"In My Tree" slays "Corduroy."

I was beginning to fear we'd never agree again.

In My Tree has to win the tournament at least once. As much as I love Corduroy, In My Tree is THAT good.

I love the rolling thunder that brings IMT to it's climax, and I wouldn't be upset if it won the whole thing, but I can't with a clear conscious say it's better than Corduroy.

I can. Because it is.

I'm voting for Corduroy.

It's really, really good.

Corduroy is really good. But it's always been my least favorite of the heavy lifters on Vitalogy. Last Exit, Not For You, Tremor Christ, Better Man and Immortality are all better songs, I think. I'd even entertain an argument that Nothingman is better. I'd probably argue right back that that's dumb. But I'd listen to it and take it seriously.

Nothingman should be a vitalogy heavy lifter, it might be my favorite from that album.

For the board! In My Tree!

I listened to the alternate take of Corduroy and damn it's a fine old song. And I wonder if we would have had Chus without the lyric change.

Corduroy. It's quintessential Pearl Jam. It's pretty much the definition of what PJ is/was at their best.

eye em tee

"Corduroy" is a great song that features one of Ed's greatest songwriting moments (how it subtly shifts to that dramatic bridge). It deserves its iconic status. But "In My Tree" is Pearl Jam at the absolute top of their game, the convergence of heart and sheer brawn, the ethereal and the primal. It moves in a way no other Pearl Jam song does-- its colors reaching upwards in the verses, then pummeled into oblivion in that juggernaut of a chorus. The composition, arrangement and performances are sublime, and proof of what this band is capable of when they step outside their comfort zone. It's my favorite Pearl Jam song by a lot. "Corduroy" is a great example of what Pearl Jam is. "In My Tree" is an example of what they could be.

Excellent post, every single word.

Let's go again:

i like that they redefined what a grunge song could be on in my tree by adding some vaguely tribal drumming to the soft verse loud chorus template. I wish they went for broke and added a sitar to really push some boundaries.

But I think my favorite part is the way they make the bridge all mysterious by slurring the vocals. I don't know what he's saying, but it must be pretty deep. Ethereal and primal.

Give this post another try, because I see what you're going for and it deserves better