‘Dark Matter’ album review: How Pearl Jam got its groove back

Calling Pearl Jam‘s “Dark Matter,” the band’s twelfth studio album, a return to form is less cliched hyperbole than it is more so a backhanded compliment that doesn’t do the album justice.

So if “Dark Matter” isn’t a return to form, then what is it?

For starters, it’s a stellar record that will delight old fans and recapture lapsed ones. It’s unlike most of what the band has done in the past while remaining true to what a band like Pearl Jam should sound like 33 years into a career.

A lot of that is thanks to the help of wunderkind producer Andrew Watt. He used his experience working with Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones and Eddie Vedder (whose 2022 solo album he produced) to help Pearl Jam sound so lively and reinvigorated.

Mike McCready’s solos sound more visceral and dynamic than they have in decades. His six-string counterpart Stone Gossard lays down earworm riffs that are the foundations of the album’s most memorable tracks. Bassist Jeff Ament is bouncing all over the place. Matt Cameron sounds like he is channeling the hammer of the gods whenever he’s hitting the skins. And Vedder’s voice is in fine form.

Since each Pearl Jam album is its own beast, where does “Dark Matter” fit in the pantheon of PJ records? Well, it has some of the experimental flavorings of “No Code” and the aggressiveness of “Vs.” It’s littered with great guitarwork similar to “Yield” and has the maturity of “Gigaton.” If any of those descriptors reflect your Pearl Jam flavor of choice, then you will find a lot to like on this record.

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“Dark Matter” kicks off with the opening one-two salvo of “Scared of Fear” and “React, Respond.” The latter begins with a crunchy bassline and features a Who-aping guitar noodle. Both are in line with the record’s hard-hitting lead singles; the rampaging “Running” and the drum-pummeling “Dark Matter.”  And speaking of The Who, “Got to Give,” the record’s penultimate track, would fit right in on “Quadrophenia.”

Some of the songs pack surprises too, especially “Waiting for Stevie.” The song, which was written during sessions for Vedder’s solo album when he and Watt were waiting for Stevie Wonder to show up to the studio, is one that will sneak up on you. It gives off serious “Given To Fly” vibes until its latter half during which McCready erupts with a near 90-second guitar solo, his best since “Alive,” and Cameron assists with raucous drum pounding.

But “Dark Matter” isn’t all fierce and fiery riffs. The album has its tender moments. “Something Special” is a ballad of sorts dedicated to Vedder’s daughters, during which he sings about how he doesn’t look after his daughters because it’s his job but because he loves them. It’s a relatable sentiment for all parents. Elsewhere, “Wreckage” carries a softer tone at the top of the album with the memorable line “every winner has a losing streak” and the triumphant album closer “Setting Sun” should make for a great mid-set slow down when played live with its even tempo and soaring close.

After repeated listening, “Dark Matter” feels like a statement record. The statement being made is up to the listener to interpret but taken as a whole the record’s 45 minutes spread across 11 tracks could quite possibly make rock ‘n’ roll cool again in the year 2024.

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