February 24, 2020: Habit (Read on the Porch, Episode 46)

Hi Jessi and Kate,

One of my favorite things about No Code is how a collection of songs that seemingly stick out from one another, can actually flow so perfectly in a track list. No Code was the second-to-last album I obtained of Pearl Jam's after I jumped on the wagon in the early 2000's. I knew of "Off He Goes," but hadn't heard any of the other tracks until I played No Code for the first time. Not what I expected at all. There was significant contrast from track-to-track, the most recognized being "Sometimes" into "Hail, Hail." The biggest kick in the face though I would have to argue is the transition between "Off He Goes" into "Habit." The outro to "Off He Goes" is warm and comforting, like you're taking a scenic road trip along the ocean. After that, it's almost like a wild animal comes out of nowhere and jumps on the hood of your car!

It took me a while to warm up to "Habit." Like many of these songs, initially they don't seem to hold up well on their own. However, when you take the time to experience No Code in it's entirety and appreciate the ebbs and flows throughout the record, for me "Habit" epitomizes the rawness and authenticity of the "Neil Young era" of Pearl Jam (term stolen from the Brads). This song is not for the faint at heart, given the aggressive sound, however to echo a sentiment you guys had on your episode, it is in no way metal! This is a hard song, but is true grunge and garage rock to it's core. It's almost like a song I could see Eddie truly rivaling the "grunginess" of Kurt Cobain. If you talk to a rationale music listener, they are sure as hell not putting Nirvana in the category of metal.

Last thought on this song is about the aggressive tone and lyrics. This seems like someone's mind is exploding after learning a close friend or family member has been struggling with addiction without their knowledge. I feel like it's more of an inner-monologue than someone actively screaming at someone "NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D HABIT!" It's more going on constantly in their thoughts as that person struggles to think how they will approach the person they care about with their addiction.

Forced to endure, what I could not forgive,

Chris

Comments

October 17, 2010: RIP Mozart for Guitar

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December 26, 2020: Someday at Christmas

Hi Brad and Brad, First, I hope you guys have had a Happy Holidays. Secondly, I really enjoy your solo episodes. They have a deejay format to them which also feels personable in getting to know each of your lives and what has influenced you to be who you are now. I hadn't taken the time to get to know Someday at Christmas until after listening to BradB's recent episode. Pearl Jam does a great job in covering the song, and I prefer Stevie Wonder's version over the Jackson 5. Especially, after reading the lyrics and reading some interpretations of the song. At the time the song was released, the Vietnam War was still underway. The lyrics seem to voice opposition to the war itself, but also express the hope for racial and economic equality. Unfortunately, that message still resonates strongly. Stevie Wonder was one of the artists that shaped my musical interests when I was a teenager. I'm very glad the guys chose to cover this song for a Christmas single and have

December 31, 2020: Low Light

Hi Jessi and Kate, I have been way behind on my podcasts the last several weeks. The main reason is because myself and a friend started our own podcast! It's not Pearl Jam themed , however it's consumed a decent amount of my week preparing for each recording. So we now have a hit on the Dink-O-Meter for both of you. First Jessi and now Kate! I can't remember if I have proposed the Dink-O-Meter to you yet, but I have it as a three-tiered system: Dinky: Just your average dinky, will only skip if streaming Rinky-Dinky: Automatic skipper, even when listening to vinyl Stinky-Dinky: It's like nails on a chalkboard to you Based on Jessi's response to Parachutes, I have that somewhere between Rinky-Dinky and Stinky-Dinky. I would have to let Jessi be the final judge on that. For Kate's remarks to Low Light, I have it somewhere between Dinky and Rinky-Dinky, however I'm inclined to believe it's closer to Dinky because I wasn't able to note as many hot

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