Pearl Jam - Backspacer
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Pearl JamEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Enhanced, Import
CD Release Date: 2009-11-10
Music Label: Universal Music Group
Product features:
- PEARL JAM BACKSPACER
- Gonna See My Friend
- Got Some
- The Fixer
- Johnny Guitar
- Just Breathe
- Amongst The Wave
- Unthought Known
- Supersonic
- Speed Of Sound
- Force Of Nature
- The End
Free Music Notes for Backspacer
Free Music Review: Definitely the best Pearl Jam album of the decade - and possibly one of their best ever
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first heard BACKSPACER, I thought it was all about drugs. Lines like "Gonna see my best friend - make it go away" and "Got some if you need it" seem very suggestive, especially from the point of view of a drug addict. After closer inspection and repeated listening, I realized Eddie Vedder was merely toying with the language. While his metaphors do allude to getting high, he throws in a positive, life-affirming twist. More often, I find they're not really about getting high on drugs but getting high on life - and having a good death.
I would recommend to anyone that they sit through this album several times and let it sink in. On first listen, I thought the first three songs were just typical balls-to-the-wall Pearl Jam, but since then they've become more distinct in my mind and taken on more character. They're really good. But I immediately sensed many of the "second side" songs were sophisticated and worth repeated listening. And finally, the last song floored me as soon as I heard it.
Some of this album is pretty heavy rock n' roll, close to the heaviest they've ever gotten. On the other hand, the guitars are often quite restrained, heavy but doing little more than outlining chord changes. But every now in then we get blasted with some killer soloing and runaway riffage.
Breakdown:
"Gonna See My Friend" - Straight up rock n' roll bashed out with a detectable taste of the Sex Pistols as guitar notes get bent and Vedder sings at the top of his lungs. May actually be about QUITTING drugs - talking to the friend may actually help (the singer) get rid of his cravings(?) ***3/4
"Got Some" - love the sustained drum rolls at the intro. This is a driving song that finds Vedder still in punk mode, squealing some of his words like Johnny Rotten. Got some (rock n' roll?) if you need it. ****
"The Fixer" - The bass carries the melody on the third hard rocker in a row. A cool song, it's basically about taking the initiative to make your life better and having a positive attitude. ****
"Johnny Guitar" - a bunch of people find this the least impressive track on the album but it was the first one that stood out for me. It's much more distinctive than the first three tracks, especially Eddie's vocal melody. Supposedly he got the idea from looking at J. "G" Watson's album cover for WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? which is full of girls. Who doesn't like songs about girls? ****1/2
"Just Breathe" - About this song, Vedder said, "As close to a love song as we've ever gotten." No need to shout over a wall of noise on this one, Vedder sings in a low register over some sweet acoustic guitar picking, soon accompanied by swelling strings and gentle keyboards. It's not as good as a song like "Black," (what is?) but it's up there. "Hold me til I die/ Meet you on the other side." ****3/4
"Amongst The Waves" - this one's majestic with a killer rhythm at the chorus. Finally, a guitar cuts loose with a solo! And it keeps building in a beautiful way . . . uplifting. Another song less popular than the others, possibly because it's neither an all-out rocker nor a ballad. *****
"Unthought Known" - a cool song if a bit tired sounding, it's an earnest song that slowly builds. Love the Stooges-style piano (one repeating note). This one seems to explore the subconscious realm in our minds, the blueprint that guides our lives. ****
"Supersonic" - "I wanna live my life with the volume full" - this is probably the most hyper-kinetic, pumped-up song on the album. At the "middle 8," the tempo slows down for some killer guitar riffage before blasting off again for the finale. Like "Unthought Unknown," this one also mentions dreams. *****
"Speed of Sound" - is different from any other Pearl Jam song I can think of. "It's hard to remember anything/ Moving at the speed of sound." Some interesting sound textures, a rockin beat that's kinda laid back, mandolin, piano . . . this is a sophisticated, well constructed song. *****
"Force of Nature" - the very beginning sounds like a typical cheesy rock song before a minor guitar chord is hit and it becomes a really cool cut with an engaging rhythm. The song is full of sea and siren metaphors (sirens being the mythical female creatures who lure sailors to their death with their singing). It's a great song about a particular woman with an extremely strong personality. ****1/2
"The End" - Those who've complained about Vedder's voice need to hear this track again. The acoustic guitar and orchestral accompaniment is beautiful. It's a song about death, but a really sweet one. *****+
Backspacer Poster
2009 release from Eddie Vedder and the boys, their ninth album overall. For Backspacer, the lasting Grunge rockers decided to do it big. They left label J Records and decided to release to album themselves, since the certainly have enough money to do that. They also hooked up with '90s Alternative Rock producer du jour Brendan O'Brien (Korn, Bruce Springsteen), the first time that the band has worked with O'Brien since 1998's Yield. The music on the record features a sound influenced by Pop and New Wave.Alternative Rock Music CDs
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