Mmm, yes, the hand claps. I dislike those, too.

They sound like handclaps created by a bot pretending to be human

Brother the cloud. Good tune. Bad bridge. Outro is very good.

Fallout today. Cool riff. It just sounds flat as hell In the 1st verse. Chorus sounds better with that chunky bass over the top. That’s something Ament would do.

The dark. Always kind of liked this one. But same issue with the other. Production makes it fall flat.

This album makes complete sense for Eddie and what point in his life he’s at. I’m just not there yet. I’ve been on a heavy 95-98’ live Pearl Jam kick and Vedder was a fucking animal for those tours. Maybe that contrast takes away but I genuinely don’t think I care for Earthlings at all. I was super excited for it. Grabbed the LP as usual. And it’s never made it for me.

The Haves just came on. I don’t hate this as much as I’ve read some people do. It’s pretty.
The Haves is in the top 5 of this album.

Good/Evil. Fine.

Try. Eh.

Elton John. No.

Mrs. Mills. Eh.

On My Way is very cool. I’ve always enjoyed this as a closer.

that's true

I think Eddie Vedder was inspired by something or other to make a real pop rock album, complete with his famous friends. It reminds me a lot of solo artists from the 80s. Pete Townshend, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and so on. I think this is the lane he was trying to sail in, and I think he largely accomplishes that. I can see this being grating for someone looking for 90s Eddie or just not in that headspace. I enjoy it a lot when that is the sound I am looking for.

It feels less like an 80s pop/rock album, and more like a concept album where each song is an homage to a certain musical artist/style from his youth.

yeah, i agree.

He is also great.

I dunno, at this point when I hear Ed sing and play guitar I think pearl jam for the most part. I like this album.

I always find "I wouldn't listen to this song in isolation or put it on a random shuffle playlist" a really strange critique of an album

yeah this

i think its more a critique (if that is the right word) of the song not standing on its own but not being a distraction in (or even being elevated by) the album setting

I think some of you might change your minds after you see the Earthlings play a live gig. That def increased my liking of this album and desire for more.

I remember a review for Avocado that said something like "I can't imagine any of these songs being played by a cover band in a bar". Which is kind of a weird thing to say, but it's basically just saying none these songs are going to be radio hits. Which was true.

It’s exactly what this album was

Good/Great songs on Gigaton: Who Ever Said, Dance, 7 O'clock, River Cross (just the Ed solo version)

Good/Great songs on Earthlings: Invincible, Power of Right, Long Way (live), Brother, Mrs. Mills, Fallout Today, The Dark, On my Way.

I just count more good songs on Earthlings vs. the last PJ record.

every song on Gigaton is good

No. You just LIKE every song on Gigaton.

At this point w/ the most recent PJ albums, I like 3-4 songs on each.

With Earthlings, it was more, so I stand with all Earthlings.

The Earthlings are better than Gigaton.