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August 26, 2018: Album Rankings and Tracks

Hi Brad and Brad,

I have just finished listing to Episode 29, Lost Dogs Disc 1, and am planning on listening to Episode 30 later today.  I put together my list of album rankings and favorites/least favorite tracks on each album.  I even had to put in "Runner Ups" because in some cases it was difficult to name a clear-cut favorite.  It was difficult calling any of their albums my least favorite, because there is no album I dislike.  I believe this has been said many times on the show, but what exemplifies how solid Pearl Jam is, is the fact there is so album many of us dislike.  I can't say that about a lot of my other favorite bands.  For my presentation, I completely nerded out and spreadsheeted my list. 

Rank Album Favorite Runner Up Least Favorite
1 Yield Given to Fly Faithful Push Me, Pull Me
2 No Code Present Tense In My Tree I’m Open
3 Vs. Rearviewmirror Glorified G Leash
4 Ten Alive Black Garden
5 Vitalogy Corduroy Not For You Stupid Mop
6 Binaural Of the Girl Nothing As It Seems Soon Forget
7 Lightning Bolt Lightning Bolt Infallible Future Days
8 Riot Act Love Boat Captain Save You Bu$hleaguer
9 Self Titled Army Reserve Severed Hand Wasted Reprise
10 Backspacer Unthought Known Got Some Supersonic

The close races between favorite tracks and runner up came in Binaural and Self Titled.  After hearing Nothing As It Seems several times live, my feeling on that song sky-rocketed.  Mike's solo work on that track and the eeriness of the music throughout make me appreciate the creativity musically on this track.  For Self Titled, when I first listened to this album I loved Severed Hand.  I easily played that track more than any other at the outset.  You guys have discussed ideal openers for concerts and they generally have been slow burns like Release, Long Road, Wash, etc.  I've always thought Severed Hand would serve as a kick-ass opener, with the way the song begins.  It may not be a slow burn, but the build up at the start just feels like a great way to start a set list. 

My last email raved about No Code, mainly because you guys have talked so highly of it and consider it to be your favorite.  If I were to have made this list prior to listening to your podcast, I probably would have had No Code 5th (Vs. - 2, Ten - 3, Vitalogy - 4), but I have grown a close connection with the album over the past several weeks and literally listened to it three times in one day last week.  Yield is still my favorite with my definitive all-time favorite track, Given To Fly.  What I love about Yield so much are the first five tracks.  Brain of J and Faithful is such an awesome adrenaline rush.  The transition from Brain of J into Faithful provides you about a minute of catching your breath, before it completely ramps up again.  Ending this five-track sequence with Wishlist, which I love lyrically and came to appreciate this song so much more after hearing live. 

At some point I will share my favorite recorded album tracks, but that list is much more difficult to come up with.  I can settle on my top 3 pretty easily.  After that, it can change from week-to-week. 

1. Given To Fly
2. Corduroy
3. Present Tense

I look forward to finishing up your take on Lost Dogs Disc 2 and will listen in on Episode 54 when it's released later on tonight/early tomorrow.  Just one more thing I can share with Brad B.  I am not a Cubs fan, but am a native Kansas Citian and Royals fan.  So I wholehearted share the opinion of (not liking the Cardinals).


Regards,

Chris

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