Pearl Jam

Binaural

A Nice Companion To Earlier Works

Review Score:

(8/10)
Pearl Jam's days of dominating MTV and Top 40 airwaves appear to be over, and the band apparently could care less. Many people, as well as reviewers, now refer to them as an act that simply can't cut it anymore. One reviewer went so far as to call the band "lazy" and "washed up". I could not disagree more with these statements. What Pearl Jam has done, as a band, is commendable and very deserving of praise. Instead of trying to keep their faces on TRL and kick it with Carson Daley, The band has opted to avoid the 14 year old crowd and watch their music mature with their character. It is true that this album, "Binaural", is nothing like the 1992 smash "Ten", yet a careful listen or two, will reveal that the two records were not intended to resemble each other. The album is designed to appeal to long time fans who have been with the band from the start. recreating "Ten" would musically lower the band to the level of countless acts who have shamelessly copied their style. Speaking of the new album, "Binaural" is a beautiful addition to the Pearl Jam Catalogue. It shows the band has matured even more since 1998's "Yield". The Album has a wonderful flow. It really seems to fit together very well, and functions more as an album, rather than just a collection of songs.

The album's first two tracks: "Breakerfall" and "God's Dice" show the band returning to its punk roots. They are decent tracks, perfect for opening the album on the right foot.

"Evacuation" comes next. This song is excellent. It is co-written by the band's new drummer, ex-Soundgarden member, Matt Cameron. It is a tribute to the gods of rock & roll. It Progresses beautifully. Well done boys.

"Light Years" is a mid-tempo track featuring good lyrics and solid song structure. "We were but stones. Your light made us stars."

"Nothing As It Seems", arguably one of Pearl Jam's strongest recordings to date, has a daunting mysterious quality about it. Its sludgy guitars and vague lyrics make it sound like something written in the Mississippi Delta. Haunting

"Thin Air" is a folksy sounding love song.

"Insignificance" is somewhat self-descriptive. The album really could have done fine without this track. It sounds more like filler than any of the other songs featured here. It does however, have a decent riff serves as a b-side to "Nothing As It Seems". It is hardly unlistenable, just not very significant.

"Grievance and Rival" are two more swaggering, heavy tunes. They definatley help to define the album as a solid rock record.

"Of The Girl" features sort of an Indian vibe. It is pretty well done, and worth listening to. It reminds me of some old Led Zeppelin tunes that seemed to be tapping this same sort of energy

"Sleight of Hand" is a dreamy sounding song with a contrasting anthematic chorus.

"Soon Forget", is a very simple song, just Eddie and his Yukalele, yet it is strangely effective. It conveys a good message.

"Parting Ways" is to be compared with the greatest of closing tracks. It tells a powerful story over building music. It closes the album on a solid, hopeful note.

Trent Reznor has said that "if music does not evolve, it is pointless." Pearl Jam apparenly agrees with him. They continue to produce music worthy of themselves and their fans. The albums continue to progress with thought provoking, lyrically challenging songs. Through the years they have maintained a level of respect for their profession that will live on long after we are dead and buried.

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