Simplistic show proves successful for Pearl Jam
Sam Derheimer
Scene Music Editor
The crowd at the Deer Creek Music Ampitheater in Noblesville, IN was beginning to get antsy just before Pearl Jam finally came onto stage. Sonic Youth had powered their way through a blistering set that lasted close to an hour, but that was almost an hour before. Dusk had settled into evening. Every time a roadie came onto to stage, the crowd erupted in misguided cheers. A sold-out, die-hard crowd was getting restless, waiting without patience on this warm August night to see the band they would follow to the end of the earth. And then, they came out.
The band wasted no time, immediately picking up their instruments and ripping into ÒCorduroy,Ó a crowd favorite. Without stopping, they muscled their way through song after song, the set list including everything from old classics like ÒAnimal,Ó ÒNot For You,Ó and ÒBlackÓ to new material from Binaural such as ÒInsignificanceÓ and ÒLight Years.Ó
Characteristicly vocal lead singer, Eddie Vedder, spoke little between songs. Less than a month since their first appearance since the Roskilde tragedy, it was apparent that the experience still weighted heavily on the bandÕs mind. In a poetic plea, Vedder reminded the crowd, ÒLife is short, beautiful, but short,Ó then played ÒThrow Your Arms Around Me,Ó an old Hunters and Collectors song the band has become notorious for playing, as if to bring the point home even more.
With a remarkably simplistic backdrop and little banter between songs, Pearl Jam, Vedder, Mike McCready and Stone Gossard on guitars, Jeff Ament on bass and former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron keeping beat, let the music speak for itself. The show lasted over two and a half hours as the band played twenty-seven songs in all. PJ rocked through heavy hits such as ÒSpin the Black CircleÓ and ÒEvenflow,Ó in which McCready thrashed out an extended guitar solo that would have made even an occasional fan long for the return of 1992. At the same time, they also played their ballads with as much emotion and passion as could only be expected from one of the original giants of the Seattle-sound. ÒNothing As it Seems,Ó was one of the showÕs real highlights. Played behind a mist of smoke and red light, the song attained a sort of indescribable somber beauty that could only be truly appreciated in person.
The crowd had received what it wanted. They heard everything from the fifteen minute jam-session version of ÒRearview Mirror,Ó reminiscent of those from The Who and Led Zeppelin, to now famous covers, such as ÒCrazy MaryÓ and ÒRockinÕ in the Free World,Ó which the band used to close the show. Pearl Jam did not disappoint. Though there were few rock-star stage antics, Pearl Jam proved why they can be called the most prolific band of the 90s, and why they still sell out huge venues nearly ten years after the release of their first album.
Pearl Jam rocked. It is as simple as that. From the campfire singalong version of ÒLast KissÓ to the near chaotic fury of ÒLukin,Ó Vedder and company did not disappoint. It was night of music, a night when five talented musicians showed off the true strength of their band. No choreographed steps, no elaborate set, just an amazing band and a full-on affront of unbelievably good music.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, August 29, 2000
