Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt (2013) [Gorgatz]

r /> Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt (2013) [Gorgatz]



- I N F O -

Lightning Bolt is the upcoming tenth studio album by the American rock band Pearl Jam. The album is scheduled to be released internationally on October 14, 2013, before being released in the United States on October 15, 2013. The first single, "Mind Your Manners" was released on July 11, 2013.
Lightning Bolt follows up Backspacer, which was released in September 2009. The album was produced by long-time Pearl Jam producer Brendan O'Brien and is scheduled to be released on Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records through Universal Music.

In May 2013, during an interview with Billboard, Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard revealed that the band was closing in on completing their tenth studio album, saying "We really want to finish a record this year. It's now between half and three quarters done, but we got some new material and we're excited about hopefully doing some more work on that later in the year." In July 2013, speaking to Total Guitar, guitarist Mike McCready said that "we finished seven songs two years ago" and "about four months ago we started up again with a brand new batch of songs to go along with those". McCready also said that "there's a Pink Floyd vibe to some of it, there's a punk rock edge to other stuff".

On July 1, 2013, Pearl Jam announced that they would be making an announcement on July 8, 2013, at 1 p.m. EST. On July 8, 2013, the countdown clock hit zero and Pearl Jam announced a 24 date two-leg tour in North America from October 11, 2013, through December 6, 2013. After the tour was revealed, the PearlJam.com countdown clock reset, showing a new countdown which was set to end on July 11, 2013, at noon P.T. On July 11, 2013, after the countdown clock hit zero the band announced they would be releasing their tenth studio album Lightning Bolt on October 14, 2013. That same day the first single, "Mind Your Manners" was released along with the pre order of the album.

"Mind Your Manners" was played live for the first time at their show in London, Ontario on July 16, 2013. Three days later the band debuted two more songs, "Lightning Bolt" and "Future Days", at their show at Wrigley Field. Speaking to Rolling Stone in July 2013, producer Brendan O'Brien said that there will be 11 or 12 songs on the new album and that they would be longer than the songs on the previous album Backspacer. From week commencing August 26, 2013, the band started to name the titles of the songs for the album with the full tracklist being revealed on August 30, 2013. At a listening party in Amsterdam on September 5, 2013, AlternativeNation said that "It's a darker and more atmospheric record with some great gems".

Now into their third decade, Pearl Jam are providing the soundtrack to more than just one generation. They’ve found a unique formula to continue their success, providing a consistency and longevity often unseen in the music industry. With Lightning Bolt, the upcoming tenth studio album by the lads from Seattle, they show they haven’t broken the mould just yet.

Did they need to? Well, no. If you have something that works, stick to it. Once again Pearl Jam find a way to blend fast motion power tracks and soulful ballads with heartfelt lyrics in an eloquent mix. That unmistakable Eddie Vedder voice reigns throughout the album and feels like an old pair of well-worn jeans.

The album was produced by long-time Pearl Jam producer Brendan O’Brien and follows up 2009’s Backspacer, the longest hiatus between albums for the quintet. As we know, Vedder was busy producing his own album Ukulele Songs and the band spent much of the last two years celebrating their 20th anniversary and the release of documentary/soundtrack PJ20. So it’s surprising they even had time to record an album.

Much like other Pearl Jam albums before it, Lightning Bolt is a tale in two halves. Opening track Getaway kicks off the album with the proverbial bang you would expect. It’s upbeat, guitar-driven and familiar.

Slipping straight into Mind Your Manners, the first single off the album. It’s a fluid movement, and doesn’t stray too far from the uptempo path. Listening to an interview with guitarist Mike McCready, this riff was his take on a hard-edged Dead Kennedys sound, and one that works beautifully on this track. Think Spin the Black Circle from Vitalogy, like Circle this song is probably the heaviest track on the album too.

The second single Sirens has a characteristically Pearl Jam tone and feel. I read this track described as “too fluffy and middle-aged sounding.” I’m over 30 and I’ve been listening to this band for a good portion of my life, and if this is what middle-aged music is like, it’s fine with me. Great track and one you can go back to again and again. Likely the single that will get the most universal attention.

My Father’s Son feels slightly lost between light and dark, never conquering either, while title track Lightning Bolt could have easily been a first or second single.

The journey into the second act of the album begins with Infallible. It showcases a slightly alternate sound, but the album truly, and quit suddenly, goes in a whole new direction on Pendulum – on first listen, it held little interest, but this is a song that will grow on you. It will definitely take more than one listen.

Let the Records Play is a welcome surprise. You could pull up a stool at the local saloon to its tangy, blues-driven opening riff. In fact, you can ignore the vocals in this song entirely and just enjoy the massive solos (yes, plural).

The latter quarter of the album shows the introspective and quieter side of the band. Sleeping By Myself, originally a ukulele track taken directly from Vedder’s solo album, gets the full band makeover and loses none of its sincerity. It’s followed with the gentle Yellow Moon.

We end with Future Days, a piano-driven track set in contrast to the clamourous start of the album. This feels more like a Vedder solo track, a nice change of pace and a fitting finish to a diverse album.

So what’s the verdict? Well that’s complicated. Lightning Bolt is, for all intents and purposes, representative of everything we love about Pearl Jam, with something for every type of fan contained within. While there’s nothing revolutionary, it’s unlikely to upset old fans, and may just garner a couple of new ones. Solid and simple in its execution.

- T R A C K L I S T -

1. "Getaway" 3:26
2. "Mind Your Manners" Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready 2:38
3. "My Father's Son" 3:07
4. "Sirens" Mike McCready 5:41
5. "Lightning Bolt" 4:13
6. "Infallible" 5:22
7. "Pendulum" 3:44
8. "Swallowed Whole" 3:51
9. "Let the Records Play" 3:46
10. "Sleeping By Myself" 3:04
11. "Yellow Moon" 3:52
12. "Future Days" 4:22

Bitrate: 320 k
Genre: Rock
Size: 108.63 MB