Albums

Album Review: Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

Posted on 2 weeks ago

7 min read

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Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM

Where to begin? How about straight up facts, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, over 85 million worldwide album sales a generational inspiring discography on top, its no wonder that Seattle’s Pearl Jam still continue to be critically acclaimed as they get ready to showcase their twelfth studio album Dark Matter

Composing of eleven tracks and with the pedigree ofmulti-GRAMMY-winning and platinum-selling music producer Andrew Watt on board Dark Matter’s inception to its completion took just 21 days.

Our first taste of new music in nearly four years comes in the form of Scared Of Fear which starts off with a fast paced and upbeat tone that causes uncontrollable foot tapping for its duration. There is real nostalgic wave that also runs through it, especially the chorus.

React, Respond has a real gritty sound with some spectacular bass elements and honestly this is best I’ve heard the band in a long time, there is a reinvigoration that spills out through the speakers. This is then followed by the mellow tones of Wreckage which for me is an early highlight.

Title Track Dark Matter has a commanding presence with a heartbeat and soundscapes that will undoubtedly make it a future live favourite and honestly there are moments where this could be an Ozzy Osbourne track. I can’t lie I absolutely adore this track and that is moments before those solos kick in.

If there was ever a perfect track for radio that title would go to Won’t Tell it has a wonderful blend of melody and feel-good elements which is followed up by the sombre Upper Hand which contains some majestic prog style tones.

Waiting For Stevie is a breath of fresh air, the subtle electronic elements and vocal delivery really hark back to my school days of discovering the band, this is hands for me the track I have played the most and will continue to do so, this section of the album if nothing else solidifies the genuine love an appreciation I have for Pearl Jam.

Running reverts to fast past nature of the albums beginning, it’s a definite wake up in the morning and blow the cobwebs away track, Something Special manages to follow up nicely, although completely different in pace it effortlessly compliments the previous offering.

The album concludes with the duo of Got To Give & Setting Sun which have a mellowness and maturity to them that comes from a collective of musicians that have poured out everythinginto this one body of work.

Eddie Vedder said: “I’m getting chills, because I have good memories. We’re still looking for ways to communicate. We’re at this time in our lives when you could do it or you could not do it, but we still care about putting something out there that is meaningful, and we hopefully think is our best work. No hyperbole, I think this is our best work.”

The band is celebrating indie record stores with the release of a special edition of Dark Matter on April 20. Only at participating stores as part of Record Store Day and will also head out on a world tour this year, marking the first time the band has announced a new album and tour simultaneously and first time the group has unveiled all worldwide tour dates at once.

Pearl Jam continue to have a lasting impact on generations of music lovers.