Pearl Jam
Live At The Gorge 05/06

THE REVIEW

In the modern coordinates of rock music, Pearl Jam remain a unique example of professional honesty, social commitment, and maturity. A maturity that is not only artistic but particularly human, achieved through events and episodes that have alternated between triumphs and tragedies. Their discography and songs, full of betrayed idealism and charged with anger, have always reflected their lived experiences. Over the years, Pearl Jam has chosen to protect their artistic integrity by rejecting media overexposure or the allure of MTV. They preferred to reach the masses through an incredible concert activity, and with hundreds of live albums released, they have won the adoration of an audience that respects them. Eddie Vedder's band has always firmly believed in the power of music, a fundamental tool to communicate emotions and unite different individuals. Furthermore, Pearl Jam are great traditionalists and have been continuing on the rock path already beaten by Neil Young and The Who for years.

Anyone who wants to get an idea of the musical recipe of the Seattle group and lose themselves in the magic created by their live shows can rely on this luxurious box set of seven CDs, which includes three different concerts recorded between 2005 and 2006 at The Gorge, an open-air venue in the state of Washington. These three incredible shows represent a very important sound document for both the fans and the band itself, intent on playing a large portion of its repertoire. The performances are energetic, inspired, intense, and alternate between a hard-driven part and a more classically rock section made of heart-wrenching ballads. The group functions magnificently in all its components and plays with passion and incredible transport, alternating high lyrical and quiet moments with electric discharges, burning solos, and punk rage. A continuous push-and-pull that offers a high adrenaline rate to the event. The setlists also hold many welcome surprises, such as the presence of songs missing for years from the group's live repertoire ("Rats", "Leash", "Dirty Frank") or rarely performed ("Wash", "Satan's Bed", "Undone", "Sad").

As tradition dictates, there is no shortage of a good series of successful covers performed with personality and directly drawn from the history of rock music. The emotion that arises from listening to the classic tracks taken from the first three albums remains unchanged over the years, along with the usual closure, with the lights already on, with the beautiful "Yellow Ledbetter", a postcard with which Pearl Jam bid farewell to their beloved audience. An audience in ecstasy for the entire duration of the show returns home satisfied and convinced that they have witnessed a true and vibrant rock show played in one breath and with heart in hand by a group that firmly believes in what they play.