5 Dark Matter songs you can hear at Pearl Jam concerts in Vancouver

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Pearl Jam World Tour: Dark Materials

When: May 4 and 6
Where: Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets/information: ticketmaster.com

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How does it feel to be the last band standing from the grunge era?

That question seems to be being asked. pearl jam quite frequently in articles promoting the Seattle quintet’s new album, Dark Matter, and supporting the world tour that kicks off in Vancouver with two shows at Rogers Arena on May 4 and 6.

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The question isn’t exactly fair, as scene contemporaries Alice in Chains and Mudhoney are still making noise.

But Pearl Jam is the only group that has not marked the passage of time with some kind of tragic turn in one of its members. The group continues making music with, more or less, the original lineup. The group is looking for their fifth drummer, but none of them spontaneously combusted on stage or anything like that.

How does the band do it?

The lasting success seems to be that, from the beginning, the group achieved 15 times platinum sales of their debut album Ten, and counting. Five of the most performed songs on the band’s set charts are from that smash hit album. Even Flow is in the first place.

The album is the gift that keeps on giving and, by a wide margin, the group’s best-performing release. The next highest earner is the 1993 VS, with only eight times platinum. None of the group’s top five is post-2005, and 2004’s Rearviewmirror was a greatest hits compilation.

Which brings listeners to Dark Matter.

The new album was released on April 19 with the release of the new lead single. The new material certainly bears the stamp of Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, whose credits include Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Miley Cyrus. Watt is also the guitarist for PJ singer Eddie Vedder’s backing band, The Earthlings.

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The 11-track Dark Matter is Pearl Jam’s twelfth release and earned a score of 83 on Metacritic.com in its launch week. That’s three points more than its predecessor Gigaton 2020. Dark Matter is certainly a focused album.

Here are five Dark Matter songs to expect in concert and why:

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1. Dark Matter

The title track is a rocking number that provides brand recognition for the new album and has a rotating display that simply begs to be projected on the screen as the band progresses through the tune. All the art videos that accompany the songs on the new album are attractive.

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2. React, respond

One of the punkiest riffs the group has created in decades, this almost bluesy boogie simply begs to be played. The band is known for enjoying a long guitar workout or three live, so this is possible. Also, the chorus is a delirium.

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3. I won’t tell

Is this a new PJ power ballad? With a shallow, pleading vocal from Vedder, it has some real Matchbox Twenty energy. Just another sign that the grunge generation is well entrenched in the AOR vibe that comes with time.

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4. Running

Dark Matter’s first single is an obvious choice for a new in-concert fan favorite. It’s 2:18 seconds of swagger that sounds like something you would have heard blasting at the Offramp club in 1990. Seriously, this one kicks.

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5. Setting sun

Need a moment to catch your breath with something more grounded? The closing melody of Dark Matter fits perfectly with a softer section that could include Betterman and other more relaxed moments from the band’s career. Who knows? With a little luck, maybe the group will release their great cover of Victoria Williams’ Crazy Mary and Vedder’s excellent solo single Hard Sun.

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