AWmusic

Rock and roll has carried its own fair share of clichés and phases throughout the years. Bands come and go while others attempt to regain what they once had. Such is the case with Pearl Jam’s new album ‘Backspacer’. The eleven track release makes every attempt at maintaining the fundamentals of rock, all the while taking the time to reevaluate and asses past successes of Pearl Jam. In the end, the album is a solid take with some of the most energized sounds I’ve heard from the band in years.

Reborn and revitalized, Backspacer is Pearl Jam’s first studio album released free of a major record label. Available physically exclusively through target, pearljam.com, and in digital format, the album feels very quick and spontaneous throughout. The music remains complex with the band avoiding an attempt at recreating their early 90s grunge sound. Gone are the lyrics of overcoming hardships and anger release. Apparent now is the positive reflection of a life and career through Vedder’s eyes. Tracks like ‘Gonna See My Friend’ and ‘The Fixer’ really demonstrate this view while additionally proving that energy doesn’t diminish with age.

There are some grimmer portions in the music but even then, they return to form with an optimistic mature take. For the first time in a long time the transition PJ is experiencing is one for the better. For a band that has its best years behind, it sounds like they feel perfectly content where they are today and that’s a great thing. The brooding anger of previous albums has dissipated bringing a new energized sound that’s complex clean and fun.

MP3:

Pearl Jam – The Fixer

Pearl Jam – Amongst The Waves

Buy at:

pearljam.com / iTunes

More info:

pearljam.com / Myspace