Pearl Jam, 'Backspacer' (Monkeywrench)
Ed Ved and the crew crank up the carpe diem to 11.
By Josh Modell 09.22.09 10:43 AM
Photo by Danny Clinch
Conventional wisdom marks 2006's Pearl Jam as the grunge outfit’s reignition point after years without a spark. If that's true, then the first three songs on their ninth full-length are the explosion at the end of an extremely long fuse. The band hasn’t put together a trifecta this energized and from-the-gut in a decade, and though the rest of Backspacer doesn't match that opening salvo, it has a terrific time trying.
"Gonna See My Friend," "Got Some," and "The Fixer" nearly upend each other rushing out the gate, exploiting Pearl Jam’s leanest, punkest tendencies. And those traits carry through the album’s 36 minutes. No time to waste and Obama in the White House mean no political bellyaching, so when Eddie Vedder pulls out that indignant yet inclusive snarl and proclaims, "When something’s gone, I wanna fight to get it back again," you can probably assume "it" is his band’s mojo.
Even the requisite restrained ballads feel renewed: "The End" finds Vedder channeling Cat Stevens, backed by a string and brass ensemble. Then there’s the towering anthem “Amongst the Waves,” which could bring "Alive" fans back to the fold. It even expands on that song’s theme, moving from grudging survival to jubilant exuberance ("I’ve put away my early grave"). For the first time in years, Pearl Jam are seizing the moment rather than wallowing in it.
i think pearl jam has done better work with out trying...when they have tried it comes out bad....they from my opinion....need to express what they learned in life....even if is something we all might not like...but at least it makes a point...to try to influence us politically eddie vedder has over done it....i sent a message to their myspace.com page as well.....they don't help themselves considering radiohead,muse and other great bands who are not affraid of what eddie is.....and that is the new internet music....i will buy the album...am i going to stick to it like some other times..it doesn't sound like it from the video clip on mspace.com page they have running...this band used to not need to tell us that their lirics are better than other bands....and they do in the clip...eddie's voice still sounds good....but is in hidding....the lirics....have to be about him coming of age...like bob dylan and neil young...that's what i would like to see them come to in terms on longetivity...
I agree 100%.
thanks!....
Robert, your a crybaby! If you like radiohead listen to radiohead...stop crying about pj political views. Great artists speak about there views, about there passions. Why don't you write some lyrics and let us judge you.
Robert....Did you just compare Pearl Jam to radiohead and muse??? And call them "great bands"?? Get a clue dude.....In 20 years, PJ will be referenced in the same conversations with Led Zep...The Who...etc....um, not radiohead and muse....seriously.....step away from the glue.
First and foremost....PJ's sound is PJ's.....how they feel it, how they hear it. None of them care "where music is"...or what is mainstream. Each album has a new overall sound...some new, some sounds from old artists...etc...its what they are feeling at the time...not what they think YOU want or expect.
If I don't know better...it sounds like you are a bit frustrated that you cannot get a bearing on where they are going? That's on you dude...not them. The diehard PJ fan is hoping and praying that the compilation of sounds of each album unrecognizably rocks their socks off......with the recognizable growl of Eddie.
Rock on PJ.....Backspacer is flaming hot...tip to tail....stay hard.
You wrote "...The lirics(?)...Have to be about him coming of age..." Although that term, 'Coming of Age', is generally used to describe the turbulent transition from childhood into young adulthood, I'll let it stand in order to make a point; the point is, that is pretty much what he is doing on Backspacer. Not writing about childhood obviously, but reflecting on the past, love and loss, maturity, life and death. These are the themes of Mr. Vedder's writing on this new Pearl Jam album, as well as his solo project Into The Wild.
It's obvious that you haven't listened to Backspacer yet; it contains not one political statement that I can find. It's rough, soaring and beautiful as only Pearl Jam could do it.
The band has every right to make political statements. Once upon a time, rock n' roll was supposed to be about changing the world, sharing ideals, and I think they have a better grasp of what their albums are supposed to sound like than you do. However, even if you don't agree with their political preferences (i do, they tend to be idealistic, and even if it isn't possible to build a peaceful world, it's certainly something we should all be striving for... unless you like war and greedy, power-hungry, selfish fatcats running the world) there are still gorgeous songs on each album that have nothing to do with politics.
I don't really get the comparisons to other bands you mentioned. Pearl Jam has always made a point of doing their own thing regardless of what others were doing, what others thought of them. That's called integrity, and it's one of the things that makes Pearl Jam stand out, because it is seriously lacking in 99 percent of their contemporaries.
Speaking as a die-hard fan, this new album is now among my favorites (Vitalogy is still my No. 1). That's about all I have to say. I hope you understood everything, you seem a little simple.
I Iove Pearl Jam.
In terms of live performance, they are one of the greatest bands of the last 20 years.
That said...
Eddie Vedder wrote better lyrics when he was in his twenties. Far less cliche, and in my opinion more heartfelt, if occasionally difficult to decipher. In terms of social commentary, songs like Jeremy are much more powerful than the more explicitly political stuff.
Do they still rock? absolutely. But where are the lines like "Sorry you didn't see him, but I'm glad we talked"? "I changed by not changing at all" "So I'll just lie alone and wait for the dream, where I'm not ugly and you're lookin at me"
They still write catchy rock songs that blow 95% of everything that gets played on mainstream radio out of the water. And I'd say they're still lyrically superior to most of this garbage too.
But really, is anyone going to argue that Pearl Jam is still getting better? Or are we just happy to have another enjoyable album to listen to?
first of all its lyrics sweetheart. second of all this is pearl jams best work ever. They only get better as time goes on, which amazes me because i didn't think they could get any better they're so damn good. No band compares.
Hey Robert Elias, stop reading too much into the music and what you would like to hear from them. Pearl Jam are a better band than radiohead or muse will ever be. Although I will agree with you regarding Eddie trying to influence us politically. This record is the some of the best work pearl jam has ever put out. Also you should learn to spell lyrics correctly!
radiohead its been doing 20 times better than pearl jam since ok computer....i;m sorry you have no understanding where music is now....i still like pearl jam...but you know what even neil young is doing better than them....you probably live in the times of ten....
Radiohead hasn’t had anything good since "Kid A" and didn’t put out anything good until "The Bends." So that’s three good albums to Pearl Jam's six. It seems that Radiohead are in that stage of albums that pearl jam was during Binaural and Riot Act, in a little funk when it comes to grabbing new listener attention, but keeping their devoted fans, maybe that planned it that way, I believe Pearl Jam did.
I find it commendable that Pearl Jam stick to the basics because The Who, The Ramones, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Neil Young etc. are a big part of Rock's core sound, and if you veer too far away from that you start sounding like Fall Out Boy. There is only so much you can change to a style of music before it sounds really bad and empty, just listen to a Ramones album then listen to a Blink-182 album right after... no thanks, I think I'll stick to the Ramones.
bs.... in rainbows is great!
Ok..with comments like that...I am convinced you are just trying to get under someones skin. That was God awful....."radiohead is doing "better" than PJ"????? So is Neil Young......"better"?? Define better...who give a crap about "better"....you are a tool.
YOU are the one stuck in days of TEN....(however...that was a bold statement....I dont mean to shoot down people who love PJ for TEN and could not continue to follow...its understandable..if ya keep ya yap shut unlike this moron). You were so overwhelmed by TEN and have been steadily disappointed with each album since...just waiting for the sounds of TEN to emerge again......and I'll bet you would love it if Eddie decided to rip his shirt off and stage dive off the scaffold? Get over it.
Suggestion....listen to PJ and don't ever comment on them again.
who is mentioning skin?...is music....eddie's last album with pearl jam....you'll see...
No one should be talking about PJ unless you have seen them live. Pearl Jam may not sell many albums anymore, and their albums may not be as good as they used to be, but they are the best band to see in concert. They sell out every show and still play at least 2 hours every show even though they are getting older. And whoever said in 20 years Pearl Jam will be mentioned in the same sentence as Zep and The Who got it right on. PJ is already the greatest american rock band of all time, but down the road when all is said and done they will be remember as one the greatest bands of all time. Period.
Pearl Jam has always done what they have wanted to do when they wanted to do it. with the exception of the TM tour. That is what makes them who they are. If you think Radiohead is better than pearl jam then don't listen to pearl jam. As far as this album is concerned i think its the best since Yield. And as far as Neil Young doing better than pearl jam right now whats the need for the comparison they're all friends who cares besides someone who has way too much time on their hands. Oh and by the way this is the way you spell LYRICS.
Dude, when you add it all up it's the SUM not the SOME.
Dear Robert
So you dont like Vedder to try and tell you who to vote on.
But how does that make you look, when you tell him what he "should" write about ?
Its their band, I'm glad they do what they like of it, without giving in to anyone's expectations. And I'm glad they're still around after all these years, passionately making music, to many people's ears and souls delight.
i pay for their music,i used to pay for the ten club memebership,i pay for their concerts....they should perform...not drink wine and tell me about the other side of rush limbaugh....i can care less about politics...lirics yes i do care.....listen to into the wild...and get the picture...that is when he does he's best work....matured and inteligent....
Actually the last time I checked this album had no politics and had two songs that were like into the wild. As far as intelligence listen to the lyrics on this album, they're actually quite intelligent. Speaking of that of all the things you get out of what people are saying learn to spell lyrics. As far as comments about how Radiohead and Muse are better; give me a break. You're entitiled to your opinion, but Pearl Jam are one of the best bands of our generation because they remain true to themselves and don't change for a certain crowd. They also continue to make great music and have a large following of fans. What more do you want out of a rock band.
go on the observer review and see what eddie has to say about this album....obama is his inspiration....so it was obama who we should thanked....for the inspiration that gives the best band ever of our generation.that is to bad.
lets see the impact it might have on us....as true fans...this new album....i have truly moved on to other music....but i am interested in hearing them....from into the wild experience i think sometimes it might be better if they split...and he goes on his own way...hiw tempo in the low melodies seems to be still his best way of expression...the loud want to be back to the early 90's not sure is that appealing anymore....but than again.....we all have our moments right?
thanks to all you guys responses...and to spin magazine...
I witnessed one of the greatest shows I have ever seen on Aug 24th, and that was Pearl Jam at the Chicago United Center. They had tons of energy, they enjoyed playing together, and the fans were in awe of how well they all read off each other in their collective and individual instrumental performances, moments that I hardly ever witness through seeing hundreds of other bands play live. Stone and Mike were in true form, Jeff sounded better than ever, Matt was on fire, and Eddies vocals were perfection. Even though i didnt make the Aug 23rd show, I heard they were just as good that night. The fact that you think Pearl Jam should break up is utterly ridiculous, they are still in their prime. Eleven years after seeing them for the first time in '98 they were better in '09. Every great band usually starts out as a live band, and let me tell you, Pearl jam was great that night, so even if they put out a mediocre album, they still are an amazing band.
Hey Robert...I...can't...understand...you.
Do...you...know...what "..." is...used...for...?
Buy a clue, and THEN type.
i understand you....you're a die hard fan..
So in case anyone posts and disagree's with Robert's clever postings. Realize that you can't have a differing opinion with Robert because therefore you must be a die hard fan and can't see the forest through the trees.
Great cd. One of the best I've heard in a long while.
mook needs to read what pj fan wrote than respond adequate.me too in a long time.so we agree on something.the long time part....
clever ......thanks.....so you consider your self a die hard fan i see....it wouldn't surprise me if ten is your best album.and when you drink you feel eddie is gifted.or do you have a difference of opinion?twicker days are over is all i'm trying to say....this loud stuff does not suit well with eddie,just look at this postings where the spark came from.a critic rather than a die hard fan.been there done that.music was over from them since vs but some of us followed.and some always will be there.good for them....and of course the next guy will say....can't we all get along?....no videos for many years?no bootlegs concerts?than that is all they have been giving us....if i want to buy a cd from japan,australia in concert they have it with the same repition of songs...as if they feel in debt for us for not giving it to us when we want it.at last....members get a christmas cd as if we were kids.....aren't we all from those times in other faces in life?....keep writting i have more.....i wish eddie gets involved in this subjects....the politician.
Um, I think we learned how to type complete sentences in 2nd grade. I think you were dissing Pearl Jam there but I have too much brain ache from bad grammer to comment.
that is why you commented.
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