Pearl Jam still “alive”
When Pearl Jam released “Live at Benaroya Hall” last week, fans were not exactly shocked that the band had released another live album. Many believe this Nineties icon is about as fresh as the dirty flannel they used to be known to wear.
“Live at Benaroya Hall” was recorded Oct. 22, 2003 in the band’s hometown of Seattle.
In 2000, Pearl Jam, comprised of Stone Gossard, Mike McReady, Jeff Ament, Matt Cameron and lead-singer Eddie Vedder, made rock history when they released bootlegs of 25 shows.
This grand scheme was repeated in 2001 when the band released CDs from every show of its “Binaural” tour, which quickly became a symbol of the band’s loyalty to fans. This was followed by the live DVDs, “Pearl Jam: Touring Band 2000,” and “Pearl Jam: Live at Madison Square Garden.”
The new album’s 26 tracks are mostly acoustic. The difference is that then they had something to prove; now, their only intention seems to be the catering to an aging but tremendous fan-base.
The album’s selection ranges from great songs to reasonably forgotten ones. After seven studio albums, countless live albums, and the band hitting their forties, is “Live at Benaroya Hall” still worth picking up?
Yes. And Pearl Jam have Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to thank for it.
Pearl Jam, among other things, are a band known for
their excellent covers; much of this is owed to Vedder’s deep understanding of rock’s history.
The lead-out of “Daughter,” a song always ended with a cover, features a Beatles medly of “You Know My Name” and “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” the latter previously heard on the “I Am Sam” soundtrack. It is, however, Vedder’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Master’s of War,” a haunting jab at our leaders, that makes this album. Not many could get away with this one-but Vedder, who has taken on Jessie Helms, raised money for Tibet, and campaigned for Ralph Nader-is politically justified.
One aspect that further separates this live recording from others is the lack of distortion and drowning noise from the crowd. This serves Vedder’s voice-that earnest American kind that only he and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy still possess.
“Live at Benaroya Hall” gets a 6 out of 10.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 17 2004. Filed under Other.
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