Review Summary: Pearl Jam lighten up, resulting in their best album since Ten.
Making a classic debut album has its benefits, but for most bands the expectation that comes with it is not one. As a result, many acts struggle to live up to former glories, often becoming little more than a tribute act to themselves. Although they have never treaded quite so far down this route, Pearl Jam are a prime example of a band that has had trouble matching their debut, and as a result have slowly faded into irrelevance in the minds of many. Inevitably, all of the seven albums that have followed have been compared (mostly negatively) to
Ten, and
Backspacer, their ninth effort will be no different. However, despite once again failing to match the brilliance of their first, Pearl Jam have made their strongest body of work since that early nineties heyday.
Admittedly, most of their albums have been given this label, so it probably won’t come as much of a surprise to be reading this. But while previous records have all had their moments,
Backspacer is without doubt their most consistently good album in 18 years. The secret to this success is not, however, what you may expect. In fact, lightening up would be one of the last things some would expect of Pearl Jam, but that’s what they have done here. The vast majority of the albums 11 songs are energetic, catchy and upbeat, not the stereotypical angst-driven material they have become know for. This only has positive consequences, not least the fact that the band actually sound like they’re enjoying themselves.
This laid back attitude is instantly displayed on opener
Gonna See My Friend, an excellent statement of intent that sets the bar for the rest of the album. It is the start of one of the strongest successions of songs since you-know-which-album, with
Got Some and lead single
The Fixer following, all short but sweet with hooks aplenty. Later tracks such as
Supersonic and
Johnny Guitar follow along the same lines, and thankfully are no less effective.
Not everything is new with
Backspacer, and it is the more familiar moments that give the album much of its identity. Acoustic tracks
Just Breathe and
The End aren’t a mile away from the likes of
Daughter and
Better Man.
Unthought Known, however, has probably the strongest whiff of vintage Pearl Jam, characterized by Eddie Vedder’s soaring vocals. Vedder’s performance is, in fact the key ingredient that holds this album together. While his voice is long past its best, his gritty vocals are a highlight throughout, giving many of the songs their vital intensity. He clearly knows his current limits, and unlike more recent efforts never lets himself exceed them.
Saying that Vedder’s presence alone makes
Backspacer, however, wouldn’t do justice to the other four members, all of whom put in a very solid shift. Particular praise must go to Mike McCready and Stone Gossard, whose guitars are far more interesting than in more recent albums, and play a large part in giving the album the stripped down sound it suits so well. This approach also goes for their solos, which are shorter and less self-indulgent than usual, though still thoroughly enjoyable, again, short but sweet. The album is also has noticeably fewer experimental moments than previously, a positive move as these experimental songs dragged down
Vs and
Vitalogy, both of which had the potential to be brilliant records.
Clearly, this isn’t a perfect album, otherwise it would have a higher score. Despite being very enjoyable there aren’t any truly outstanding moments here such as
Jeremy,
Black or
Nothingman, and there isn’t any real atmosphere, despite a razor sharp production job by Brendan O’Brian.
Speed Of Sound also isn’t that great, but this unremarkable song is the only minor dud in an otherwise strong album.
Pearl Jam are one of the few Seattle grunge bands that survive today, and despite this albums strength it won’t help them regain their early nineties superstardom. It is equally unlikely to gain them many new fans, but will, however, almost certainly please their existing followers. With
Ten, the band set an incredibly high standard to keep to, one they are unlikely ever to match. Fans of the band, however, should be comforted in the knowledge that in
Backspacer they have taken a step in the right direction, meaning that for now they remain a relevant band rather than a mere tribute to themselves.
Recommended Tracks
Got Some
Unthought Known
The Fixer
Supersonic
Gonna See My Friend
