Show Review

The new self-titled studio release from Pearl Jam contains a moment near the end where the band pulls out a rock cliché, a wafting organ reprise of the disk opening “Life Wasted.” They decided to mix things up to open their first American arena show of their current World Tour with this nugget before pummeling the crowd with its mother song “Life Wasted.” A nice twist from one of the best arena rock bands playing today.

For the two Northeast shows on back-to-back nights, there was certainly a focus on the new album as well as a look-back to the beginning of the band’s career, and each wooly mammoth of a concert offered unique reasons why this band is so successful. Friday night, at the arena in Albany formerly known as the Knick, was an event “more for the freaks” as Eddie put it, and Saturday’s shed show in the old Hartford Meadows towed more of a “hits” line but both showcased why people are excited that Pearl Jam is back and touring in full stride.

Friday, the band swung with new jams to start and then cut into “Do the Evolution,” igniting the first of many crowd sing-a-longs that could not be escaped. An early highlight was the soaring “Given to Fly” from Yield, bathed in blue lights the band got the vocal chords of the crowd working again with “Daughter” tossing in a bit of Pink Floyd for good measure. “Off He Goes” fit very nicely into the Pearl Jam set list toning down the action slightly and making the new “Gone” that followed seem epic. After they played that song about that kid lashing out and biting boobs they plowed through the two best rockers on the new album, “Marker in the Sand” and “Comatose” with Mike McCready and Jeff Ament strumming and pogo-ing all over the place.

After a brief break, the tame crowd got a surprise as Eddie mentioned they were “going to play one for the home team.” When “Rats” began it marked two historic moments. One, it was the first time the band played it since 1998 and two, it was officially the coolest thing the Albany River Rats have ever been a part of, Calder Cups be damned. The highlight of the whole weekend was the monstrous “Porch” that ended the first encore in Albany. Spaced out with guitar effects and Boom Gasper’s organ the song entered unique sonic territory as the band opened up, spread out and kept the electricity flowing. A second encore followed with the band facing the rear of the stage while crooning “Last Kiss”, and then turning back around for excellent renditions of “Crazy Mary” and “Alive” which capped off a remarkable 28-song night from the 6 piece.

Saturday, Hartford didn’t quite measure up to Friday’s insanity but this had little to do with the songs or the band themselves and more to do with the venue. An outdoor show is always risky, but in early May with flooding all over New England the night was a cold and wet one, damping everyone’s spirits a bit. Stone Gossard’s sedulous riffing on “Severed Hand” complete with green lasers firing from the stage cut the rainy night open. When the band last toured to support an album they seemed to be going through the motions with the Riot Act songs, these shows were just the opposite with the band bouncing around the stage and selling the new hits with the same vigor as old favorites, it was refreshing.

A growling Vedder seemed a bit more controlled huffing through “Animal” with rage, and flourishing a deadpan howl on “Garden.” Mid set Vitalogy saw some love as “Corduroy” and “Better Man” got played to cheers. Matt Cameron pounded out the first of two Neil Young flavored tunes “I Got Shit,” while people fought through the mud on the quickly deteriorating lawn. Crowd favorites “Black” and the angst-ridden “Rearviewmirror” ended the set.

The first encore left some sopping fans a bit wanting, but the band came back and delivered a run of closers that had everyone jumping for joy. “Go” kicked off with boundless energy as if it was the first song of the night. “Alive” brought back the MTV memories, and the “Rocking in the Free World” “Yellow Ledbetter” tag team ended the night with devastating guitar rock and a melodious solo outro from McCready.

Pearl Jam is tailor made for the big time, people love to join the singing, the guitar riffs are big and beefy filling up heavens, and their energy on stage gets the audience involved, no matter how many people they are playing too. They take none of this for granted, working to ensure the fans enjoy themselves as much as the band enjoys playing to them. A great rock act that continues to satisfy night in and night out, with new gems and powerful old favorites, yup, more alive then ever.

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