simply put, i could not be more thrilled with pearl jam's forthcoming album, RIOT ACT; i'm growing more and more certain that i'm listening to a classic, an album destined for immortality. at the very least, RIOT ACT reaffirms that pearl jam is america's most relevant and important band. my opinion, of course... all at once, it covers familiar, well-worn territory and blazes glorious new paths, leaving scorched earth in its wake. every track is great, not a "skip" in the bunch. even better, in this tumultuous time, they're daring enough to challenge the listener, asking questions, pointing fingers... lyrically, it's as if they've dipped into some late 60's well of inspiration. i can't recall a band this mainstream making such a pointed and declarative political statement. how pointed and declaritive? BUSHLEAGUER is one of the song titles, and it pulls no punches. anyway, i was curious if others who've heard it share my unbridled enthusiasm and was hoping, at the very least, my thoughts might encourage a few fencesitters, a few, "i haven't liked anything they've done since TEN" music fans to give it a listen. i think it deservesto be heard.
I haven't listened to the album, but the single I heard on the radio made me think that Eddy Vetter has spent all these years soaking his voice box in hydrolic acid. I didn't much care for the song, and since the bands usually release the best song to radio first, I figured I would hate the album. I haven't listened to anymore songs from it.
Did you see the clip from Cobain's Journal... "There are a lot of bands who claim to be alternative and theyre nothing but stripped down, ex sunset strip hair farming bands of a few years ago. I would love to be erased from our association with Pearl Jam or the Nymphs and other first time offenders." http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/23/cobain.journals.ap/index.html It is from his journal and not meant to be shared like it soon will be, but I was a little surprised. I guess I always thought that all those Seattle bands were close. They were always doing joint projects together anyway...
it's no secret cobain detested pearl jam, but he did, near the end of his life, admit that he had spoken at length with eddie and came away with a new found respect for him, adding, "i still think his band sucks."
