Posted by KB on 4/23/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
There is no denying the enormity of Pearl Jam. Blasting on the scene in the midst of the early grunge era and surviving since with a huge fan base and, for the most part, a solid discography (not to mention their vast live concert recordings). While not being prolific of late, I personally don't mind waiting seven years if the output equals the best parts of "Gigaton". This time around has Vedder doing the majority of writing and it is clear what is weighing on his mind - the climate justifiably. And the blame goes to everyone, including himself. Pearl Jam hasn't drifted too far from their true sound but they have kept it vital with nuanced modernization (Dance of the Clairvoyants). This has allowed them to maintain their rabid fan base while enticing younger audiences. The first four tracks burst out of the gate, and most red-blooded rock fans will be hooked. Especially when Gossard is allowed to blaze away. They are at their best with less production, so there are songs that lose some of the energy the opening tracks- but all their albums seem to have a couple of toss offs. "Gigaton" should be welcomed by rock and we need to enjoy Pearl Jam while they are still capable of strong releases.
Favorite Songs: Superblood Wolfman, Dance of the Clairvoyants, Quick Exscape
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