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{{Infobox Album | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Albums --> | |||
{{Good article}} | |||
| Name = Binaural | |||
{{Infobox album | |||
| Type = studio | |||
| |
| name = Binaural | ||
| |
| type = studio | ||
| |
| artist = ] | ||
| cover = PearlJam-Binaural.jpg | |||
| Recorded = September 1999 – January 2000 at Studio Litho, ], ] | |||
| alt = In a black background is the image of a nebula, which resembles two orange rings of smoke, with an eye-like structure in their intersection. Below it is the title "BINAURAL" in white letters. | |||
| Genre = ] | |||
| |
| released = May 16, 2000 | ||
| recorded = September 1999 – January 2000 | |||
| Label = ] | |||
| studio = Studio Litho (Seattle) | |||
| Producer = ], Pearl Jam | |||
| |
| genre = | ||
* ] | |||
*] {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=allmusic ((( ''Binaural'' > Review )))|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gbfwxq8kldse|publisher=]|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|accessdate=March 21, 2009}}</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
*'']'' (B+)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20234349,00.html | title=''Binaural'' | accessdate=2009-05-20 | author=Farber, Jim | publisher='']'' | date=2000-05-19}}</ref> | |||
* {{nowrap|]}} | |||
*'']'' {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="theguardian">. '']''. May 12, 2000. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref> | |||
| length = 52:05 | |||
*'']'' (9/10)<ref name="nme">. '']''. May 11, 2000. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref> | |||
| label = ] | |||
*'']'' {{rating|3|5}}<ref>(July 2000). "Review: ''Binaural''". '']'' (p. 121).</ref> | |||
| producer = | |||
*] {{rating-Christgau|hm1}}<ref name="Christgau">Christgau, Robert. . robertchristgau.com. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
*'']'' {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/pearljam/albums/album/94578/review/5941143/binaural | title=Pearl Jam: ''Binaural'' | accessdate=2008-05-28 | author=Pareles, Jon | publisher='']'' | date=2000-06-08}}</ref> | |||
* Pearl Jam | |||
*'']'' {{rating|7|10}}<ref>(July 2000). "Review: ''Binaural''". '']'' (p. 149).</ref> | |||
| prev_title = ] | |||
*'']'' (favorable)<ref>Farley, Christopher John. . '']''. June 12, 2000. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.</ref> | |||
| prev_year = 1998 | |||
| Last album = '']''<br/>(1998) | |||
| next_title = ] | |||
| This album = '''''Binaural'''''<br/>(2000) | |||
| next_year = 2002 | |||
| Next album = '']''<br/>(2002) | |||
| |
| misc = {{Singles | ||
| name = Binaural | |||
| type = studio | |||
| single1 = ] | |||
| single1date = April 25, 2000 | |||
| single2 = ] | |||
| single2date = July 10, 2000 | |||
}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
}} | |||
'''''Binaural''''' is the sixth studio album by American ] band ], released May 16, 2000, through ]. Following a full-scale tour in support of its previous album, '']'' (1998), Pearl Jam took a short break before reconvening toward the end of 1999 to begin work on a new album. During the production of the album, the band encountered hindrances such as singer ]'s ], and guitarist ]'s entrance into rehabilitation due to an addiction to ]s. This is Pearl Jam's first album to feature former ] drummer ], who joined during 1998's ] to replace ]. | |||
The music on the album featured an ] sound, evident on songs that used ] techniques. The atmospheric tracks, mostly featuring somber lyrics dealing with social criticism, led the band to convey these themes with images of ]s in the album artwork. ''Binaural'' received positive reviews, and debuted at number two on the ]. Although the album was certified ] by the ], it became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach Platinum status in the United States. The album's 2000 tour spawned a large collection of ]. | |||
'''''Binaural''''' is the sixth ] by the American ] band ], released on May 16, 2000 through ]. Following a full-scale tour in support of its previous album, '']'' (1998), Pearl Jam took a short break. The band then reconvened toward the end of 1999 and commenced work on a new album. The music on the record featured an experimental sound, evidenced on songs that utilized ] techniques. | |||
''Binaural'' debuted at number two on the ]. The album became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach platinum status. The album's 2000 tour spawned an enormous collection of ]. The album has been certified ] by the ] in the United States. | |||
==Recording== | ==Recording== | ||
Similar to the process for '']'', the band members worked on material individually before starting the recording sessions together.<ref name="rnn">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021020233832/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/echoes/echoes9a.html|archive-date=2002-10-20|url=http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/echoes/echoes9a.html|title=Jeff Woods with Pearl Jam for Radio Rock Network|publisher=Radio Rock Network|date=May 15, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Lead vocalist ] called the making of the album "a construction job."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dwyer|first=Michael|url=http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/rs_oz_0800.shtml|title=Steady Eddie|magazine=]|publisher=]|issn=0035-791X|date=August 2000|issue=848}}</ref> ''Binaural'' was the first album since the band's debut that was not produced by ]. Gossard stated that the band "felt like it was time to try something new,"<ref name="rnn"/> and that they "were ready for a change."<ref name="totalguitar">{{cite magazine|title=Interview with Stone Gossard and Mike McCready|magazine=]|publisher=]|date=November 2002|issn=1355-5049|issue=103}}</ref> | |||
For its sixth album, Pearl Jam brought in producer ], known for his use of ]. Binaural recording techniques were utilized on several tracks. These tracks can usually be identified by a warm sound to the music, such as the ] "Of the Girl", as well as an asterisk next to the song names on the album packaging. This is the first Pearl Jam studio album following the departure of drummer ], and features drummer ], formerly of ], who had previously drummed on Pearl Jam's U.S. ]. ''Binaural'' was recorded in late 1999 and early 2000 in ], ] at Studio Litho, which is owned by guitarist ].<ref name="timeline">{{cite web | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080109033804/http://www.pearljam.com/timeline/ | title=Pearl Jam: Timeline | accessdate=2007-06-27 | publisher=Pearljam.com}}</ref> | |||
Instead the band hired producer ], known for his use of ]. Binaural recording techniques, which employ two microphones to create a ] ], were used on several tracks, such as the ] "Of the Girl." Regarding Blake, Gossard said, "He was just there for us the whole time, wanting us to create different moods."<ref name="anti-career">{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306062047/http://www.sonicnet.com/rock/features/Pearl_Jam/051500/index02.jhtml|archive-date=March 6, 2001|url=http://www.sonicnet.com/rock/features/Pearl_Jam/051500/index02.jhtml|title=Pearl Jam's Anti-Career|publisher=Sonicnet|date=May 15, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> This was the first Pearl Jam studio album following the departure of drummer ], and features drummer ] of ], who had previously drummed on Pearl Jam's U.S. ].<ref name="timeline">{{cite web | url=http://www.pearljam.com/timeline/ | title=Pearl Jam: Timeline | access-date=June 27, 2007 | publisher=Pearljam.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080109033804/http://www.pearljam.com/timeline/ |archive-date = January 9, 2008}}</ref> | |||
''Binaural'' was recorded in late 1999 and early 2000 in ], ], at Studio Litho, which is owned by guitarist ].<ref name="timeline"/> The album was initially mixed at Sunset Sound Factory in ], ], with Blake; however, the band proved to be dissatisfied with how the mixes turned out.<ref name="tenpast">{{cite magazine|last=Weisbard|first=Eric|title=Ten Past Ten|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f4iBwoaNrbcC&pg=PA88|magazine=]|date=August 2001|pages=88–103|volume= 17|issn=0886-3032|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|issue=8}}</ref> According to McCready, Blake's work complemented the slower tracks such as "]" well, but faced trouble with others, which the band wanted to sound heavier. For the heavier songs, the group brought in former producer O'Brien,<ref name=89rr>{{cite magazine|last=Calil|first=Ricardo|url=http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/89revistarock.shtml|title=A Sombra e A Escuridão|language=pt|magazine=]|issn=1415-174X|year=2000|publisher=Price}}</ref> who remixed the tracks at his mixing facility at Southern Tracks in ], ].<ref name=credits>(2000) Album notes for ''Binaural'' by Pearl Jam, . New York: Sony Music.</ref> It was with O'Brien that the band determined the final sequencing of the album.<ref name="aural">{{cite magazine|last=Aledort |first=Andy |url=http://www.giventowail.com/new/mike/articles/gw700.php |title=Aural Exam |magazine=] |date=July 2000 |publisher=] |issn=1045-6295 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210155325/http://www.giventowail.com/new/mike/articles/gw700.php |archive-date=February 10, 2005 }}</ref> | |||
During the writing and recording of the album, the band encountered several obstacles. Vedder has admitted that while working on the album he suffered from ], which made it difficult for him to come up with lyrics.<ref name="nyrock">{{cite web|last=Gabriella |url=http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2000/pj_int.asp |title=Interview with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam |publisher=NY Rock |date=August 2000 |access-date=February 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205212459/http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2000/pj_int.asp |archive-date=February 5, 2012 }}</ref> This inspired the ] "Writer's Block" - which consists of the sounds of a ] - that appears at the end of the album, starting at 6 minutes and 50 seconds on the track "Parting Ways".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wobc.org/2011/11/from-the-vaults-pearl-jam-binaural-ca-2000/|title=From the Vault: Pearl Jam – Binaural ca. 2000|publisher=]|first=Amirata|last=Mahallati|date=2011-11-13|access-date=December 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082515/http://www.wobc.org/2011/11/from-the-vaults-pearl-jam-binaural-ca-2000/|archive-date=April 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vedder had written music for several songs, including "Insignificance" and "Grievance", but was having trouble coming up with lyrics for the songs.<ref name="tenpast"/> He decided to not write any more music, and to focus only on lyrics, even banning himself from playing guitar. Unable to write more lyrics, Vedder said he saw a ] and thought "that's not a guitar," and wrote the song "Soon Forget" using the ukulele.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kevin and Bean|url=http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/kroq.shtml|title=KROQ Interview with EV 5/12/2000|publisher=]|date=May 12, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012|author-link=Kevin and Bean}}</ref> Guitarist ] went into rehabilitation to receive treatment for an addiction to ]s.<ref name="tenpast"/><ref name="aural"/> Gossard recalled that "everyone wasn't on the same page" due to McCready's absence and the familiarization with Cameron.<ref name="totalguitar"/> | |||
Similar to the process for '']'', the band members worked on material individually before starting the recording sessions together.<ref name="rnn">. ''Radio Rock Network''. May 15, 2000.</ref> Lead vocalist ] called the making of the album "a construction job."<ref>Dwyer, Michael. . '']''. August 2000.</ref> ''Binaural'' was the first album since the band's debut that was not produced by ]. Gossard stated that the band "felt like it was time to try something new"<ref name="rnn"/> and that they "were ready for a change."<ref name="totalguitar">"Interview with Stone Gossard and Mike McCready". '']''. November 2002.</ref> Regarding Blake, Gossard said, "He was just there for us the whole time, wanting us to create different moods."<ref name="anti-career">Kaufman, Gil. . Sonicnet. May 15, 2000.</ref> The album was initially mixed at Sunset Sound Factory in ], ] with Blake, however the band proved to be dissatisfied with how the mixes turned out,<ref name="tenpast">Weisbard, Eric, et al. "Ten Past Ten". '']''. August 2001.</ref> wanting the songs to sound "heavier."<ref>Calil, Ricardo. . ''89 Revista Rock''. 2000.</ref> The band then turned to its former producer O'Brien, who was called in to remix several tracks at his mixing facility at Southern Tracks in ], ].<ref>(2000) Album notes for ''Binaural'' by Pearl Jam, . New York: Sony Music.</ref> It was with O'Brien when the band determined the final sequencing of the album.<ref name="aural">Aledort, Andy. . '']''. July 2000.</ref> | |||
Three instrumentals featured on the '']'' DVD ("Thunderclap", "Foldback", and "Harmony") come from the early ''Binaural'' sessions.<ref name=touringband>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608201929/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/chords/band2000.html|archive-date=2003-06-08|url=http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/chords/band2000.html|title=Pearl Jam: ''Touring Band 2000''|publisher=]|access-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref> Several songs were rejected from the album that eventually found their way on to the 2003 '']'' collection of rarities. These include "Sad", "Hitchhiker", "In the Moonlight", "Education", "Fatal", and "Sweet Lew".<ref name="lostdogs">(2003) Album notes for ''Lost Dogs'' by Pearl Jam, . New York: Sony Music.</ref> "Sad", originally called "Letter to the Dead", was called "a great pop song" by Ament, but he said the song did not fit the album because the band does not "really very many pop records."<ref name="spreading">{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80213/pearl-jam-spreading-the-jam|title=Pearl Jam: Spreading The Jam|magazine=]|date=March 30, 2001|access-date=February 12, 2012|publisher=]}}</ref> "Sweet Lew", about ],<ref name="lostdogs"/> was cut from ''Binaural'' because it did not fit the album according to Ament.<ref name="spreading"/> "Fatal" was producer Tchad Blake's favorite song to come out of the recording sessions.<ref name="lostdogs"/> "Strangest Tribe" and "Drifting" were also recorded around the time of the album's recording sessions, and both songs were released on the band's 1999 fan club Christmas single as well as ''Lost Dogs''.<ref name="lostdogs"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pearljam.com/music/releases/ten%20club/holiday-1999|title=Ten Club Holiday Singles: Holiday 1999|publisher=PearlJam.com|access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref> | |||
During the making of the album the band ran into several problems. Vedder has admitted that while working on the album he suffered from ], which made it difficult for him to come up with lyrics.<ref name="nyrock">Gabriella. . NYRock.com. August 2000.</ref> This apparently inspired the ] "Writer's Block" that appears at the end of the album. Vedder had written music for several songs, including "Insignificance" and "Grievance", but was having trouble coming up with lyrics for the songs.<ref name="tenpast"/> He decided to not write any more music, and to focus only on lyrics, even banning himself from playing guitar. Unable to write more lyrics, Vedder said he saw a ] and thought "that's not a guitar" and wrote the song "Soon Forget" using the ukulele.<ref>Vedder, Eddie. . ]. May 12, 2000.</ref> Guitarist ] went into rehabilitation to receive treatment for an addiction to ]s.<ref name="aural"/><ref name="tenpast"/> Gossard said that "because Mike wasn't all there, and there was a 'get-to-know-you' thing with Matt, everyone wasn't on the same page."<ref name="totalguitar"/> | |||
==Music and lyrics== | ==Music and lyrics== | ||
{{Listen | {{Listen | ||
|filename = |
|filename = Nothing As It Seems.ogg | ||
|title = "Nothing as It Seems" | |title = "Nothing as It Seems" | ||
|description = |
|description = A sample of "Nothing as It Seems", the first single released from the album. It is one of the songs on the album that utilized binaural recording techniques. The song was written by Ament and features prominent usage of his upright bass, giving the song an atmospheric feel. | ||
|filename2 = LightYears.ogg | |filename2 = LightYears.ogg | ||
|title2 = "Light Years" |
|title2 = "Light Years" | ||
|description2 = |
|description2 = A sample of "Light Years", the second single released from the album. The song is a mid-tempo ballad and features lyrics written by Vedder mourning the loss of someone close. | ||
}} | }} | ||
''Binaural'' |
''Binaural'' opens with three up-tempo songs before growing more diverse.<ref name="cfox">{{cite web|last=O'Neil|first=Jeff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010301044308/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/echoes/echoes11.html|archive-date=March 1, 2001|url=http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/echoes/echoes11.html|title=CFOX radio's Jeff O'Neil with Jeff Ament and Mike McCready|publisher=]|date=May 11, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Vedder explained, "We'd rather challenge our fans and make them listen to our songs than give them something that's easy to digest. There is a lot of music out there that is very easy to digest but we never wanted to be part of it."<ref name="nyrock"/> As described by critic ] on his review for '']'', Pearl Jam distances itself from the ] that made them famous and "delve elsewhere: jumpy ] and somber meditations, tightly wound ] and turbulent, ] rockers that sound like they boiled out of jam sessions."<ref name="rollingstone"/> | ||
A few songs on the album show ] influences. The intro to the opening track "Breakerfall" uses |
A few songs on the album show ] influences. The intro to the opening track "Breakerfall" uses a guitar riff similar to ] song "]" (from the 1967 album, '']'').<ref name="aural"/> Additionally, "Soon Forget", which features Vedder playing a ], is heavily influenced by The Who song "Blue, Red and Grey" (from the 1975 album, '']''), with Vedder describing it as "30 seconds of plagiarising" and thanking ] on the lyric sheet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/features/qa-eddie-vedder/|title=Q&A: Eddie Vedder|first=Brian|last=Hiatt|website=Rolling Stone India|publisher=MW Com|date=July 4, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref> The song "]" has been compared to the style of ].<ref name="rnn"/> | ||
Bassist ] wrote |
Bassist ] wrote lyrics for two songs on the album ("Gods' Dice" and "Nothing as It Seems"), and Gossard for three ("Thin Air," "Of the Girl" and "Rival"). The album is lyrically darker than the band's previous album ''Yield'', with Gossard describing the lyrics as "pretty somber."<ref name="Mulvey">{{cite magazine|last=Mulvey|first=John|url=http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/nme_51300.shtml|title=Interview with Pearl Jam|magazine=]|issn=0028-6362|publisher=]|date=May 13, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Vedder addressed the social criticism contained in the album's lyrics by stating, "I think what everyone's looking for, y'know, is freedom...That's part of being comfortable in your own skin. I know I had a problem with being told what to do, and had a problem with being mentally and physically constricted. All of humanity is searching for freedom and I think it's important to know when you have it, too."<ref name="Mulvey"/> Ament stated that "Gods' Dice" is about "judging anybody who has any sort of belief system whether they believe in God or not",<ref name="rnn"/> and that "Nothing as It Seems" is about his childhood growing up in a rural area of Northern ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Basham|first=David|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433047/20000503/pearl_jam.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001130047/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433047/20000503/pearl_jam.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2007|title=Pearl Jam's Ament Probes Childhood With "Seems"|publisher=] (])|date=May 3, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Vedder called "Evacuation" a "song about change",<ref name="anti-career"/> and stated in an interview that the moral of "Insignificance" is "the ineffectiveness of political struggle."<ref name="Tannenbaum">{{cite magazine|last=Tannenbaum|first=Rob|url=http://www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/george_700.shtml|title=Rebels Without a Pause|magazine=]|date=July 2000|volume=5|publisher=]|issn=1084-662X|issue=6}}</ref> Vedder took inspiration from the ] in Seattle when writing "Grievance",<ref name="Tannenbaum"/> and said the song is about the dangers of technology.<ref name="nyrock"/> Gossard has said that the song "Rival" is his reflection upon the 1999 ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Manning|first=Kara|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433051/20000419/pearl_jam.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510003027/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433051/20000419/pearl_jam.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2007|title=Pearl Jam On Columbine-Inspired New Song|publisher=MTV News (Viacom)|date=April 19, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> | ||
==Packaging== | |||
The album's cover art is a modified ] photo of the ] MyCn 18, popularly known as the ]. Hubble Space Telescope photos of the ] and ] are also featured in the inside cover and ] for this album, respectively. The photos were used with the permission of ]. Regarding the artwork, Ament said, "The reason that we went with Tchad is because he provides an amazing atmosphere to songs....So, I think we wanted the artwork to represent that....One of the themes that we've been exploring...is just realizing that in the big scheme of things, even the music that we make when we come together, no matter how powerful it is, it's still pretty minuscule. I think for me the whole space theme has a lot to do with scale. You know, you look at some of those pictures, and there are thirteen light years in four inches in that picture."<ref name="cfox"/> | |||
The album's title is a reference to the binaural recording techniques that were utilized on several tracks. Binaural literally means "having or relating to two ears." Regarding the choice of the title, Gossard said, "When we looked up the word 'binaural,' it meant to listen with both ears. So it seemed like a fitting title for the album."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/pjam16.shtml | title=Pearl Jam's 'Binaural' ear-marked by unusual sound mixing | access-date=June 28, 2007 | last=Stout |first=Gene | newspaper=] | date=May 16, 2000}}{{dead link|date=May 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref> | |||
==Release and reception== | ==Release and reception== | ||
''Binaural'' sold 226,000<nowiki> </nowiki>copies during its first week of release and debuted at number two on the ] album chart. It was held off the top spot by the ] album, '']''.<ref>Mancini, Robert. . ]. May 24, 2000.</ref> ''Binaural'' became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach platinum status. ''Binaural'' has been certified gold by the ],<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=Binaural&artist=Pearl+Jam&perPage=25&go=Search | |||
| title=Gold and Platinum Database Search | |||
| accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> and, as of December 2002, has sold 718,000<nowiki> </nowiki>copies in the United States according to ].<ref>{{cite web | last = Gundersen | first = Edna | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2002-12-05-pearl-jam_x.htm | title = ''Riot Act'' finds Pearl Jam in a quiet place | work = ] | accessdate = 2008-03-16 | date=2002-12-05}}</ref> | |||
===Commercial performance=== | |||
''Binaural'' received generally favorable reviews from music critics.<ref>. metacritic.com.</ref> '']'' gave ''Binaural'' a nine out of ten. In the review, ''Binaural'' is called "a seething, furious album; a declamatory statement against cynicism and passivity and the simple injustices of everyday life." It’s also said that "even when the band slow the pace, the songs are coloured by a heartfelt intensity."<ref name="nme"/> ] staff writer ] gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "The songs are sharper, the production is layered, and the performances are as compassionate as ever, resulting in their finest album since ''Vitalogy''."<ref name="allmusic"/> Critic ] described the album as "Rock as inner struggle, eternally externalized."<ref name="Christgau"/> '']'' staff writer ] gave the album three out of five stars, saying that the album "comes across as part of an extended conversation among the five band members...and fans loyal enough to check in for Pearl Jam's latest musings on love, death and social responsibility."<ref name="rollingstone"/> '']'' also gave the album three out of five stars. In the review it’s stated that Pearl Jam "are dignified, musicianly, sincere... and a teensy bit dull." The review observed that "Vedder's affecting vocal angst drowns in a sea of pessimistic riffola." The review called ''Binaural'' "a warts-and-all album; it has grabbers, songs that sink in slowly and a few absolute duds."<ref name="theguardian"/> | |||
''Binaural'' sold 226,000<nowiki> </nowiki>copies during its first week of release and debuted at number two on the ] album chart. It was held off the top spot by the ] album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mancini|first=Robert|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434379/20000524/spears_britney.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306180540/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434379/20000524/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2001|title=Britney Scores Record Sales Week|publisher=MTV News (Viacom)|date=May 24, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> ''Binaural'' became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach Platinum status. ''Binaural'' has been certified gold by the ],<ref name=RIAA>{{cite web| url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=Binaural&artist=Pearl+Jam&perPage=25&go=Search| title=Gold and Platinum Database Search| publisher=RIAA| access-date=February 12, 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626051113/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS| archive-date=June 26, 2007}}</ref> and, as of 2013, has sold 850,000<nowiki> </nowiki>copies in the United States according to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greasylake.org/the-circuit/index.php?/topic/113673-rem-pearl-jam-and-nirvanausa-album-sales/|title = R.E.M., PEARL JAM and NIRVANA.....USA album sales}}</ref> The album topped the charts in New Zealand, where it was certified Platinum,<ref name=rianz>{{cite web|url=http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp |title=Top 50 Albums: May 28, 2000 |website=RIANZ |access-date=December 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127021121/http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp |archive-date=November 27, 2013 }}</ref> and Australia,<ref name="www.australian-charts.com">Peaks in Australia: | |||
* All except noted: . Australian-Charts.com. Retrieved on May 28, 2008. | |||
* "Light Years": {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref> where it went Platinum<ref name=aria>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2000.htm |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2000 Albums |publisher=ARIA |access-date=2011-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611211848/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2000.htm |archive-date=2011-06-11 }}</ref> and ended as the 36th best-selling record of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2000.htm |title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 2000 |publisher=ARIA |access-date=2011-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528193102/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2000.htm |archive-date=2011-05-28 }}</ref> | |||
Two singles were released from ''Binaural''. The lead single, "]", was issued on April 25, 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimatepearljam.com/pearl-jam-nothing-as-it-seems/|title=20 Years Ago: Pearl Jam Change Direction on 'Nothing as It Seems'|last=Tree Riddle|website=ultimatepearljam.com|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2021}}</ref> entered the ] at number 49, and reached number three on the ] charts. The album's other single, "]", was released on July 10, 2000,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases – For Week Starting July 10, 2000: Singles|magazine=]|page=23|date=July 8, 2000}}</ref> and did not chart on the Hot 100, but it did place on the Mainstream Rock and ] charts.<ref name="allmusic.com2">{{cite web | |||
| url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=pearl-jam-p5118/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} | |||
| title=Pearl Jam – Billboard Singles | |||
| website=] | |||
| access-date=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
===Critical reception=== | |||
{{Music ratings | |||
| MC = 69/100<ref name=meta/> | |||
| rev1 = ] | |||
| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=allmusic ((( Binaural > Review )))|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/binaural-mw0000058349|publisher=]|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|access-date=March 21, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| rev2 = '']'' | |||
| rev2score = B+<ref name="entertainmentweekly">{{cite magazine|last=Farber|first=Jim|date=May 19, 2000|title=Music Review: Binaural|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/05/19/binaural/|magazine=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230125703/https://ew.com/article/2000/05/19/binaural/|archive-date=December 30, 2014|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> | |||
| rev3 = '']'' | |||
| rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="theguardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,,219790,00.html|title=Other pop releases|website=]|issn=0261-3077|date=May 12, 2000|access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| rev4 = '']'' | |||
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bird |first=Ashley |date=May 20, 2000 |title=Albums |magazine=] |publisher=] |issue=802 |pages=42-43}}</ref> | |||
| rev5 = '']'' | |||
| rev5score = 9/10<ref name="nme">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-2241-337847|title=Review: Binaural|magazine=]|date=September 12, 2005|author=Staff|access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> | |||
| rev6 = '']'' | |||
| rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="q">{{cite magazine|date=July 2000|title=Review: Binaural|magazine=]|publisher=]|page=121|issue=166|issn=0955-4955}}</ref> | |||
| rev7 = ] | |||
| rev7score = {{rating-Christgau|hm1}}<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Pearl+jam|title=Pearl Jam|publisher=robertchristgau.com|access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| rev8 = '']'' | |||
| rev8score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine|last=Pareles|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|date=June 8, 2000|title=Pearl Jam: Binaural|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/binaural-20000608|magazine=]|publisher=Wenner Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162929/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/binaural-20000608|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2008}}</ref> | |||
| rev9 = '']'' | |||
| rev9score = 7/10<ref name="spin">{{cite magazine|last=Powers|first=Ann|author-link=Ann Powers|date=July 2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AlN-17xfY88C&pg=PA149|title=Review: Binaural|magazine=]|page=149|publisher=Spin Media, LLC|volume=16|issn=0886-3032|issue=7}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
''Binaural'' received generally favorable reviews from music critics according to ], where it holds a 69 after 16 reviews.<ref name=meta>{{Metacritic album| title = ''Binaural'' by Pearl Jam| access-date = February 12, 2012}}</ref> '']'' gave ''Binaural'' a nine out of 10. In the review, ''Binaural'' is called "a seething, furious album; a declamatory statement against cynicism and passivity and the simple injustices of everyday life" and that "even when the band slow the pace, the songs are coloured by a heartfelt intensity."<ref name="nme"/> ] staff writer ] gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "The songs are sharper, the production is layered, and the performances are as compassionate as ever, resulting in their finest album since '']''."<ref name="allmusic"/> '']'' reviewer ] noted that the album is "less impatient and rage filled than much of Pearl Jam's earlier work." Farley added that "Pearl Jam, rather quietly, is building a long-term career to rival the rock legends of the past."<ref name="time">{{cite magazine|last=Farley|first=Christopher John|author-link=Christopher John Farley|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,997155,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015135829/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,997155,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2007|title=Binaural Pearl Jam; Lifehouse: Elements Pete Townshend (Binaural review)|magazine=]|publisher=]|issn=0040-781X|date=June 12, 2000|access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref> Jim Farber of '']'' gave the album a B+, considering that the "weighty subjects Pearl Jam's introspective lyrics and stone-faced rock a refreshing edge" and adding that "if PJ long ago lost the zeitgeist, at least they've kept a hold on their hearts."<ref name="entertainmentweekly"/> Critic ] described the album as "Rock as inner struggle, eternally externalized."<ref name="Christgau"/> | |||
'']'' gave the album seven out of 10 stars, writing that "Everything you want is still there—goofy experimentalism, guitar frenzy, Eddie's self-abusive wail. It's just more solid, more clear."<ref name="spin"/> '']'' gave the album three out of five stars, commenting that "Grunge may have died, but Pearl Jam it seems will never be slayed."<ref name="q"/> '']'' staff writer ] gave the album three and a half out of five stars, feeling that the album "comes across as part of an extended conversation among the five band members...and fans loyal enough to check in for Pearl Jam's latest musings on love, death and social responsibility."<ref name="rollingstone"/> '']'' also gave the album three out of five stars, stating that Pearl Jam "are dignified, musicianly, sincere... and a teensy bit dull" and observing that "Vedder's affecting vocal angst drowns in a sea of pessimistic riffola." The review called ''Binaural'' "a warts-and-all album; it has grabbers, songs that sink in slowly and a few absolute duds."<ref name="theguardian"/> At the ], "]" received a nomination for ].<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2001/grammys.htm | | url = http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2001/grammys.htm | ||
| title = 43rd Grammy Awards | | title = 43rd Grammy Awards | ||
| publisher = Rockonthenet | | publisher = Rockonthenet | ||
| |
| access-date = 2007-09-05 | ||
}}</ref> Regarding ''Binaural'', Ament stated that "we look back and think we didn't put some of the best songs on it", adding that "I think there are some beautiful things that came out of it, but we're never going to remember that record as one of the greats."<ref name=standard>{{cite web|website=]|title=Pearl Jam: part 2|url=http://www.standard.net.au/blogs/musicology/pearl-jam-part-2/2336586.aspx|last=Neal|first=Matt|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=February 11, 2012}}</ref> | |||
}}</ref> | |||
==Packaging== | |||
The album's cover art is a ] photo of the ]. Hubble Space Telescope photos of the ] and ] are also featured in the inside cover and liner notes for this album, respectively. The photos were used with the permission of ]. Regarding the artwork, Ament said, "The reason that we went with Tchad is because he provides an amazing atmosphere to songs....So, I think we wanted the artwork to represent that....One of the themes that we've been exploring...is just realizing that in the big scheme of things, even the music that we make when we come together, no matter how powerful it is, it's still pretty minuscule<!-- sic -->. I think for me the whole space theme has a lot to do with scale. You know, you look at some of those pictures, and there are thirteen light years in four inches in that picture."<ref name="cfox"/> | |||
The album's title is a reference to the binaural recording techniques that were utilized on several tracks. Binaural literally means "having or relating to two ears." Regarding the choice of the title, Gossard said, "When we looked up the word 'binaural,' it meant to listen with both ears. So it seemed like a fitting title for the album."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/pjam16.shtml | title=Pearl Jam's 'Binaural' ear-marked by unusual sound mixing | accessdate=2007-06-28 | author=Stout, Gene | publisher='']'' | date=2000-05-16}}</ref> | |||
==Tour== | ==Tour== | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Binaural Tour}} | ||
], ] on September 4, 2000.]] | ], ] on September 4, 2000.|alt=Pearl Jam on stage. Eddie Vedder sings while playing a tambourine next to a spotlight, Mike McCready plays a guitar, and Matt Cameron on the drums is seen in the background.]] | ||
Pearl Jam promoted the album with tours in ] and ].<ref> |
Pearl Jam promoted the album with tours in ] and ].<ref name=setlists>{{cite web|url=http://www.pearljam.com/tour/shows/2000|title=2000 Set Lists|publisher=pearljam.com|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> The tour started along with the album release on May 23, with a show in ], ]. The European tour had 26 dates.<ref name=goes>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433055/updated-pearl-jam-goes-binaural-with-new-album-north-american-tour.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113095506/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433055/updated-pearl-jam-goes-binaural-with-new-album-north-american-tour.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2013|title=UPDATED: Pearl Jam Goes "Binaural" With New Album, North American Tour|publisher=MTV News (Viacom)|date=March 15, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> The final concert of the European tour ended in tragedy, where an accident at the ] in ] on June 30 led nine fans to be crushed underfoot and suffocated to death as the crowd rushed to the front.<ref name="darkest hour">{{cite news | url=http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/perl01.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125030144/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64953416.html|archive-date=January 25, 2013 | title=Pearl Jam's darkest hour: Seattle band thought about quitting after concert deaths | access-date=December 31, 2011 | last=Stout |first=Gene | newspaper=] | date=2000-09-01}}</ref> This led two additional concerts through July to be cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433044/update-pearl-jam-performance-struck-by-tragedy.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906051215/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433044/update-pearl-jam-performance-struck-by-tragedy.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2012|title=UPDATE: Pearl Jam Performance Struck By Tragedy|publisher=MTV News (Viacom)|first=Tina|last=Johnson|date=July 1, 2000|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> A month after the European tour concluded, the band embarked on a two-leg North American tour, starting on ] on August 3.<ref name=goes/> The first leg of the tour focused on the ], and then the band moved to the ] and the ] for the tour's second leg.<ref name=setlists/> The band considered disbanding after the Roskilde tragedy,<ref name="darkest hour"/> but Vedder stated that "playing, facing crowds, being together" in the North American tour "enabled us to start processing it."<ref name="tenpast"/> | ||
On October 22, 2000, the band played the ] in ], ], celebrating the 10th anniversary of its first live performance as a band. The tour's final night took place on November 6, 2000, in ], ] at ] where the band performed for more than three hours. The European and North American tours were documented by a long series of ], all of which were available in record stores as well as through the band's fan club.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/music255.htm | title=Pearl Jam's Bootlegs Give Others the Boot | access-date=June 28, 2007 | last=Gundersen |first=Edna | newspaper=] | date=August 31, 2000}}</ref> The band released 72 ]s in 2000 and 2001, and set a record for most albums to debut in the ''Billboard'' 200 at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/pearl-jam/news/artist-name-pearl-jam-id-1020778-breaks-its-own-chart-record--12055527 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629092938/http://music.yahoo.com/pearl-jam/news/artist-name-pearl-jam-id-1020778-breaks-its-own-chart-record--12055527 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |title=Pearl Jam Breaks Its Own Chart Record |access-date=June 28, 2007 |last=Davis |first=Darren |publisher=] |date=March 7, 2001 }}</ref> Following the conclusion of the 2000 tour, the band released '']'', a DVD which featured select performances from the North American legs of the tour.<ref name=touringband/> | |||
''Binaural'' was played in its entirety at the ] in Toronto at the ], as a block and in sequence, during the first set of a longer performance.<ref name="order">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pearl-jam-perform-binaural-in-its-entirety-at-toronto-concert-20160510 | title=Pearl Jam Perform 'Binaural' in Its Entirety at Toronto Concert | date=May 10, 2016| access-date=May 11, 2016| magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> | |||
==Track listing== | ==Track listing== | ||
{{track listing | |||
#"Breakerfall" (]) – 2:19 | |||
| headline = ''Binaural'' track listing | |||
#"Gods' Dice" (]) – 2:26 | |||
| title1 = Breakerfall | |||
#"Evacuation" (], Vedder) – 2:56 | |||
| writer1 = ] | |||
#"]" (], ], Vedder) – 5:06 | |||
| length1 = 2:19 | |||
#"]" (Ament) – 5:22 ''*'' | |||
| title2 = Gods' Dice | |||
#"Thin Air" (Gossard) – 3:32 | |||
| writer2 = ] | |||
#"Insignificance" (Vedder) – 4:28 | |||
| music2 = Ament | |||
#"Of the Girl" (Gossard) – 5:07 ''*'' | |||
| length2 = 2:26 | |||
#"]" (Vedder) – 3:14 | |||
| title3 = Evacuation | |||
#"Rival" (Gossard) – 3:38 ''*'' | |||
| writer3 = ] <small>(music)</small>, Vedder <small>(lyrics)</small> | |||
#"Sleight of Hand" (Ament, Vedder) – 4:47 ''*'' | |||
| length3 = 2:56 | |||
#"Soon Forget" (Vedder) – 1:46 ''*'' | |||
| title4 = ] | |||
#"Parting Ways" (Vedder) – 7:17 | |||
| writer4 = ] <small>(music)</small>, ] <small>(music)</small>, Vedder <small>(music & lyrics)</small> | |||
#*"Parting Ways" contains the ] "Writer's Block" at 6:49. | |||
| length4 = 5:06 | |||
| title5 = ]{{ref label|Binaural|*|}} | |||
| writer5 = Ament | |||
| length5 = 5:22 | |||
| title6 = Thin Air | |||
| writer6 = Gossard | |||
| length6 = 3:32 | |||
| title7 = Insignificance | |||
| writer7 = Vedder | |||
| length7 = 4:28 | |||
| title8 = Of the Girl{{ref label|Binaural|*|}} | |||
| writer8 = Gossard | |||
| length8 = 5:07 | |||
| title9 = ] | |||
| writer9 = Vedder | |||
| length9 = 3:14 | |||
| title10 = Rival{{ref label|Binaural|*|}} | |||
| writer10 = Gossard | |||
| length10 = 3:38 | |||
| title11 = Sleight of Hand{{ref label|Binaural|*|}} | |||
| writer11 = Ament <small>(music)</small>, Vedder <small>(lyrics)</small> | |||
| length11 = 4:47 | |||
| title12 = Soon Forget{{ref label|Binaural|*|}} | |||
| writer12 = Vedder | |||
| length12 = 1:46 | |||
| title13 = Parting Ways{{ref label|Writer's Block|I|}} | |||
| writer13 = Vedder | |||
| length13 = 7:17 | |||
| total_length = 52:05 | |||
}} | |||
{{note|Writer's Block}}'''I''' "Parting Ways" contains the ] "Writer's Block" at 6:49. | |||
{{note|Binaural}}'''*''' Asterisks denote the use of ] techniques. | |||
{{track listing | |||
===Japanese bonus disc=== | |||
| headline = Japanese bonus disc | |||
#"Footsteps" (live) (Gossard, Vedder) – 5:24 | |||
| title1 = Footsteps{{ref label|Live|*|}} | |||
#"]" (live) (Vedder) – 4:37 | |||
| note1 = live | |||
*Live tracks recorded at the 1999 ]. | |||
| music1 = Gossard | |||
| length1 = 5:24 | |||
| title2 = ]{{ref label|Live|*|}} | |||
| note2 = live | |||
| music2 = Vedder | |||
| length2 = 4:37 | |||
}} | |||
{{note|Live}}'''*''' Live tracks recorded at the 1999 ]. | |||
===Original track listing=== | ===Original track listing=== | ||
When the |
When the track listing for ''Binaural'' was first released in late March 2000, it was quite different from the final version.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosen |first=Craig |date=March 31, 2000 |access-date=February 12, 2012 |url=http://www.music.yahoo.ca/read/news/12045526 |title=Pearl Jam 'Binaural' Track List |publisher=Yahoo! Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422130604/http://www.music.yahoo.ca/read/news/12045526 |archive-date=2012-04-22 }}</ref> Some tracks that were originally on the album were dropped and not released until the 2003 rarities compilation, '']'',<ref name=standard/> and "Gods' Dice" was added to the final version. The original version is as follows: | ||
#"Breakerfall" | |||
#"Breakherfall" | |||
#"Insignificance" | #"Insignificance" | ||
#"Evacuation" | #"Evacuation" | ||
Line 129: | Line 202: | ||
#"Parting Ways" | #"Parting Ways" | ||
#"Education" | #"Education" | ||
==Outtakes== | |||
Three instrumentals featured on the '']'' DVD ("Thunderclap", "Foldback", and "Harmony") come from the early ''Binaural'' sessions.<ref>. ].</ref> Several songs were rejected from the album that eventually found their way on to the 2003 '']'' collection of rarities. These include "Sad", "Hitchhiker", "In the Moonlight", "Education", "Fatal", and "Sweet Lew".<ref name="lostdogs">(2003) Album notes for ''Lost Dogs'' by Pearl Jam, . New York: Sony Music.</ref> "Sad", originally called "Letter to the Dead", was called "a great pop song" by Ament, but he said the song didn't fit the album because the band doesn't "really very many pop records."<ref name="spreading">Cohen, Jonathan. . '']''. March 30, 2001.</ref> "Sweet Lew", about ],<ref name="lostdogs"/> was cut from ''Binaural'' because it didn't fit the album according to Ament.<ref name="spreading"/> "Fatal" was producer Tchad Blake's favorite song to come out of the recording sessions.<ref name="lostdogs"/> "Strangest Tribe" and "Drifting" were also recorded around the time of the album's recording sessions,<ref name="lostdogs"/> and both songs were released on the band's 1999 fan club Christmas single as well as ''Lost Dogs''. | |||
==Personnel== | ==Personnel== | ||
{{col-begin}} | {{col-begin}} | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
'''Pearl Jam'''<ref name=credits/> | |||
*] – |
*] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele; credited as "Jerome Turner" for album concept | ||
*] – guitar | *] – bass guitar, upright bass, inside ] | ||
*] – |
*] – drums | ||
*] – guitar | *] – rhythm guitar | ||
*] – |
*] – lead guitar | ||
;Additional musicians | |||
*April Cameron – ] | |||
*Justine Foy – ] | |||
*] – ], ] | |||
*Pete Thomas – ] | |||
*Wendy Melvoin – percussion | |||
*Dakota – canine vocal | |||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
'''Additional musicians''' and production<ref name=credits/> | |||
;Production | |||
*] – ], ], ]s | |||
*Pearl Jam – production | |||
*] – mixing | |||
*] – ] | *] – ] | ||
*] – ], ] (tracks 5, 6, 9, 11–13), ]s | |||
*Ashley Stubbert, Adam Samuels – 2nd engineers | |||
*Liz Burns – assistance with ] photos | |||
*R. Sahai, J. Trauger, WFPC2 science team, ] – front cover | |||
* |
*April Cameron – ] | ||
*Dakota – canine vocal | |||
*Justine Foy – ] | |||
*] – ], ] | |||
*K.P. Handron, R. O'Dell, NASA – inside cover | |||
*J. Hester, P. Scowen, NASA – booklet cover | *J. Hester, P. Scowen, NASA – booklet cover | ||
* |
*] – ] | ||
*] – mixing (tracks 1–4, 7, 8, 10) | |||
{{end}} | |||
*Pearl Jam – production | |||
*R. Sahai, J. Trauger, WFPC2 science team, NASA – front cover | |||
*Adam Samuels, Ashley Stubbert – second engineers | |||
*Pete Thomas – percussion | |||
{{col-end}} | |||
==Charts and certifications== | |||
==Chart positions== | |||
{{col-begin}} | {{col-begin}} | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
;Album | |||
===Weekly charts=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" border="1" | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | |||
! Chart (2000) | |||
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Binaural'' | |||
! Position | |||
! scope="col"| Chart (2000) | |||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="www.australian-charts.com">. Australian-Charts.com. Retrieved on May 28, 2008.</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 1 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="charts.org.nz">. Charts.Org.NZ. Retrieved on May 28, 2008.</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 1 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Flanders|5|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| US ]<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web | |||
| url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:aifqxqr5ldhe~T5 | |||
| title=Pearl Jam – Billboard Albums | |||
| publisher=] | |||
| accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 2 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Wallonia|34|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7287&volume=71&issue=4&issue_dt=May%2029%202000&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=lhaled67omcph7v3aq7fbveid1 | |||
| title=Canadian Charts | |||
| publisher='']'' | |||
| accessdate=2008-03-07}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 2 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Pearl Jam|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="www.fimi.it">{{cite web | |||
| url=http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Pearl+Jam&titel=Binaural&cat=a | |||
| title=Pearl Jam - Binaural (Album) | |||
| publisher=italiancharts.com | |||
| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 2 | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Danish Albums (])<ref name="Listen">{{cite news |title=Listen - Danmarks Officielle Hitliste - Udarbejdet af AIM Nielsen for IFPI Danmark - Uge 21|work=]|location=]|language=da|date=May 20, 2000}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref name="NOR">{{cite web|url= http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=Norwegian Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= norwegiancharts.com| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
| 20 | |||
|align="center"| 2 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Netherlands|5|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| Top Internet Albums<ref name="allmusic.com"/> | |||
|align="center"| 2 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Finland|10|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Pearl+Jam/?type=longplay | |||
| title=Chartverfolgung / Pearl Jam / Longplay | |||
| publisher=musicline.de | |||
| accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 4 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|France|12|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="BEL">{{cite web| url = http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=pearl+jam&cat=a| title = Belgian Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay | publisher = belgiancharts.com| accessdate = 2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 5 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Germany4|4|id=3306|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="BEL"/> | |||
|align="center"| 34 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Hungary|21|year=2000|week=23|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="NLD">{{cite web|url= http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=Dutch Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= dutchcharts.nl| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 5 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Ireland2|6|artist=Pearl Jam|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="everyhit">{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.everyhit.com/ | |||
| title = EveryHit.com | |||
| accessdate = 2007-02-16 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 5 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Italy|2|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Pearl%20Jam |title= Irish Album/Singles Chart |publisher= irish-charts.com | accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 6 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/129344/ranking/cd_album/|title=パール・ジャムのアルバム売上ランキング}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref name="SWE">{{cite web|url= http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=Swedish Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= swedishcharts.com| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
| 18 | |||
|align="center"| 6 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| Austrian Albums Chart<ref name="AUT">{{cite web|url= http://austriancharts.at/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=Austrian Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= austriancharts.at| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 8 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="SWI">{{cite web|url= http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=Schweizer Hitparade |publisher= hitparade.ch| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 8 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Scotland|5|date=20000521|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| Finnish Albums Chart<ref name="FIN">{{cite web| url = http://finnishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam| title = Finnish Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay | publisher = finnishcharts.com| accessdate = 2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 10 | |||
|- | |- | ||
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums (])<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref name="FRA">{{cite web|url= http://lescharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Pearl+Jam|title=French Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= lescharts.com| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
| 11 | |||
|align="center"| 12 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Sweden|6|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref>. Hungarian chart Retrieved on June 4, 2008.</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 21 | |||
|} | |||
{{col-2}} | |||
;Singles | |||
{| class="wikitable" border="1" | |||
! Single | |||
! Chart (2000) | |||
! Position | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Switzerland|8|artist=Pearl Jam|album=Binaural|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| rowspan="13"|"Nothing as It Seems" | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&search=pearl+jam|title=Norwegian Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay |publisher= norwegiancharts.com| accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 5 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|UK2|5|date=20000521|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="www.fimi.it"/> | |||
|align="center"| 6 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20000527|rowheader=true|access-date=April 27, 2024}} | |||
| ]<ref name="www.australian-charts.com"/> | |||
|align="center"| 7 | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Pearl Jam|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2021}} | |||
| ]<ref name="everyhit"/> | |||
|} | |||
|align="center"| 22 | |||
{{col-2}} | |||
===Year-end charts=== | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | |||
|+Year-end chart performance for ''Binaural'' | |||
! scope="col"| Chart (2000) | |||
! scope="col"| Position | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2000/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2000|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web | |||
| 36 | |||
| url = http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement | |||
| title = The Irish Charts — All there is to know | |||
| publisher = Irishcharts.ie | |||
| accessdate = 2007-04-29 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 27 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2000&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2000|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| 95 | |||
|align="center"| 33 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812032100/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2000_1.html|archivedate=August 12, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2000_1.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2000|website=]|access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web| url = http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&search=pearl+jam| title = Swedish Single/Album Chart / Pearl Jam / Longplay| publisher = swedishcharts.com| accessdate = 2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
| 88 | |||
|align="center"| 40 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2000|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|website=]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| ]<ref name="charts.org.nz"/> | |||
| 99 | |||
|align="center"| 42 | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2000/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| US ]<ref name="allmusic.com2">{{cite web | |||
| 152 | |||
| url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:aifqxqr5ldhe~T51 | |||
| title=Pearl Jam – Billboard Singles | |||
| publisher=] | |||
| accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 49 | |||
|- | |||
| US ]<ref name="allmusic.com2"/> | |||
|align="center"| 3 | |||
|- | |||
| US ]<ref name="allmusic.com2"/> | |||
|align="center"| 10 | |||
|- | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?cat=s&search=pearl+jam| title = Schweizer Hitparade| publisher = hitparade.ch| accessdate = 2008-02-19}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 83 | |||
|- | |||
| ]<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Pearl%20Jam/?type=single | |||
| title=Chartverfolgung / Pearl Jam / Single | |||
| publisher=musicline.de | |||
| accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 98 | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="4"|"Light Years" | |||
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks<ref name="allmusic.com2"/> | |||
|align="center"| 17 | |||
|- | |||
| Italian Singles Chart<ref name="www.fimi.it"/> | |||
|align="center"| 25 | |||
|- | |||
| US Modern Rock Tracks<ref name="allmusic.com2"/> | |||
|align="center"| 26 | |||
|- | |||
| UK Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_P.HTM| title= Chart Log: 1994-2006| accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|align="center"| 52 | |||
|} | |} | ||
===Certifications=== | |||
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Binaural''}} | |||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Platinum|title=Binaural|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}} | |||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|award=Platinum|artist=Pearl Jam|title=Binaural|relyear=2000|certyear=2006}} | |||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Pearl Jam|title=Binaural|relyear=2000|id=2000-07-14|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2000}} | |||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|award=Silver|artist=Pearl Jam|title=Binaural|relyear=2000|certyear=2013|id=11376-1667-2|access-date=September 6, 2022}} | |||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Pearl Jam|title=Binaural|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}} | |||
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}} | |||
{{col-end}} | {{col-end}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ |
{{reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* | * | ||
{{s-start}} | |||
{{succession box | |||
| before = '']'' by ] | |||
| title = Australian ] ] | |||
| years = May 22, 2000 - May 28, 2000 | |||
| after = '']'' by ] | |||
}} | |||
{{succession box | |||
| before = ''Bardot'' by Bardot | |||
| title = ] number-one album | |||
| years = May 28, 2000 - June 3, 2000 | |||
| after = '']'' by ] | |||
}} | |||
{{end}} | |||
{{Pearl Jam}} | {{Pearl Jam}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Binaural (Album)}} | |||
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] | ] | ||
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Latest revision as of 13:38, 26 November 2024
2000 studio album by Pearl Jam
Binaural | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by Pearl Jam | ||||
Released | May 16, 2000 | |||
Recorded | September 1999 – January 2000 | |||
Studio | Studio Litho (Seattle) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 52:05 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Producer |
| |||
Pearl Jam chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Binaural | ||||
| ||||
Binaural is the sixth studio album by American rock band Pearl Jam, released May 16, 2000, through Epic Records. Following a full-scale tour in support of its previous album, Yield (1998), Pearl Jam took a short break before reconvening toward the end of 1999 to begin work on a new album. During the production of the album, the band encountered hindrances such as singer Eddie Vedder's writer's block, and guitarist Mike McCready's entrance into rehabilitation due to an addiction to prescription drugs. This is Pearl Jam's first album to feature former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, who joined during 1998's Yield Tour to replace Jack Irons.
The music on the album featured an experimental sound, evident on songs that used binaural recording techniques. The atmospheric tracks, mostly featuring somber lyrics dealing with social criticism, led the band to convey these themes with images of nebulas in the album artwork. Binaural received positive reviews, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Although the album was certified gold by the RIAA, it became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach Platinum status in the United States. The album's 2000 tour spawned a large collection of official bootleg releases.
Recording
Similar to the process for Yield, the band members worked on material individually before starting the recording sessions together. Lead vocalist Eddie Vedder called the making of the album "a construction job." Binaural was the first album since the band's debut that was not produced by Brendan O'Brien. Gossard stated that the band "felt like it was time to try something new," and that they "were ready for a change." Instead the band hired producer Tchad Blake, known for his use of binaural recording. Binaural recording techniques, which employ two microphones to create a 3-D stereophonic sound, were used on several tracks, such as the acoustic "Of the Girl." Regarding Blake, Gossard said, "He was just there for us the whole time, wanting us to create different moods." This was the first Pearl Jam studio album following the departure of drummer Jack Irons, and features drummer Matt Cameron of Soundgarden, who had previously drummed on Pearl Jam's U.S. Yield Tour.
Binaural was recorded in late 1999 and early 2000 in Seattle, Washington, at Studio Litho, which is owned by guitarist Stone Gossard. The album was initially mixed at Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles, California, with Blake; however, the band proved to be dissatisfied with how the mixes turned out. According to McCready, Blake's work complemented the slower tracks such as "Nothing as It Seems" well, but faced trouble with others, which the band wanted to sound heavier. For the heavier songs, the group brought in former producer O'Brien, who remixed the tracks at his mixing facility at Southern Tracks in Atlanta, Georgia. It was with O'Brien that the band determined the final sequencing of the album.
During the writing and recording of the album, the band encountered several obstacles. Vedder has admitted that while working on the album he suffered from writer's block, which made it difficult for him to come up with lyrics. This inspired the hidden track "Writer's Block" - which consists of the sounds of a typewriter - that appears at the end of the album, starting at 6 minutes and 50 seconds on the track "Parting Ways". Vedder had written music for several songs, including "Insignificance" and "Grievance", but was having trouble coming up with lyrics for the songs. He decided to not write any more music, and to focus only on lyrics, even banning himself from playing guitar. Unable to write more lyrics, Vedder said he saw a ukulele and thought "that's not a guitar," and wrote the song "Soon Forget" using the ukulele. Guitarist Mike McCready went into rehabilitation to receive treatment for an addiction to prescription drugs. Gossard recalled that "everyone wasn't on the same page" due to McCready's absence and the familiarization with Cameron.
Three instrumentals featured on the Touring Band 2000 DVD ("Thunderclap", "Foldback", and "Harmony") come from the early Binaural sessions. Several songs were rejected from the album that eventually found their way on to the 2003 Lost Dogs collection of rarities. These include "Sad", "Hitchhiker", "In the Moonlight", "Education", "Fatal", and "Sweet Lew". "Sad", originally called "Letter to the Dead", was called "a great pop song" by Ament, but he said the song did not fit the album because the band does not "really very many pop records." "Sweet Lew", about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was cut from Binaural because it did not fit the album according to Ament. "Fatal" was producer Tchad Blake's favorite song to come out of the recording sessions. "Strangest Tribe" and "Drifting" were also recorded around the time of the album's recording sessions, and both songs were released on the band's 1999 fan club Christmas single as well as Lost Dogs.
Music and lyrics
"Nothing as It Seems" A sample of "Nothing as It Seems", the first single released from the album. It is one of the songs on the album that utilized binaural recording techniques. The song was written by Ament and features prominent usage of his upright bass, giving the song an atmospheric feel."Light Years" A sample of "Light Years", the second single released from the album. The song is a mid-tempo ballad and features lyrics written by Vedder mourning the loss of someone close.
Problems playing these files? See media help.
Binaural opens with three up-tempo songs before growing more diverse. Vedder explained, "We'd rather challenge our fans and make them listen to our songs than give them something that's easy to digest. There is a lot of music out there that is very easy to digest but we never wanted to be part of it." As described by critic Jon Pareles on his review for Rolling Stone, Pearl Jam distances itself from the grunge that made them famous and "delve elsewhere: jumpy post-punk and somber meditations, tightly wound folk rock and turbulent, neopsychedelic rockers that sound like they boiled out of jam sessions."
A few songs on the album show classic rock influences. The intro to the opening track "Breakerfall" uses a guitar riff similar to The Who song "I Can See for Miles" (from the 1967 album, The Who Sell Out). Additionally, "Soon Forget", which features Vedder playing a ukulele, is heavily influenced by The Who song "Blue, Red and Grey" (from the 1975 album, The Who by Numbers), with Vedder describing it as "30 seconds of plagiarising" and thanking Pete Townshend on the lyric sheet. The song "Nothing as It Seems" has been compared to the style of Pink Floyd.
Bassist Jeff Ament wrote lyrics for two songs on the album ("Gods' Dice" and "Nothing as It Seems"), and Gossard for three ("Thin Air," "Of the Girl" and "Rival"). The album is lyrically darker than the band's previous album Yield, with Gossard describing the lyrics as "pretty somber." Vedder addressed the social criticism contained in the album's lyrics by stating, "I think what everyone's looking for, y'know, is freedom...That's part of being comfortable in your own skin. I know I had a problem with being told what to do, and had a problem with being mentally and physically constricted. All of humanity is searching for freedom and I think it's important to know when you have it, too." Ament stated that "Gods' Dice" is about "judging anybody who has any sort of belief system whether they believe in God or not", and that "Nothing as It Seems" is about his childhood growing up in a rural area of Northern Montana. Vedder called "Evacuation" a "song about change", and stated in an interview that the moral of "Insignificance" is "the ineffectiveness of political struggle." Vedder took inspiration from the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle when writing "Grievance", and said the song is about the dangers of technology. Gossard has said that the song "Rival" is his reflection upon the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.
Packaging
The album's cover art is a modified Hubble Space Telescope photo of the planetary nebula MyCn 18, popularly known as the Hourglass Nebula. Hubble Space Telescope photos of the Helix Nebula and Eagle Nebula are also featured in the inside cover and liner notes for this album, respectively. The photos were used with the permission of NASA. Regarding the artwork, Ament said, "The reason that we went with Tchad is because he provides an amazing atmosphere to songs....So, I think we wanted the artwork to represent that....One of the themes that we've been exploring...is just realizing that in the big scheme of things, even the music that we make when we come together, no matter how powerful it is, it's still pretty minuscule. I think for me the whole space theme has a lot to do with scale. You know, you look at some of those pictures, and there are thirteen light years in four inches in that picture."
The album's title is a reference to the binaural recording techniques that were utilized on several tracks. Binaural literally means "having or relating to two ears." Regarding the choice of the title, Gossard said, "When we looked up the word 'binaural,' it meant to listen with both ears. So it seemed like a fitting title for the album."
Release and reception
Commercial performance
Binaural sold 226,000 copies during its first week of release and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 album chart. It was held off the top spot by the Britney Spears album, Oops!... I Did It Again. Binaural became the first Pearl Jam studio album to fail to reach Platinum status. Binaural has been certified gold by the RIAA, and, as of 2013, has sold 850,000 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album topped the charts in New Zealand, where it was certified Platinum, and Australia, where it went Platinum and ended as the 36th best-selling record of the year.
Two singles were released from Binaural. The lead single, "Nothing as It Seems", was issued on April 25, 2000, entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 49, and reached number three on the Mainstream Rock charts. The album's other single, "Light Years", was released on July 10, 2000, and did not chart on the Hot 100, but it did place on the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts.
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 69/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
The Guardian | |
Kerrang! | |
NME | 9/10 |
Q | |
Robert Christgau | |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 7/10 |
Binaural received generally favorable reviews from music critics according to Metacritic, where it holds a 69 after 16 reviews. NME gave Binaural a nine out of 10. In the review, Binaural is called "a seething, furious album; a declamatory statement against cynicism and passivity and the simple injustices of everyday life" and that "even when the band slow the pace, the songs are coloured by a heartfelt intensity." AllMusic staff writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "The songs are sharper, the production is layered, and the performances are as compassionate as ever, resulting in their finest album since Vitalogy." Time reviewer Christopher John Farley noted that the album is "less impatient and rage filled than much of Pearl Jam's earlier work." Farley added that "Pearl Jam, rather quietly, is building a long-term career to rival the rock legends of the past." Jim Farber of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, considering that the "weighty subjects Pearl Jam's introspective lyrics and stone-faced rock a refreshing edge" and adding that "if PJ long ago lost the zeitgeist, at least they've kept a hold on their hearts." Critic Robert Christgau described the album as "Rock as inner struggle, eternally externalized."
Spin gave the album seven out of 10 stars, writing that "Everything you want is still there—goofy experimentalism, guitar frenzy, Eddie's self-abusive wail. It's just more solid, more clear." Q gave the album three out of five stars, commenting that "Grunge may have died, but Pearl Jam it seems will never be slayed." Rolling Stone staff writer Jon Pareles gave the album three and a half out of five stars, feeling that the album "comes across as part of an extended conversation among the five band members...and fans loyal enough to check in for Pearl Jam's latest musings on love, death and social responsibility." The Guardian also gave the album three out of five stars, stating that Pearl Jam "are dignified, musicianly, sincere... and a teensy bit dull" and observing that "Vedder's affecting vocal angst drowns in a sea of pessimistic riffola." The review called Binaural "a warts-and-all album; it has grabbers, songs that sink in slowly and a few absolute duds." At the 2001 Grammy Awards, "Grievance" received a nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. Regarding Binaural, Ament stated that "we look back and think we didn't put some of the best songs on it", adding that "I think there are some beautiful things that came out of it, but we're never going to remember that record as one of the greats."
Tour
Main article: Binaural TourPearl Jam promoted the album with tours in Europe and North America. The tour started along with the album release on May 23, with a show in Lisbon, Portugal. The European tour had 26 dates. The final concert of the European tour ended in tragedy, where an accident at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark on June 30 led nine fans to be crushed underfoot and suffocated to death as the crowd rushed to the front. This led two additional concerts through July to be cancelled. A month after the European tour concluded, the band embarked on a two-leg North American tour, starting on Virginia Beach, Virginia on August 3. The first leg of the tour focused on the East Coast of the United States, and then the band moved to the Midwest and the West Coast for the tour's second leg. The band considered disbanding after the Roskilde tragedy, but Vedder stated that "playing, facing crowds, being together" in the North American tour "enabled us to start processing it."
On October 22, 2000, the band played the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, celebrating the 10th anniversary of its first live performance as a band. The tour's final night took place on November 6, 2000, in Seattle, Washington at KeyArena where the band performed for more than three hours. The European and North American tours were documented by a long series of official bootlegs, all of which were available in record stores as well as through the band's fan club. The band released 72 live albums in 2000 and 2001, and set a record for most albums to debut in the Billboard 200 at the same time. Following the conclusion of the 2000 tour, the band released Touring Band 2000, a DVD which featured select performances from the North American legs of the tour.
Binaural was played in its entirety at the May 10, 2016 show in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre, as a block and in sequence, during the first set of a longer performance.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Breakerfall" | Eddie Vedder | 2:19 |
2. | "Gods' Dice" | Jeff Ament | 2:26 |
3. | "Evacuation" | Matt Cameron (music), Vedder (lyrics) | 2:56 |
4. | "Light Years" | Stone Gossard (music), Mike McCready (music), Vedder (music & lyrics) | 5:06 |
5. | "Nothing as It Seems" | Ament | 5:22 |
6. | "Thin Air" | Gossard | 3:32 |
7. | "Insignificance" | Vedder | 4:28 |
8. | "Of the Girl" | Gossard | 5:07 |
9. | "Grievance" | Vedder | 3:14 |
10. | "Rival" | Gossard | 3:38 |
11. | "Sleight of Hand" | Ament (music), Vedder (lyrics) | 4:47 |
12. | "Soon Forget" | Vedder | 1:46 |
13. | "Parting Ways" | Vedder | 7:17 |
Total length: | 52:05 |
I "Parting Ways" contains the hidden track "Writer's Block" at 6:49.
* Asterisks denote the use of binaural recording techniques.
No. | Title | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Footsteps" (live) | Gossard | 5:24 |
2. | "Better Man" (live) | Vedder | 4:37 |
* Live tracks recorded at the 1999 Bridge School Benefit.
Original track listing
When the track listing for Binaural was first released in late March 2000, it was quite different from the final version. Some tracks that were originally on the album were dropped and not released until the 2003 rarities compilation, Lost Dogs, and "Gods' Dice" was added to the final version. The original version is as follows:
- "Breakerfall"
- "Insignificance"
- "Evacuation"
- "Letter to the Dead"
- Later renamed to "Sad"
- "Rival"
- "Grievance"
- "Light Years"
- "Of the Girl"
- "Thin Air"
- "Nothing as It Seems"
- "Fatal"
- "Sleight of Hand"
- "Soon Forget"
- "In the Moonlight"
- "Parting Ways"
- "Education"
Personnel
Pearl Jam
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Additional musicians and production
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Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
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External links
Categories:- 2000 albums
- Albums produced by Tchad Blake
- Epic Records albums
- Pearl Jam albums
- Albums produced by Stone Gossard
- Albums produced by Eddie Vedder
- Albums produced by Jeff Ament
- Albums produced by Mike McCready
- Albums produced by Matt Cameron
- Binaural recordings
- Post-punk albums by American artists
- Folk rock albums by American artists
- Neo-psychedelia albums