I have stored both Binaural and Riot Act booklets outside the jacket, within a sleeve. I wouldn’t put too much weight against them though or pack them too tightly on a shelf!
I don't know what reviews you're reading, but Binaural is defintely better. Riot Act is a transitional album, headed more towards the schlocky style of what came after.
Interesting, I was basing it on Amazon reviews, Riot Act is at 4.4 and Binaural at 4.2, each with over 400 reviews.I know it is not the best source but still provides a rough overview of overall opinion. I am sure I will like both albums.
Amazon is a terrible thing to use to rate music. For a start, some people get confused as to whether they are reviewing the music or the service they received from the seller. Then people will review the actual quality of the item or reissue. Take the recent Bowie box...it got 1/5 stars from many reviewers based on the fact there were mistakes or the perceived quality was low. This site is pretty good.... Pearl Jam discography
Oh yeah, they are both good albums. But "Binaural" was their last truly creative and experimental record. Some great songs and interesting, moody production. After that, they kind of headed towards a more commerical thing. "Riot Act" is the last PJ album that I truly enjoy.
I think the problem is when sequencing the album, some strong songs have to be dropped if they don’t fit well. I think especially Fatal is as good as anything on the album, but I kind of understand why they left it out. It sounds quite different from the rest of the album.
I'll agree that Binaural is the last great PJ album. Avocado felt like a strong comeback at the time, but it doesn't quite stand up to the albums from their first decade.
I disagree with this assessment. Amazon can be very useful you just have to disregard the bone heads that rate the packaging and things of that nature. Also, I stopped buying Pearl Jam after 1998 and only recently got back into all of their newer catalog starting with Lightning Bolt which is an awesome album.
Also, Ten stands alone, one of the greatest albums of all time, and Vs. and Vitalogy are still better than anything that followed although I love it all. Great band!
So based on that, the musical content of the Berlin era Bowie box would completely be off your radar if you were trying to ascertain if they were decent albums from the Amazon rating...?
It is off my radar as I am not a huge Bowie fan. Amazon is a great source of information and although I do not always agree with the ratings on there it has helped turn me on to a a lot of great music. It's also pretty much the number one retail spot for new released music (i've ordered from Bull Moose, Soundstage Direct, Pop Market, Ebay, Discogs (the best site for used vinyl), and some others. What Amazon provides is top notch customer service, so good in fact, that many times they do not even ask you to send items back.
Well, based on your recommendation alone, LOL, I have ordered Binaural first. Of course I'm going to get Riot Act to fill out the collection. Too bad that Amazon is out of stock.
Happy to announce mine came in the mail yesterday and my riot act is not warped at all. Going to clean them and then listen to them later. Am curious how ten sounds
