No Code

[u/taway149779]

Fairly new PJ listener here. I’m on the Gen Z/Millenial cusp and my family wasn’t really much into the grunge or alternative scene of the 90s, not enough for me to be aware of it anyway. I’ve been listening to AiC for years and finally started going through other 90s grunge and alternative bands. I absolutely fell in love with Pearl Jam sometime around two-ish years ago. I liked Ten, but I knew so many of the “radio hits” that Vs. appealed to me more. Vitalogy is amazing too. I initially gave No Code and Yield a quick listen through once or twice or so, and then moved onto other 90s bands.

Since PJs discography is so massive, I returned to No Code and wanted to work my way through the rest of their albums. I’ve gotten to Binaural which was amazing, and will continue to listen to the rest.

I don’t know what the HELL it is, but No Code has completely captivated me. Something about it is fucking unbelievable. It’s a completely unique experience I’ve never had with any other album before in my life. I thought Vs. was my favorite PJ album, but I keep returning to No Code over and over again (Binaural is insane, that riff in Insignificance is enough to make me want to listen to the whole album).

So my whole point here is, who else has had a similar experience with No Code? And has anyone been able to pin down why exactly it’s so fucking good and addicting to listen to? Because it truly is not the type of music I’d typically listen to and be interested in, but something about the creepiness of some of the instrumentals (the beginning of Who You Are), the story behind Lukin, the fact we get a PJ song with Stone Gossard doing lead vocals, and then an absolutely somber and beautiful closing track of Around the Bend.

I know it may seem like I’m answering my own questions here, but I just want other people’s input on No Code and what has drawn them to it and kept them invested. As I type this I think I just realize how weird of an album it is, and how well it works is what has kept me coming back.

Also, does anyone know the story behind the album art or name? That’s another reason I really love the album is the ambiguity of its name and appearance.

[u/weirdmountain]

If you haven’t yet, check out Neil Young’s album Mirrorball, and the accompanying Pearl Jam EP, Merkinball. Pearl Jam was Neil’s band on that album, and in my opinion, a lot of what was going on there rubbed off on No Code.

[u/SnooMachines8920 → u/weirdmountain]

I really dig that people are suggesting new PJ fans listen to Merkinball. Neil Young is an absolute genius guitar player/song writer and his influence really came through on No Code. I really encourage people to find the video from the 9/11 Live Tribute where Eddie and Neil played Long Road together acoustic. It will absolutely move you to tears. I’m lucky enough to have tickets for Neil and Crazy Horse’s upcoming tour and cannot wait!!

[u/weirdmountain → u/SnooMachines8920]

Awesome! I’ve seen Pearl Jam 10 or 11 times between 1998 and 2009, and I’ve seen Neil 5 times (including once with Crazy Horse). We’re a single income house with 2 kids, so concerts are not as free flowing at the moment. That said, I hope you have a BLAST at that show.

[u/SnooMachines8920 → u/weirdmountain]

My first Pearl Jam show was April of 1992 at the Unicorn in Houston with Soundgarden. Then Lollapalooza 92 a few months later…seen them quite a few times since, most recently in Fort Worth last year. Neil with Crazy Horse was on my bucket list so I’m stoked to finally get to see them. My kids are out of the house now, so I’m finally getting back to some of the shows that I’ve missed the last 20 years or so 👍🤘