Pearl Jam “Dark Matter” Review
It's no secret that Pearl Jam holds the title of my all-time favorite band, a status earned since a significant musical turning point in my life with the release of Vs. in 1993 (details on that to follow). While I hold immense respect for their entire body of work, embracing even the occasional albums in their catalog that I consider weaker or less enjoyable, and acknowledging their earned right to evolve and experiment with deviations from their classic sound, there was one release that left me perplexed and unengaged—Gigaton (2020). Despite my efforts, it became my least played and least favorite Pearl Jam album to date.
Given this history, I approached their latest single, "Dark Matter," with a hint of trepidation. There was a small but tangible fear that a second album I struggled to connect with might alter the course of my musical relationship with the band. Pearl Jam has been a constant presence, accompanying me through every physical, practical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual season. Their music has been the soundtrack to many pivotal moments in my life, resonating so perfectly that certain albums felt as if they were crafted specifically for me at different junctures, guiding me through each new wave life presented.
However, I had caught wind of the rumors suggesting that their upcoming 12th studio album, also titled Dark Matter and set for release on April 19th through Monkeywrench and Republic Records, would mark a return to their earlier, heavier style. Adding to my optimism was the fact that I had never before experienced disappointment with two consecutive Pearl Jam albums. In fact, it has typically been after an experience akin to Gigaton that one of my all-time favorite albums tends to follow, and Dark Matter seems to be following that very trajectory.
Right from the start, it's evident that this album is poised to leave me in awe because, like any promising first Pearl Jam single, it unmistakably sounds like Pearl Jam. And by that, I don't mean it exclusively echoes the styles of Ten (1991), Vs. (1993), and Vitalogy (1994), as some early or fair-weather Pearl Jam enthusiasts might prefer, who, as mentioned earlier, might have only been content with Ten, Eleven, and Twelve. What I mean is that it resonates as a culmination of all their finest albums to date. This isn't limited to the initial and monumental Abbrussezze trilogy but also incorporates the idiosyncratic No Code (1996) (my personal favorite album of all time) and the evolutionary Yield. It encompasses elements from some of their standout albums featuring the grunge drumming icon Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Temple of The Dog, and Pearl Jam's longest-standing drummer to date). These include the gritty Riot Act (2002), the alternately uplifting and melancholic Avocado (eponymous, 2006) album, and the dynamic Lightning Bolt (2013) with an added touch of novelty. The best Pearl Jam albums manage to preserve the essence of all those that came before while revealing a fresh facet of themselves, akin to an individual deeply committed to a soul-searching journey on the less-trodden path, experiencing their latest breakthrough in understanding the human condition.
The new single, "Dark Matter," is intricately woven with the sounds and styles from my favorite periods of their back catalog, which, in my humble opinion, are their best. In this track, there's an additional flavor of Soundgarden, particularly noticeable as Matt Cameron, in his seventh studio album with the band, leaves an indelible mark. Despite years of touring with Pearl Jam, Cameron's musical history and presence have never been as strongly felt and heard as they are here.
"Dark Matter" seamlessly blends Pearl Jam's classic signature with a return not only to their own grunge roots but also delves into the heaviest corners of grunge previously reserved for bands like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. The echoes of Badmotorfinger (1991) and the more evolved King Animal (2012) are apparent in the weightiness of the sound. Despite this heaviness, the soul-searching essence of the track doesn't lose any of its journey so far. It skillfully interweaves Eddie Vedder's classic rough and ready grunge vocals with the more mature vocal lines and melodies characteristic of his solo career—both hard-hitting and heartfelt, displaying every bit of Vedder's vocal prowess.
The track also showcases Mike McCready's most sterling performance with an exciting and building lead break, setting a new standard. Matt Cameron contributes the most interesting and substantial drum solo to date, elevating the overall musicality. The songwriting, chemistry, and unity between the legendary grunge icons are unrivaled. With the added brilliance of Stone Gossard on guitar and Jeff Ament on bass, two of rock music's most accomplished and coolest musicians, "Dark Matter" is poised for success.
I would give this track 3 out of 4 stars and you can listen to it here.