Al in that Pearl Jam get a lot more credit than they're due (as much as I love them), in terms of their artistry. But I'll probably differ in just what I take exception to (e.g. I think Vitalogy thorugh Yield are their only good records). The last two records, though, were totally flat--a handful of good ed songs on each, but no imagination (and jeff ament should never be allowed to write another lyric--EVER).
80 - Dielawn
Pearl Jam Fucking Owns. This may not be Jeremy, Or Rearviewmirror, but its pearl jam. To be honest, i dont like world wide suicide as much as unemployable, which is a great song, so this album could still turn out fucking amazing.
81 - Shart
Hey Al.
Did you listen to Eddie's Who cover? You mentioned it, but it was kind of an insult wrapped in a compliment. :/
There's PJ songs I don't like either, but they're still my favorite band. If you don't like WS then they have softer stuff thats more uh james bluntish (lol) that might suit your tastes. Have you heard their version of 'last kiss' (blech)? Or 'wishlist' I think has lovely lyrics and simple melody like You're Beautiful (lol).
And if you dont like PJ after listening to everything then I don't really care, people should listen to whatever they want and music reviews are idiotic in principle. Keep looking for the next big thing on American Idol or some indie club whatever floats your boat.
Spread the Jam!
82 - Bob
This isn't a review, it's an editorial.
83 - Tuned In
Get a grip.
The band themselves states that they don't avoid sounding unpolished. However World Wide Suicide has a few components of prepared, delicate work. I won't spell them out for you. However if you are reasonably familiar with the bands FULL body of work you will know EXACTLY what I mean. They've done what every creative and lasting band does. They have found a way to combine their old sound and a new sound while staying true to the natural soul of the band.
Pay attention! If you want to hear TEN just play it. But don't be critical because a band 15 years after the fact have moved on and you haven't. It's a new songalbum, take it as it is not what you thinkthought it should be.
84 - Lust
Hi Al.
Thanks for your review. I'm a big Pearl Jam nut.
After reading all of the comments, I think we could use some concise clarity.
Music is subjective. No good or bad, no right or wrong. You either like or dislike. Like ice cream. I love vanilla - How about you?
My take on WWS: I love the fact that finally a PJ opening single has a hard edge. I play guitar. I seek those interesting riffs, odd chord changes, memorable hooks. WWS has none of these, but it has something previous PJ singles did not - muscle. 'I Am Mine' and 'Nothing As It Seems', as much as I enjoy them, lacked 'ummph', for lack of a better word (ha!). It's as if (and you'll notice why us PJ fans are excited about this) the boys really put their back into it and said let's kick ass with this one. Eddie's voice is great, the guitars blend in well, and the beat doesn't relent. For us in PJ world, that's glorious, truly 'music to our ears'.
In a sense (and I believe this is what causes such heated exchanges) we've come to be disjointed with the rest of the music world; PJ, to us, is its own genre. If we love a PJ song, we love it to death. If we don't, we'll give it enough spins to make it seem at the very least agreeable.
Al, you come from the 'other side'. We're a very tough crowd to please, and we don't take well to criticism. So at the end of the day, no one will ever win.
That said, I enjoyed your commentary. As per the new album, I must say I'm truly excited about listening to a reinvigorated PJ... What will seem absolutely fucking awesome to us might, just might, make a dent with the rest of the non-PJ world. I think PJ themselves have done a disservice to their music by not promoting it as much; there are some real gems on previous albums. My all-time favs are 'Light Years', 'Black' and 'I Got Shit', take a listen, see what you think.
I believe this one's gonna be different; this album, as I've been reading around, was made TOGETHER; The whole 'sitting in a room and busting out music' is reminiscent of Ten and Vs. days, I like that. I also liked the 'let's bring in songs and see what comes of it' process for No Code, Yield and Binaural, Riot Act; it gave way to less fluid albums, where songs literally sounded as if they were being performed by a different group each time, with its respective highs and lows, yet it also gave us some great music nonetheless.
Now, with 'Pearl Jam', I think we're in for the nice flowing cooperative feel; Where decisions were made in unison, and music was grinded out the hard way (in my opinion the better way). 'Unemployable' is a fabulous song, it's got its jagged edges, yet remains melodic. And the lyrics ring true to everyday life, which I like. I've gotten sick of excessively hearing about waves and captains, thank God it's not here. The chorus is fabulous, and there's great work on the backing vocals.
PJ'ammers get frustrated when people cannot share their love for PJ music; like, how can you NOT like vanilla ice cream? Seems second nature to us. But I tell you this much Al - go out on a limb and buy the album come May. You never know, you might be pleasantly surprised. As for us, it's a foregone conclusion.
Cheers.
85 - Tuned In
Well Said "Lust".
I've found that Pearl Jam isn't love or hate, but get it or don't. Few can be swayed, but for some reason they are a very tough sale. To mainstream for some and to off the radar for others.
It's a very big niche (odd as that sounds), but non the less they are a niche band in a lot of ways.
86 - Prawn
Al, the fact you couldn't work out what "Sleight Of Hand" was about and the comments you made afterwards made me realise that you either:
a/ Want lyrics to be simple enough for you to understand without having to think about them too much, or
b/ Are just are not capable of working them out, or
c/ For some reason (conscious or sub-conscious)you just do not like Pearl Jam and therefore, no matter how hard you try, are unable to spend the mental energy needed to connect with the lyrics and music. This happens to everybody (although some do not like to admit it) and, unlike other PJ 'fans' on here, I can live with it.
Now, from what I have read you seem to be a fairly intelligent sort of person so I would think you fall into category c/.
The beauty of Pearl Jam's lyrics is that a lot of them cannot be understood straight away. There are some Pearl Jam songs that I have listened to 2 or 3 years later and suddenly find it all fits like a glove. Even the ones you think you have worked out can speak to you years later when you are finally in 'the right frame of mind' to hear it.
I do not doubt that you listen to music that does the same thing for you and many others. I whole-heartedly agree with your comments on there being 'not enough time in the day' - this is a fact.
Most people get into particular bands or artists because they have what they are looking for at the time. For someone like me, who was 15 when Ten came out and have grown with the band, this could not be more true. If I was 20 or older at the time I probably would be talking about The Who with you. This is where section c/ above comes into play.
However, this is a PJ thread. One of Pearl Jam's greatest assets is that they have the amazing ability to make music that fits the words perfectly - see 'I got ID' for a classic example.
The fact that other people here cannot, or do not, want to comprehend is this is a Pearl Jam thread written by a non-Pearl Jam fan trying hard to connect. I commend you for trying but realise you do not have the hours to spend doing so.
I feel compelled to try and help you make the unlikely leap of faith - here are three Pearl Jam songs with (dare I say) simple but brilliant lyrics.
Let us know what you think.
I have put a little explanation in for bugs as, for some reason, even some PJ fans themselves don't get it. If you want an explanation after reading the others, let me know.
LIGHT YEARS
I've used hammers made out of wood
I have played games with pieces and rules..
I've deciphered tricks at the bar...
But now you're gone,... I haven't figured out why...
I've come up with riddles... and jokes about war...
I've figured out numbers and what they're for...
I've understood feelings.. and I've understood words...
But how could you be taken away?...
And wherever you've gone...and wherever we might go...
It don't seem fair...today just disappeared...
Your light's reflected now,... reflected from afar...
We were but stones,... your light made us stars
With heavy breath,... awakened regrets...
Back pages and days alone that could have been spent,
Together... but we were... miles apar...t
Every inch between us becomes light years now...
No need to be void,... or save up on life...
You got to spend it all.....
And wherever you've gone... and wherever we might go...
It don't seem fair...you seemed to like it here...
Your light's reflected now,... reflected from afar
We were but stones,... your light made us stars
And wherever you've gone... and wherever we might go...
It don't seem fair...today just disappeared...
Your light's reflected now,... reflected from afar...
We were but stones,... your light made us stars
BUGS (Brilliant to listen to when you feel everything is becoming too much for you. Looks and sounds simple yet is a deceptively deep song. Comes into its own when the music and words are combined. I believe it is the rock that holds up 'Vitalogy')
(All these...)
I got bugs
I got bugs in my room
Bugs in my bed
Bugs in my ears
Their eggs in my head
Bugs in my pockets
Bugs in my shoes
Bugs in the way, I feel about you
Bugs on my window
Trying to get in
They don't go nowhere
Waiting, waiting...
Bugs on my ceiling
Crowded the floor
Standing, sitting, kneeling...
A few block the door
And now the question's:
Do I kill them?
Become their friend?
Do I eat them?
Raw or well done?
Do I trick them?
I don't think they're that dumb
Do I join them?
Looks like that's the one
I got bugs on my skin
Tickle my nausea
I let it happen again
They're always takin' over
I see they surround me, I see...
See them deciding my fate
Oh, that which was once...was once up to me...
Now it's too late
I got bugs in my room...one on one
That's when I had a chance
I'll just stop now
I'll become naked
And with them...I'll become one
PRESENT TENSE
Do you see the way that tree bends?
Does it inspire?
Leaning out to catch the sun's rays
A lesson to be applied
Are you getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone, re-digesting past regrets, oh
Or you can come to terms and realize
You're the only one who can't forgive yourself, oh
Makes much more sense, to live in the present tense
Have you ideas on how this life ends?
Checked your hands and studied the lines
Have you the belief that the road ahead, ascends off into the light?
Seems that needlessly it's getting harder
To find an approach and a way to live
Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone re-digesting past regrets, oh
Or you can come to terms and realize
You're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh
Makes much more sense, to live in the present tense
87 - Dave
Al, I respect your comments, but I don't agree. Like U2's Vertigo, Worldwide Suicide rocks!! Both have great hooks. I see you're not interested in grunge music at all (Nirvana's Nevermind is #93 on your top 100 list???), so please don't act like you are some kind of music connoisseur. Stick to writing about what you know like Elvis Costello and stop hating on music genres and bands you obviously are not interested in and don't know anything about.
88 - Christopher Rose
Personally, I like all kinds of music, I don't care about the source only the sounds.
Pearl Jam seem to attract a very loyal following who seem to have persuaded themselves that the group is particularly intellectual or something.
I'll grant that their lyrics are a little different to many more generic bands but I still find them incredibly naive and nerdy to my taste. They simply don't have the chops to support the idolatry.
89 - Wick Fields
This war on PJ goes back fourteen years when they started selling so many records. Before that, anyone who heard them in the indie community was behind them. Then they sold a zillion albums and they were forsaken. But I defy anyone on this blog who call them sell outs to point to one moment in their career when they cateered to the thundering herd. They've made ONE video in thirteen years for chrissakes. No one, I mean NO ONE has gone to such lengths NOT to sell out.
The only people who throw around that term "sell out" has never paid their own rent and usually under the age of 25.
90 - Wick Fields
MR. BARGER...
Exactly how long has your love affair w/ Miss Dolly been going on? My guess is since Jack White produced her album.
91 - Tim Bits
This whole thing is much ado about nothing. If you like a song, and are the only person in the whole world who buys the record...what difference does it make what anybody else thinks about it as long as you can relate to it.
92 - pj fan1900
pearl jam once a great band, seems again to be struggling to capture their success of albums such as ten . vs, vitalogy, the new song seems to be an inditement of this vedder doesnt have the hallowing vocal ability as he did as a youth and the geniuses in the band have topped out such as microsft stock. Vedder should move to vegas be a lounge singer and the others should buy the supersonics keep them in town and play at halftime with the likes of chris beluw from pot usa
93 - colint
This is a pointless argument. Some people like this kind of music, others don't. Me personally, I find older pj much more intriguing and interesting to listen to. Favorite albums are Yeild and Vitalogy. While this single isn't nearly as compositionally interesting as older pj, I can still see why people enjoy it. The same goes for punk. No wait...punk sucks. Har har. For anyone who really likes music like nothing they've ever heard before, YOU MUST LISTEN TO The MARS VOLTA. And don't judge them based on their single The Widow, because that song is the worst example of who the mars volta is. I'm afraid I've strayed a bit off topic, but then, this is just a blog. Music reviews are pointless when they just give opinions. Music analysis is where it's at, baby. It's time to LEARN!
94 - nugget
yea Mars Volta has some pretty interesting stuff. Good, complicated changes and sound experimentation. I don't even want to give the new Pearl Jam a try. Sounds typical. They suck now. I prefer VS. to any other albums.
95 - colint
Thank you, Prawn for comment #86! Absolutely my favorite comment on this whole thread. Finally, someone objective who actually put some thought into what they were saying and looked at the subject from MULTIPLE angles.
96 - yosky
#86 makes a facinating point with samples. While I don't find these lyrics nerdy #89 , I can see why someone would find them intellectual and many people define intellectuals as nerds.
I suppose the song writer would be pleased with the comparison. He appears to understand words.
I found this to be powerful
"I've come up with riddles... and jokes about war...
I've figured out numbers and what they're for...
I've understood feelings.. and I've understood words...
But how could you be taken away?...
And wherever you've gone...and wherever we might go...
It don't seem fair...today just disappeared...
Your light's reflected now,... reflected from afar...
We were but stones,... your light made us stars"
Does the writer use ellipses (dots) or is that your typing? It's an odd affectation and throws the reader off of what is apparently a poem.
I haven't heard World Wide Suicide, but I'm going to have to download it. This is brilliant
I felt the earth on Monday
It moved beneath my feet
In the form of a morning paper
Laid out for me to see
Saw his face in a color picture
I recognized the name
Could not stop staring at the
Face I'd never see again
Whoever this is, he's quite an impressive writer.
Al, you cannot be serious in attacking this writer as lacking, and while I agree that James Blunt is wonderful, I'm not certain he brings the same observational skills to the table as an artist compared to the Pearl Jam writer.
He's young though and writing about his feelings more then the Pearl Jam lyricist who writes about life. You can read the Pearl Jam fellow as poetry and come away with insights. With Blunt, I come away with knowing how he feels.
This material is on another level entirely. When I purchase poetry, I'm more interested in reading this:
Routine was the theme.
He'd wake up, wash and pour himself into uniform,
something he hadn't imagined being.
As the merging traffic passed,
he found himself staring down at his own hands
not remembering the change,
not recalling the plan.
The writer's formatting is terrible (if that's how he presented it) and he could use some editorial input in that regard, but the words he uses in presenting the concept of a person lost within their own life, is brilliant and unique
wash, and pour himself into uniform???
That's an unusual phrase and very visual. Also, while we know what uniform means in the usual sense, does the writer intend more then one meaning with the word?
Uniform the attire or/and uniform as a single shape, and/or uniform as having an expected "normal" consistency, being like all the others - a mindless drone?
The more I think about this poem, the more impressed I become and I've never read it before.
Facinating.
So is the writer Eddie Vedder? I did a search.
97 - Prawn
Yosky, I took my lyrics straight from the Pearl Jam website - however, i don't know whether this is how the writer (yes, I'm fairly certain they are all E.Vedder) presented them.
The lyrics in Pearl Jam albums are usually handwritten (or typed) by Ed himself. I checked 'Light Years' for you and found the ellipses are indeed there, however, with a comma before them.
There are also errors such as 'PIE CES AND RULESS' which is not uncommon and believe they are left (or even put in on purpose) to show the vulnerability of the writer.
98 - Me
You need breath freshener. You talk shit. You probably love the plastic pop shit we have to listen to these days. Thank God for Pearl Jam, and [Edited]
99 - Johnny
Oh Al Barger, i find you 2 be a very funny person. For someone who hates Pearl Jam ever so much, i seem to find you on every site that has anything to do with them!! Listen i respect your view on music and think at times you know quite abit.. except for your completely bias views on Eddie Vedder and the Band of course. Well i just think maybe your approach of stating your opinion needs alittle help. Your probably now going to respond with a very rude and obnoxious answer but it's ok.. its up to you
100 - Wendi
Serious lyrics that clearly missed this reviewer. Maybe he should stick with something a little easier on the simple mind. I heard Clay Aiken might be releasing a new single soon. Stay tuned!
101 - Al Barger
Wick (comments 90)- My love affair with Dolly goes back to the late 60s, being a little boy having funny feelings watching Dolly on the Porter Wagoner show. Likewise for my fandom of Loretta Lynn. She's the one Jack White produced an album for, not Dolly. Van Lear Rose is a GREAT record, by the way.
Johnny 99, I have no desire to respond to you in a rude or obnoxious manner. Your comment is perfectly friendly and sociable. I don't know what other website you've seen me writing about PJ though. I only recall having ever written one article about the band, linked in this story.
Also, I'm not biased against the band. I listened carefully and repeatedly to this song and THEN formed an opinion based on what I heard. That is the basis for these comments, not a pre-judgment.
Wendi, Pearl Jam certainly have Very Serious Lyrics indeed. So does Mariah Carey. (Did you know that there's a hero inside every one of us?) They're just not any good.
Me (#98)- Guessing at what current records you might call "plastic pop shit," I'm pretty big on the new Pink single. I'll absolutely take "Stupid Girls" over this tuneless PJ crap any day of the week.
102 - myk
people, he is just winding you all up...dont fall for it.
if you like it, cool
if you dont, turn it off
103 - Kevin
MUSICAL TASTES ARE SUBJECTIVE. No matter how 'objective' a critic claims to be, it is impossible to fully achieve this task. I love Pearl Jam, Al does not. Simple. In his review of Worldwide Suicide, he gives credit where he feels credit is due by saying the song would probably sound compelling live (I would have to agree, as is all their music...I humbly suggest Mr. Barger check them out live). I can accept that. But let's be honest, no rational human being can expect a die hard Who fan to fully embrace Pearl Jam, just as no respectable Pearl Jam fan can seriously appreciate Creed (albeit The Who are merely a PJ influence, whereas Creed blatantly rip off PJ). Maybe someday artificial intelligences will articulate empirical, unbiased reviews of music and art for all of us. Until then, we must allow for a modicum of personal interpretation. So what if the guy doesn't get Eddie's lyrics? I get them, and that's all that matters to me. I don't get the White Stipes, but apparently those recycled two-chord blues riffs are AMAZING. Amazing enough for Rolling Stone to call Jack White the 12th greatest guitar player ever (just a friendly jab there Al). Who cares?
Oh yeah, PEARL JAM KICKS ASS!!!
104 - DJRadiohead
Al, I hope I pronounced your name right last night on S2D. I promoted your review here.
105 - Al Barger
DJ Radiohead, thanks for the plug buddy.
You can't really pronounce my name wrong. By rights, it should be bar-gur, from the German. But by this point, we usually say bar-jur - as opposed to someone who would knock before they come in. That idea suits me, of course.
106 - Labyrinth
You actually think those *SELLOUTS* The White Stripes who recently wrote a song for a COCA-COLA commercial are better than the legendary Pearl Jam who defined the voice of a generation like no other?
The White Stripes came out with a couple decent albums, however even the worst Pearl Jam albums are still head-above-shoulders in comparison to the BEST White Stripes albums, give me a break.
World Wide Suicide happens to be one of the highest ranking rock songs in the country right now kiddo... The White Stripes are nothing more than a foot note in rock history.. Pearl Jam have proven time & time again they're legendary & this might just be the album that will make people who know nothing about music, such as you, proven incorrect.
oh, & above where someone wrote Kurt Cobain wrote better songs than Pearl Jam... No he didn't.. You actually think Heart Shaped Box is better than Black? Or Lithium is better than Immortality? What a joke... the reason Nirvana is a bigger name is for one reason, Kurt is dead, Eddie isn't.
Al, you're nothing more than a wannabe Blender magazine writer reject, go get a real job.
Pearl Jam is the greatest band of my generation. Of any generation.
107 - Jay
Jack White = Johnny Depp wannabe who wishes his best lyrics were as good as Eddie Vedder's worst lyrics.
108 - DJRadiohead
Jay and Labrynth...
Step back now. I am a Pearl Jam fan, too, although I have yet to hear this song. The attacks on Jack are way off base and just plain wrong.
109 - Al Barger
Labyrinth, I completely don't care if this WWS song is #1 on some-and-such chart. Mariah Carey is ten times more popular than Pearl Jam, so is she 10x better than them. Arguably, but it's not because of sales charts.
Your ranting about Jack White writing a Coke commercial is just meaningless left-wing political blather that says nothing whatsoever about how good or bad they are.
Also, you might make an argument for the playing of PJ as a band over the White Stripes. They have a bigger band making more notes. But I would argue that Jack White is playing generally FAR more memorable guitar licks than anything coming out of Pearl Jam. Jack White is a better guitar player than your PJ hotshot for the same reasons that Chuck Berry is a better guitar player than Yngwe Malmsteen.
And if you can't see why, say, "Seven Nation Army" is a far better and more memorable piece of SONGWRITING than this WWS, then I don't know where to start explaining.
110 - Labyrinth
My responses to AL
1) "Mariah Carey is ten times more popular than Pearl Jam, so is she 10x better than them."
Wow, keep showing how much you DON'T know about music, because I am a cat, & you're the mouse.. This could ONLY be fun for me - Mariah Carey is *NOT* more popular than Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam is MORE popular than Mariah Carey... How so? You ask? Because Pearl Jam has credibility
There are 10x more people that HATE Mariah Carey than people who hate Pearl Jam.. Go on, walk out on the street & ask somebody who hates BOTH Pearl Jam & Mariah Carey who they hate MORE.. They'll say Mariah Carey, therefore Pearl Jam *ARE* more popular even if they're selling less albums... For the same reason the Ramones are more popular than NSYNC - So you're wrong, just like your opinions are wrong & your taste is wrong & everything about you has always been wrong.
2) "I would argue that Jack White is playing generally FAR more memorable guitar licks than anything coming out of Pearl Jam"
Oh he is? Then why is World Wide Suicide more successful than any song off Get Behind Me Satan? You certainly can't argue it's because of commercial reasons, if anything the White Stripes are way more commercial than Pearl Jam.. Shabby 1960's production aside.. The White Stripes make music thats as easy to listen to as Coldplay
3) "And if you can't see why, say, "Seven Nation Army" is a far better and more memorable piece of SONGWRITING than this WWS, then I don't know where to start explaining. "
So you use by far the most popular White Stripes song to compare to an average single by Pearl Jam standards... Then let's be fair about it.. If you want to compare the most popular White Stripes song to a Pearl Jam song, then likewise compare it to one of the most memorable Pearl Jam songs, say... Alive? & That song is 10x more memorable & heard than Seven Nation Army - Make no mistake... Jack White in 5 albums combined hasn't written guitar riffs as memorable as Pearl Jam's first album alone.
The White Stripes are one trick ponies & it's getting old... the "garage rock" sound, the cutesy school boy lyrics, the phony red & white colors... The amount of evolution they've gone through has been very puny in comparison to Pearl Jam who have reinvented themselves on every album
You still have yet to name any Pearl Jam songs that sound like 'World Wide Suicide'.. The only Pearl Jam song I can think of to compare it to is Do the Evolution.. Which was also bigger than any White Stripes song aside from Seven Nation Army.
You're in a losing argument... You're comparing a trendy hip band like the White Stripes, to legends who have proven themselves time & time again dating long before the White Stripes arrived. Not only are they in different playing fields.. they're on completely different planets. In truth, very few bands are as legendary as Pearl Jam.. & The White Stripes certainly come no where close. I understand that you've jumped on the bandwagon & think of yourself controversial in saying the White Stripes are better, but in the overall picture society laughs at the very thought of that ever becoming accepted.
Deal with it.
111 - Labyrinth
Oh yeah...
"Your ranting about Jack White writing a Coke commercial is just meaningless left-wing political blather that says nothing whatsoever about how good or bad they are."
It says a lot about his integrity, & why would I listen to anyone who's going to sell his soul for a check? I'd rather listen to a crap band that I know is coming from a real place in their hearts, than some mainstream sellout whore like Jack White... Only in this case it's a win-win situation, because Pearl Jam's music is way way better aswell as more honest.
112 - Christopher Rose
Actually, both the White Stripes and Pearl Jam suck massively. Dull, derivative schlock for the intellectually challenged or pretentious.
Neither band has contributed anything new to the body of our culture because they are so desperately uninspired.
I really don't understand the fuss about two of the least interesting bands ever!
113 - Al Barger
Labyrinth, in what way is doing a Coke commercial "dishonest" and to what idea that Jack White espouses does it indicate any lack of integrity?
Where can I get a copy of your rules about rock star integrity? Does this mean that any singer that does a commercial has sold out to the man, and is to be shunned. Would that include Ray Charles? Have you seen THIS?
Mr Rose, you know that your conterrevolutionary rhetoric marks you as an enemy of The People, as we have discussed before. When our Jack White junta is swept into power, you're the first one up against the wall, buddy. But you knew that.
114 - Christopher Rose
Just bring it, Al; if ya got it, lol!
;-)
115 - Labyrinth
Personally, Alf, whatever your name is.. I don't care about Ray Charles.. OH NO, is it blasphemous to call him a sellout just because there was a movie made about this overrated second rate Stevie Wonder?
If YOU can't see what's wrong with Jack White writing a song for a Coca-Cola commercial, then I feel sorry for you. Jack White just did it because he was hoping people don't respect integrity as much anymore to give a shit if he did. If he's writing a song for Cola for a big fat pay check... What makes you think every song hes writing nowadays is nothing more than a way to get a big fat pay check? Like I said, at least I know Pearl Jam are the real thing. There's a difference between making money off your music, & prostituting it.
There's no challenge for him in writing a Coca-Cola song, only money.. He got greedy, he sold out. He has no integrity. I can't believe any honesty in his voice or lyrics anymore because of it.
If you loved music like I do Alf, you'd understand.
By the way, funny how after all I wrote that was all you responded with...You're weak.
116 - DJRadiohead
Labyrinth, this integrity thing you have gotten yourself locked into is a dangerous game. In the end, unless you are a band playing in a garage for free beer you have essentially sold out. Pearl Jam is a "for profit" band just like everyone else. They have lawyers, managers, label reps, etc. These guys are not the beacons of virtue you would have us believe. What all of this amounts to is you drank the Pearl Jam Kool-Aid.
For all of Pearl Jam's alleged integrity they went back to working with TicketMaster. Faced with the choices of playing clubs for peanuts or headlining major tours again, they went back to TicketMaster. How is that for integrity?
You will probably have some convoluted reason why none of that counts and writing a song for a commercial is tantamount to treason. So then this boils down to bands having to fit in to Labyrinth's version of integrity in which it is OK to take the money some of the time but not others. That seems a bit random to me. If I were Jack White I would not worry too much about it.
Yes, I am a Pearl Jam fan. I am also a White Stripes fan. I have no problem with either of them. Would I have preferred JW not do the Coke commercial? Honestly, yes. Does it diminish the great albums he has made? Not in the least. Do I blame Pearl Jam for working with TicketMaster again? Not really. They made their point and now they want to make music. Good for them. The music matters a hell of a lot more than some contrived sense of subjective integrity.
117 - Al Barger
Wow Labyrinth, I can't believe you went there with Ray Charles. A second rate Stevie Wonder?
But then, this is about the level of musical knowledge and taste I would expect from a Pearl Jam fan.
118 - Mark Saleski
this is why comparisons between unlike musics is a complete waste of time.
is Ray Charles "better" than Stevie wonder?
is Pearl Jam "better" than Ray Charles?
pointless comparisons.
it's like asking if my collection of beat writer books is better than my hollow body jazz guitar.
119 - Labyrinth
First in response to Radiohead's comments
"For all of Pearl Jam's alleged integrity they went back to working with TicketMaster. Faced with the choices of playing clubs for peanuts or headlining major tours again, they went back to TicketMaster. How is that for integrity?"
How's that for integrity? It's hard for me to calmly point out the stupidity in your comments because there is so much of it... Pearl Jam did something no one else did... Not Radiohead, Not Ray Charles, & certainly not the Green Stripes... Pearl Jam took Ticketmaster to court in order to get them to lower the ticket prices for their fans... Pearl Jam got too NOT greedy - Pearl Jam lost... In turn, they COULD either play small clubs, OR they could keep playing with Ticketmaster. Considering they were fighting for their fans in the first place, it wouldn't make sense to play small venues after losing because much less of their fans would get to see them... Seriously Radiohead, use your brain & think before you write.
"this integrity thing you have gotten yourself locked into is a dangerous game. In the end, unless you are a band playing in a garage for free beer you have essentially sold out"
There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with wanting to get your music heard, it's HOW you do it that matters. If you want your music to be heard by a big audience, there's nothing wrong with that.. And the record company won't promote you for free. There's a difference between THAT & writing a song for a Coca Cola commercial to get money you don't need. Maybe you don't have the mental capacity to understand such a simple concept Radiohead.
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Now In response to Alf's comments
"Wow Labyrinth, I can't believe you went there with Ray Charles. A second rate Stevie Wonder?
But then, this is about the level of musical knowledge and taste I would expect from a Pearl Jam fan. "
Well considering you're just another not respected teeny bopper reject Blender wannabe journalist, it's no surprise that you worship Ray Charles, afterall, it's "cool" to do that now since he had a movie about him...
OH! I'm SO sure you were sucking him off this much BEFORE the movie came out... Right? No, you weren't. You actually think the White Stripes are the best band on earth when bands like Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones & the Cure & countless others have a fanbase & crediblity that murders the White Stripes, & you expect your opinion on that to be respected? Saying it so matter-of-factly...
If Ray Charles is so goddamn incredible, how come he has jack shit worth of classic, memorable songs? Don't even try to argue... How many memorable songs does Dylan have? Cash? Young? Tons... Charles? A couple. He combined gospel with R&B... wow, taking R&B & preaching Jesus, wow how much talent that mustve taken, wow really how impressive, wow wow wow.
YOU HAVE YET TO NAME ANY PEARL JAM SONGS THAT SOUND LIKE WORLDWIDE SUICIDE, OR GET INTO ANY SLEIGHT DEEPER CONVERSATION ON THE POINTS IVE MADE
You make an insignificant point & run - You don't want to get into an actual discussion because YOU know you're not smart & will lose, so you're like a little child who yells at his mommy from his room & crosses his arms pouting
I don't worship every songwriter who has a movie made about them like you do. I guess I like what I know I like & not what I'm told or influenced to like..
Try it sometime you phony.
120 - Al Barger
Oh Labyrinth, you so crazy! Your horizons don't seem to get much past this Blender thing that you're apparently all taken with. Your devotion to your idols is SO cute.
But you really look silly jabbering against Brother Ray. Dude had a BUNCH of hits over several decades. I've had my humble Ray Charles Is God page for most of a decade now, but perhaps YOU only heard of him when the movie came out.
121 - Johnny
Well Al, I remember an article that you responded to about Pearl Jam a little while ago. I’m not sure if you were the author but it was about George Bush. I have an understanding that you are a massive Who fan as am I. I just wanted to say that although you might deny it, Pete Townshend has great respect for Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, as do many artists in the music industry. They have worked with a never-ending list of credible people.
Oh yes one other thing, I have been playing the guitar for about 19 or so years now and you can not seriously try to tell me that Jack White is better than Mike McCready. Come on, no offense but I really think that was a little far fetched. And from a Pearl Jam fan, I have incredible respect for Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder!!!
122 - RogerMDillon
Wow, Labyrinth, you come off like a real musical ignoramus and that's saying something after Mr. Rose's comments.
Ray Charles isn't a second rate Stevie Wonder, which you would know if you knew anything about music other than what you read in the free alternative paper. Ray invented soul music plays gospel and country while Stevie plays R&B. Say what you want about PJ, and the more you say the more embarrassed I become to admit I'm a fan of theirs, but they didn't create a new musical genre. I was a fan of Ray's before the movie, which was just okay.
Jack White isn't selling one of his songs. He's creating a new one, stepping out on a huge limb to take a challenge and invent a commercial jingle that sticks in people's minds and the public consciousness. It is a challenge because he already has bitter, no-nothing, music fans to deal with. Do you know what he did with the money from Coca-Cola? Most likely not.
If Pearl Jam wasn't trying to make money off their music, then why bother selling albums and playing concerts. They already have enough dough and could play free in the park. Your idea of not being able to play small venues is false because they could play it more than once to meet demand. By the way, The White Stripes played a small, 750 person club in Pomona before their four nights at the Greek theatre in LA, so it can be done.
You really shouldn't mention The Rolling Stones and have a conversation about integrity. Their prices are outrageous and the've sold out plenty of times.
I'd ask you to keep your mouth shut about things you don't know about, but then you'd have nothing to say, which isn't that bad of an idea the more I think aout it.
P.S. I disagree with Al and enjoy this song, but your utter stupidity compelled me to respond.
123 - Al Barger
Johnny, it's all good. It's tempting to invoke this silly Labyrinth person to mock all Pearl Jam fans, but I know that's not right. I know there are some perfectly thoughtful, intelligent people who - for reasons unknown to me - dig Pearl Jam. I know that ol' Pete digs PJ- and obviously that's a pretty high recommendation. But I can only call 'em as I see 'em.
You guy McCready, I can see how someone might think he's a hotshot who might be seen to make Jack White look a bit crude or simplistic in some kind of technical sense. But Jack White comes up with generally much more catchy, memorable, effective lines. Again, as a point of comparison, would you say that this McCready is a better guitarist than Chuck Berry?
124 - Johnny
Ha-ha, well I do agree that Mr. White does come up with quite a few catchy riffs, but I still wouldn’t say he is better than McCready!! And to answer your question, no I don't think that he is better than Chuck Berry but I also don’t believe that his talent should be denied.
P.S when I first heard WWS I hated it, I felt disappointed. It took a couple of hard listens but now, I really enjoy it! but i can see why people may not like it.
125 - Labyrinth
In response to Roger's comments
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"Say what you want about PJ, and the more you say the more embarrassed I become to admit I'm a fan of theirs, but they didn't create a new musical genre."
Oh they didn't? Then how come no one sounded like Pearl Jam before Pearl Jam did? How come bands such as Creed, Lifehouse, Nickelback & countless others are dubbed 'Pearl Jam rip-offs' by the general public if there was a band that sounded like Pearl Jam before Pearl Jam? Seriously, am I one of the only people here who uses their brain?
"Jack White isn't selling one of his songs. He's creating a new one, stepping out on a huge limb to take a challenge and invent a commercial jingle that sticks in people's minds and the public consciousness."
Oh please, don't try to fool yourself to make yourself feel better. Look at it for exactly what it is, he want's money, that's it. Furthermore, Coca-Cola didn't ask Jack to sell one of his songs to them, they ASKED him to write one, jackass. There's no "huge limb" to take - Corny lyrics about Coke is as far from risky as you can get. QUIT FOOLING YOURSELF
"If Pearl Jam wasn't trying to make money off their music, then why bother selling albums and playing concerts. They already have enough dough and could play free in the park."
& the award for quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever read in my life goes to Roger
1) WHAT PARK?! what in the HELL are you talking about?! WHAT PARK is going to let Pearl Jam play their for free in every city? Are you forgetting the fact that Pearl Jam don't do everything alone & need stage men & sound men & security? Roger that is seriously the dumbest thing I've ever read in my life. You are the most simple-minded person on earth. Water has more calories than your brain has IQ points.
"You really shouldn't mention The Rolling Stones and have a conversation about integrity. Their prices are outrageous and the've sold out plenty of times."
Oh I know the Rolling Stones are sellouts, but if the White Stripes are also sellouts & going head-to-head with the Rolling Stones, who's the better band in the world? 'Exile On Main Street' & 'Sticky Fingers' are better than every White Stripes album combined.
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Now in response to Alf
"Jack White comes up with generally much more catchy, memorable, effective lines. Again, as a point of comparison, would you say that this McCready is a better guitarist than Chuck Berry?"
That's the problem with your argument Alf, he *DOESN'T* what part are you NOT understanding? If Jack White's "lines" are so "effective", how come when denial twist was released everyone said it SUCKED & Pearl Jam currently have one of the top rock songs? You're a walking contradiction.
And YES Mike McCready IS a better guitarist than Chuck Berry - You don't get it, maybe you've never seen Pearl Jam live... When Mike McCready plays guitar, he hits every note perfect.. every note is played with every portion of his soul, he makes everyone in that fucking concert feel every note. I like Chuck Berry, he's certainly better than Jack White - But in preference I DO like McCready better.
Jack White isn't better than McCready for the same reason Chuck Berry is better than Yngwie...
Mike McCready is better than Jack White for the same reason Jimi Hendrix was better than the lead guitarist for The Monkees. Mike plays with more passion than Jack AND with more technical ability.