Musical Thesis: Pearl Jam “Gigaton”

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At the center of every album is a musical thesis. This thesis can be the driving force behind the album, a theme that interweaves songs together, or a feeling you are left with after the very last song plays. With some albums, the thesis is easy to find. On others, it is hidden and requires you to be more than a passive listener. These reviews are not about rating an album. Instead, it is about uncovering a musical thesis.

Compared to most rock bands, Pearl Jam possesses an innate and superb ability to demand reflection from their audience. The thing most often demanding our collective attention in their music is our society’s great failings. For most bands, this would feel cheap and inauthentic. For this band, after a 30-year career, we expect Eddie and the gang to wrestle with humanity in a profound way. With “Gigaton,” they do exactly that. The wrestling in this collection can often possess the angst of a great punk record, but it can also be quiet, somber, and reflective. With topics such as the environment, the US and global politics, and public trust serving as inspiration, the thesis of this album could give way to a less than positive outlook. Yet, through it all, this album takes the long view. The moment we find ourselves is only temporary. We would ourselves justice to remember that.

Be good to each other,

Nathan