Andrew Watt has really produced some great albums. I’m so glad he captured and motivated Pearl Jam to make one of their best albums in years. I actually love the cover of the album too. Great review, Brendan. 😎
I agree with you on this review. I really love this album too. A great variety in the tracks. Some experimentation, some classic sounding songs and some songs that are reflective of their recent stuff. So many standout songs...I love Scared of Fear, Won't tell, Running, Waiting for Stevie... Truly a great band! It might be time for a video of Peal Jam album ranking....
Cool review Brendan. I have to say that this album is really growing on me now after my very first listen. Wreckage, title track, Scared of Fear, Waiting for Stevie, Won't Tell and Running are my faves.
Thanks for the review! Personally I'm loving the album, and I don't know why! I've followed them since their beginning. Since Riot Act I've struggled to 'love' the work from beginning to end, and often, and this was the case with Binaural, I'd go back to it years later, and my appreciation grows. This one, just hit me straight away.
Yeah I was not a fan of Riot Act or Binaural either. I began enjoying the band again on their self-titled release and absolutely love Backspacer and Lightning Bolt. Gigaton didn’t stay with me and I don’t find myself going back to it. But this new album, like you said, I don’t know why but it’s really good and I’m really enjoying it.
Well done Brendon! Your videos are truly exciting to watch. Your detailed analysis of the artist/band past work and deep diving into the new album review is so enjoyable to watch and listen for music fans like myself. Please keep up the excellent work! I’ve also enjoyed your recent experimentation with Instagram Reels and RUclips Shorts lately for quick news updates I hope you continue to incorporate them with your content.
Waiting for Stevie is my favourite. I'm getting some The Cult vibes from that guitar riff. But, overall I love the album. It's fresh but still sounds like Pearl Jam. It's taking me back to the early 90s!
Good review, I feel the same, this album is growing so well in me 👌🏻 I love to much "Waiting for Steve" too but a great album full of fresh ideas in general 8/10 to me
Great review Brendon as always. The song Wreckage reminds me so much of Another Bad Day by Vince Neil. Yeah, very odd. I'm sure Pearl Jam have never heard that Vince song, but if they hear it maybe they'll be surprised by the similarities
Good review and I appreciate the unboxing. I'm debating between the standard edition or the deluxe with the blu ray. It is nice to see the standard edition comes in the hard book packaging too.
I'm with you Craig, best front to back since Yield. Loved Riot act but felt there was a massive drop off from there but PJ made steady improvements album to album since then, culminating in Dark matter.
Every Pearl Jam album since self-titled has been hyped up as " great return to their 90's sound or vibe". This one is probably the furthest they've ever strayed from that early sound, but sure enough I've seen those reviews pop up again. 🤣
@@TheGembelsthey said that about yeild too. I think it’s how they market the band. Or it’s from people who don’t really listen to Pearl Jam. They’ve never gone back to the sound of ten. Or vs. really.
I don't know. I hear bits of State of love and Trust in the opening track, a clear stolen guitar riff from In Hiding on waiting for Stevie......Ed singing far more like late 90's Ed than he has since then, great leads and lead fills that haven't been heard since the 90's. Regardless, 60 year old guys putting out great music today. 90% of people are more excited about this record than they have been about any other since 2000, myself included. My only knock is production and mix. Guitars are way too up front, and drums sound anywhere from ok to horrendous.
Won't tell is my favourite as well great album and still a unbelievable live band having recently seeing them in Sydney Mike mc cready was on a another planet. 🤘
Great review. I'm enjoying the album. Gigaton seems like a transition album to get to this one. Enjoyed that one as well. This one definitely shines in a different way. Love PJ
This reminds me of Backspacer which I think is a great album. Good production and it sounded like the band having a blast. Lightning bolt was pretty good and Gigaton was fairly weak. Dark Matter is really good and look forward to repeat listenings.
I love this album, I think the production is good. That said, the main complaint ive heard is that it sounds "muddy and horribly produced."Folks either seem to love the mix or hate it. So much so that I've wondered if there is more than one mix of this record out there? Curious to hear what you think.
Longtime PJ fan, from the very beginning, but started to lose interest after Binaural. Dark Matter has pulled me back in, their best album since the 1990s, in the conversation for Top 3 overall.
never thought I would publicly criticize my favourite band, but it's the 5th album within their comfort zone: it's not creative enough for these 5 bright minds! They should take more time, as a team, and travel through the sounds of the world, the history, try with new instruments etc.! It worked VERY well in the case of "who you are" (no code) - something REALLY new again in the next album. There are so many good, faithful fans - they can risk it :) wish them ALL THE BEST whatever happens :) Thanks for Your Analysis, Brendon!!
I prefer Pearl Jam to sound like Pearl Jam. For me, if I want to hear something other than what the band is supposed to sound like I’ll listen to a different band. Their 90’s experimental phase was fine for the time but I don’t go back to those albums as much.
I consider the work on this album to be very optimistic, despite some lyrics going in the opposite direction, but it is noticeable that the verses move towards the more hopeful side. This is because the album closes beautifully with Setting Sun, then ends with love and hope It's not common for Pearl Jam to work so much on this theme (of love and hope), a sign of more maturity and boldness, or perhaps more personality than Eddie Vedder. But it is also an album to go in the opposite direction of the coldness, the angry climate that we see in today's society In relation to recent works, this was the most concise album and one that seemed to point in a direction, a horizon, and what a beautiful horizon it was. In the albums after Avocado I saw a certain unpretentious line in the band, with more relaxed work, with the freedom to do something randomly because they already had a consolidated audience that got used to understanding the band, that never stuck to grunge and didn't even stay stop in time; but it also didn't bring anything new to sigh about. Everything changed with Dark Matter. The band's symbiosis with current times is very good, and at the same time still contained and curbing certain fads. An example is Upper Hand, where I noticed this song was in no rush to reach the end, paced, fighting the acceleration of the rest of the album (Running was very urgent and hurried, which is why I also found it the weakest). So this song fits like a glove. That said, congratulations on the analysis. Let's have more fun with the auditions and maybe change the concepts for the better. Oh, and Jeff Amet and Matt Cameron's chemistry in React, Respond is brilliant
Your bottom line sounds like it’s not a great album, but it’s better than another Gigaton or no new PJ album. I’m a fair weather fan for sure. TEN is one of the greatest albums ever made, but I’ve never really loved another PJ album. Backspacer is quite good. That said, this new album is not at all my cup of tea and I’m disappointed. Singles and artwork were encouraging. Gigaton was worse, though. I can say I’ll probably never listen to this album again.
No, I sure didn’t mean the bottom line to sound like it was not great. My point was simply that while I wasn’t blown away the album has grown on me after more listens and now I’m really enjoying it. Post review, I’m very much into the album now and can’t stop listening. I would highly recommend the album even for a fair weather fan…I think it’s that good.
@@BrendonSnyder Ok cool, I misunderstood. It’s very rare that I hear an album that I dislike and then that turns to love. That happened to me once really. I actually returned KID A and AMNESIAC to Barnes and Noble when they came out because they weren’t OK COMPUTER II. It took me a couple of years to come around and today, they’re both two mainstays of my regularly purged vinyl collection. But honestly, aside from those two, which was almost a quarter century ago, I’ve never experienced that. That said, based on your review and clarification, I will re-listen to the album all the way through. Two recent releases that I think are incredible are (1) SHE REACHES OUT TO SHE by Chelsea Wolfe and (2) RAT WARS by Health. Both are doomy and industrial triphoppy. But they’re obviously remarkably real and inspired records.
I didnt hear the band say pop sound they were saying it sounded like there 90s stuff and the producer got the best out of them. Wreckage sounded like Tom petty sound to it there was a song that was On Eddie's album Earthling that also had a Tom Petty sound!
I just finished listening to it. Don't remember any hooks at all. Title track was alright I guess and the slow song where Ed's talking about his kids growing up (Something Special I think?) was ok as well. Rest was forgetable. Nothing at all like Ten, Vs or Vitalogy.
Strange how Ten, Vs, and Vitalogy are such different style albums and yet no one had a problem with it during PJ’s heyday. But God forbid the band make anything today that doesn’t sound like those albums and people aren’t interested. Personally I think the band is better today and glad they aren’t retreading on the past. But that’s just my take.
@@BrendonSnyder Those albums were slight departures from each other for sure. I don't know though, the riffs/leads and overall instrumentation are much more impressive on Ten. Even the vocal melodies were more distinct IMO. But to each their own of course.
Good album, never disappointing for me, however, the price is way too high. £22 here in the UK for a cd, that's crazy. Although not as bad as £84 Tool but at least Tool had a great cd box cover. This is just a bog standard cover, bad idea, they obviously don't want a top 5 album in the UK.
I’ve been noticing the price of CDs going up steadily over the last couple years but it seems like in the last couple months they have skyrocketed. I’m finding new albums at $23 (US) and if I’m having it shipped forget about it, it’s $8 to $10 added cost. I just ordered the new Vain from the band’s website because it’s not available anywhere else and it cost me a total of $31 after shipping. Nuts!!
Wreckage is their best song in 15 years. Reminds me of learning to fly by petty. It’s different for them. The production is compressed and punchy. 4 really good songs and one borderline great song. 3.75 stars
Thanks for the review, Brendon. Just picked up the CD yesterday for $17 at Target, but have not listened yet. I was reluctant to shell out the big bucks for the vinyl on RSD. The CD will do just fine!.
I've held off getting this as it's around £23 here in the UK (CDs are normally £11-£12) and I really didn't like Gigaton. I enjoyed listening to your review. It's interesting what you say about the production between this and Gigaton, I'd never really thought about it but I think that might be a big part of the problem with it for me. I've checked out the title track and Wreckage which both sound pretty good. Might pick it up as I used to be such a big fan but I just resent spending so much for a single CD! (On a side note also enjoyed your BOC review but I think I enjoyed that more than you, have had it on non stop this past week!)
@@BrendonSnyder yeah it's like getting a bonus disc from Mirrors and I've always loved that album! Although nothing on Ghost Stories quite matches Great Sun Jester or the Vigil! Sorry deviating from PJ here!
Best record since Riot Act. They played Scared Of Fear and Running live on Stern this morning and they sounded amazing. Can't wait for Fenway in September.
Andrew Watt mentioned, and something Eddie Vedder also mentioned was that "he" wanted the band to go basics again, meaning same room, all the guys playing. Not many bands do that anymore they usually lay down a track here and there and then the producer piecing the thing together, for me I hear the unity of a band on this for sure, making it a more cohesive record and stronger beginning to end. Not sure where I rank it, but it is very high in the catalog for me already
Watt seems to have a knack for returning bands to their roots and getting the best out of them. If that’s because they are all playing together again then more bands should return to the band mentality of playing live in the studio together. Some of the best albums were made that way.
@@BrendonSnyder I agree totally also mark ronson did this a bit with Duran Duran in 2011, basically telling them I want you to make a follow up to RIO. But I appreciate the liveliness of the Pearl Jam album I know some may want Eddie to be the “Ten” Eddie but he’s turning 60 this year he has different outlooks
Is that because of shipping? Because the CD is $16 on Amazon. Since the Australian dollar is 1.50 vs 1 American Dollar that means the CD would cost you $24. So is the shipping to Australia $21? I would think you could find a way to get it to you for less you just have to do some research and check various websites.
Big Pearl Jam fan since the earliest days. I gotta say, after 5 months or something, this is the bottom of any ranking i would do. Do not like the production, it sounds like some modern pop producer put it together. Don't like the song that rips off Learning to Fly, & especially do not like Something Special & Waiting for Stevie. They sounds like Air BNB commercials. I DO kinda like Scared of Fear, React Respond, Dark Matter (meh), Upper Hand (even though it feels self-plagerized from Binaural), Running (meh), & i guess Got to Give. This album though suffers from the same disease RHCP albums have suffered from since 1999: where the Peppers need to realize their sappy ballads are all the same song & just get down to some energetic funky fun- PJ needs to realize their good ballads can be counted on one hand & as much as they might hate it, PJ is actually best as a hard rock band- a really good hard rock band!
I think it’s so much superior to his solo album. I wasn’t a big fan of it in the first place. It sounded like throwaway Tom Petty and Springsteen songs which don’t work as well for Eddie’s voice. But that was just my take.
Sounds like yet another generic PJ album of lates. If most of the tunes were sang by Sheryl Crow, I wouldn't flinch. It's obvious these guys are no longer going hungry...
IDK. Here in the US it’s $16 which is still about $4 higher than a typical album. But then I’ve been seeing the price of new CDs go up and up recently.
It’s definitely an album that works best when all of the songs are heard together in sequence. The first 2 singles were good but didn’t move me. Then after hearing the whole album those two songs became a lot better. Anyway, just my take on it.
Pearl Jam has always been very hit and miss with me. I enjoy some stuff, but not all of it. The last album that had stuff on it I liked was “Backspacer”. The last few albums including this one did nothing for me.
It’s a good album, but it’s another victim of the loudness wars!! So compressed and brick walled. Also the cover looks like the eye of Sauron from lord of the rings!
I completely disagree with that assessment. I think the albums sound utterly amazing and is one of the best mixes for an album of theirs in a long time. All I can think is we must be listening on two very different systems to have such different opinions.
It's sad to see that Pearl Jam doesn't write songs with heavy guitar riffs anymore. In recent years the band has reduced most of their rock songs to generic punk rock. We went from complex and catchy guitar riffs like Even Flow, Once, Animal, Go etc to simple 3 chord punk rock like God's Dice, Mind Your Manners, Superblood and Running. The complex riffs they used to play are musically superior to the three-chord punk rock they've been playing in recent work. With Stone's participation in the composition of the melodic parts decreasing from the third album onwards, the musical structure changed. Mainly due to Eddie's greater participation in melodic composition and guitar. Eddie brought a way of playing guitar closer to The Who and punk bands. I don't particularly like this style, I prefer the heavy riffs of the arena rock or hard rock style, as they are aesthetically more beautiful and complex. I also miss the bluesy tones and harmonic punctuations of Mike's guitar. And I don't deny that there are good songs made in recent years, but I miss a sound from the early years that was more influenced by classic bands from the 70s. These influences generated a sound that was technically and aesthetically superior to what has been presented. The problem is not just changing the sound, it's changing it to lower it. The last 4 albums together don't make a better repertoire than any of the first 5 albums individually. If there are objective parameters of analysis in music (harmony and melody), there is no doubt about the quality of a work. One thing is the superior quality of one work over another when we compare objectively, another is subjective taste that is affected by cultural background, state of mind and confirmation bias. I like Batman comics and Shakespeare's works, but I can put a hierarchy of values and declare Shakespeare's work above Batman comics.
@@BrendonSnyder I pointed out that the band's style changed from a more classic 70s sound to generic punk rock. And React Respond, Dark Matter, and Running are not as heavy as Why Go, Animal, Go, Blood or Do the Evolution, for example.
@@Eduardo-sv8xv You were very clear about the difference in the band's sound and style. But it seems that many emotional people pretend that there is no such difference in direction and decline in quality.
They lost me w/ Andrew Watt as producer and the ticket prices on the current tour. I'm out. Love the first 3 albums and Lightning Bolt (and Mother Love Bone, of course) but hard pass. Moving on
As someone who likes the heavier, dark style from the first albuns this album is just another reminder that it will never be a thing again, to me a very weak album, many songs sounds the same, too much pop and slow style, only 2 songs sounded cool the rest puts me to sleep. To me Pear Jam is only up to the earlier 2000's after that it became a different band
i really like Pearl Jam but I think Nirvana is far better. Nirvana are the pioneers to Grunge, like How Metallica are the Pioneers to Thrash!! Just imagine how much bigger Nirvana would have been if Kurt didn't die. I still hear people still talking about Nirvana way more than Peral Jam. just my humble opinion. 🤘😁🤘
Ten has sold 3 million more copies than Nevermind. Also there were Grunge bands before Nirvana going back to 1982 so they can’t be the pioneers of it. They just became the most famous band but that also has a lot to do with Kurt killing himself. If they were still around today they’d probably be no bigger than Pearl Jam. When a band ends at the height of their career there is no way to know if they would have been able to keep up that level of quality for any length of time. Pearl Jam has remained an active band for more than 30 years. That’s a lot hard to do than killing yourself.
I still don't understand why people are comparing these 2 bands. I like them both, it's not a competition you know. Nirvana had a short career for obvious reason, Pearl Jam had the time to change their sounds, even from the time of Vitalogy and No Code, etc. It's a band that has evolve over time. We never know what Nirvana would have done, but they are 2 very different bands, stop with this stupid comparison.
I have all the Pearl Jam albums but was on the fence about this one cause gigaton rubbed me the wrong way. Not catchy, way too political in negative ways and all the Trump bashing. Too much even for them. Is this album also so political gloom and doom? Alice Cooper still puts out great music without forcing politics down my throat, I just want to enjoy my music
I agree with you. I’m not really into overly political music. Regardless of party. I want to enjoy music, not be hit with too much negativity. I little I can deal with , but not when it’s over done
Awful album to my ears.., magic is gone, songs like “wont tell” or “something special” are no less than disgusting.. From a long time fan, i wish they would just stop..
Im just surprised that eddie is able to sing , it has to be difficult with the covid mask , that I'm pretty sure he is still wearing and pushing 😂. Enjoy PJ'S tunes but Vedder is a wanker
Been a PJ fan since Mother love bone, i don't know what this band is anymore, the production of this album is awful. Imo they haven't made a decent album since 2002. I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this album, its putrid 🤮
@@BrendonSnyder I think you understand what I mean, I'm not crapping on them I cut my teeth on PJ, Temple of the dog, STP, Alice in chains etc. I just don't think PJ have made a decent album for 2 decades, I think they're lost the fire they once had.
Well Dan I’m certain that your concerns will NOT be addressed by the either band and thank goodness for that. You must not keep up with music or you’d know both bands are still two of the biggest around. But every popular band will have its haters. That’s ok, not everyone has to like the same thing. But at the same time you don’t have to yuck my yum either 👍
The question is why be negative at all? Why waste your time commenting on something you hate? For me I don’t have time to waste on things I don’t like. I choose to save my energy for things i do like and therefore enjoy my time more. I highly recommend it. 👍
Yes exactly! Considering it’s my channel and commenting here is part of what I do. For me to comment and try and foster a positive music community is not a waste. But you won’t find me on another channel hating on something I don’t like. But hey, thanks for all the back and forth because even you dislike of this band just feeds the RUclips algorithm helping to make this video more popular and get it viewed by more people. So in a way you are helping to promote Pearl Jam! 😂😂😂
Nice Soundgarden shirt! Chris C was brilliant! This album seems to be very popular! Very good review!
Andrew Watt has really produced some great albums. I’m so glad he captured and motivated Pearl Jam to make one of their best albums in years. I actually love the cover of the album too.
Great review, Brendan. 😎
I agree with you on this review. I really love this album too. A great variety in the tracks. Some experimentation, some classic sounding songs and some songs that are reflective of their recent stuff. So many standout songs...I love Scared of Fear, Won't tell, Running, Waiting for Stevie... Truly a great band! It might be time for a video of Peal Jam album ranking....
Cool review Brendan. I have to say that this album is really growing on me now after my very first listen. Wreckage, title track, Scared of Fear, Waiting for Stevie, Won't Tell and Running are my faves.
Wreckage and Dark Matter are FANTASTIC tracks!! Been on repeat since I got it. Great new album!!
Thanks for the review! Personally I'm loving the album, and I don't know why! I've followed them since their beginning. Since Riot Act I've struggled to 'love' the work from beginning to end, and often, and this was the case with Binaural, I'd go back to it years later, and my appreciation grows. This one, just hit me straight away.
Yeah I was not a fan of Riot Act or Binaural either. I began enjoying the band again on their self-titled release and absolutely love Backspacer and Lightning Bolt. Gigaton didn’t stay with me and I don’t find myself going back to it. But this new album, like you said, I don’t know why but it’s really good and I’m really enjoying it.
Well done Brendon! Your videos are truly exciting to watch. Your detailed analysis of the artist/band past work and deep diving into the new album review is so enjoyable to watch and listen for music fans like myself. Please keep up the excellent work! I’ve also enjoyed your recent experimentation with Instagram Reels and RUclips Shorts lately for quick news updates I hope you continue to incorporate them with your content.
Waiting for Stevie is my favourite. I'm getting some The Cult vibes from that guitar riff. But, overall I love the album. It's fresh but still sounds like Pearl Jam. It's taking me back to the early 90s!
Great album! Thanks for the review sir!
Great in like.. what? The music?!
Yes, and the review was in depth, which I appreciate
🤮
Good review, I feel the same, this album is growing so well in me 👌🏻
I love to much "Waiting for Steve" too but a great album full of fresh ideas in general 8/10 to me
Great review Brendon as always. The song Wreckage reminds me so much of Another Bad Day by Vince Neil. Yeah, very odd. I'm sure Pearl Jam have never heard that Vince song, but if they hear it maybe they'll be surprised by the similarities
Good review and I appreciate the unboxing. I'm debating between the standard edition or the deluxe with the blu ray. It is nice to see the standard edition comes in the hard book packaging too.
Nice review. For me, this album is the best since Yield. This album is fantastic from beginning to end.
For me I really liked the two albums Backspacer and Lightning Bolt so for me this album is in league with those.
Agree that this is their best since Yield. It has the same sense of openness and maturity with a feeling of cohesiveness. A remarkable achievement.
I'm with you Craig, best front to back since Yield. Loved Riot act but felt there was a massive drop off from there but PJ made steady improvements album to album since then, culminating in Dark matter.
Yeah it flows like yeild does. And has a totally different production style like yeild did
Very well done video
Much appreciate you taking the time
It’s difficult to get the disc out of the sleeve why do they design them like this ?
PJ is always evolving. They’re never going to do the same old thing. I like a raw sound. This one is almost over produced. Like this album a lot.
Every Pearl Jam album since self-titled has been hyped up as " great return to their 90's sound or vibe". This one is probably the furthest they've ever strayed from that early sound, but sure enough I've seen those reviews pop up again. 🤣
Last good album is riot act.. Should've stop making new stuff since.. Start touring once every 2-3 years til bored
@@TheGembels I loved everything up to Riot Act too, but they have some good songs on the stuff after
@@TheGembelsthey said that about yeild too. I think it’s how they market the band. Or it’s from people who don’t really listen to Pearl Jam. They’ve never gone back to the sound of ten. Or vs. really.
@@TheGembels have you listened to this record? Its killer
I don't know. I hear bits of State of love and Trust in the opening track, a clear stolen guitar riff from In Hiding on waiting for Stevie......Ed singing far more like late 90's Ed than he has since then, great leads and lead fills that haven't been heard since the 90's. Regardless, 60 year old guys putting out great music today. 90% of people are more excited about this record than they have been about any other since 2000, myself included. My only knock is production and mix. Guitars are way too up front, and drums sound anywhere from ok to horrendous.
I'm REALLY liking React, Respond ( Killer solo and the laugh at the end )! 😳🤯🎸🔥
That one has really grown on me and I’m enjoying it a lot now too.
Won't tell is my favourite as well great album and still a unbelievable live band having recently seeing them in Sydney Mike mc cready was on a another planet. 🤘
Great review. I'm enjoying the album. Gigaton seems like a transition album to get to this one. Enjoyed that one as well. This one definitely shines in a different way. Love PJ
You didn't mention the last track, Setting Sun. Best song on the album, IMO!
This reminds me of Backspacer which I think is a great album. Good production and it sounded like the band having a blast. Lightning bolt was pretty good and Gigaton was fairly weak. Dark Matter is really good and look forward to repeat listenings.
This album surprised me. Gave me Yield vibes
I’m loving this album..still struggling with “something special” though.
Waiting for Stevie is my favourite
I love this album, I think the production is good. That said, the main complaint ive heard is that it sounds "muddy and horribly produced."Folks either seem to love the mix or hate it. So much so that I've wondered if there is more than one mix of this record out there? Curious to hear what you think.
Longtime PJ fan, from the very beginning, but started to lose interest after Binaural. Dark Matter has pulled me back in, their best album since the 1990s, in the conversation for Top 3 overall.
Yield Vs and Vitalogy ?
never thought I would publicly criticize my favourite band, but it's the 5th album within their comfort zone: it's not creative enough for these 5 bright minds! They should take more time, as a team, and travel through the sounds of the world, the history, try with new instruments etc.! It worked VERY well in the case of "who you are" (no code) - something REALLY new again in the next album. There are so many good, faithful fans - they can risk it :) wish them ALL THE BEST whatever happens :) Thanks for Your Analysis, Brendon!!
I prefer Pearl Jam to sound like Pearl Jam. For me, if I want to hear something other than what the band is supposed to sound like I’ll listen to a different band. Their 90’s experimental phase was fine for the time but I don’t go back to those albums as much.
I consider the work on this album to be very optimistic, despite some lyrics going in the opposite direction, but it is noticeable that the verses move towards the more hopeful side. This is because the album closes beautifully with Setting Sun, then ends with love and hope
It's not common for Pearl Jam to work so much on this theme (of love and hope), a sign of more maturity and boldness, or perhaps more personality than Eddie Vedder. But it is also an album to go in the opposite direction of the coldness, the angry climate that we see in today's society
In relation to recent works, this was the most concise album and one that seemed to point in a direction, a horizon, and what a beautiful horizon it was.
In the albums after Avocado I saw a certain unpretentious line in the band, with more relaxed work, with the freedom to do something randomly because they already had a consolidated audience that got used to understanding the band, that never stuck to grunge and didn't even stay stop in time; but it also didn't bring anything new to sigh about.
Everything changed with Dark Matter. The band's symbiosis with current times is very good, and at the same time still contained and curbing certain fads. An example is Upper Hand, where I noticed this song was in no rush to reach the end, paced, fighting the acceleration of the rest of the album (Running was very urgent and hurried, which is why I also found it the weakest). So this song fits like a glove.
That said, congratulations on the analysis. Let's have more fun with the auditions and maybe change the concepts for the better.
Oh, and Jeff Amet and Matt Cameron's chemistry in React, Respond is brilliant
Upon first listen, not great, but I like Pearl Jam, will give them a chance.
Your bottom line sounds like it’s not a great album, but it’s better than another Gigaton or no new PJ album.
I’m a fair weather fan for sure. TEN is one of the greatest albums ever made, but I’ve never really loved another PJ album. Backspacer is quite good. That said, this new album is not at all my cup of tea and I’m disappointed. Singles and artwork were encouraging. Gigaton was worse, though. I can say I’ll probably never listen to this album again.
No, I sure didn’t mean the bottom line to sound like it was not great. My point was simply that while I wasn’t blown away the album has grown on me after more listens and now I’m really enjoying it. Post review, I’m very much into the album now and can’t stop listening. I would highly recommend the album even for a fair weather fan…I think it’s that good.
@@BrendonSnyder Ok cool, I misunderstood. It’s very rare that I hear an album that I dislike and then that turns to love. That happened to me once really. I actually returned KID A and AMNESIAC to Barnes and Noble when they came out because they weren’t OK COMPUTER II. It took me a couple of years to come around and today, they’re both two mainstays of my regularly purged vinyl collection. But honestly, aside from those two, which was almost a quarter century ago, I’ve never experienced that. That said, based on your review and clarification, I will re-listen to the album all the way through.
Two recent releases that I think are incredible are (1) SHE REACHES OUT TO SHE by Chelsea Wolfe and (2) RAT WARS by Health. Both are doomy and industrial triphoppy. But they’re obviously remarkably real and inspired records.
I didnt hear the band say pop sound they were saying it sounded like there 90s stuff and the producer got the best out of them. Wreckage sounded like Tom petty sound to it there was a song that was On Eddie's album Earthling that also had a Tom Petty sound!
Ready for your mid year top 10.
Won’t tell = #1 for me as well
I just finished listening to it. Don't remember any hooks at all. Title track was alright I guess and the slow song where Ed's talking about his kids growing up (Something Special I think?) was ok as well. Rest was forgetable. Nothing at all like Ten, Vs or Vitalogy.
Strange how Ten, Vs, and Vitalogy are such different style albums and yet no one had a problem with it during PJ’s heyday. But God forbid the band make anything today that doesn’t sound like those albums and people aren’t interested. Personally I think the band is better today and glad they aren’t retreading on the past. But that’s just my take.
@@BrendonSnyder Those albums were slight departures from each other for sure. I don't know though, the riffs/leads and overall instrumentation are much more impressive on Ten. Even the vocal melodies were more distinct IMO. But to each their own of course.
@@xBlitzerx one listen isnt going to get it done. listen to it atleast 5 times and I bet you cant stop.
Good album, never disappointing for me, however, the price is way too high. £22 here in the UK for a cd, that's crazy. Although not as bad as £84 Tool but at least Tool had a great cd box cover. This is just a bog standard cover, bad idea, they obviously don't want a top 5 album in the UK.
I’ve been noticing the price of CDs going up steadily over the last couple years but it seems like in the last couple months they have skyrocketed. I’m finding new albums at $23 (US) and if I’m having it shipped forget about it, it’s $8 to $10 added cost. I just ordered the new Vain from the band’s website because it’s not available anywhere else and it cost me a total of $31 after shipping. Nuts!!
Wreckage is their best song in 15 years. Reminds me of learning to fly by petty. It’s different for them. The production is compressed and punchy. 4 really good songs and one borderline great song. 3.75 stars
Love this album, thanks for review 👍
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed the review.
You actually likes Dark Matter? Lol your taste in music is terrible
@@Animals_And_Nature_LoversYou are definitely unsecured teenager 🤣
Thanks for the review, Brendon. Just picked up the CD yesterday for $17 at Target, but have not listened yet. I was reluctant to shell out the big bucks for the vinyl on RSD. The CD will do just fine!.
I havent liked a PJ album as much as this one since Yield
I am 😀
I like Pearl Jam now more than 30 plus years ago .New album is very good
I’m with you. I am a bigger fan today than I was when they first started out. I’m also one of the rare fans that is a fan of Ten.
All their albums are good.
I've held off getting this as it's around £23 here in the UK (CDs are normally £11-£12) and I really didn't like Gigaton. I enjoyed listening to your review. It's interesting what you say about the production between this and Gigaton, I'd never really thought about it but I think that might be a big part of the problem with it for me. I've checked out the title track and Wreckage which both sound pretty good. Might pick it up as I used to be such a big fan but I just resent spending so much for a single CD! (On a side note also enjoyed your BOC review but I think I enjoyed that more than you, have had it on non stop this past week!)
Cool to hear you enjoyed the BOC that much.
@@BrendonSnyder yeah it's like getting a bonus disc from Mirrors and I've always loved that album! Although nothing on Ghost Stories quite matches Great Sun Jester or the Vigil! Sorry deviating from PJ here!
Picked up the RSD version on Sunday. Have not been able to listen to it yet. Ive heard good things about this album.
Jump on it! Such a good album.
Best record since Riot Act. They played Scared Of Fear and Running live on Stern this morning and they sounded amazing. Can't wait for Fenway in September.
Love the album, a few listens in and its fantastic.
I think it’s some of their best work
Weird thing is most of the lyrics are missing from from the lyric booklet on got to give.
I noticed that too and wondered why they weren’t all listen. Don’t know if that was intentional or a mistake.
That's Pearl Jam for you. Been doing that with lyrics since Ten.
Andrew Watt mentioned, and something Eddie Vedder also mentioned was that "he" wanted the band to go basics again, meaning same room, all the guys playing. Not many bands do that anymore they usually lay down a track here and there and then the producer piecing the thing together, for me I hear the unity of a band on this for sure, making it a more cohesive record and stronger beginning to end. Not sure where I rank it, but it is very high in the catalog for me already
Watt seems to have a knack for returning bands to their roots and getting the best out of them. If that’s because they are all playing together again then more bands should return to the band mentality of playing live in the studio together. Some of the best albums were made that way.
@@BrendonSnyder I agree totally also mark ronson did this a bit with Duran Duran in 2011, basically telling them I want you to make a follow up to RIO. But I appreciate the liveliness of the Pearl Jam album I know some may want Eddie to be the “Ten” Eddie but he’s turning 60 this year he has different outlooks
45 austrlian dollars. cd 105 for vinyl. im not paying it. i get on spotify i have every pearl jam album. im sad.
Is that because of shipping? Because the CD is $16 on Amazon. Since the Australian dollar is 1.50 vs 1 American Dollar that means the CD would cost you $24. So is the shipping to Australia $21? I would think you could find a way to get it to you for less you just have to do some research and check various websites.
Big Pearl Jam fan since the earliest days. I gotta say, after 5 months or something, this is the bottom of any ranking i would do. Do not like the production, it sounds like some modern pop producer put it together. Don't like the song that rips off Learning to Fly, & especially do not like Something Special & Waiting for Stevie. They sounds like Air BNB commercials.
I DO kinda like Scared of Fear, React Respond, Dark Matter (meh), Upper Hand (even though it feels self-plagerized from Binaural), Running (meh), & i guess Got to Give.
This album though suffers from the same disease RHCP albums have suffered from since 1999: where the Peppers need to realize their sappy ballads are all the same song & just get down to some energetic funky fun- PJ needs to realize their good ballads can be counted on one hand & as much as they might hate it, PJ is actually best as a hard rock band- a really good hard rock band!
It sounds like the follow up to vedder’s solo album Earthling.
I think it’s so much superior to his solo album. I wasn’t a big fan of it in the first place. It sounded like throwaway Tom Petty and Springsteen songs which don’t work as well for Eddie’s voice. But that was just my take.
@@BrendonSnyder i agree. it is better than earthling. not by much. gigaton is an exceptional album. some songs are a bit long. cheers
Sounds like yet another generic PJ album of lates. If most of the tunes were sang by Sheryl Crow, I wouldn't flinch.
It's obvious these guys are no longer going hungry...
Goes to another level from ' Waiting for Stevie' onwards IMHO, Classic PJ stuff; Before though it was just a good rock album. Why £22 on Amazon?
IDK. Here in the US it’s $16 which is still about $4 higher than a typical album. But then I’ve been seeing the price of new CDs go up and up recently.
Pretty bland from what I’ve heard so far but that’s just from the couple tracks I’ve heard that where released
It’s definitely an album that works best when all of the songs are heard together in sequence. The first 2 singles were good but didn’t move me. Then after hearing the whole album those two songs became a lot better. Anyway, just my take on it.
Excellent pickups of cds and vinyl albums 🇬🇧🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻🎸
Pearl Jam has always been very hit and miss with me. I enjoy some stuff, but not all of it. The last album that had stuff on it I liked was “Backspacer”. The last few albums including this one did nothing for me.
It’s a good album, but it’s another victim of the loudness wars!! So compressed and brick walled. Also the cover looks like the eye of Sauron from lord of the rings!
I completely disagree with that assessment. I think the albums sound utterly amazing and is one of the best mixes for an album of theirs in a long time. All I can think is we must be listening on two very different systems to have such different opinions.
Correction to reply, any recording above 10 DR would be ideal.
Deep diving into the Pearl Jam catalog. New album is pretty good. Rating 6.5.
That usually happens to me each time an artist drops a new album that’s really good like this one is.
@@BrendonSnyder i will admit every listen gets a little better. Listening on real speakers, instead of earbuds really sealed the deal.
@@BrendonSnyder what did you think of the adult contemporary tracks like Something Special?
6.5 out of 5? 😂
@@chads9431 10
It's sad to see that Pearl Jam doesn't write songs with heavy guitar riffs anymore. In recent years the band has reduced most of their rock songs to generic punk rock. We went from complex and catchy guitar riffs like Even Flow, Once, Animal, Go etc to simple 3 chord punk rock like God's Dice, Mind Your Manners, Superblood and Running. The complex riffs they used to play are musically superior to the three-chord punk rock they've been playing in recent work. With Stone's participation in the composition of the melodic parts decreasing from the third album onwards, the musical structure changed. Mainly due to Eddie's greater participation in melodic composition and guitar. Eddie brought a way of playing guitar closer to The Who and punk bands. I don't particularly like this style, I prefer the heavy riffs of the arena rock or hard rock style, as they are aesthetically more beautiful and complex. I also miss the bluesy tones and harmonic punctuations of Mike's guitar. And I don't deny that there are good songs made in recent years, but I miss a sound from the early years that was more influenced by classic bands from the 70s. These influences generated a sound that was technically and aesthetically superior to what has been presented. The problem is not just changing the sound, it's changing it to lower it. The last 4 albums together don't make a better repertoire than any of the first 5 albums individually. If there are objective parameters of analysis in music (harmony and melody), there is no doubt about the quality of a work. One thing is the superior quality of one work over another when we compare objectively, another is subjective taste that is affected by cultural background, state of mind and confirmation bias. I like Batman comics and Shakespeare's works, but I can put a hierarchy of values and declare Shakespeare's work above Batman comics.
What do you think the songs React Respond, Dark Matter, and Running are? These are just as heavy as any other PJ song.
@@BrendonSnyder I pointed out that the band's style changed from a more classic 70s sound to generic punk rock. And React Respond, Dark Matter, and Running are not as heavy as Why Go, Animal, Go, Blood or Do the Evolution, for example.
Yes, and I disagree with that assessment too.
@@Eduardo-sv8xv You were very clear about the difference in the band's sound and style. But it seems that many emotional people pretend that there is no such difference in direction and decline in quality.
Ive got some sad news for you, Those complex riffs you are refering too are 3 and 4 chord songs. The new record has some amazing tasty riffs
"Vitalogy" was the last time I liked a new Pearl Jam album
Hi there, have you given Yield a listen to recently ?
@@Bdoc76 I remember it bored the hell outta me . I bought it back then
Loving the album
The same songs from the last four albums with different lyrics
Not even close, This album is completely different
They lost me w/ Andrew Watt as producer and the ticket prices on the current tour. I'm out. Love the first 3 albums and Lightning Bolt (and Mother Love Bone, of course) but hard pass. Moving on
Also ripped off the title from a Vancouver Island brew of the same name and dark/psych imagery.
I like the older albums, they have much better songs than this new album..
Try getting the cd in and out of the sleeve 😂😂
Yes I found it difficult too. I wish they had made a little cut-out in the sleeve to help get a hold of it to slide it up.
Yes me too or jewel case 👍
@BrendonSnyder I feel like the previous albums had a cut out . Only thing I'm not liking. Oh well 🤣
@paulweaver I feel like they haven't done a jewel case since Vs. Always something different 🤣
1) Ten
2) Backspacer
Then everything else for me
I respect your list.
As someone who likes the heavier, dark style from the first albuns this album is just another reminder that it will never be a thing again, to me a very weak album, many songs sounds the same, too much pop and slow style, only 2 songs sounded cool the rest puts me to sleep. To me Pear Jam is only up to the earlier 2000's after that it became a different band
1. Ten (1991) 7. No Code (1996)
2. Riot Act (2002) 8. Binaural (2000)
3. Vitalogy (1994) 9. Dark Matter (2024)
4. Yield (1998) 10. Gigaton (2020)
5. Self-Titled (2006) 11. Backspacer (2009)
6. VS (1993) 12. Lightning Bolt (2013)
Vs sixth is an insane take lol
1. TEN
2. VS
3. VITALOGY
4. NO CODE
5. YIELD
6. AVOCADO
7. RIOT ACT
8. BINAURAL
9. BACKSPACER
10. LIGHTNING BOLT
11. DARK MATTER
12. GIGATON
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs
No Code
Binaural
I've only begun to give Gigaton a proper listen, can't understand the apathy, really enjoying that album.
i really like Pearl Jam but I think Nirvana is far better. Nirvana are the pioneers to Grunge, like How Metallica are the Pioneers to Thrash!! Just imagine how much bigger Nirvana would have been if Kurt didn't die. I still hear people still talking about Nirvana way more than Peral Jam. just my humble opinion. 🤘😁🤘
Ten has sold 3 million more copies than Nevermind. Also there were Grunge bands before Nirvana going back to 1982 so they can’t be the pioneers of it. They just became the most famous band but that also has a lot to do with Kurt killing himself. If they were still around today they’d probably be no bigger than Pearl Jam. When a band ends at the height of their career there is no way to know if they would have been able to keep up that level of quality for any length of time. Pearl Jam has remained an active band for more than 30 years. That’s a lot hard to do than killing yourself.
I still don't understand why people are comparing these 2 bands. I like them both, it's not a competition you know. Nirvana had a short career for obvious reason, Pearl Jam had the time to change their sounds, even from the time of Vitalogy and No Code, etc. It's a band that has evolve over time. We never know what Nirvana would have done, but they are 2 very different bands, stop with this stupid comparison.
I have all the Pearl Jam albums but was on the fence about this one cause gigaton rubbed me the wrong way. Not catchy, way too political in negative ways and all the Trump bashing. Too much even for them. Is this album also so political gloom and doom? Alice Cooper still puts out great music without forcing politics down my throat, I just want to enjoy my music
I agree with you. I’m not really into overly political music. Regardless of party. I want to enjoy music, not be hit with too much negativity. I little I can deal with , but not when it’s over done
@@Animals_And_Nature_Loversthere’s nothing political about this PJ album
@@ArmandoMPR yes, that’s what I saw in the review.
Its shitty..
@@miguelmelchior986 brilliant “analysis” lol
😎👍
👊
Awful album to my ears.., magic is gone, songs like “wont tell” or “something special” are no less than disgusting..
From a long time fan, i wish they would just stop..
He never told us what his favorite song was.
You clearly didn’t listen then because not only did I tell you what was my favorite song, I also told you which was my 2nd favorite song. 🤦♂️
Running sounds like bad religions.
I don’t hear it but I do love Bad Religion. Great band! 👍
@@BrendonSnyder the beginning totally reminds me of bad religion. You just them a week ago with Social d.
Another disappointing record from Pearl Jam. Vedder never took care of his voice. Sounds like a goat he uses so much vibrato now.
Wow, we must be listening to two different albums. Are you sure you even listened to the new PJ album? Maybe you did just listen to some goats 😂
@@BrendonSnyder I meant sheep , baaaahhhh
🤦♂️
album stinks. time to pack it in. last good album was Yield
You’re missing out on so much good music then.
Im just surprised that eddie is able to sing , it has to be difficult with the covid mask , that I'm pretty sure he is still wearing and pushing 😂. Enjoy PJ'S tunes but Vedder is a wanker
Been a PJ fan since Mother love bone, i don't know what this band is anymore, the production of this album is awful.
Imo they haven't made a decent album since 2002.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this album, its putrid 🤮
Pearl jam always sucked😂
How can you have been a Pearl Jam fan before PJ existed 🤦♂️🤷♂️😂 If you’re going to crap on a band you should at least get your story straight 👍
I guess he means the music Ament and Gossard were making and then Temple of the Dog.
@@BrendonSnyder
I think you understand what I mean, I'm not crapping on them I cut my teeth on PJ, Temple of the dog, STP, Alice in chains etc.
I just don't think PJ have made a decent album for 2 decades, I think they're lost the fire they once had.
@@jimmycampbell78
Glad you understand, it's not that difficult really is it. ☺️
Dark matter is now called dark energy ,duh
🤷♂️
That's something else
First song great! Its same old boring Pearl jam 🤘 🇬🇧
nothing to do with this channel. Pearl jam is just awful. Honestly, I didn't even know they still made music. Please Pearl jam and green day? Stop.
Well Dan I’m certain that your concerns will NOT be addressed by the either band and thank goodness for that. You must not keep up with music or you’d know both bands are still two of the biggest around. But every popular band will have its haters. That’s ok, not everyone has to like the same thing. But at the same time you don’t have to yuck my yum either 👍
@@BrendonSnyder that's why sometimes don't like commenting. If people like them it's fine. I just find them both awful and terrible politics.
The question is why be negative at all? Why waste your time commenting on something you hate? For me I don’t have time to waste on things I don’t like. I choose to save my energy for things i do like and therefore enjoy my time more. I highly recommend it. 👍
@@BrendonSnyder just like trying to open people's minds. Trying to show not to waste energy on bad music?
Yes exactly! Considering it’s my channel and commenting here is part of what I do. For me to comment and try and foster a positive music community is not a waste. But you won’t find me on another channel hating on something I don’t like. But hey, thanks for all the back and forth because even you dislike of this band just feeds the RUclips algorithm helping to make this video more popular and get it viewed by more people. So in a way you are helping to promote Pearl Jam! 😂😂😂