After soiling their reputation for too many years by residing in the wasteland of nondescript dad-rock, Pearl Jam appear to have pulled themselves from out of the depths with current album Backspacer. Sounding more consistent, upbeat and together, the 2009 version of Pearl Jam seem to have regained their former glory by finally stopping the efforts to rekindle the midas touch of Ten and Vs and have made the decision to simply play. Although there can be no mistaking the throaty vocals, Vedder never sounded better and his vocals can clearly be distinguished while the guitar riffs are quintessential Pearl Jam. The accompanying video shows the band in live mode, sweating it out onstage to an adoring and loyal audience, hammering home the message that they’ve still got it and, despite the shifting music scene and years spent in the abyss, they aren’t going anywhere.
Words: Lisa Hughes
