The new self-titled Pearl Jam disc is out. It has been out for a week, but I needed at least that long to digest it. There was too much hype about this record for me to zip through it. Everyone called it "a return to form", "the band's best record since Ten," yadda, yadda, yadda. I can't stand that talk for a couple of reasons.
First off, I have been a life-long fan of Pearl Jam. The first time I saw them I didn't even know who they were. They were just the opening band for Nirvana and the Chili Peppers. So, I go back as a fan to almost day one. The other problem is that every band who spends a few years between records always gets overhyped as a comeback. There are too many unfair expectations with that, and it also implies that the band went away.
I actually got the disc a few days early through the band's fan club. So, I put the disc in my CD player and never took it out. I have driven about 300 miles with just that CD in, and am ready to release my verdict. The new CD really is that good. I put it on a tier with Yield, and Ten...and nothing else.
The band is better then they have been. How so? They are better at everything—better at singing, songwriting, producing, and playing their instruments. Also, Boom Gaspar is back on keys, which is terrific. It not only rounds out their too heavy guitar sound, but keeps Mike McCready from filling every second in with a solo. He is unquestionably talented, but often musically overbearing. That reminds me of a great line from Eddie I heard on some bootleg: "In the 1970s a guitar weapon was invented by the United States; his name is Mike McCready."
Article comments
1 - Mr. Real Estate
Sounds great, Lono! I'm definitely going to pick this one up!
2 - gonzo marx
thanks fer the heads up Lono...since it came form you, this disc goes on my List
in return, yer gonzo sez...
go pick up 10,000 Days from TOOL
it's THAT good...
i thought of it since you made the Pink Floyd reference, i had always thought of TOOL as a heavier new Rush type thing...AEnima and Lateralus enforcing the Thought
but this new disc is more like Floyd's "Metals" or "Umma Gumma"...more emotional than cerebral
seems like these two discs are the ones to have this spring....and i couldn't be happier
nuff said
Excelsior?
3 - Mat Brewster
Good to see ya around, Sir Lono. I'll have to get my brother-in-laws opinion on this record. He's one of the old Pearl Jam die hards, unlike myself who tuned out after VS.
4 - El Bicho
Lono, I was at that amazing triple bill at the LA Sports Arena, although at the time the room was too big for PJ. They've come a long way since then although you won't hear me singing along to Betterman or Jeremy or any of the other hits that are overdone. Interesting to see what different fans like because Yield doesn't even make my top five.
5 - Guppusmaximus
I'm sorry...But, this new stuff still doesn't compare to GO or much of anything on Vs. Nevermind Ten and not anywhere close to their two best songs ever which were on the Singles soundtrack. They died when Dave Abbruzzese was kicked off the kit!!
6 - Lono
No way. It has been another two weeks and the disc keeps getting better. This is more than the album of the year, so far it is the album of the decade.