Lemonade Sandwich

DARK MATTER
4/19/2024

I get the skepticism when a long-running band gets the hype train for their newest album rolling by proclaiming it their “best work.” Who are they trying to kid/convince/fool? “The older, the better” works for wine, but not for music.

Or so the wisdom goes.

“Scared Of Fear”--The sound of “lifelong creative confidantes and brothers in one room” rocking it inside out under the auspices of a producer young enough to be the son of any one band member is, simply, anthemic melancholia. And the questions, thankfully (reassuringly?), flow still.

“React, Respond”—Rubber smacks wood with maniacal glee. My favorite runners are also big bouncers.

“Wreckage”—A hit between 1997-2007, nowadays space junk in the sonic galaxy.

“Dark Matter”—Unlike the previous tune, a gem of purposeful lethargy, “Dark Matter” boasts all the slick with none of the stick.

“Won’t Tell”—Mid-tempo excuse for Eddie to show and prove. But not tell. See the title?

“Upper Hand”—Lower tier, though.

“Waiting For Stevie”—Wonder? Ray Vaughan? There’s multiple references to a “her,” ah, so then it’s Nicks! Will you ever win, indeed. After a streak of moody, well-meaning mediocrity, we are back like Edge at the Royal Rumble. Starts with the (quite good) chorus and by the end, hopefully you understand that Matt Cameron is the real MVP.

“Running”—The shortest track here at 2:19, “Running” is a jam handy if you’re keen on skateboarding atop a motorcycle.

“Something Special”—Hand up, chin up! Because yes, we fuck up, we fall down, sometimes we are even held down, but staying down is for the dead and the dead only.

“Got To Give”—Classic rockin’ ode to resilience, and the burnt-off cynicism of youth.

“Setting Sun”—Not as catchy as an a.m. birdsong, but about as memorable. So glad PJ realized every act is not built to riot.

Offering none of Gigaton’s experimentation doesn’t exactly place Dark Matter in the pantheon with Ten and Vs, and besides I liked Gigaton. This is Pearl Jam content to rock, but not content in the act. And frankly, that’s refreshing.