1996, 2003, 2010, and most recently, 2013 (October 12, to be exact) are the years that Pearl Jam had performed in Buffalo. Of the four shows, last night was the only one to not close with "Yellow Ledbetter." Instead, "Indifference" was the final song of a three song encore, 2 hour and 45 minute performance. It was also the only time they played without an opener (the open time slot may have given the band more room for themselves, but from a concert go-ers standpoint, I would’ve taken a Carrie Brownstein band over extra time in the vendor lines.
Eddie riled up the crowd just a few songs in by using his best SNL introduction voice, “Live from Buffalo, it's Saturday Night”. His wino generosity was on full display as he handed out multiple bottles throughout the evening to celebrate with the audience. The band played nine new songs last night off the anticipated Lightning Bolt, scheduled for release this Tuesday. I for one can’t even think of a time where I saw a band play anywhere close to nine songs off an album prior to its release. It was bold, and during the two slower acoustic songs during the first encore, the audience either lost its energy surge or went idle for a moment to gather enough strength for a strong finish. Eddie after back-to-back, vocally straining songs, "Mind Your Manners" and "Do the Evolution," called an audible, and strayed off the setlist path in order to properly pace himself. Eddie’s vocals sounded astoundingly good towards the first half of the set, perhaps due to this only being the second show of the tour thus far.
The entire gang was there, and with a newly organized energy, often huddling around Matt Cameron who executed his duties to near perfection. This wasn’t the same Matt who raced through set lists in the past: his role has changed and he now seems to be the unnamed captain. Of the six (including Boom), Mike McCready was last night's all-star. He makes old, tired songs sound new with alternate renditions, blazing energy and a way to connect with the audience very few guitarists can match. In the past, McCready came off to some as a guitar prodigy-type show off, but he really seemed to be in the moment, more than any of the others, last night. McCready shared his time before and after the concert with fans, and nearly set his guitar into flames at one point with ferocious speed during "Even Flow," perhaps to challenge all the air guitarists in the audience in an effort to keep up. The band wisely chose to play choices from their earlier releases up until the album Riot Act, which is a reasonably affordable cut off point, most loyal followers would agree. The earlier back catalog songs didn’t necessarily make you feel as if you were reliving the 90’s: and at some points (especially during "Once" and "State of Love and Trust") seemed to, dare to say, be going through the motions.
Eddie no longer climbs ceiling beams nor has the same youthful disdain as he did in his younger days, and everyone can agree that this isn’t to be expected at this point of his career. I do believe however that the sentimental value attached to such powerhouses can be pushed just as well as the hits, which were performed flawlessly and, to what it seemed like, everyone’s satisfaction.
High Points including their performances of "Rats," "Present Tense," and "Elderly Woman," where the band kindly considered the rear audience and played facing them. Low points were the crowd chanting Maple Leaf cheers and U-S-A to rival.
The band is approaching 23 years since the release of their debut album, Ten. It's certainly been nothing short of enthralling to be on such a journey with easily one the most admirable bands today. There is nothing contrived about Pearl Jam, and Eddie has to be the most esteemed front man in rock music history. They don’t need image, attitude, gimmicks or marketing schemes to hold the throne. This is what makes Pearl Jam absolutely pivotal, even today.
Lightning Bolt, lyrically, could be Ed’s career highlight and artistically the most diverse the band has ventured. "Sirens," the album's second single, perfectly captures this. “Oh, it’s a fragile thing, this life we lead, if I think too much, I can’t get over. When by the graces, by which we live our lives with death over our shoulders. Want you to know, that should I go, I always loved you, held you high above too. I studied your face, the fear goes away.” Lifelong fans have went on a ride starting with teenage animosity, to overcoming loss and grief. The fear does go away and collectively Pearl Jam made it easier. This cannot be said about any other group from what could end up being as the last influential period of rock and roll.
Fun Facts:
Eddie shared a story about how the song “I Got Shit” came to be. He and Neil Young were in the studio and Neil mentioned that they had nine songs total for the album Mirror Ball. Neil said to Eddie, "How many do you got?" Eddie responded, “I got shit.” For such a seemingly thrown together song, it certainly came out fantastically well. I personally requested Pearl Jam play that song on the ten club forums, as I’ve heard from other die hards that the band views it from time to time to gather ideas to select from their extensive catalog. Who knows if that had anything to actually do with it, but its not hard to imagine.
Eddie commented on how cool looking the classic Sabres logo is. Undoubtedly this form of flattery still will not provide any positive momentum for this year's season.
Crowd-riding was back in action again at the First Niagara Center. Fans wore shirts ranging from fictitious bands such as Citizen Dick, to Metallica’s Metal up your Ass, to Clutch and the expected array of 90’s “grunge-era” essentials.
~ Post by Michael Katilus
