Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
With this self-titled record, Pearl Jam has either set the bar to pass for themselves in the future, or delivered one of their best albums toward the end of their career.
Pearl Jam is finally making their way back into the public consciousness. They’ve been around and making music since way back when Nirvana ruled the airwaves and at the time, gave ‘em a bit of a run for their money. But now, time has tested, and proven, that Pearl Jam isn’t quite as fondly remembered, or monumental, as Cobain & Co. are. This is the first release of new material in quite a while for Pearl Jam, as they’ve been treading water the last few years, having put out a career spanning greatest hits retrospective, and the like. They finally returned, and found themselves back in the proverbial limelight with the ’04 presidential election; playing the “Vote For Kerry” rallies and tours that ensued around the nation. After Kerry’s solid defeat, Eddie Vedder found himself inspired, and decided that the time had come for some new Pearl Jam material.
So, the biggest question to pose itself first and foremost is if the band is still even relevant in this day and age? They are getting up there in the years; and with the wrong handling, this could come off as nothing more than an aged rock band griping about politics and the world changing around them. Luckily, that is entirely not the case. This self-titled record can almost be called both a return to form, as well as a new beginning for a band that is poised to show a new generation of kids just what grunge rock ‘n roll is really about. To possibly compare Pearl Jam to political rock poster boys Green Day, Pearl Jam is Pearl Jam’s American Idiot. Whoa, that sentence came out a little weird. Anyways…
In essence, this self-titled record finds Pearl Jam at the finest they’ve been since they burst into popularity on the coattails of Nirvana in the way-back-thens. They seem to have the youthful passion and vigor that they lost so many years ago, and with it came some evolutionary modern sensibilities; which gratefully keep the tunes from sounding like they actually were those early ‘90’s material, and keep it all fresh but still deeply entrenched in that signature Pearl Jam sound. But, don’t be fooled, Vedder and company still rock like it’s 1990-something. Tracks such as breakout current single “World Wide Suicide,” and “Big Wave,” show that the guys still have the rock chops to keep up with those blistering new bands that are currently hogging much of the limelight.
If there were any doubts as to the bands inspiration and motivations, you need look no further than the song titles found here. With track names like “Unemployable,” “Army Reserve,” and the aforementioned anti-war anthem “World Wide Suicide,” Pearl Jam’s intentions are made abundantly clear. They’re making, not really a political album; but a collection of songs based on opinions, observations, and thoughts on the current sociopolitical climate found in America. It’s a great bunch of songs, with enough depth to make you think; and enough quality to keep you coming back again and again.
With this self-titled record, Pearl Jam has either set the bar to pass for themselves in the future, or delivered one of their best albums toward the end of their career. Either way, Pearl Jam rules.
(J Records)