When Pearl Jam came out Dark matter At an exclusive listening event in January, frontman Eddie Vedder made a big statement: “This is our best work so far.” The comment surprised some, particularly because Pearl Jam is a band so defined by its initial success in the 1990s. More recent releases have been sporadic, with Dark matter only the fourth album they have released since 2009.
However, the leader's initial statement has not turned out to be too far from reality, with Dark matter being his best release in almost two decades. Previous release Gigaton They came and went, leaving few deep and meaningful blows. However, in retrospect, no band would have chosen to release an album at the end of March 2020, to coincide with a global lockdown and see minimal media coverage with news dominated by one story: the pandemic.
That said, the record has apparently had trouble transitioning into the live realm due to Vedder being too verbose on most of the songs, with themes centered around politics and climate change. With the exception of “Retrograde”, there has been little demand for Gigaton songs that will appear in their ever-changing live setlists.
For their twelfth studio album, the Seattle band has teamed up with producer and Pearl Jam fan Andrew Watt. Having risen to fame working alongside artists such as Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Miley Cyrus, Watt has more recently dedicated himself to revitalizing rock groups such as Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and the Rolling Stones with a back-to-basics methodology. . Watt previously worked alongside Vedder on his solo album. earthlingreleased in 2022, before being tasked with producing his favorite band.
Watt's influence is immediately heard in Dark matter. Opener “Scared of Fear” offers an explosive start, combining confrontational power chords with a catchy chorus in which Vedder recalls how “We used to laugh, we used to sing, we used to dance, we used to believe.” The song also provides the first opportunity for Mike McCready to let loose with one of his signature guitar solos, a prevalent theme throughout the album. There's no time to catch your breath after the opening number as “React, Respond” continues the breakneck pace with punchy chords driven by guitarists McCready and Stone Gossard placed atop a solid rhythmic platform from bassist Jeff Ament and drummer Matt Cameron . On the track Vedder warns that “We could be fighting together, instead of fighting among ourselves” with the constant message of, “Don't react, respond” to cap off a ferocious opening one-two punch.
Throughout his career, Vedder has never hidden his admiration for Tom Petty, and the third track, “Wreckage,” radiates Petty-esque vibes. The melodic number marks a step back from the eruptive hard rock of the first two tracks, complete with the addition of keys for the first time on the album, but still manages to leave a significant mark. For a band famous for their live performances, the song seems ready for the live stage with a final anthem ready to sing along, with each member of the band combining to sing. “Going through the rubble” as the song comes to an end.
Aside from rock songs, Pearl Jam has also proven over the years that they can produce successful ballads. “Won't Tell” is the most outstanding ballad Dark matter with Vedder interrogating, “Can you heal? Can you feel the change in my heart?” during an uplifting song. “Waiting For Stevie” also focuses on the theme of love. The driving track, written when Vedder and Watt were waiting for Stevie Wonder to arrive for a recording session, starts with a calming lead. “You can be loved. “You can be love.”
In the lead-up to the release of Dark matterMike McCready had stated that the record will be, “Much heavier than expected,” and demonstrates a record in which he has been allowed to shine. Watt had also described how “Mike McCready is not edited. You fucking let him play.. The producer has certainly allowed it. Guitar solo enthusiasts will gravitate toward songs like lead single “Dark Matter” and “Waiting For Stevie,” which allow for McCready solos that wouldn't have been out of place on an early '90s release.
However, the album is not without its flaws. The pace of the album drops halfway through with “Upper Hand.” The song builds an atmospheric platform during which Vedder laments that “something I never had was the advantage,” but at almost six minutes long it seems to slow down the intrepid pace of the album's first half. The ninth track, “Something Special,” is a sentimental tribute to the singer's two daughters, but it seems like it would have been better suited for a Vedder solo album. The song seems to tread the line of being too comfortable and comes dangerously close to being embarrassing dad rock, especially for his two daughters. Sometimes lyricism is also missing. The punky “Running” demonstrates exceptional musicality that makes it hard to resist nodding along, however, upon deeper listening to the lyrics, you discover that at one point Vedder discovers himself. “Lost in all the shit you're pulling” and apparently they find themselves running because, “…the wastewater in the pipes, because we leave the fucking water running.”
After “Something Special,” the album gets back on track with “Got To Give,” which begins with a trademark Gossard guitar riff. For a band so associated with heartbreak, their subsequent albums have emanated more positive vibes and this is heard on the penultimate track when Vedder urges: “Let's get to the point where we can believe.”
Dark matter So, it turns out to be a success. It can't be described as a “return to form” as in truth the band has never lost its form. While their last few studio albums may not have made the biggest splash or impact, artists like Ten and against. She did it, each album has still provided moments of brilliance. However, their most recent release offers a more concise and consistent offering in which each member of the band is allowed to shine and play to their strengths.
The closing track, “Setting Sun,” provides the perfect parting gift, a soft opening giving way to a great outro with Vedder’s final line: “Let's not fade away.” Based on this evidence, there is no chance of that happening.
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