ABC 12 Backspacer Review
Better Dan
Posts: 5,684
Pearl Jam returns with new album 'Backspacer'Sunday, September 20, 2009 | 11:03 AM
Seattle grungers recall 2006 territory Josh DauntREVIEW (WJRT) -- An old producer, a new sound and a unique distribution plan have come together swimmingly for grunge rock's greatest survivors.
Seattle-based Pearl Jam have returned with the Sept. 20 release of "Backspacer," the band's ninth studio CD. The band has reunited with master knob-twister Brendan O'Brien, who has not only produced some of rock's greatest albums, but he's also responsible for PJ's "Vs.," "Vitalogy" and "No Code" in the '90s.
This is Pearl Jam's least topical album in more than a decade. 2000's "Binaural," 2002's "Riot Act" and 2006's "Pearl Jam" were chock full of songs with politically charged lyrics, but "Backspacer" sticks to more traditional song themes -- life, love, loss.
The album kicks into overdrive immediately with three high-tempo rocking tunes. "Gonna See My Friend," "Got Some" and first single "The Fixer" strike quickly, and they've got a jovial vibe -- a departure from Pearl Jam's past catalog.
In fact, this trio of tunes may induce culture shock in loyal, long-time fans. Musically it's there, with some great drum work by Matt Cameron. The instruments are in-your-face, popping out of the mix. But the lyrics lack a bit of the depth Eddie Vedder generally infuses into his songs.
And then there's "Johnny Guitar." PJ's mid-'90s albums were scattered with nonsensical, strange filler songs that broke up pacing a bit. If that's the case with "Johnny Guitar," it didn't work. Musically it's pretty basic, and Vedder mixes spoken word with singing in a story that doesn't go anywhere or say anything.
As if rewarding listeners for suffering through "Johnny Guitar," the best of the album follows closely behind. "Just Breathe" is a classic Vedder song along the lines of "Riot Act's" "Thumbing My Way" and the selections from his "Into The Wild" soundtrack.
It's low key and mellow. Simple finger-picked acoustic guitar softly plays over Vedder's reflections on his life's gifts and regrets.
"Amongst The Waves" is a surfing song, and not the Beach Boy variety. Vedder croons in his strained baritone about the spiritual experience of riding the waves. Some fantastic guitar work by Mike McCready truly sparkles on this one.
"Unthought Known's" intro is similar to "Just Breathe," but the song builds into so much more. Beginning with a muted riff and Vedder's soulful pipes, the song examines life's choices. But 30 seconds in, a second guitar subtly adds a little more melody.
As the drums kick in, bass and organ are blended in as the song swells into one of the most powerful tracks the band has ever done. There's an energy here that no doubt will benefit this seasoned road band, who will surely take advantage in expanding it and feeding off of it live.
This trinity of songs feature some of Vedder's best vocal work, too. He's well known for his screaming rock vocals, but it's his passion on the slower, more meaningful songs truly sets him apart from his contemporaries.
The old-school punk of "Supersonic" is next up. As strange as it sounds, this fast-paced rocker -- which features yet another standout solo from McCready -- kills the momentum from the laid-back but more meaningful and emotional songs that proceeded it.
The song has a similar feel to the first three tracks of the album, but its placement trips up the pace again, especially since "Speed of Sound" follows, slowing things right back down -- not quite to a snail's pace, but comparatively speaking it feels like it.
"Force of Nature" is interesting, possessing the overall feel of a traditional Pearl Jam song, but the wah-wah intro and some melodic fills deep in the mix add unique texture.
Album closer "The End" at first listen could be viewed as the band's epitaph. The first two verses speak of the end of shared dreams, people changing and the desire to leave it all behind and grow old.
As the song continues, Vedder adds a human relationship element toward the coda, but still, for a band that's nearing two decades together and had considered retirement after the "Riot Act" tour, "Give me something to echo in my unknown future, you see, my dear, the end, comes near, I'm here, but not much longer" could be interpreted a lot of different ways.
The first three songs on "Backspacer" aren't the only departure from the norm on this disc. The band has also -- in an unprecedented move -- gone back to being an indie-rock band. After fulfilling their contract with Epic, the band decided to release the album on its own.
The band is selling it through its official Web site, at independent record stores throughout the country, via iTunes and video game Rock Band as a digital download. It's also available at Target retail stores nationwide.
The move is being carefully watched by those in the music business and could become a blueprint for established acts looking to break free of the record companies in the future. It's a fascinating approach.
"Backspacer" is a solid effort from the lone Seattle grunge-era band to forge on uninterrupted through the past two decades.
The tracks may take time to get used to for some, but the high points of the album really stand out and offer a return to "Pearl Jam" form not seen since 2006
Seattle grungers recall 2006 territory Josh DauntREVIEW (WJRT) -- An old producer, a new sound and a unique distribution plan have come together swimmingly for grunge rock's greatest survivors.
Seattle-based Pearl Jam have returned with the Sept. 20 release of "Backspacer," the band's ninth studio CD. The band has reunited with master knob-twister Brendan O'Brien, who has not only produced some of rock's greatest albums, but he's also responsible for PJ's "Vs.," "Vitalogy" and "No Code" in the '90s.
This is Pearl Jam's least topical album in more than a decade. 2000's "Binaural," 2002's "Riot Act" and 2006's "Pearl Jam" were chock full of songs with politically charged lyrics, but "Backspacer" sticks to more traditional song themes -- life, love, loss.
The album kicks into overdrive immediately with three high-tempo rocking tunes. "Gonna See My Friend," "Got Some" and first single "The Fixer" strike quickly, and they've got a jovial vibe -- a departure from Pearl Jam's past catalog.
In fact, this trio of tunes may induce culture shock in loyal, long-time fans. Musically it's there, with some great drum work by Matt Cameron. The instruments are in-your-face, popping out of the mix. But the lyrics lack a bit of the depth Eddie Vedder generally infuses into his songs.
And then there's "Johnny Guitar." PJ's mid-'90s albums were scattered with nonsensical, strange filler songs that broke up pacing a bit. If that's the case with "Johnny Guitar," it didn't work. Musically it's pretty basic, and Vedder mixes spoken word with singing in a story that doesn't go anywhere or say anything.
As if rewarding listeners for suffering through "Johnny Guitar," the best of the album follows closely behind. "Just Breathe" is a classic Vedder song along the lines of "Riot Act's" "Thumbing My Way" and the selections from his "Into The Wild" soundtrack.
It's low key and mellow. Simple finger-picked acoustic guitar softly plays over Vedder's reflections on his life's gifts and regrets.
"Amongst The Waves" is a surfing song, and not the Beach Boy variety. Vedder croons in his strained baritone about the spiritual experience of riding the waves. Some fantastic guitar work by Mike McCready truly sparkles on this one.
"Unthought Known's" intro is similar to "Just Breathe," but the song builds into so much more. Beginning with a muted riff and Vedder's soulful pipes, the song examines life's choices. But 30 seconds in, a second guitar subtly adds a little more melody.
As the drums kick in, bass and organ are blended in as the song swells into one of the most powerful tracks the band has ever done. There's an energy here that no doubt will benefit this seasoned road band, who will surely take advantage in expanding it and feeding off of it live.
This trinity of songs feature some of Vedder's best vocal work, too. He's well known for his screaming rock vocals, but it's his passion on the slower, more meaningful songs truly sets him apart from his contemporaries.
The old-school punk of "Supersonic" is next up. As strange as it sounds, this fast-paced rocker -- which features yet another standout solo from McCready -- kills the momentum from the laid-back but more meaningful and emotional songs that proceeded it.
The song has a similar feel to the first three tracks of the album, but its placement trips up the pace again, especially since "Speed of Sound" follows, slowing things right back down -- not quite to a snail's pace, but comparatively speaking it feels like it.
"Force of Nature" is interesting, possessing the overall feel of a traditional Pearl Jam song, but the wah-wah intro and some melodic fills deep in the mix add unique texture.
Album closer "The End" at first listen could be viewed as the band's epitaph. The first two verses speak of the end of shared dreams, people changing and the desire to leave it all behind and grow old.
As the song continues, Vedder adds a human relationship element toward the coda, but still, for a band that's nearing two decades together and had considered retirement after the "Riot Act" tour, "Give me something to echo in my unknown future, you see, my dear, the end, comes near, I'm here, but not much longer" could be interpreted a lot of different ways.
The first three songs on "Backspacer" aren't the only departure from the norm on this disc. The band has also -- in an unprecedented move -- gone back to being an indie-rock band. After fulfilling their contract with Epic, the band decided to release the album on its own.
The band is selling it through its official Web site, at independent record stores throughout the country, via iTunes and video game Rock Band as a digital download. It's also available at Target retail stores nationwide.
The move is being carefully watched by those in the music business and could become a blueprint for established acts looking to break free of the record companies in the future. It's a fascinating approach.
"Backspacer" is a solid effort from the lone Seattle grunge-era band to forge on uninterrupted through the past two decades.
The tracks may take time to get used to for some, but the high points of the album really stand out and offer a return to "Pearl Jam" form not seen since 2006
2003: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Seattle; 2005: Monterrey; 2006: Chicago 1 & 2, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Detroit; 2008: West Palm Beach, Tampa; 2009: Austin, LA 3 & 4, San Diego; 2010: Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbus, Indianapolis; 2011: PJ20 1 & 2; 2012: Missoula; 2013: Dallas, Oklahoma City, Seattle; 2014: Tulsa; 2016: Columbia, New York City 1 & 2; 2018: London, Seattle 1 & 2; 2021: Ohana; 2022: Oklahoma City
0