The fact that Pearl Jam’s new album is being retailed almost exclusively by Target stores opens the band to endless ridicule and accusations of being sell-outs.
However, potential critics don’t need to use the weak “sell-out” argument because the album speaks for itself: it sounds like a band trying too hard to prove that it is still a rock band, with lackluster results. (On the plus side, it’s also the band’s shortest album, clocking in at just 37 minutes.)
It’s not easy being the last of a species, and grunge dinosaurs Pearl Jam know this better than anyone. The Seattle rockers have outlived suicidal playmates (Kurt Cobain) and the suicidal career moves of fellow Seattle rockers courting bigger audiences and paychecks (Chris Cornell) and are now left to entertain arenas full of rock fans and Target shoppers.
The band that was once the symbol of anti-corporate rock, clad in secondhand flannel and anti-Ticketmaster slogans, is now positioning itself by the checkout counter of Target stores shoulder-to-shoulder with disposable, last-minute impulse purchases like energy drinks, goldfish crackers, lame Drew Barrymore DVDs, and the latest Beyonce and American Idol CDs.
Although Target is the main Backspacer outlet, the album is also available via iTunes, the band’s website and independent record shops. Fine. Frankly, the band could sell the album as part of a McDonald’s value meal for all we care, it wouldn’t change the fact that the music sounds stiff and bored. Maybe PJ is just too content? With Obama in office and the band having freed itself from Sony, maybe Vedder and Co. don’t have a machine left to rage against.
(READ: Pearl Jam Scavenger Hunt Clues, Win New Music)
Early in its career Pearl Jam spawned legions of lesser imitators, launching the careers of everyone from Stone Temple Pilots to Creed to Daughtry, but now the band increasingly seems to be at a loss for new ideas of its own.
Backspacer’s lead single, “The Fixer,” stutters and screeches along with the energetic bursts of guitars and shouts you’d typically hear on a Hives album. And while those lively garage-rockers pull it off with the ease of a joke, Pearl Jam struggles to put on a party face.
Throughout the album, you can’t help hearing the layers of processed chorus vocals and being reminded of every pop-rock band on the radio (of course, this could be a matter of chicken vs egg: Is Pearl Jam copying pop or has pop become inseparably steeped in Pearl Jam-isms?).
Eddie Vedder’s hoarse hounddog howl is as strained and scratchy as ever, and it’s almost painful to hear at times. The rock numbers sound like exaggerating older guys trying too hard to prove they still rock (picture Springsteen doing his best to rock out and prove he’s cool in tight jeans and soul patch). While the band formerly excelled at slower, brooding numbers, Backspacer simply provides fairly cringe-inducing ballads. Forget the mystical strains of “Black,” “Speed of Sound” sounds like a Wilco toss-off and “The End” whimpers along like Snow Patrol with a string section and a toothache.
Diehard fans are likely to listen to Backspacer until something finally becomes memorable, but the shuffling iPod generation will likely sample the songs and hit skip. Neither approach is ideal, but the band seems to offer no alternative at this point: you either convince yourself it is worth the effort, or you just move on and abandon them in the check-out line.
We’re about ready to move on.
BELOW: Pearl Jam rock out in a Target commercial, proving that Courtney Love isn’t the only one kicking grunge’s corpse.
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Patrick says...
09.24.09 5:05 pm
I am guessing since I am the first to comment that not many people read these reviews and I can see why. This review is horrible. It seems as though you have something personal against the band. newsflash…you don’t have to love a band to admit when they make a great record. I don’t love PJ but backspacer is a great record. Every credible music source has given this cd at least 4/5 but what do they know. Maybe music reviews isn’t your thing.
Chad says...
09.24.09 5:16 pm
What a dopey review. How many times did you mention the Target deal there? How about that even larger multi-national corporation (SONY) that PJ left behind? How about the fact that local indie record shops were still able to carry the album? What “fans” did you poll to find they were bored? This is one of the most un-boring albums of PJ’s career, honestly. Did you even listen?
The key words in your piece of shit opinion : “now left to entertain arenas full”. What a disappointment that must be, playing every night to sold out arenas and pavillions! Since the record was also available on ITunes and indie record shops, I’m guessing you’re overblowing the Target fan base present at the PJ shows.
David says...
09.24.09 11:01 pm
The “Pearl Jam sold out because they’re being sold exclusively at Target” routine is a bit misinformed. It’s true that they hashed out a deal to offer a Target exclusive, but you’re completely neglecting to mention the fact that they gave their record label the boot and produced this album by themselves. Pearl Jam is not a record label and does not have a massive distribution deal, so the Target deal makes sense from a business standpoint. Furthermore, without the record label there to profit, PJ has offered its fans their new cd, along with 2 full-length downloadable concerts for $12. Man, what horrible sell-outs. I’m glad other bands aren’t money hungry anti-consumer jukeboxes like PJ (or JP, as the reviewer humorously mistyped).
The mere fact that the reviewer is naming Daughtry in the same breath as Pearl Jam should tell readers a lot about their taste in music. Personally, I think the album is fantastic. It is instantly listenable and is definitely their best album since Yield. “Gonna See My Friend,” “Got Some,” and “The Fixer,” make for the best opening songs to an album that I’ve hear in a long, long time. Bottom line: give it a shot. The worst that can happen is you spend $12 and get a cd you don’t like, but still end up with 2 concerts from one of the best live bands on the planet.
Dipesh says...
09.25.09 1:54 am
you cant be serious on this!! Its one of the best albums in years….what do you call Tool..a “sell-out” for letting wal-mart sell their records…you know they are not! Pearl Jam is not a sell-out at all!..try selling 60 million records and still be so grounded…I DONOT think so..may be if you get your writings on Time magazine someday (very unlikely)…you will of course start writing about britney spears to cash in some money..I have seen writers like you….Critics should be logical and should involve human emotions…this review is complete trash!
joe says...
09.25.09 6:54 am
The effort and intelligence put forth in this review is almost ironic, considering your view on the album itself. There are probably dumber people on the planet, but I’ll have a hard time finding them. Good luck cooking your french fries at work today.
Kenny Shier says...
09.25.09 11:02 am
Listen to much music? This album rocks and has been getting great reviews. Go back to your day job and leave the music reviewing to the professionals!
eddie ozone says...
09.25.09 7:46 pm
I not only think this is one of Pearl Jams best albums from beginning to end but it may just be one of the best albums by any band in years. It’s that good.
Sol says...
09.28.09 3:13 pm
“Frankly, the band could sell the album as part of a McDonald’s value meal for all we care, it wouldn’t change the fact that the music sounds stiff and bored.”
Really? For someone who isn’t all that concerned about who is selling “Backspacer”, you sure are contradicting yourself by devoting over half of your review to the subject of where it’s being sold…
You even started your review with stating that it would make the band the targets of ridicule (no pun intended).
I’m sure you have never shopped at Target, or god forbid, bought a CD at Target! I’m sick of all of the Target Sell Out talk. Just leave it out of your review if it’s really a review about “the music”.
This album is great. Tons of raw energy, and the choruses are not overly-processed by any means. Eddie’s voice isn’t painful to listen to at all. In fact, the vocals are great. He hasn’t sounded this good since “Yield” I’ll tell you what is painful…this review!
FeelLikeAStranger says...
09.29.09 8:48 pm
this review is horrible. “Processed vocals?” What the hell have you been listening to? If ever there was a singer who brings it real, it’s EdVed. Completely disagree.