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July 23, 2019: Like a Fine Wine

Hi Jessi and Kate,

One of the things I've come to appreciate more as I've listened to the Podcast Community is "No Code." It's a record that I didn't really connect to when I first listened to it, but the older I get, the more I love it.  I thought it would be fun to write out my "initial impressions" of "No Code" versus how I feel about them right now.  Just to be honest, these aren't my actual feelings from several years ago, but I wanted to have fun with this.
Track Initial Impression Current Impression
Sometimes All right, ready for a heavy hitter…Once, Go, Last Exit…I'm ready to have my ear drums blown!  Um, I can barely hear this? Ah yes, the calm before the storm.  A nice slow burn before the roof is blown off!
Hail, Hail Yes!  Now THIS is Pearl Jam.  I can’t wait to hear the rest of the record. Yes!  Now THIS is Pearl Jam.  I can’t wait to hear the rest of the record.
Who You Are Interesting.  So now we’re trying to emulate Sargent Peppers? What’s next, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds?  This song makes me appreciate Jack Irons so much.
In My Tree Okay, forget Sargent Peppers, I think they're trying to go for Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints." Who is this band? No wait.  THIS SONG makes me appreciate Jack Irons so much!
Smile What is this, a B-Side from Mirror Ball?  It sounds like a combination of Southern Man and Heart of Gold. It’s no coincidence I love me some Neil Young.  This song is a wonderful homage, if that’s what they were going for.
Off He Goes This is a nice easy-going song.  Let me see how long it is...whoa 6 minutes!?!?  I don't have that much free time. I love this song.  I actually think the out-tro is pretty awesome.  Great road trip song.
Habit So now it’s time to rock, about drug habits.  This is kind of depressing. This is what makes this record so special, another calm before the storm!
Red Mosquito Ugh, southern bluesy rock solo throughout, skip. (channeling my inner BradB) I love bluesy rock!  Mike is shredding throughout this song!
Lukin Yes!  ROCK OUT for...only 1 minute? This is the perfect one-minute song.  It hits the spot if I just need to get out frustration and it completely rocks!
Present Tense I’m 30 seconds in and...snooze fest.  I’m skipping ahead, this song won’t ramp up at any point. Favorite song on the record.  I could write a thesis on how much I enjoy the lyrics, the three phases of the song (Eddie/Mike, Jam Session, Out-tro)
Mankind Did Eddie get fired from the band during the making of this album!?!  Listerine, Ovaltine, Battleship, what are these lyrics??   This is a fun rocker and it epitomizes the uniqueness of this record.  You can’t get this on another studio album.
I’m Open Okay, I’m convinced Ed was fired.  Probably for wanting this track included on the record. Still not completely down with this song, but I no longer skip it.  It’s come with my overall appreciation for the record.
Around The Bend This is a nice closer.  Wait..."You’re an angel when you sleep.  How I want your soul to keep."  Why is this about a serial killer singing to their victim?!?! Wonderful closer, even if Ed puts out that you can envision a serial killer at the end of the song.

've especially come to appreciate "Smile" more after hearing the Brads and you two beam about it.  Almost every track on "No Code" has some major or subtle nuance that makes it so unique from the other studio records.



Forced to endure, what I could not forgive,

Chris

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