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Pearl Jam - Backspacer Audio CD

A fair review of the Pearl Jam "Backspacer" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Pearl Jam reviews here, or go back to the Pearl Jam tabs.

Pearl Jam Band: Pearl Jam
Title: Backspacer
Rating:
Release Date: 2009-09-22
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Gonna See My Friend 2: Got Some 3: The Fixer 4: Johnny Guitar 5: Just Breathe 6: Amongst The Waves 7: Unthought Known 8: Supersonic 9: Speed Of Sound 10: Force Of Nature 11: The End

Not To Be Compared to Ten
Probably the biggest name to release an album this week was Pearl Jam and their album is only available in Target stores, Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), through [. . ] or for download on iTunes. It's nice to see Pearl Jam supporting local music stores in an otherwise Target exclusive release, and like many other bands' Target exclusives of the past, this is a surprisingly decent album.

On August 27, 1991, Pearl Jam released their firstalbum, Ten, which bridged the gap between the classic rock era and the new alternative rock era that was currently focused on the Seattle grunge scene. Lucky for Pearl Jam, Ten preceded two monumental grunge releases in Nirvana's Nevermind and Soundgarden's Badmotofinger. By beating these alternative heavyweights to the punch, Pearl Jam may have contributed to their continued success, finally bringing alternative music to the ears of close-minded classic rock fans.

Clocking in at just over thirty-six minutes, Backspacer, Pearl Jam's ninth studio effort, is noticeably brief for a band that typically averages about fifty minutes of music per album. This is most likely due to the upbeat nature of the release, both in tempo and in mood. Major tonalities and beats per minute frequently exceeding one hundred twenty make this the feel-good release of Pearl Jam's career. The album opens with "Gonna See My Friend," an introduction that seems to announce Pearl Jam's continued dedication to the fans that stuck with them through the late nineties when releases like Yield seemed to spell the end of the band. Perhaps the album's title, Backspacer, suggests a desire to erase those troubled years and go back to the sound that made them famous in the first place. The majority of the album does just that. Songs like "The Fixer" are a bit of a downslide lyrically from what Pearl Jam fans are accustomed to, but musically, Backspacer is an in-your-face rock album that will no doubt delight many of the band's longest supporters.

With the last track of the album, Pearl Jam leaves us with "The End. " Pearl Jam typically ends their albums on a quieter note, and this track is no different, but for an album with an overly positive mindset, "The End" seems a bit out of place on this record. Backspacer fades out with the words "give me something to echo in my unknown future, you see, my dear, the end comes near. I'm here, but not much longer. " Is Pearl Jam predicting this to be their final release? With over three years between each of their last few studio albums, it could be a while before we know for sure.

I would not recommend Backspacer as a good introduction to Pearl Jam for the few listeners who may be unfamiliar with their earlier work, but for fans who remember where they were when they first heard "Even Flow," Pearl Jam has definitely taken steps toward returning to form.

Similar Artists: Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters

Track Suggestion: Got Some.


love it
I just love his voice. love this one, Less screaming from Eddie, more soul coming out of him. Also like the fact that there are lyrics for all the songs. Unlike the first couple albums (some songs I just couldn't understand what he was singing).


backspacer review
Tracks 3, 5, and 6 are the best. Excellent new music from a 90's favorite. Still wish they would crank up the intensity like they did on TEN, but I guess those days are long gone.


3.5 stars....
The songs that immediately grabbed me are: the fixer, just breath, amongst the waves, and force of nature. I think this album will take a bit of "work" to like, which has been the case with most of their albums (for me anyway). So these four warrant my satisfaction, in a immediate sense anyway. These songs all have nice elements and seem not to be overdone. The guitar solo on amongst the waves is edgy and showcases mcready's maturity. But I would like to hear more from mcready on this album. There are nice textures in "force of nature" that sound a bit like the edge from U2. . . not a bad reference. I think Gossard is weak on this album, as he's usually pitching in with some solid chord progressions but he seems to be playing in the background.

I can't say much about the lyrics yet as i'm still trying to understand what eddie wants to say. It hasn't been so hard in the past to understand eddie and perhaps he was more of a poet in previous albums. His words on this album seem a bit simplistic, maybe reflecting the simpler musical layout.

At the end of the day, this album will be spun a lot on my HD. I think it is "good", and after a hiatus of listening to it, the album will trigger memories. All PJ albums have this quality of triggering memories or bringing one back to the place they first spun the record. .


Finally something good for my ears


In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with Pearl Jam. After much of my disappointment with Muse and their latest crap album Resistance, finally something good and refreshing. In the worst possible case, you'll get a nice collection of jamming songs. In most other cases however, songs will be memorable for years to come with great lyrics! This new album is really good, if not a bit short. I respect them very much.

Pearl jam is one of a few (older) bands that haven't sold out. Ten stars out of five for that!.


You can see a complete list of all Pearl Jam discography, or go back to the Pearl Jam tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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