Pearl Jam- Backspacer
Pearl Jam is back one more time with a bold new set called “Backspacer”, the ninth disc for these grunge rockers. Working this time with producer Brendan O’ Brien, released through the bands own label, Monkey Wrench Records, the new disc tosses a mix of grunge-punk-new wave-folky-pop at you. This is the second collaboration with O’Brien since 1998’s “Yield” which many believe to be the downfall of the Pearl Jam dynasty.
The band started laying down instrumental beds in 2008, without actually rehearsing together as a band. Getting together for the first time to practice in Dec. they took the whole gig to Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
The album comes across as well practiced and practical. Eddies voice is smooth and crisp enhancing his forceful undertone. The heavy distorted guitars give it a kind of a tight, concise, rock ’n’ roll record feel. The tracks move from Grunge to punk to ballad rock with a kind of folky feel to it that will give it an elevated residency on the best sellers chart.
“Gonna See My Friend” a sing about going to talk to a friend about his drug problem is a straight out rocker which has a really catchy chorus “I’m gonna see my Friend I’m gonna see my friend and make it go away”, kind of sticks in your head like an old friend. The song is pleasantly familiar but refreshingly new and grabs at your soul with it’s heart felt lyrics.
Through out the whole set the lyrics cover a wide range of human emotions and concerns of human psyche.
“Just Breath” is a slow folky ballad love song that is strong and passionate; being well placed on the track list “Just Breath” breaks up the set and adds some heartache from a confused relationship. It is all about being able to count on the ones you love and always having to deal with human instinct and man natural selfishness.
If there is a downer on this album it would have to be, “Speed of sound”, this morbid sound number sounds like a filler on this 11 track set, making this writer wonder; “Have we heard the last from these guys? Only producing 11 tracks for the album which rolls in at a little over 36 minutes, have they lost their writing skills? “Speed of Sound” goes a long distance from the sound of the set giving it the feel of being added from lack of a better choice.
The record redeems it’s self with “Supersonic” A rock-a-billy feeling number that that is short and tight kind of jumping right onto your face and bouncing you around the room.
Releasing this album on Monkey Wrench, making Target, the exclusive major retailer and adding a two rare live album download package from itunes, this album is well worth adding to your collection.
Freaky reviews by Freakboy.
The band started laying down instrumental beds in 2008, without actually rehearsing together as a band. Getting together for the first time to practice in Dec. they took the whole gig to Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
The album comes across as well practiced and practical. Eddies voice is smooth and crisp enhancing his forceful undertone. The heavy distorted guitars give it a kind of a tight, concise, rock ’n’ roll record feel. The tracks move from Grunge to punk to ballad rock with a kind of folky feel to it that will give it an elevated residency on the best sellers chart.
“Gonna See My Friend” a sing about going to talk to a friend about his drug problem is a straight out rocker which has a really catchy chorus “I’m gonna see my Friend I’m gonna see my friend and make it go away”, kind of sticks in your head like an old friend. The song is pleasantly familiar but refreshingly new and grabs at your soul with it’s heart felt lyrics.
Through out the whole set the lyrics cover a wide range of human emotions and concerns of human psyche.
“Just Breath” is a slow folky ballad love song that is strong and passionate; being well placed on the track list “Just Breath” breaks up the set and adds some heartache from a confused relationship. It is all about being able to count on the ones you love and always having to deal with human instinct and man natural selfishness.
If there is a downer on this album it would have to be, “Speed of sound”, this morbid sound number sounds like a filler on this 11 track set, making this writer wonder; “Have we heard the last from these guys? Only producing 11 tracks for the album which rolls in at a little over 36 minutes, have they lost their writing skills? “Speed of Sound” goes a long distance from the sound of the set giving it the feel of being added from lack of a better choice.
The record redeems it’s self with “Supersonic” A rock-a-billy feeling number that that is short and tight kind of jumping right onto your face and bouncing you around the room.
Releasing this album on Monkey Wrench, making Target, the exclusive major retailer and adding a two rare live album download package from itunes, this album is well worth adding to your collection.
Freaky reviews by Freakboy.
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