Binaural - Pearl Jam (CD 2000)

When Pearl Jam returned in 2000, they already were veterans. In fact, by the end of the 90s every band playing that kind of music automatically was perceived as veterans. Veterans - do you receive the sarcasm contained in this word? It actually means old . And no matter how many hardcore fans there still are, one always can feel when the things are getting old.

Pearl Jam felt they were becoming veterans. It wasn t their fault, just the music scene had made another step, and it s still hard to say in which direction, I would in any case hesitate on calling that a step forward . That was the year when Britney still was adored by the teen masses, and Backstreet Boys were living out their last days as pop princes. In the year 2000 Linkin Park were the rock heroes of boys and girls grooving to Crawling all over the world. That was the year of Radiohead long-awaited comeback, and the once rock band which created the alternative scene of the late 90s with their groundbreaking OK Computer (1997) made this time a brilliant foray into the world of electronica with Kid A (2000).

Old bands too returned for one more outing, most of those outings turned out to be fairly successful celebrations of the new millennium thanks to the bands enormous fan bases - so U2 All That You Can t Leave Behind , Bon Jovi Crush and a year later Aerosmith with Just Push Play . All of these bands exploited their old formulas, U2 returned to their 80s style (although there actually was more to it, hence a Grammy), Bon Jovi wrote Living on the Prayer -2 , a.k.a. It s My Life Now what were Pearl Jam to do? They were half as old as any of those bands yet that s how most people would perceive them. As one of those old bands. Pearl Jam decided to take their stand. The rock they would stand with their backs against was their 6th studio album Binaural . And no, they weren t going to exploit their old formula.




My problem with Pearl Jam is lack of that certain something I even cannot quite put my finger on. The best way to define it would probably be putting in use the word style . That s when you see the world changing around you and you either stay the same or too undergo a change, but when changing, you neither lose yourself nor become the mockery in the eyes of everybody else. Hard indeed, but that s where greatness usually shines through.


Thus in 2000 Pearl Jam came up with one of their tightest albums yet, and indeed listening to Binaural you can hardly not notice how many different groups of listeners they tried to satisfy. Or had to satisfy? The band opened the album with 3 edgy rockers that should appeal to most of their fans, threw in a couple of gorgeous radio-friendly ballads destined to become huge hits, a couple more rockers in the middle, some experimental stuff (which was their answer to the whole alternative thing in contemporary rock), and even a funny acoustic guitar song. They replaced their drummer, made use of various instruments and effects, like a drum machine, or the violin on the closer all in a desperate attempt to deliver a juicy sound, a contemporary sound, a sound that would be faithful to their fan base, and a sound that would show they still were kings.

Well, doesn t that sound to you like too many sounds? Did Pearl Jam make it with Binaural ? Sorry folks. Not this time. The result is exciting, that s for sure, but every one of their listeners, though most probably awed by some of the songs, may find it too hard to like the other half - and there are 13. Besides, the songs aren t united by any theme, nor do they sound alike musically. In fact, 'Binaural' more sounds like a compilation of sorts, and a pretty weird one, because a compilation usually consists of killer hits with but a few exceptions - here it's vice versa... What I mean, you may like this record. But I really doubt you ll ever love it.




Pearl Jam in the year 2000 are:

Eddie Wedder: lead vocals, guitar
Stone Gossard: guitar
Jeff Ament: bass
Mike McCready: guitar
Matt Cameron: drums




It starts with three driving rockers - BREAKERFALL reveals a great vibe after a couple of repeated listens but is too short to get into and too inexpressive to open (!) an album. GOD S DICE is one awful song almost devoid of potential and replacing it with mere banging on guitars instead. EVACUATION is catchy, yet after two already expressionless rockers does nothing but tires you even more However, when with a steady drumming LIGHT YEARS begins, I forgive Pearl Jam most willingly.


I ve used hammers made out of wood
I have played games with pieces and rules
I ve deciphered tricks at the bar
But now you ve gone I haven t figured out why

The band felt that this was a now or never moment. So they dedicated this song to their fans and Light Years becomes the first heartfelt song on the record.


Now NOTHING AS IT SEEMS is their first alternative shot here - distorted guitars drilling the gloomy soundscape, strange lyrics, long instrumental transitions with some interesting riffs yet time and again the song tires me - I guess that s because the band actually doesn t have much to say here. Neither lyrically, nor musically. THIN AIR is another gorgeous ballad that saves the situation but it s a bad sign when ballads are what pulls out a rock album, you know


INSIGNIFICANCE suddenly surprises - a beautiful atmospheric rocker with an amazing staccato in the chorus parts, wonderful performance from all band members, thoughtful lyrics - it s without much doubt one of the best rockers of the year 2000.


Bombs, dropping down, overhead, underground
It s instilled to wanna live

Bombs, dropping down, please forgive, our hometown
In our in-si-gni-fi-cance



Contemplative OF THE GIRL consists almost entirely of an acoustic guitar soundscape and is very good. GRIEVANCE on the contrary is one song I don't get quite well - the band delivers a rather rocking experience, yet the song fails to take me off just like the first three did. And I hate staying on the ground, when listening to the music. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. RIVAL is anthemic and another of my favorites - the dog effects the song starts with are really cute. Now that sounds like me.


Another alternative song here, SLEIGHT OF HAND makes a brilliant use of the drum machine - especially enjoyable in the contemplating verse that flows into chaotic guitar arrangements in the chorus. This is probably my favorite song on the record, and Eddie s tired vocals suit the mood really well here.


As the merging traffic passed, he found himself staring
Down at his own hands
Not remembering the change not recalling the plan


Aren't these lines true of this album too? Oh well. An extremely short acoustic guitar song that follows and is called SOON FORGET is perhaps also the most upbeat song on the album, with a possible exception of Thin Air . But it's short and a pretty blue ballad PARTING WAYS with some nice violin interpolations in it will close 'Binaural' on a downbeat mode.


With not much desire to turn it on again. At least not in my case.




Pearl Jam returned two years later, scoring with 'Riot Act'. As to 'Binaural', the album did what it had to - having received an overall warm acceptance it helped the band pass the threshold of the new millenium. Which again makes me believe in the strength of a mighty force called fan base. Because, if Pearl Jam hadn't had these folks supporting their rock, 'Binaural' just might not had stood through the storm.


Thanks for reading :)