Upon first listen, Pearl Jam's ninth studio album Backspacer is a distinct move away from the days of old, bringing in an uncertain, newfound, edgy and punk tone. It seems time has dulled the band's fiery passion and political rage, bringing forth an optimistic new age.
Wasting no time getting down to business, the album opens strong with "Gonna See My Friend." This song is a loud and repetitive ballad about the stress of drug withdrawal that quickly transitions into "Got Some," an adrenaline pumping display of the band's first-rate guitar skills. Indicative of the remainder of the album, the lyrics lack the profanity and punch of Pearl Jam's past.
Previously released as a single, "The Fixer" showcases Eddie Vedder's upbeat lyrics. The quirky yet catchy song grows on you and is one of the highlights of the album.
From here, the album moves downhill into a middle portion featuring a reprieve in intensity with "Amongst the Waves" and "Unthought Unknown." "Amongst the Waves" strikes a pop-esque tone, introducing a more contemplative and mellow tone carried through the remainder of the album. In "Unthought Unknown," the guitar riffs fail to deliver the raw power common in Pearl Jam's music.
Towards the end of the album, we get a glimpse of the typical Pearl Jam of past in "Supersonic" and "Force of Nature" before digressing into "The End," an acoustic tale of Vedder's own mortality and romantic sentiment that simply feels out of place.
Pearl Jam's Backspacer is a sharp directional change for the iconic grunge band. While half the disc reminisces, the other dabbles in new age optimism. These are introspective tracks addressing weighty issues and flanked by a new sound and the cumulative effective will leave longtime fans feeling uncomfortable.
Although Backspacer does provide a few worthy downloads for this day and age, those yearning for another dose of classic Pearl Jam would be better served by the re-mastered Ten (Legacy Edition).
