Part of me thinks Pearl Jam is a polarizing band, but I don't think that's quite the case. They have a fairly large fanbase that just know the hits (as most bands do) and then it goes either way from there. I wouldn't dare classify them as "edgy" or even "innovative" at this point. Plain and simple, they're unapologetically good at what they do: make above average rock music and play live shows with unparalleled intensity and ferocity.
Obviously, I fall into the "diehard" category whereas some of my friends are on the other side of the spectrum (staring nastily at both Justin and Abe). That said, the band as an entity may not be polarizing by definition, but Eddie Vedder's [inconsistent] vibrato certainly is. There are two schools of thought here: either you think he sounds like he's singing "with a pickle in his mouth" or you think his unorthodox style, great lyrical ability, and endless supply of energy make him one of the greatest frontmen to ever grace the scene.
However, I think the argument concerning Vedder's voice is both tired and untrue at this point. Whether it be by choice or physical damage, his vocal range has been fairly consistent going back to Binaural. He's not Tom Waits, but it sure sounds like that's where he's aiming.
To the point, I had the pleasure of seeing Pearl Jam in Kansas City and St. Louis on consecutive nights. Dustin and I left early for Kansas City to make the most of the man-date and had a great time even before the show. Wound up in McFadden's for lack of somewhere better to go and I can't say it was the worst experience. It filled up fast right after we found a table, but in the end we were seated with beers in hand and a passable appetizer in front of us.
Check paid (thanks, Dustin) and one great cigar later (thanks again), we were headed inside the Sprint Center to get our seats. We were there well ahead of the opening band, Band of Horses so we grabbed our apparel in an effort to beat the unavoidable lines that would spring up shortly thereafter. Got this one for Van and Erica's little one (we'll call him "Odin" for now). Found our seats and some 30 minutes later Band of Horses went on. It's tough to describe the act, but I guess I'd say they could pass as an indie Ben Harper quintet. Definitely a good act to get the crowd into the swing of things.
The wait between bands seemed like an eternity... so I'll move it along to spare you that series of painful moments. Getting right to the setlist:
Animal
World Wide Suicide
Got Some
Unthought Known
MFC
Johnny Guitar
Amongst the Waves
Even Flow
Gods Dice
Present Tense
Daughter
Wishlist
Insignificance
Do the Evolution
**Encore Break 1***
Off He Goes
Just Breathe
The Fixer
Porch
***Encore Break 2***
No More
Black
Alive
Rockin' in the Free World
Yellow Ledbetter
Star-Spangled Banner
Damn.
That was about all we could say after that barrage of... everything. The concert had it all whether it be radio hits ("Even Flow", "Alive", "Better Man") or obscure b-sides ("MFC", "Gods Dice", "Insignificance"). The two hours back to Columbia was filled with discussion concerning the concert in St. Louis. We didn't know what to expect given the myriad of songs we had just heard. Laying in bed that night I somehow knew they wouldn't disappoint in St. Louis and fell asleep in between a subsiding adrenaline rush and lightly buzzing eardrums.
Like most young children, Gavin doesn't believe in sleeping past 6:30am or so. Sleep deprived, we made it through the morning and Dustin and I - along with the ladies this time - headed to St. Louis (there was cheesecake along the way). We grabbed some wings and each a single drink at Hooters near Busch Stadium this time around. Timed our arrival at Scottrade near the end of Band of Horses set. And then the Pearl Jam setlist from that night looked like this:
Sometimes
All Night
Do the Evolution
Why Go
Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
In Hiding
Even Flow
Save You
Down
Pilate
Severed Hand
Not For You
Glorified G
1/2 Full
Daughter
The Fixer
***Encore Break 1***
Inside Job
Jeremy
Got Some
Rearviewmirror
***Encore Break 2***
Garden
Yellow Ledbetter / Little Wing
So... yeah. Another amazing show. Five hours of music (55 songs total) between the two nights and - of those - we only heard ten songs that were played on both nights. For someone that wanted the complete experience, it was money well spent as far as I'm concerned. And Kim and Bridget both seemed to have a good time so... bonus. :)
I still wouldn't consider myself "rested" four full days later, but I'm getting close. Until then, I'll consider my lessening fatigue a reminder of neverending memories.
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