ADVANCE WARNING: Pearl Jam

Let me first state that I might not be the best person to review the new record by Pearl Jam. The reason for that statement lies in the fact that I happen to love Pearl Jam. They're one of my all time favorite bands.

I went to middle school in the early 90's, so I grew up with the Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Soundgarden... and of course, Pearl Jam.

Some of my favorite memories revolve around music, and this is no exception for PJ.

I remember buying "Vitalogy", PJ's third album, and listening to "Better Man", and my Mom came in the room and asked, "What is he saying? 'Butter Man'? What does THAT mean?" Good times, trust me.

So, what does Pearl Jam have left to say after more than 15 years in business?

Quite a lot actually.

It seems that the four years it took them to write and record this album (the longest time between albums for them) and entering into a new recording contract has allowed the band to create their best album in years.

2002's "Riot Act" seemed to find the band at their most overtly political, with songs that blasted then (and still current) president Bush ("Bushleager", "Green Disease"), however, "Pearl Jam" (cleverly self-titled... perhaps a sign of a creative rebirth?) finds them JUST as political, if not more so, especially on "World Wide Suicide" and "Gone", where Vedder sings "When the gas in my tank feels like money in the tank", you know exactly whom he's targeting.

This album, for some reason, reminds me a lot of "Vitalogy", as most of the songs are heavily guitar-driven. It also feels like a lost classic album that they recorded years ago, but are just now putting out. It's exciting and familiar all at once. No song on this album is wasted, everything is in it's right place.

The aggressive songs are aggressive, and the slower songs are beautiful. Eddie Vedder and co. seem to be on some sort of a mission, as they sound refocused and re-energized. It's also refreshing to see a band that has maintained their integrity over the years, and have never once compromised or apologized for what they've done or stood for.

I don't think that this album will win them any new fans, but I really hope it will... hopefully some kid will pick this album up and find out that there's more to music than just screaming about hating your life and your parents and girlfriends.

But the longtime fans? This is what they've wanted for years.

LINKS REMOVED AT REQUEST OF RIAA
[MP3] PEARL JAM "Life Wasted"
[MP3] PEARL JAM "World Wide Suicide"
[MP3] PEARL JAM "Marker in the Sand"