BUY THIS NOW: Pearl Jam

If you are one of the many people who insist Pearl Jam is a band past their prime, who are way over the “Ten” days, this cd is a nice “fuck you” wrapped in avocado packaging.

To say that this album is good is an understatement beyond anything I can conceive. True, I might be a Pearl Jam mark, but that will never eclipse the reality that this band rocks harder than a week old baguette. Raw, unrelenting, intense, fast, hard and impressive are just some of the words I’d use to describe this album seeing as after four listens, it’s clear that this cd will be around in my cd player for a long, long time. Everyone is on top of their game and experimentation has been replaced by the tightest tracks this band has done in years, even if they’ve done great material, this just shows how good this album is and how fresh it sounds. No way would you even fathom that the band is pushing 16 years and that its band members are past 40. Teenie bopping bands only have wet dreams about coming up with something this well made.

Here’s a song-by-song breakdown.

1. Life Wasted 3:56

Garage rock at its best. Great riff, nice solo and the way an album should start off. Tight.

2. World Wide Suicide 3:31

The first single from the album and the reason why I was jumping like an idiot two months ago. This is The Who but bigger, better and uncut. Note Matt Cameron’s drumming and how it correlates to your head banging, toe tapping and/or ass shaking.

3. Comatose 2:22

A left hook to the liver. That’s what this pump song is. Hard rocking, nerve racking and the type of thing I blast into my ear to get in the mood to surf.

4. Severed Hand 4:32

An “Evenflow” vibe with thumping drums and a cool bridge. This song is made to rock live. Solos, funky vibe, pulsating bass? What else do you friggin need? Get your flannel out, this is grunge like you remember it.

5. Marker in the Sand 4:25

One of my favorite tracks off the album and one of the coolest choruses I’ve heard in a while. Something cool you can definitely shimmy to. Police influences and some other classic bands too. Love it.

6. Parachutes 3:38

If this was any more influenced by the Beatles it’d sound like Oasis he he he. Seriously. Beautiful song that just flows like a 70’s classic you put in a bar to share a beer with friends.

7. Unemployable 3:06

Ok parachutes is to the Beatles like Unemployable is to Tom Petty. The influence is there but it’s a song all PJ. Great track, catchy riffs and sounds like some obscure 80’s track that stood out from the shitty hair bands.

8. Big Wave 3:00

Ok. Read the name, realize I surf and try to guess how much I love this rocking song. Can’t figure it out? Fuck it can’t get catchier than this and I just want to go and create havoc in the water. Funky, juicy licks to make you want to sing along and rawk out.

9. Gone 4:11

This song slightly echoes past albums in a dark brooding song that brings you down before soaring high with a chorus to bring hope in dismal days. Great build up, great chorus beautiful song.

10. Wasted Reprise 0:55

Only track in the album someone might have a complaint about because, well it’s 55 seconds long and it’s a reprise. Cool organs though and should make for a killer closer for the first track.

11. Army Reserve 3:47

Take “In hiding” from the album yield and inject it with the attitude in the album Vitalogy and this is what comes out. Excellent track.

12. Come Back 5:31

I could go on some long explanation of why I love this bluesy track. Suffice to say it made me tear up.

13. Inside Job 7:08

Radiohead like intro with a soulful Pearl Jam riff. Piano’s in the background and a high bass line. This band has a knack of always pulling off a great closing track and this is one of the best. Definitely some Zeppelin influence in some parts. The ending delay riff leaves you yearning for more though but that’s not a bad thing by any means.


So in a sum-up, all of the album is spectacular. There’s no filler and it sets the bar quite high for anyone releasing an album this year. If you’re a Pearl Jam fan or if you love rock, do yourself a favor and buy this album.