I wonder if the members of Pearl Jam, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, and Eddie Vedder who appeared in Cameron Crowe’s 1992 film Singles, had any idea that their longevity as a band would thrive for over two decades or that their cameo would forever be branded as part of pop culture history with a movie that was a classic depiction of the 90’s. But these quintessential Seattle grunge guys are pro’s at ploughing through the years with every effort to make the greatest Pearl Jam record ever, minus the flannel shirts and frayed jeans. Vedder saying recently in a Rolling Stone interview “I say this in the least competitive way possible, but we’re trying to make not just the best Pearl Jam record, but just the best record. ”
Lightning Bolt is Pearl Jam’s tenth studio album and real Pearl Jam fans will take pleasure in it because it’s nothing short of the bands continual, honest music that doesn’t waver and is derived on their own terms. Pearl Jam fans are unlike any other and being at a Pearl Jam concert is like no other experience I’ve encountered. Fans are serious and 100% devoted to the band. It’s almost as if you’re in the midst of a cult meeting and the excitement that is generated is so thick it’s a little alarming at first. The audience becomes transfixed on Vedder’s every word, it’s a bonafide event for sure.
Lightning Bolt opens with “Getaway,” a power-riff song with catchy hook “But I found my place and it’s alright,” and ends with Vedder’s outpouring “Hey! Hey, hey / It’s ok / Sometimes you find yourself / Having to put your faith / In no faith.” Along with “Getaway,” “Mind Your Manners” first single released and title track “Lightning Bolt,” enrapture the fury that Pearl Jam delivers so well. “My Father’s Son,” strikes out strong with Vedder releasing some aggression, “I come from a genius, I am my father’s son / Yeah, too bad he was a psychopath and now I’m the next in line.” In a rising chorus Vedder begs to be spared from his twisted family tree.
“Sirens,” the second single released is a richly deep feeling ballad, a perfectly stripped-down grunge sensation with Vedder reaching his vocals higher in range. The song opens with a light stroke of the drums, and encompasses a foundation of acoustic guitar and piano that transform into a simple melody with a small verse that leads to the beautiful opening bridge “Let me catch my breath and reach across the bend.” The song progresses to a powerful chorus where Vedder gives away to a little falsetto when he sings, “I studied your face.”
“Pendulum,” has an eerie, elegiac tone on life and mortality, “We are here and then we go, my shadow left me long ago.” “Swallowed Whole,” has the signature spirit of Pearl Jam, the subtle playfulness that builds into a rocking chorus, then quiets down again with Vedder singing “Whispered songs inside the wind, breathing in forgiveness.”
“Sleeping By Myself,” in its original format was featured on Vedder’s second studio album, Ukulele Songs, expanded on this record the song sets off a folk quality and quaint melody that features a banjo. The song is a toe-tapper even with its somberness in lyrics, “Now I’m alone I always kept it to myself / Now I believe in nothing.” But there’s a ringing of hope in the harmonies and when Vedder sings “I’m beginning to see / What’s left of me is gonna have to be free to survive.”
The album ends with “Future Days,” a lovely piano based ballad with soft acoustics and violin throughout. Vedder, a man just two years shy of fifty; sings about life, the past and a dream for the future. The song has an encouraging feeling and a desire to let go of inner demons and enjoy life.
Not only has Eddie Vedder matured vastly through the years and while also looking quite burly I might add, the band has grown up from their early years of scaling back and refusing to do music videos or press, they now embrace the media on a professional level. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon will be celebrating with Pearl Jam Week beginning October 21 through the 25, the band also signed with Fox Sports to provide the soundtrack to this year’s World Series, including all twelve tracks from Lightning Bolt.
It’s inevitable with age. You eventually start to protrude more of a quietness, become more graceful, ponder the meaning of life, and Lightning Bolt definitely has a spiritual element amongst its sharp rhythm guitar riffs. However you take your Pearl Jam, heavy, medium or light, I’ll always enjoy listening to their music; partly because I have soft spot for the era from which they came, but also because their music constantly infuses a perfect combination of rock, passionate song writing, and fluid melodies.
Lightning Bolt is out October 15.
Rating: 4/5