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Billboard's review of The Fixer (Score=80)

VeddernarianVeddernarian Posts: 1,924
edited July 2009 in The Porch
The last time Pearl Jam checked in with the lead single from a new album, Eddie Vedder was snarling that a "war has taken over" atop an assault of guitars on "Worldwide Suicide." Three years on, the veteran Seattle band returns with "The Fixer" (from its September album "Backspacer"), a song shot through with a level of optimism not seen since Pearl Jam's 1998 "Yield." A sonic heir to that album's midtempo road ode, "MFC," the similarly sub-three-minute track is puntuated with bright "yeah yeah yeahs" and downright rosy lines like, "I want to try to love again." But with Vedder mixed down among Stone Gossard and Mike McCready's warm guitars and the throat-ripping moments of his delivery somewhat muted, there's a sense of reserve that makes "The Fixer" a tease for hearing PJ in its uninhibited natural setting: live. --Jessica Letkemann
Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 9,224
    Perfect way to sum it up - thanks for posting that!
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  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,721
    great.thanks for the post
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  • Dr Emmett BrownDr Emmett Brown Posts: 611
    Can't argue with that
  • Brave EngineerBrave Engineer Posts: 38
    edited July 2009
    You might recognize the name of Billboard's reviewer, Jessica Letkemann. She's a founder and editor of the Pearl Jam fan site Two Feet Thick (http://www.twofeetthick.com/). Prior to the site, I believe that she was responsible for writing a fanzine dedicated to the band. Unfortunately, the name of the zine escapes me. It's always nice to see a music review assigned to someone with a thorough knowledge of the band.
    Post edited by Brave Engineer on
  • nfanelnfanel Posts: 2,558
    "uninhibited natural setting"...i like that.
  • hrd2imgnhrd2imgn Southwest Burbs of Chicago Posts: 4,902
    Jessica is around more than you think ;-)
  • mattcozmattcoz Chicago Posts: 2,220
    Veddernarian wrote:
    But with Vedder mixed down among Stone Gossard and Mike McCready's warm guitars and the throat-ripping moments of his delivery somewhat muted, there's a sense of reserve that makes "The Fixer" a tease for hearing PJ in its uninhibited natural setting: live.
    That's it exactly. I'm not in love with the song in its current state, but I have a feeling it is going to kick ass live with thousands shouting out "OUR LAST LIFETIME!!!"
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  • tcaporaletcaporale Posts: 1,577
    I personally don't see much similarities to "MFC" other than the fact that they both move at a brisk pace.
  • aNiMaLaNiMaL Posts: 7,117
    Nice review, Jessica!! :)
  • High Fidelity 2000High Fidelity 2000 New Mexico USA Posts: 4,439
    I think 80 is too generous.

    I didn't realize Jessica from twofeetthick and the old zine (was it "Footsteps") now writes for Billboard! Good job!
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  • katellis.katellis. Posts: 27
    Brave Engineer wrote:
    You might recognize the name of Billboard's reviewer, Jessica Letkemann. She's a founder and editor of the Pearl Jam fan site Two Feet Thick (http://www.twofeetthick.com/). Prior to the site, I believe that she was responsible for writing a fanzine dedicated to the band. Unfortunately, the name of the zine escapes me. It's always nice to see a music review assigned to someone with a thorough knowledge of the band.

    wasnt it called tickle my nausea?
    i used to get it eons ago
  • idratherbeidratherbe Posts: 367
    KE94173 wrote:
    Brave Engineer wrote:
    You might recognize the name of Billboard's reviewer, Jessica Letkemann. She's a founder and editor of the Pearl Jam fan site Two Feet Thick (http://www.twofeetthick.com/). Prior to the site, I believe that she was responsible for writing a fanzine dedicated to the band. Unfortunately, the name of the zine escapes me. It's always nice to see a music review assigned to someone with a thorough knowledge of the band.

    wasnt it called tickle my nausea?
    i used to get it eons ago

    Yep that's it. Still have issues; unfortunately, not a complete collection.

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