Song of the Moment: Present Tense

[stip]

old thread archived here

[dimejinky99]

Hansard took a swing at Present Tense..pretty good.

[tragabigzanda]

Man, this one has taken a significant dive for me over the years. Used to be one of my all-time favorites -- I even quoted it in my senior yearbook (oof). But it hasn't aged as well, and I think it's mostly because I've grown weary of Ed's more meditative ponderings. Still love the guitar work from Mike, still love Jeff's bass fills. But I think the climax of the song is a little underwhelming given the potential of everything that comes before it, and I sort of equate this song as the beginning of my problems with Ed as a lyricist. The more he escaped to Hawaii and took refuge in weed, waves, and axe-throwing, the less piss-and-vinegar he brought to the band.

1996 Me gives this song five stars, easy.

2015 Me has to go with three stars, but it's a painful admission.

[dimejinky99]

I think its one of Pj's all time greats..i just hate the way ed insists on cursing in it these days...ruins the whole song

[LetMeSleep]

I think its one of Pj's all time greats..i just hate the way ed insists on cursing in it these days...ruins the whole song

I agree mate. It's so detrimental to the vibe of the song.

[Jessica Fletcher]

I think its one of Pj's all time greats..i just hate the way ed insists on cursing in it these days...ruins the whole song

I agree, but he's been doing that live since '96.

[Leatherhead]

Hansard took a swing at Present Tense..pretty good.

[Norris]

Hansard took a swing at Present Tense..pretty good.

Haven't listened, just looking at the run time and my immediate thought is "he was able to perform astral weeks and present tense in the time it should take to perform just astral weeks?"

[dimejinky99]

Radio producer folk always watching the run time:)

I'm biased but he did a good job on it..id be first to say if he fucked it up, honestly.

I wouldnt have posted it if he fucked it up in fact.

[Norris]

I'll listen, but the desk I'm at right now strips out one channel, instead of summing the two into a mono feed, so it would suck here.

[dimejinky99]

well he was reading the lyrics but he nailed it...he talked Ed into playing it in South America, that recording is rough, but it's 'there'..think it's the first time ed had attempted it solo..worth hearing

I have a soundboard from last nights show in Charleston if anyone wants it..this wasnt played, or maybe it was, i havent checked..

[William Bloke]

Agree on the 'not aging well' and also on the cursing.

Love the Letterman 06 version though - excellent.

[Alex]

i think this is my favorite pearl jam song

[E.H. Ruddock]

i think this is my favorite pearl jam song

ITT: Alex gets real

[Alex]

i think this is my favorite pearl jam song

ITT: Alex gets real

do you agree that this is my favorite pearl jam song, ruddo?

[tommymtcom]

What's your top 5, Alex?

[Alex]

What's your top 5, Alex?

present tense
sleight of hand
immortality
release
no way

what's yours?

[tommymtcom]

What's your top 5, Alex?

present tense
sleight of hand
immortality
release
no way

what's yours?

I'm not sure. At least 3 of those would be in it, though.

[Alex]

What's your top 5, Alex?

present tense
sleight of hand
immortality
release
no way

what's yours?

I'm not sure. At least 3 of those would be in it, though.

which three?

[tommymtcom]

What's your top 5, Alex?

present tense
sleight of hand
immortality
release
no way

what's yours?

I'm not sure. At least 3 of those would be in it, though.

which three?

Present Tense
Sleight of Hand
Immortality

Maybe No Way as well, but I'd have to give it some more thought. No Way used to be my number 1 Pearl Jam song.