The first BAD review for BAckspacer I've seen
wolfamongwolves
Posts: 2,414
...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.
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.
93: Slane
96: Cork, Dublin
00: Dublin
06: London, Dublin
07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
09: Manchester, London
10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
11: San José
12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
96: Cork, Dublin
00: Dublin
06: London, Dublin
07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
09: Manchester, London
10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
11: San José
12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
it's just one guys opinion. who cares.
ha ha, everyone on the internet is wrong.
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".
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
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
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!!!
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2007: London
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2013: Brad Manchester : Soundgarden Manchester
2014: Amsterdam I & II; Berlin; Leeds; Milton Keynes
2018: Berlin; London II; Boston II
Bootleg Reviews: http://pjbootlegreviews.blogspot.com/
There will be plenty others too.
Sure he writes it in a twatty way, but isnt he a journalist?
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
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.
perhaps later today i'll be able to comment
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What a twat
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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.
96: Cork, Dublin
00: Dublin
06: London, Dublin
07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
09: Manchester, London
10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
11: San José
12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
The only part of this review I really don't like, as someone already mentioned, is how this is a reviewer stuck in the past. Pearl Jam is clearly trying something new (a change, if you will) and this reviewer doesn't want to move on from the days when Pearl Jam were full of angst. I'm sure they are now - they simply express things differently. And if they aren't full of angst any more? Well, I think this reviewer should get off his high horse. Everyone's entitled to their feelings, and no one's about to give this guy a hard time if he's happy.. why should it be any different about a band?
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Wise words from someone of your extraordinary youth, going by your avatar.
I will be listening to it another 42,000 times today (it is short, after all...) & I'm sure my opinion will change
96: Cork, Dublin
00: Dublin
06: London, Dublin
07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
09: Manchester, London
10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
11: San José
12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
Will it ever!!!! The album kicks ass!! And so does Force of Nature!!
BOS-9/28/04,9/29/04,6/28/08,6/30/08, 9/5/16, 9/7/16, 9/2/18
MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
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Bridge School-10/23/2010,10/24/2010
PJ20-9/3/2011,9/4/2011
OKC-11/16/13
SEA-12/6/13
TUL-10/8/14
ditto. they tried to make a pop album i.m.o. has a few good songs. it's disposable though.
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