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January 27, 2019: 2000-2002 (Read on SPT Episode 77)

Hi Brad and Brad,

I received the PJ20 book this past Christmas and have been making my way through it.  I just finished reading years 2000-2002, and so far have found that to be the most interesting period thus far of the band.  I realize there was so much going on in the early-to-mid 90's, including a contentious time between Vs. and No Code where fortunately the band did not fall apart.  Reading over the effect the 2000 Roskilde Festival had on the band, provided me the most humanistic view of Pearl Jam.  It literally had them considering to stop making music given the gravity of what happened during their set in that festival.  I can't imagine what the scene was actually like and how tragic it must have been.  Then a little more than a year after, 9/11 happened. 

After reading over this section, I went back and listened to Riot Act again.  I also re-listened to the beginning parts to your track-by-track review of that record.  I didn't really start to appreciate this record until after I had heard most of these songs live on the Live at the Garden DVD.  It wasn't a record that started to grow on me until after I was able to hear Love Boat Captain, 1/2 Full, Green Disease and You Are live.  I remember Save You and I Am Mine being playing on the radio quite a bit in 2002 and 2003, but those were the only two songs I enjoyed back at the inception of the record.  The more I listen to Riot Act, the more I can start feeling some of the raw emotion from the after-effects of Roskilde and 9/11.  Musically, I appreciate this record because it's the first record that Boom plays on.  It really makes it unique for me compared to the others.  The keyboards add that layer of sound to make this record more emotional and dark.  What's kind of interesting in PJ20, is that Eddie mentions that Boom hadn't even heard of Pearl Jam prior to working on Love Boat Captain with him.  The most emotional track on Riot Act for me is Arc.  When I listen to it, I personally find myself reflecting on tough times in my life and where I am now in my life.  I feel goosebumps every time I hear Arc. 

I went back and looked at my album rankings that I sent last August and I have Riot Act at #8, below Binaural and Lightning Bolt.  I think I would have to place it above Lightning Bolt and it is pretty interchangeable with Binaural.  It goes with what BradL said during Episode 44, "I have to be in the right mindset for this record." Right now I feel like I am in that mindset.


Forced to endure, what I could not forgive,

Chris

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