The evolution of Pearl Jam from the early days of Mookie to its current and undeniably more mature state has certainly been an interesting one to follow. The band has survived practically everything that could ever been thrown at a rock group -- a corporate battle, internal antagonisms, horrible assaults by industry media... the list goes on.
But they have survived. Yield, if anything, is a confirmation of this band's resiliency.
I first got wind of Yield's release not long after I returned home from Cold Lake, Alberta. Stuck in the middle of no where with no access to the outside world, I was probably the last Pearl Jam fan the in the country to hear the news, but I was ecstatic nevertheless. The details at the time were sketchy, and really all anyone really knew was that a new album was in the works.
As time went by, more and more details leaked out into the public. Hell, most of the tracks from the album made their way onto the Internet in some form or another, none of which I ever had the pleasure of hearing. I was just getting settled in my new Mississaugan home, and I had not yet hooked my computer up to the Internet, so I couldn't even download them if I wanted to. I didn't matter though, 'cause I didn't really want to ruin the excitement of hearing the album in its entirety when it was finally released some months later. In fact, prior to the release of the 'Given To Fly' single, the only clip I had even heard from the album was the 'GTF' clip Synergy was sporting.
The months waned and 'GTF' was finally released in early January 1998. After a year and a half long years without new Jam, my prayers had finally been answered. The single was unlike anything the band had ever released. It just sounded... different. 'GTF' was monumental in my eyes because it defines the new direction the band was to take.
A couple of days before the album itself was released, a local Toronto radio station decided to have a little Pearl Jam celebration and aired the entire album. As hard as I tried, I couldn't resist giving the station a listen. What I heard was incredible... this was going to be a Pearl Jam album unlike any other the band had ever produced. This was going to be a cohesive album, a mix of all of the band's strengths and individual talents. This wasn't going to be an "Eddie Vedder and Friends" kind of album. This was going to be a true Pearl Jam album. The evolution that began with No Code had furthered its progression, and Yield was the result. It is the apex of Pearl Jam's journey.
In The Beginning...
The whole world will different soon
The whole world will be relievin'
'Brain Of J' is kind of a fitting opening track for the album for a number of reasons. First, it seems to me that this song is the one tune on the album most like the bulk of the band's previous works. This album is kind of a movement away from the past -- 'Brain Of J' is kind of a link to that past. (At least, that's what I'm hearing...)
While I'm sure there's a lot of stock to the JFK conspiracy theory (hell, as if that wasn't the intention of Single Video Theory), 'Brain Of J' isn't totally stuck in that singular mode. I'm guessing that the brain of JFK, which was supposedly stolen shortly after his assassination, is actually a reference to the man's charisma, vision and ideals. It's not "who's got the brain," it's "who's inherited the President's spirit and hope..."
It echoes, nobody hears, it goes, it goes, it goes
Like echoes nobody hears, it goes, it goes, it goes like this...
I don't think there's too much to think about here -- it seems to me that 'Faithfull' is just Ed's well-known views of Christianity in verse. He just ain't bothering with the screaming any more because it's not getting him anything.
'Cause I'll stop trying to make a difference
I'm not trying to make a difference
I'll stop trying to make a difference
No way...
Ah, 'No Way'. It's probably the most misunderstood song on the entire album, at least if you read what the so-called "critics" have to say. Apparently, everyone forgets two things when contemplating this song: first, it's by Stone, and second, there's a "no way" in there. For whatever the reason, the media has done nothing but misquote this song by saying that Eddie is giving up on the "battle." Well, when Eddie is saying, "I'll stop trying to make a difference," he's saying, "no way," too, and besides, they're Stone's words in the first place. So there.
In The Middle...
And he still gives his love, he just gives it all away
The love he receives is the love, that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly!!
There's been a lot of talk about 'Given To Fly' ever since the single was released so many months back. Some people see surfing. Some see Jesus. Mike sees a wave. I myself am kind of partial to the lone, beaten hero theory -- the protagonist is fighting a great battle by running away from what he is to become. He's running away from himself. During the flight from himself, he discovers who he truly is, and is thus set free from his past. And there's nothing that anyone can do to suppress him. He's found the freedom he's sought for so long, and it has given him to fly.
I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me
I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I was the full moon shinning off a Camaro's hood
'Wishlist' is such a simple song -- it sounds as if it could have been written by an elementary school child. And therein lies the beauty, the innocence. It's the undaunted, shameless and truthful ramblings of someone who just wishes.
Too bad the band's beaten the piss out the song live. Overplayed, much?
Stunned by my own reflection
It's looking back sees me too clearly
And I swore I'd never go there again
Not unlike a friend who politely drags you down, you down, you down...
According to lore and legend, 'Pilate' is based on a story stemming from the life and times of Ponitus Pilate, the man who had Jesus pinned to the cross way back in the day. As the story goes, Pilate had a dog, and this dog was his only friend (or something to that effect). I guess Jeff was kind of moved by the fact that even though Pilate did such a terrible thing, the dog didn't care, and loved him anyway. And that, as they say, is that.
I'm ahead
I'm the man
I am the first mammal to wear pants, yeah
I'm at peace with my lust
I can kill, 'cause in God I trust, yeah
I don't think there's too many people out there who are confused by this song, a track that many people feel to be the center point around which Yield revolves. 'Do The Evolution' is pretty much pure commentary, a treatise on modern hypocrisy and the irresponsibility of the human race.
The song itself is... well... it's damn fun. Ed's voice is just so different from what he usually sounds like, so... disenfranchised, as Janeane Garofolo once put it. He scrawls and he shrieks, he caterwauls and he wails as Mike and Stoney pump an absolutely incredible onslaught of aural goodness throughout this tune of bliss. Jack puts out a good beat while Jeff just hums along, and Stone's "hallelujah" bit is... well... scary.
We're all crazy
We're all crazy and warped...
'The Color Red', if you believe the tabloids, was performed at Jack's house. And to this day, people still wonder what they're saying. (I am a firm believer that the above lyrics are correct, so the rest of you are all wrong... so there... ha...)
In The End...
They said timing was everything, made him
Want to be everywhere, there's a
Lot be said for nowhere...
'MFC' -- mini-fast cars, many fast cars, Mc-Fuckin'-Cready... Whatever you believe the acronym to be, one thing's for certain -- this song is groovy. (And you can quote me on that.)
This seems to be a song that Eddie really enjoys playing. So far, I haven't heard any background stories, but I can imagine that it may have something to do with the inspiration for 'Black'.
Can I be here all alone
Clear a path to my home
Blood runs dry
Books and jealousy tell me wrong
I will feel calm
Ah... 'Lowlight'. This song is just so... different. I know I'm saying that about a lot of songs on this album, but I think you'd have to agree with me on this one, 'cause there really is nothing quite like it in the Pearl Jam catalog. I can only guess as to its effect on the band, but whenever they play it, boy do they sound happy. (And look it, too.) I guess this is kind of a release, eh?
It's been about three days now
Since I've been around
No longer overwhelmed and it seems so simple now
It's funny when things change so much
It's all state of mind
'In Hiding' is kind of a claustrophobic song, isn't it? Sort of repressive, really. I guess it just wouldn't be a Pearl Jam album without a bit of emotional suppression, now, would it?
So if there were no angels, would there be sin?
You better stop me before I begin
But let me say -- if I behave, can you arrange a spacious hole in the ground?
Somewhere nice, make it nice
Where the land meets high tide
As far as I can tell, 'Push Me, Pull Me' is a collection of several PJ songs mixed by Eddie with his vocals on the overdub. (The opening "If reality..." bit is from 'Happy When I'm Crying', there's a riff from 'Rearviewmirror', etc...) I've heard some people compare this song to the sometimes-incoherent ramblings of one James Morrison, lamented frontman of the perennial Doors. I agree -- combine this little track with 'I'm Open' from No Code and we can see a very tight parallel forming here. Well, maybe not that tight... but somewhat tight... ah, forget it.
What are you running from?
Taking pills to get along
Creating walls to call your own
So no one catches you drifting off and
Doing all the things that we all do
'All Those Yesterdays' is a fitting end to an album of evolutionary proportions. It sort of leaves the past as is and looks towards what will soon be, and I like that.
Incidentally, that's not a horn you're listening to on 'ATY' -- it's actually Jeff on bass.
In Between...
'Leatherman' -- 'Given To Fly' single
I love this song. That's all there is to it. It's a boppy, go-go-ish song, and it rules. For whatever the reason, the band didn't seem to eager to play this tune during the early Yield tour stops. Just a few weeks into the tour, they must've realized that people love this song, and it's been a staple of the setlist ever since. It's often paired with 'Better Man' and 'Nothingman' nowadays, and the band really seems to love playing it. And that's a good thing, 'cause I love hearing it.
'U' -- 'Wishlist' single
'U' is pretty damn hard to explain... I mean, no wait, it's easy to explain -- it's just the word 'you' over and over again. Surprisingly enough, it works, and just grooves right along. I can't really get much deeper than that -- you kind of need to hear it to know what I'm saying here.
In The Aftershock...
When I first heard Yield, I was sort of blown away. It just wasn't what I had expected, even though I should have considering the direction taken with No Code. Even now, this album still feels new. Hearing it live is a joy (just as it is meant to be with this band) and really brings out the best of the band in every way. I'm not sure if I like it more than Vitalogy, my favoritest of favoritests, but it's damn good nonetheless. (And no, favoritest is not a word.)
And to all of you people who still yearn for the days of Ten, give this album a listen. Hopefully, it'll change your mind.
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