From their first album “Ten”, released in 1991, Pearl Jam have established themselves in the mainstream through a slew of different hits over the years. Fronted by talented vocalist Eddie Vedder, the group has long sought to capture a unique mix of Seattle grunge and conventional rock. Their recent 2020 album Gigaton, while somewhat of a departure for the band, has continued that legacy, and the single “Dance of the Clairvoyants” provides good context for the new direction the band is taking.
The single begins with a simple drum loop and some backing bass, surely taking some inspiration from the electronic dance music that took the nation by storm a few years ago. The song then fills out with the unmistakable vocals of Vedder, complimented wholly by bright and funky guitar licks from guitarist Michael McCready. Also weaved throughout the tune are some radiant synthesizer lines that loom over the piece, giving it an air of mystery and intrigue, appropriately juxtaposed by Vedder’s lyrics.
The aforementioned lyrics beautifully captivate the idea of stagnation in the face of uncertainty. The lines “endless equations / and tugging persuasions / doors open up / to interpretation” are barked by Vedder, as he admits a love for clairvoyants and their certainty of what’s coming next. The chorus, too, continues to mesh against the driving groove of the instrumentation, suggesting that “every tomorrow is the same as before”, contributing to the central motif of failing to launch.
While the electronic drums and somewhat repetitive instrumentation suggest a new sound for the band, there’s comfort and nostalgia hidden in Vedder’s vocals, which really take center stage as the song goes on. Reaching the bridge towards the end, Vedder urges the listener to “stand back when the spirit comes”, satisfyingly wrapping up the message of giving over to inevitability in the face of repeated patterns.
Overall, this latest single from Pearl Jam illustrates the vitality of the band, and one can only hope that the rest of the album is as ambitious and revelatory as past releases.
From their first album “Ten”, released in 1991, Pearl Jam have established themselves in the mainstream through a slew of different hits over the years. Fronted by talented vocalist Eddie Vedder, the group has long sought to capture a unique mix of Seattle grunge and conventional rock. Their recent 2020 album Gigaton, while somewhat of a departure for the band, has continued that legacy, and the single “Dance of the Clairvoyants” provides good context for the new direction the band is taking.
The single begins with a simple drum loop and some backing bass, surely taking some inspiration from the electronic dance music that took the nation by storm a few years ago. The song then fills out with the unmistakable vocals of Vedder, complimented wholly by bright and funky guitar licks from guitarist Michael McCready. Also weaved throughout the tune are some radiant synthesizer lines that loom over the piece, giving it an air of mystery and intrigue, appropriately juxtaposed by Vedder’s lyrics.
The aforementioned lyrics beautifully captivate the idea of stagnation in the face of uncertainty. The lines “endless equations / and tugging persuasions / doors open up / to interpretation” are barked by Vedder, as he admits a love for clairvoyants and their certainty of what’s coming next. The chorus, too, continues to mesh against the driving groove of the instrumentation, suggesting that “every tomorrow is the same as before”, contributing to the central motif of failing to launch.
While the electronic drums and somewhat repetitive instrumentation suggest a new sound for the band, there’s comfort and nostalgia hidden in Vedder’s vocals, which really take center stage as the song goes on. Reaching the bridge towards the end, Vedder urges the listener to “stand back when the spirit comes”, satisfyingly wrapping up the message of giving over to inevitability in the face of repeated patterns.
Overall, this latest single from Pearl Jam illustrates the vitality of the band, and one can only hope that the rest of the album is as ambitious and revelatory as past releases.