suspects that Backspacer is not an album of flourishes, experiments or a
large musical puzzle. This first impression can never really fade away
during the short 35 minutes that the album offers us from the fort group's
of Seattle, nor during the following subsequent listening.
This lightness is not necessarily a criticism. We are not talking about
"easiness", but a straightforward approach that is reminiscent of the punk
band of the 1980's that influenced the quintet (Buzzcocks, deadboy and The
Ramones, among others).
Of course, the longtime fans will be split again into two categories: the
unconditional fans will welcome it with open arms, others will probably be
yelling that it is slackening.
After all, the music of Pearl Jam rest more than ever on the riffs of the
electric guitar loops although crispy and on the voice of Eddie Vedder,
although harsh and savage. It is the inventiveness of Vitalogy and No Code
that is sorely lacking on this new disc, the risk appetite that once
animated the band of the surviving grunge movement.
We cannot however deny the palpable pleasure felt by members of the group to
throw at us songs as catchy as The Fixer or Supersonic (which is aptly
named). A contagious pleasure, when the context of listening is appropriate.
Even the calmest songs, like the sweet Just Breathe, The End which
remind us of Vedder solo material, and Speed of Sound with its elegant piano
couplets seem unoriginal but well felt.
This is probably not the reinvention of Pearl, who may yet be a little
static in recent years, they are proposing us Backspacer as a rock album
pure and simple, well sent by a band who knows how to do it.
It is pleasant to listen to it, until their taste for innovation comes back...
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