Like many things in life, you’re either with Pearl Jam, or
you’re against ’em.
The quintet made national news during the Seattle explosion and
has always tried to remain relevant in an ever-changing musical
landscape. When the band released
Vitalogy in 1994, vocalist Eddie Vedder and company were
hoping that their wave wasn’t over.
Like many bands who experience commercial success with their
first release, the eyes of the world were upon the band to see if
they were a fluke or if they were actually going to make a
difference.
The band’s third album starts out well with “Last Exit” and the
twinges of punk rock in “Spin The Black Circle.” They hit their
stride with my favorite song on this release, “Not For You;” the
mid-tempo plodding music and Vedder’s emotional roller-coaster
vocals crescendo with the guitar riff, staying intense even in the
softer moments.
The next track, “Tremor Christ,” has always made me think of the
Beatles during the riff. Vedder is no Paul or John, though, and the
vocals and music are a disjointed union. I’ve never been into this
track — it sounds like the music and vocals just don’t fit.
“Nothingman” fares a little better, trying to recapture the magic
of “Black” or “Jeremy” with a subdued mood. Vedder moans his lyrics
and it’s hard to understand him, yet I cannot resist the overall
emotional impact of this track.
“Whipping” is a return to the energetic vibe of “Spin The Black
Circle.” Propelled by a pounding drumbeat, the band sounds like
they are in sync with each other as the song changes texture and
mood. But there is no excuse lame enough to justify the existence
of “Bugs.” It’s moronic that a band trying to survive in the
musical industry would release this track. I fully understand,
though, why “Betterman” comes shortly after this track, as it
captures the pain of being in a relationship that is not working
and trying to find the courage to leave in order to survive. It
reminds me of a friend I had when this release first came out —
she was going to leave her husband because she knew she could find
better. Though I haven’t spoken to her in more than 10 years, I
still smile and think of her when hearing this song.
And that’s why I like Pearl Jam — they were able to find a
connection to me as a listener. I can’t be the reviewer that
trashes an entire CD for one song (“Bugs”); I look at the bigger
picture.
Vitalogy is a release that is not about a band’s failed
experimentation and I can appreciate the band’s journey on this
release. But “Betterman” and “Not For You” are the only ones I
routinely listen to when I pull this release out for a spin because
they are two that speak to me.
