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Pearl Jam
Backspacer
(Island)
Everybody needs to step back, take a break and lighten up sometimes -- even Pearl Jam.
Yeah, you read that right. After nearly two decades as the most earnest, serious and important American band in rock -- and after the impassioned political content of their last couple of albums -- Eddie Vedder and co. actually sound like they're enjoying themselves on their ninth studio set Backspacer.
Reuniting with producer Brendan O'Brien for the first time in a decade and putting politics aside, the Seattle grunge icons have produced their shortest, sharpest, simplest and most streamlined set to date: A fat-free 36-minute CD divided between punky three-minute firecrackers and slightly longer midtempo rock ballads -- nearly all of which are fuelled by optimistic lyrics about living in the moment, moving toward the light and rocking out. As Eddie puts it: "I wanna live my life with the volume on full."
On behalf of everyone else who's fed up with hearing about lying politicians, corporate criminals and endless war, allow me to say: Thanks, dude. It's about time.
Gonna See My Friend 2:48
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The band busts out of the gate with guitars clanging like Johnny Thunders, before shifting into a meaty groove-rocker that sounds like The Who circa Quadrophenia -- complete with a chesty, Daltrey-style roar from Eddie and plenty of Keith Moon tom-tom action from Matt Cameron.
Got Some 3:02
"I got some if you need it," offers Vedder -- though he's pushing songs instead of drugs. Behind his rapid-fire wail, the band switches between new wave-ish verses full of angular licks and power-pop riffs with a hint of Cheap Trick.
The Fixer 2:57
Another combo platter that fuses '70s guitar-rock -- Vedder's gruff "Yay-ay-ay!" at the beginning almost sounds like Gene Simmons -- with spiky '80s new wave textures. That's three great tracks in a row if you're keeping score.
Johnny Guitar 2:50
Apparently inspired by a Johnny (Guitar) Watson album cover, this one blends another chunky classic-rock riff with some suitably funky licks and wah-wah scratches from guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready. Four for four.
Just Breathe 3:35
Eddie switches to troubadour mode for the CD's first ballad, crooning over a folksy, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, a flute-like keyboard and strings. Very Gordon Lightfoot.
Amongst the Waves 3:58
It wouldn't be a Pearl Jam disc without a few grand, midtempo epics. Here's the first one, complete with a fittingly ebb-and-flow arrangement, piercing guitar solos, soaring vocals and keyboards from O'Brien.
Unthought Known 4:08
O'Brien pitches in again with a ringing grand piano that drives the second sweeping rocker in a row -- and the disc's longest song. Reverberating tom-toms add to the overall grandeur.
Supersonic 2:40
Back to the garage -- and not a moment too soon. While the band chugs away at a hard-driving punk riff decorated with slide guitar, Vedder belts out lyrics about rock 'n' roll saving his soul.
Speed of Sound 3:34
The title suggests another propulsive barnburner, but it's really another ballad -- a gracefully flowing 6/8 waltz, heavy on the piano and flecked with percussion.
Force of Nature 4:04
One more expansive sorta-rocker before the lights go out: A midtempo number with choppy guitar chords, some buzzy filagrees and a jangly midsection.
The End 2:57
The mandatory closing romantic ballad begins with another folksy acoustic guitar, then gradually adds fluttery strings and stately horns. Gently sweeping without being pompous.