Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt finds Pearl Jam working confidently within an established rock sound. The guitars have room to develop, the rhythm section is assured and Eddie Vedder remains an expressive presence. There are several strong songs here, particularly when the band change the mood. The complete record is less convincing when that comfortable playing becomes a substitute for urgency.
Getaway begins firmly, with a clear drum pattern and a driving guitar riff supporting Vedder's changing delivery. Mind Your Manners then adds a quicker, punk-influenced burst. The early energy gives the album a useful entrance, even if the playing is more controlled than reckless.
Sirens takes the music in a gentler direction. Vedder's lower register and higher vocal passages give the melody much of its character, while Mike McCready's guitar adds another expressive response. The arrangement is familiar, but the strength of the performance makes the song worth returning to.
Pendulum provides a more interesting change of atmosphere. The sparse singing, echoes and less straightforward rhythm let the instruments create a darker setting. Infallible also finds space for changes within the arrangement, broadening the record beyond a steady exchange of harder songs and ballads.
Let The Records Play offers another opportunity for the guitar to stand out inside a more deliberate rock groove. Future Days closes on a smaller scale, using acoustic accompaniment and Vedder's restrained delivery to give the ending a direct emotional character.
The weaknesses become clearer between those highlights. The title track and Swallowed Whole feel too closely tied to familiar patterns, and some of the heavier playing lacks the urgency its volume suggests. The band sound capable throughout, but not every song gives that ability a distinctive purpose.
Lightning Bolt is still a worthwhile record for its vocal character and the detail of the ensemble playing. The darker passages and quieter performances often make the strongest impression. Pearl Jam give their familiar sound enough depth to remain engaging, while leaving the sense that a more adventurous sequence could have made the whole album stronger.
