The early 90s were a radical time in music. The sonic landscape was changing for the better. Eventually, the underground came above ground and a wave of alternative rock bands were given their opportunity to bring back music from the edge. Many of these bands were grown in the urban clubs of Seattle, Washington. It is quite impressive to think that at one time a lonely teenager out in downtown Seattle could hear Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam in the same night with almost no cash in his pocket.
Both Nirvana and Pearl Jam were the front runners of the 90s grunge era. Nirvana's Nevermind brought Alternative Grunge music to the masses and Pearl Jam's Ten quickly followed. It goes without saying that had Kurt Cobain not taken his life, Nirvana could have been as prolific as The Beatles were in their time. However, it was not meant to be and their catalogue is strong as it stands. Pearl Jam, on the other hand, has been making music ever since they formed. Even when grunge became post-grunge and eventually became a fad, Pearl Jam was always and is still around.
Now in their 19th year as a band, Pearl Jam has released their ninth studio album Backspacer. Earlier this year, the band also released another version of Ten, which included unreleased tracks. However, that was an incentive to fans and Backspacer is more of an effort in comparison. The album is a layered reminder of why Pearl Jam has endured as along as they have. Even though many of the members are older than they where in their Seattle heyday, they still have the same veracity and energy. Every single bit of that comes through in Backspacer. It is one of the more well-rounded albums that Pearl Jam has produced over the years. Each track has it's own noisy resonance that calls back to the nostalgia of pre and early 90s alternative rock. Tracks listed on the album:
1. Gonna See my Friend
2. Got Some
3. The Fixer
4. Johnny Guitar
5. Just Breathe
6. Amoungst the Waves
7. Unthought Uknown
8. Supersonic
9. Speed of Sound
10. Force of Nature
11. The End
My personal favorite tracks include: The Fixer, The End and Unthought Uknown. The Fixer is the first single off the album and I'm sure many will hear it on the radio or somewhere else. The first time I heard it, it got under my skin and I found it spinning in my head even after it had left the airwaves. It has an anthemic sensibility to it and it is easily accessible. The End is one of the more somber tunes on the album. Most of Backspacer is occupied by more noisy fare and The End is the closure to that. It ends everything on melancholic note, which gives it a long lasting feel, even after it is over. It somewhat reminds me of the songs that Eddie Vedder composed for the Into the Wild soundtrack. Unthought Uknown just builds up and envelopes in an apex of sound and I have always been a fan of songs that build up intensity. Nevertheless, I don't think Backspacer can be enjoyed without the sum of it's parts all working together. When you get the chance, close the door, drown out the outside world, put on your headphones and get caught in the waves of sound.
Both Nirvana and Pearl Jam were the front runners of the 90s grunge era. Nirvana's Nevermind brought Alternative Grunge music to the masses and Pearl Jam's Ten quickly followed. It goes without saying that had Kurt Cobain not taken his life, Nirvana could have been as prolific as The Beatles were in their time. However, it was not meant to be and their catalogue is strong as it stands. Pearl Jam, on the other hand, has been making music ever since they formed. Even when grunge became post-grunge and eventually became a fad, Pearl Jam was always and is still around.
Now in their 19th year as a band, Pearl Jam has released their ninth studio album Backspacer. Earlier this year, the band also released another version of Ten, which included unreleased tracks. However, that was an incentive to fans and Backspacer is more of an effort in comparison. The album is a layered reminder of why Pearl Jam has endured as along as they have. Even though many of the members are older than they where in their Seattle heyday, they still have the same veracity and energy. Every single bit of that comes through in Backspacer. It is one of the more well-rounded albums that Pearl Jam has produced over the years. Each track has it's own noisy resonance that calls back to the nostalgia of pre and early 90s alternative rock. Tracks listed on the album:
1. Gonna See my Friend
2. Got Some
3. The Fixer
4. Johnny Guitar
5. Just Breathe
6. Amoungst the Waves
7. Unthought Uknown
8. Supersonic
9. Speed of Sound
10. Force of Nature
11. The End
My personal favorite tracks include: The Fixer, The End and Unthought Uknown. The Fixer is the first single off the album and I'm sure many will hear it on the radio or somewhere else. The first time I heard it, it got under my skin and I found it spinning in my head even after it had left the airwaves. It has an anthemic sensibility to it and it is easily accessible. The End is one of the more somber tunes on the album. Most of Backspacer is occupied by more noisy fare and The End is the closure to that. It ends everything on melancholic note, which gives it a long lasting feel, even after it is over. It somewhat reminds me of the songs that Eddie Vedder composed for the Into the Wild soundtrack. Unthought Uknown just builds up and envelopes in an apex of sound and I have always been a fan of songs that build up intensity. Nevertheless, I don't think Backspacer can be enjoyed without the sum of it's parts all working together. When you get the chance, close the door, drown out the outside world, put on your headphones and get caught in the waves of sound.
