By: Rachel Rosen
Executive Sports Editor
In an attempt to revitalize their sound, Pearl Jam’s new album “Gigaton” did not meet expectations with a lack of creativity and differentiation between songs.
“Gigaton” features 12 songs that address current national discussions including President Donald Trump, the climate crisis and a sense of apocalyptic life. The album virtually brings the listener back to the 1990’s, but does not completely reach their previous status.
Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington. The band consists of founding members Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, as well as Matt Cameron, who joined in 1998.
Pearl Jam outsold many of its contemporary alternative rock bands from the early 1990s, and is considered one of the most influential bands of the decade. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017, in its first year of eligibility.
At 57 minutes, this is Pearl Jam’s longest album, and took the longest to complete. You can feel the weight of time throughout the album. Most songs feel very stretched out, filled with meaningless build-ups and luls.
While most tracks were dragged out and hard to listen to in full, the disco-rock single “Dance of the Clairvoyants” stood out with a more unique sound. It seemed to bring back the spark of the band from the 90’s.
Somewhat of a light in the not-so-bright album is the lead singer Eddie Vedder. Although his performance in this album does not compare to his work in the 90’s, Vedder brings a calming familiar voice to the songs. He is the key that ties the band and album together.
Within the songs, “Gigaton” sheds light on real-life issues that we are facing both in the present and near future. With the tracks “Retrograde” and “River Cross,” it is a last attempt to band the community together before a storm overwhelms us.
The musical rejuvenation that “Gigaton” is trying to provide seems out of reach. Pearl Jam was attempting to get back their old magic, resulting in more dragged out and less creative versions of their old music.
“Gigaton” was not a complete failure, with some meaningful lyrics and vintage sounds, but it seems their spark has fused over the last 30 years. It is not a waste of a listen, but it is hard to get all the way through.
“Gigaton” was released on March 27 and is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. The album can also be streamed on platforms such as Spotify, Tidal, Youtube Music, and Apple Music.
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