So this should have been up here about a week ago, but as is often the case I've been distracted by the million other things going on in my head these days. But as promised, here is a closer look at the excellent new self-titled album by Pearl Jam.
((buy it here))
"Life Wasted"
Things get off to a scorching start with this rocker that features some excellent guitar work and impassioned Vedder vocals, reminding us just how hard this band can rock when they want to.
"World Wide Suicide"
The lead single continues the momentum of "?Life Wasted"?, building out of an almost Strokes-like guitar riff into a fiery chorus punctuated by Cameron's insistent beat and some crunchy guitars. Some nice spacey, echoed effects around the two and a half minute mark add texture and keep this from getting stale.
"Comatose"
More than a little reminiscent of "?Spin the Black Circle", this is a quick burst of punk-inspired Jam that sounds like it could become a live highlight on this year's tour.
"Severed Hand"
A slow building into turns into an uptempo, driving rocker complete with some trademark Vedder vocal tics and a particularly inspired guitar solo. Outside of the solo this is nothing special, but I could easily see it becoming a good jam vehicle during the live sets.
"Marker in the Sand"
This has been one of my favorite tracks since my very first spin, one of the most poppy Pearl Jam songs since the "Last Kiss" cover. The chorus is one of those transcendent moments that the band used to crank out on a regular basis, it will stand the test of time as one of the band's classics. Boom's organ at the end is a beautiful touch.
"Parachutes"
This attempt at a pretty, waltz-like melody falls flat for me, coming across a little bland and lifeless after the great "Marker". The quivering guitar at the end nearly comes close to redeeming the song, but overall the songs serves as little more than a palate cleanser.
"Unemployable"
This is a nice little character sketch about a man fearing for his future after losing his job. "Thinking if he can't sleep / how will he ever dream?"? is a great line, nicely capturing the anxiety of the situation. Eddie's delivery and poppy harmonies make this a deceptively upbeat tune.
"Big Wave"
Vedder's obligatory surf and ocean references are taken care of in this song, which sounds like it would have been better suited by B-side status. Not a terrible song, but is sounds like exactly the kind of song these guys can toss off in fifteen minutes. But, like many of the band's weaker album tracks, the excellent instrumentation keeps it from being completely skippable.
"Gone"
This is another highlight, featuring piano and acoustic guitar driven verses that lead into epic choruses recalling the classic early albums. Atmospheric guitars and an understated Cameron performance add to the sense of drama that keeps this engaging.
"Wasted Reprise"
This is a pleasant enough interlude that consists of the "Life Wasted"? chorus over a pump organ.
"Army Reserve"
One of the more blatantly topical songs on the album, this one conjures up the intertwining fear and anxiety of a family who's patriarch has been sent off to war. A simple but effective solo makes this a compelling late album entry.
"Come Back"
An obvious touchstone for this gem is "Yellow Ledbetter", but this is by no means a blatant attempt at recapturing the magic. Instead of the blues basis of "Ledbetter"?, this one emerges from more of a soulful, organ embraced sound Â? a classic tale of loneliness and bittersweet hope capped off by a devastatingly beautiful solo. Another song sure to be hailed as a Pearl Jam classic.
"Inside Job"
This slow burning anthem is a fitting choice to end the album on. Rather than replicating the angst-ridden epic closers of Ten and Vs., this is more of a hopeful note to close out the proceedings. Eddie pledges to look within and get "?on my knees to rise and fix my broken soul / again"?. It's a beautiful sentiment and song, the perfect ending for the band's strongest album in years.
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