Pearl Jam's Backspacer - Listen to it!!!

[javeryh]

I can't believe how great this album is.  Here are some quick thoughts but if you like Pearl Jam (or rock music in general) give this record a few spins:

Gonna See My Friend - Great opener. Matt Cameron and Jeff Ament are all over this album and they start out really string here. Just listen to that bass line!

Got Some - Studio version is fantastic compared to live version on Conan. I reall really like this - reminds me of Hail Hail for some reason.

The Fixer - First single. I think it's a great pop song - it doesn't try and do too much but if you listen carefully there are a lot of layered guitars (which is a theme throughout the record instead of face melting solos).

Johnny Guitar - This is probably my least favorite song overall but it is still excellent. I like the 3rd person storytelling and the lyric at the end is awesome ("I'll hide my disappointment cause for years I have been hoping that when she came she'd be coming just for me.") OK, I love this one too.

Just Breathe - This is the most beautiful song the band has ever recorded. Jeff's bass at the start of the second verse sends chills up my spine. Just perfect. Eddie sure has a way with words and song structure.

Amongst The Waves - This will end up being a lot of people's favorite and maybe mine too. It is just epic. Such a positive song (a theme that echoes throughout the album). "I am up riding high amongst the waves. Where I can feel like I have a soul that has been saved. Where I can feel like I've put away my early grave." Big difference from the depressing Ten-era lyrics.

Unthought Known - This is the other song that might be my favorite. "Gems and rhinestones" - you'll know it when you hear it.

Supersonic - One of the other weaker tracks but still a fast, fun little song.

Speed of Sound - This is a tough one. The first 10 seconds are the worst part of this otherwise beautiful song. Also, they released the demo a few weeks ago which initially I didn't like but then after hearing the full band album version I ended up really liking it. This is a slow burner that I'm sure will grow on me even more as time goes on.

Force of Nature - Mike McCready shines here with some great guitar work and a fun solo. You can't help but sing along to "Somewhere there's a siren singing a song only he hears. All the strengths you might think would disappear, resolving. One man stands alone awaiting for her to come home. Eyes upon the horizon in the dark before the darkness leaves the dawn."

The End - If you have kids and a wife you love this song will make you want to cry. The breath Eddie takes at the very end is haunting. Really moving.

I can't say enough about this record. For the first time in ages there are barely any politics and the whole thing just feels loose and fun. 9 albums into their career and they make one of their best - every band should be so lucky.

[javeryh]

I highly recommend getting the limited edition from pearljam.com. It comes in a hard bound book the size of a CD. It has all the lyrics and some weird art inside. Peep it:

[Epyx]

You know I liked them in the mid 90s but haven't heard much lately. I will give this CD a shot and see if I like it, the CD case/artwork is pretty good.  Listening now on Youtube.

[Epyx]

My main two types of music I listen to are Metal/Electronic but I'll listen to almost anything else if it's good except country music.

[Jeff AMN]

Mine should be here today. I ordered direct from the Ten Club site. I was surprised that it didn't show up over the weekend, but ah well. I'm seeing them next Monday in concert...I can't wait!

[ChadTower]

Peep should only be a verb if you are fuzzy and yellow.

[wp34]

I was never a big PJ fan but you have me curious.   The artwork on that CD is pretty sweet.  Looks like the same style as the Watchmen comic.

My favorite PJ performance:

You have an iron deficiency. 

I'm leaving to see Bruce Springsteen shortly.  Very pumped about that!

[ClubNinja]

I heard "The Fixer" for the first time last night and did not enjoy it at all.  I suppose I'll have to give the whole album a chance sometime, but this was not a good first impression.  The only "recent" Pearl Jam song I've liked is Brother, which probably only confirms that I'm stuck in 1991.

[Ginsu Victim]

The only "recent" Pearl Jam song I've liked is Brother, which probably only confirms that I'm stuck in 1991.

You mean "Daughter" from Vs.?

[ClubNinja]

You mean "Daughter" from Vs.?

No.  Brother is a Ten outtake that was released as a radio single when the Ten super-duper-deluxe set came out earlier this year. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Ahhhhhh......

I haven't listened to anything from them since Vitalogy let me down all those years ago.

[ChadTower]

No.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GImFt8UkQeQ[/youtube]

[Jeff AMN]

Ahhhhhh......

I haven't listened to anything from them since Vitalogy let me down all those years ago.

Whu...? I've never heard anybody peg Vitalogy as a letdown before.

[Zero_Hour]

Ahhhhhh......

I haven't listened to anything from them since Vitalogy let me down all those years ago.

Whu...? I've never heard anybody peg Vitalogy as a letdown before.

Add me to that camp. Wasn't really into VS. that much, and Vitalogy was the last full album of theirs I owned.

[Ginsu Victim]

I liked it when it first came out, but quickly became unhappy with it. Ten and Vs are still great, though.

[Endaar]

For the first time in ages there are barely any politics

Interesting that you mention that. They frankly lost me as a fan for that reason a few albums ago.

I am curious though which prior album you would say the new one is most like.

Endaar

[shmokes]

I just listened to some.  I'm just not into Pearl Jam anymore.  I loved everything up to and including No Code, but after that I just couldn't get into their albums.  It's not you Pearl Jam.  It's me.  You're the same Pearl Jam you've always been, but I've changed.  I'm sorry.  We're just not right for each other anymore.