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ARTIST: Pearl Jam
ALBUM: Backspacer
LABEL: Universal
After the reunions of Skunk Anansie and Alice In Chains, and the upcoming reunion of Soundgarden, here comes the return of one of the most important bands of the '90s and beyond. We are obviously talking about Pearl Jam, who, three years after their criticized yet intense and experimental self-titled album, are forcefully back on track with the release of their ninth studio album.
"Backspacer" was released on September 29, 2009, and is distributed in Europe by Universal.
The album is available in all record stores and large megastores, unlike in the United States, where Pearl Jam decided to rely on J-Records and sell the album only in certain supermarkets to boycott the American music industry's policies.
The Seattle quintet this time abandons sonic explorations and refinements, creating an instinctive, wild, and raw-sounding album. This is evident in the first two tracks, "Gonna see my friend" and "Got some", a true electric shock, while the first single, "The Fixer", has been in heavy rotation on radios for several months and at the top of the best-selling albums chart.
There are references to more classic rock (Johnny Guitar), the Ramones (Supersonic), and the nature-love duo perfectly described in "Amongst the Waves" and "Unthought Known".
The gem of "Backspacer" is undoubtedly "Force Of Nature", where the delicate hand of guitarist Mike McCready lays a sonic carpet for Eddie Vedder's inspired voice, in an emotional ride that recalls the most acid and electric Neil Young of the '90s.
In the two acoustic ballads, "Just Breath" and especially "The End" that closes the album, it is evident that Vedder still carries within him the marks of "Into The Wild," the Sean Penn film for which he curated the soundtrack, confirming that he is one of the greatest songwriters around.
Surely, the Pearl Jam of the '90s are a distant memory in terms of originality and ideas, but this is a sincere and unfiltered album, recorded directly, demonstrating that the passion and honesty of this band only increase with the passing of the years.
UMBERTO ANDREACCHIO
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
03 The Fixer (02:57)
Yeah, hey, hey
When somethings dark, let me shed a little light on it
When somethings cold, let me put a little fire on it
If somethings old, I wanna put a bit of shine on it
When somethings gone, I wanna fight to get it back again
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, fight to get it back again
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
When somethings broke, I wanna put a bit of fixin on it
When somethings bored, I wanna put a little exciting on it
If somethings low, I wanna put a little high on it
When somethings lost, I wanna fight to get it back again
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, fight to get it back again
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
When signals cross, I wanna put a little straight on it
If there's no love, I wanna try to love again
I’ll say your prayers, I’ll take your side
I'll find us a way to make light
I'll dig your grave, we'll dance and sing
What's saved could be one last lifetime
Hey, hey, hey
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, fight to get it back again
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Fight to get it back again, yeah, yeah, yeah
Fight to get it back again, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
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Other reviews
By Domenico_Lotti
Pearl Jam releasing inferior albums, come on, that’s otherworldly stuff.
A great performance by Vedder and his companions, and particularly by Matt Cameron, who is truly outstanding behind the drums.
By Black Creep
Backspacer is a well-made album and songs like "Got Some," "The Fixer," and "Force of Nature" will surely go on my mp3.
Beautiful, but no longer exciting... it’s as if PJ decided to always play it safe, offering tracks that don’t move an inch.
By TurboHawk
"The 36 minutes of the album flow quickly and pleasantly, among successful songs and somewhat anonymous tracks, without provoking symptoms of boredom."
"Backspacer is not bad at all... but one cannot fail to notice that it lacks a bit of freshness... either they are settling, or they are afraid to take risks!"
By verorock
It’s an album that certainly won’t be accepted by everyone, but it will thrill the longtime fans.
Pearl Jam has changed in clothing, in age but are STILL ANGRY!!
