Stalin's Ghosts Album Reviews!
I've taken it upon myself to do some album reviews- some new some old. To begin with, I'm going to review the new Pearl Jam Album
Contents
Pearl Jam - Self Titled
The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dreams
My Rage Against the Machine Thread (All Major Album Reviews)
Pearl Jam - Self Titled
Sitting in the shadow of their past albums- Ten, Vs and the rest, Pearl Jam have providedthemselves a difficult act to follow. Indeed, some often think the band has never hit the heights of that classic debut album Ten. The Seattle grunge rockers seemed to have been the last of a dying breed in the better part of the last decade, but recent revivals have thrust them into the forefront of the new generation once again, with this album acting as their spearhead.
First Impressions
On first listening to Pearl Jam, you get the classic PJ hard/classic/punk rock fusion, with Veddars vocals oozing throughout, with the pace gradually easing off as the album progresses. Later songs are infact quite Beatle-esque, or with hints of the Who maybe. Initially I was a little bored infact, and found myself skipping a couple of tracks halfway through, but to use the cliche', it takes some getting used to.
Production
This is a very crisp production, and the band's sound is distinctly PJ throughout. Distorted when it needs to be, clear when it needs to be. Subtle sounds almost "hidden" into the music seem to come out in the music throughout, which adds a nice touch when you're giving it your full attention.
General Quality of Songs
The band seems very tight and coordinated, with each song seemingly written to a very high quality. Veddar has put a rather notable effort in, and this album has some of the most politically moving vocals we've seen in PJ for a long time. However, as is customary with PJ, these are subtle references- indeed you could go through the whole album and not pick up the politics. Only after reading the lyrics while listening are they obvious.
Life Wasted
This is an explosive opener, with a catchy riff, rolling, punchy drum beat courtesy of Cameron. Veddar's screeching, yet melodic vocals offer an subtly upbeat message of the bad times being beaten. Highly enjoyable.
World Wide Suicide
Anyone who's a regular radio listener has surely heard this by now, but placed within the context of the album it's all the better. Again, its political message is subtle, essentially presenting that the idea that the world is slowly killing itself off in war and the darker side of Human nature.
Comatose
Again its a nice song, typical of the PJ style, but I think it suffers from many of their songs- they're really darn good, but they do seem similar. The crunching guitar is there, and the lyrics are all well thought out and subtle, but it is just what we've come to expect of the band now.
Severed Hand
This is similar to the previous 3 songs, but in my opinion, it pulls it off spectacularly. The guitar work is actually quite outstanding throughout, the solo is particuarly good may I hasten to add.
Marker in the Sand
A rather welcome break from the PJ sound, including a slightly more prevalent bassline than usual within the bands music. The guitar sound is fresh, and distinct from the band's usual fair. It's lyrically powerful - almost ballad-esque infact.
Parachutes
Easily the biggest throw back to the bands inspiration from classic rock, and as is almost become somewhat of a cliche' in the PJ circles, its actually quite Beatle-esque. It's definatly worth a listening if you're open to seeing the bands softer side, but also a good listen overall.
Unemployable
A fairly standard rocker really. Not too heavy as such though. Veddars vocals are powerful throughout though, but throughout, again its nothing majorly new, but just a good song.
Big-Wave
Fast and rolling classic grunge, with moving, buzzing guitar riffs and pulsing drum and bass. Guitar solo gets a thumbs-up!
Gone
This is a powerful song, reminisant of Black's slow burning mood. It's politically fueled, pointing at the bands disapproval of the "American Dream"- infact it makes a clear reference to it. Stellar drumming by Cameron meets stunning guitar work by McCready, Gossard and Ament
Life Wasted (Reprise)
Takes the most poigniant lyrics from the first track, and in typical reprise style puts them against a softer sound than the track.
Army Reserve
Screams "political" from the title, it is actually quite subtle lyrically, and matched with Veddars vocal style, and a brilliant experiamentation with harmonic guitar effects, this proves a fresh style to the rest of the album.
Come Back
Come Back makes use of the staples of PJ's calmer side- crooning vocals and equally emotional vocals, the result is a bluesy, moving piece.
Inside Job
I think this gets the "spooky song of the album award" to put it simply. It's a slow, slow burner, and a fine end to the album, using all the instrumental talent the band has at its disposal. It's powerful on the instrumental, lyrical and vocal level.
In Conclusion
Pearl Jam is an interesting listening experience. It's very. very well made, and it is hard to claim that any song is actually "bad", and I think it highlights the band's problem: They are now becoming victims of their own talent- no matter how good an album they make, it will either sound "too similar" to previous efforts, or be compared to them if they are too different. To their credit, the album does have some distinct sounds and styles that the band hasnt experiamented with before. It's powerful lyrically, vocally and instrumentally throughout, and it is a demonstration of a band that really can produce quality music. Whether or not this music is to the listeners taste is up to them.
I would suggest that its worth a try, since it makes use of a variety of styles throughout - classic rock, hard rock, punk (albiet perhaps not that obviously), and that distinct PJ style. It wont be to everyones taste, but this is a very well written and produced album, that I think deserves recognition not as "more of the same" by PJ (since really, familiar listeners of PJ will draw immiediate parallels with previous releases), but instead as a demonstration of the amazing talent Pearl Jam posess as instrumentalists. I know I'll be listening to this many more times.
Overall rating: 85%
+ Emotional and thought provoking
+ Incredibly well produced - the band really have cracked album making a killer album
+ The more you listen, the more you find In it
- It is similar to some previous PJ albums, but is this really a bad thing?
(may i recomend you review "So Much for the City" :laughing: )
Originally Posted by JANOSIK007
