Pearl Jam has left a lot of people uncertain as to where the band is going, but not where they’ve been. Binaural means hearing with two ears. Interesting. So should you listen to this album with two ears, just one, or dig into your musical library for your copy of Ten?
If “Light Years” is an indication of how the rest of the album might go, you’re better off opting for digging. Binaural goes on without much cohesion. Many of the early tracks feel like each member was on a separate continent.
“Nothing As It Seems” is a dark cloud that fits Pearl Jam only too well. The first half of the album doesn’t quite carry the punch of the second half. It’s “Grievance” that lays the foundation for what is most enjoyable about Pearl Jam: songs with something to say. “Grievance” speaks on politics with an angry vigor. “Sleight Of Hand” contemplates life as you age, waking up on the same side of the bed, eating the same breakfast, and walking the same road each and every day. “Parting Ways” is the journey that comes with losing someone and the despair of knowing you are helpless and can do nothing about it. “Soon Forget” is a simple trip through Eddie Vedder’s voice with only his ukulele churning out the path. This is by far the most interesting track on the album.
Pearl Jam is always interesting, but Binaural is honestly a bit of a letdown. You can’t help but put the band on a different level from everyone else, holding them to it for every release. Binaural too often sounds worn and tired. It is missing the enthusiasm and joyful pain we got from them in the past.
+ cc morris
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.