I agree about the wonky sequencing. Some parts flow great and others not so much.

Buckle Up -> Comes Then Goes is just weird.

the sequencing on the first 6 songs is outstanding but it is a little scattershot after that

I wouldn’t touch the sequencing.

Me neither.

yeah 100% this.

Buckle Up into Comes Then Goes works fine

Comes Then Goes into Retrograde is fantastic; the strumming / fingerpicking style on the acoustic complements each other so well

River Cross completes the run brilliantly; the ending is like a slow stop on a fairground ride, no whiplash, only Satisfaction (TM)

this song is a decent album track, not horrible, not the best; at this point I do find it a little jarring as track 2, but it wouldn't be the first PJ track 2 that I think is "just fine", and the quality of the album as a whole elevates it enough

Buckle Up into Comes Then Goes works great. The trick is to stop listening after that.

I repeatedly fail the trick

Im so glad i fail.

Ok, fine! Buckle Up into Comes Then Goes works great.

But can we get on board with splitting up Never Destination and Take the Long Way?

Me neither

With a 10-foot pole

I would only touch it if I had verbal consent.

Yes...drop either one and pretend it was released as a B-side to Dance instead.

But those are two of my favs.

Maybe we should just keep everything how it is.

Like I said.

i feel like similar sentiments can be made for most of their studio albums. to me, pearl jam has more 'top heavy' records than any other band i follow.

I agree, but Gigaton is far from the worst offender.

I think people are confusing the "slow down" with a drop in quality or flow at the end of the record. I initially felt like Gigaton dropped off at the tail end, but I have come to love how it all works.

I like that the album goes from a basically optimistic opening to a somber and resolved conclusion. It fits the message.