The first BAD review for BAckspacer I've seen

wolfamongwolves

...and what's odd is the reason this guy hates it, it the reason everyone else loves it - that it's upbeat. Which is fine, that's just opinion, but the U2/Celine Dion reference is unforgivable.

Still, one bad review out of countless glowing ones.


By Peter Suderman, The Washington Times

Pearl Jam

Backspacer

Monkeywrench

For once in his life, Eddie Vedder seems basically happy. That's good news for Mr. Vedder, but it's bad news for the rest of us.

On "Backspacer," the ninth studio record from Mr. Vedder's legendary grunge outfit, Pearl Jam, the singer ditches the belligerence of his previous records and, instead, channels the easy comforts of being a rock superstar. These days, he doesn't have a care in the world, which may explain why the record sounds so saccharine and careless.

That's quite a change for the singer and the band. As Pearl Jam's longtime frontman, Mr. Vedder helped set the tone for early '90s radio rock.

One of the keys to the appeal of the band's especially warbly brand of Seattle grunge was that, like the legions of angst-ridden teens who adopted it as the soundtrack to their lives, it wore its heart on its dirty flannel sleeves: It was passionate, angry, gloomy and aggravated by everything about the world.

Part of it was personality, part of it was politics. With Mr. Vedder, the two sometimes were inseparable. Along with his campaigns against MTV and Ticketmaster, the singer's outspoken advocacy of legalized abortion and, later, his opposition to President Bush earned him a reputation as an irritable alt-rock firecracker.

Now, though, Mr. Vedder claims he has calmed down and warmed up, thanks in part to the election of President Obama. These days, he says, it's easier to be hopeful.

"Backspacer" starts strong with a string of serviceable up-tempo rockers. None matches the wildness of the band's best work, but "Gonna See My Friend," the opener, and "The Fixer" both have pleasantly catchy, if thoroughly generic, pop hooks and punchy riffs to keep them going.

After the upbeat openers, the album quickly loses energy. Despite needlessly slick production from Brendan O'Brien, many of the songs nevertheless feel underdeveloped.

"Johnny Guitar," for example, is so simple it feels more like a demo than an album-ready track. "Amongst the Waves" aims for a soaring, epic sweep, but instead, it's obvious and derivative - like a terrifying mix of U2 and Celine Dion.

Still, the most notable influence on the album clearly is Bruce Springsteen - another artist whose work has been shaped by Mr. O'Brien's production. Unfortunately, the comparison isn't flattering: On "Backspacer," Pearl Jam often comes off as a listless, maudlin retread of the Boss.

"Speed of Sound" feels tailor-made for the "finding yourself" moment of an '80s teen drama, and "The End," the record's finger-picked closer, is embarrassingly sappy, as touchy-feely as a session with a New Age guidance counselor.

"Supersonic" is at least peppy and ignorable - that is, until the thoroughly embarrassing breakdown, which aims for funky cool but ends up cringe-worthy.

Grunge's virtue was always its angst and emotion. It might have been overly aggressive at times, but one thing it wasn't was sentimental. These days, Mr. Vedder's still very much in touch with his feelings, but he's as sloppy at expressing hope as he was skilled at lashing out.

SolarWorld

Um unbiased much? Who is this guy? What else has he reviewed?

Spags

Who is this arse clown and how fucking dare he!!!

doompony

ugh. the use of "mr vedder" is so smug and twatty. prick.

U R A Crazy Breed

what a moronic douche-bag....fucking Washington Times isn't fit to line a bird cage.

threefish10

wow you would think he just called your mum a slut.


it's just one guys opinion. who cares.

doompony

BUT SOMEONE ON THE INTERNET IS WRONG!

threefish10

doompony wrote:

BUT SOMEONE ON THE INTERNET IS WRONG!

ha ha, everyone on the internet is wrong.

doompony

not true. ze frank is always right.

Gary Carter

threefish10 wrote:

wow you would think he just called your mum a slut.


it's just one guys opinion. who cares.

the sheep on here will always care. you should know that by now.

he will probably mention this board in his next article about all the hate he got and have a laugh at all you sheep and i will be laughing along with him.


opinions are like assholes, everyone has one

Still, the most notable influence on the album clearly is Bruce Springsteen - another artist whose work has been shaped by Mr. O'Brien's production. Unfortunately, the comparison isn't flattering: On "Backspacer," Pearl Jam often comes off as a listless, maudlin retread of the Boss.

this is bout the only thing he got right in the article, minus "the comparison isn't flattering part".

meme

Isn't the Washington Times a super conservative newspaper ?

Anyway, the guy must not have paid much attention. I disagree with those seeing a prevalence of upbeat.
Gonna See my Friend talks about struggle, Got Some is angry, The Fixer in Ed's own interpretation talks about a character flaw, there are multiple references to death. And what about the End?

This record is such a gift. I love it with my whole soul

boyo79

Sweet jesus, how could ANYONE slate Pearl Jam?!?!?!?!?

Believe it or not, NOT EVERYONE will like this album and there will be some bad reviews. Its an opinion, everyone is allowed one!!!!

First time I heard 'The Fixer' and 'Supersonic' I thought they were awful but now I've grown to like them, especially 'The Fixer' - it just makes me smile everytime i heard it.

When my copy of 'Backspacer' drops through my letterbox on Monday, I'm expecting my initial reaction to hearing the album won't be brilliant but on the flipside I think after a fair few listens I'll be loving the album, judging how my reaction to 'The Fixer' and 'Supersonic' were!!!

PJ_Iceland

Peter Suderman--Billy Corgan in disguise??

SolarWorld

The problem with the review is he is letting his personal dislike of Pearl Jam influence the review.

pdalowsky

so what, he doesnt like it.

There will be plenty others too.

Sure he writes it in a twatty way, but isnt he a journalist?

Get_Right

Although I dont think that review is very well written
I agree with a lot of what he says
I know I am in the minority, but I am not loving this record
flame on

Spags

YOU WHAT...????



There are bound to be a few bad reviews knocking about due to there being a few bad reviewers knocking about - its a universal truth that Backspacer is the greatest album ever recorded.

intodeep

I don't have the album YET so i can't comment.

perhaps later today i'll be able to comment

tightrope high

Why does he keep refering to him as "Mr Vedder"
What a twat

wolfamongwolves

boyo79 wrote:

.

When my copy of 'Backspacer' drops through my letterbox on Monday, I'm expecting my initial reaction to hearing the album won't be brilliant ...

And to eat my words a little bit from my original post, I've just finished my first listen, & I'm pretty underwhelmed. Granted it's been hugely hyped, & I've had very high expectations. But Amongst the Waves & Force of Nature in particular really don't do anything at all for me (yet). And having loved the Speed of Sound demo beyond words since the first time I heard it, the full band version is a monumental disappointment.

But I agree, the guy who wrote the article is a dick.

pdalowsky

moral of the story - never comment on a new album after the first listen.