On their previous album ( 2020 ’ s Gigaton ), Vedder sang , “ Stand back when the spirit comes .” Fast forward to Dark Matter . It is a document that captures a band disregarding its own advice and lunging toward the mysterious , unseen presence , then meeting it with a full embrace
– Curt Baran Appearing 8 / 29 , 8 / 31 at Wrigey Field
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14 illinoisentertainer . com june 2024
PEARL JAM Dark Matter
( Republic / Monkey Wrench )
When the spectral muse arrives , it ’ s best to open both the door and yourself . Apparently , that ’ s precisely what Pearl Jam chose to do . On their 12th studio album , Dark Matter , the Seattle quintet delivers like a band reborn . Not since their earliest recordings have they sounded this cohesive and laser-focused . Even songwriting credits are assigned to the entirety of the band , something that also hasn ’ t happened since their first three albums . Much has been made of the influence that producer Andrew Watt brought to the proceedings . As a self-professed “ super fan ,” his unadulterated enthusiasm has left an obvious impression on the sessions , pushing both spontaneity and confidence . The PJ blueprint also remains in place , specifically , huge choruses on the uptempo numbers and sincere ballads that hit as hard in the GA pit as they do in the second balcony . An excellent example of the former is the leadoff track “ Scared Of Fear .” As the song fades in , a single guitar quickly ramps up as the band falls in behind . Verses race to a hookladen chorus and eventually arrive at a violent , screeching halt . The latter is best represented by “ Setting Sun .” Vocalist Eddie Vedder floats a restrained melody out in front of a band that sounds determined not to step on the composition . They even slip in some bangers . Both “ Running ” and “ React , Respond ” would sound comfortably at home on a late 80 ’ s punk rock 7-inch . It ’ s young man ’ s music played with the confidence of experience and made by middleaged guys . Of course , no mention of Pearl Jam would be complete without acknowledging the gift that is Eddie Vedder ’ s vocal chords . Though his early career growl has dissipated , it ’ s been replaced with disciplined delivery and heightened tension . Nowhere is that more clear on songs like “ Won ’ t Tell , “ Got To Give ,” and “ Waiting For Stevie .” It ’ s the aural equivalent of smooth , buttery whiskey that goes down with the greatest of ease . These are peak , impassioned deliveries in a catalog that certainly isn ’ t lacking previous zeniths .
IDLES Tangk
( Partisan )
Freudenfreude : word of the day , week , month , era . It ’ s a transformative one-word answer to the world ’ s current zeitgeist , wrought [ sic ] to us by Idles ’ singer / songwriter Joe Talbot . He has been through a lot over the past several years , so on this LP , he was prepared to banish the angst and replace it with - brace yourselves - love . Before you decide how un-punk it is of them , it must be acknowledged that Idles had already begun to venture out from under the stereotypical punk postures on 2017 ’ s Brutalism LP . On this their fifth LP , some listeners will find the opener “ IDEA 01 ” feels familiar ; it is the ink stamp of Producer Nigel Godrich , best known for his work with Radiohead , but so many more ( Travis , R . E . M ., The Sundays , Pavement , Beck , Arcade Fire ). A slow crescendo of looped piano trickles is the backdrop to Talbot waxing nostalgic (“ There ' s a rag in a bucket and your father couldn ' t pay his loans / Or something ”). “ Gift Horse ” is a sinewy sonic ride starting with a ticking high-hat and vibrating bass note , then spaced guitar chugs , as Talbot comes in with
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