Release Date: 15-09-2009
Store Date: 21-09-2009
Run Time: 36:33
1. 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
Conventional wisdom marks 2006's Pearl Jam as the grunge outfitÆs
reignition point after years without a spark. If that's true, then
the first three songs on their ninth full-length are the explosion
at the end of an extremely long fuse. The band hasnÆt put together
a trifecta this energized and from-the-gut in a decade, and though
the rest of Backspacer doesn't match that opening salvo, it has a
terrific time trying.
"Gonna See My Friend," "Got Some," and "The Fixer" nearly upend
each other rushing out the gate, exploiting Pearl JamÆs leanest,
punkest tendencies. And those traits carry through the albumÆs 36
minutes. No time to waste and Obama in the White House mean no
political bellyaching, so when Eddie Vedder pulls out that
indignant yet inclusive snarl and proclaims, "When somethingÆs
gone, I wanna fight to get it back again," you can probably assume
"it" is his bandÆs mojo.
Even the requisite restrained ballads feel renewed: "The End" finds
Vedder channeling Cat Stevens, backed by a string and brass
ensemble. Then thereÆs the towering anthem ôAmongst the Waves,ö
which could bring "Alive" fans back to the fold. It even expands on
that songÆs theme, moving from grudging survival to jubilant
exuberance ("IÆve put away my early grave"). For the first time in
years, Pearl Jam are seizing the moment rather than wallowing in it.