The circuitous ringing notes of “Release” begin and the reflective and subdued Vedder baritone greets the showers of escalating cheers that sound like the rush of water cascading down a tidal wave... Louder and louder as it approaches.. If you have never been in the darkness of a crowd of 17,000 music fanatics on the verge of tasting their musical wine you need to put this on your list . "I'll ride the wave where it takes me.. I'll hold the pain.. Release Me!" escalates Eddie Vedder. By this point the white noise of 17,000 sounds like 25,000 as the lighting grows on the band giving the crowd their first glimpse of their subculture spokesmen.  The build of "Severed Hand" smashes into the racous frenzy, scraping and complex chordal rhythms, and thundering drums that is Pearl Jam in 2006.  Their most recent release simply entitled "Pearl Jam" hit stores May 2nd of this year to solid reviews in the rock community.  A more visceral return to their foundations laid with their first release "Ten" in 1991.  The album is more polished with studio creative accessorizing, but maintains the power and mastery of their original chordal arrangements juxtaposed with the rhythmic workings of Stone Gossard and the incendiary Mike McCready on guitar.  Eddie Vedder has presented a timely framework of songs reflective of the geopolitical situation that the U.S. finds itself in. The song titles from the release that appeared in last night's set speak for themselves.  "World Wide Suicide", "Severed Hand", "A Life Wasted", "Unemployable", "Comatose", "Down", "Gone". In case you missed the last 15 years Pearl Jam has been a voice reflecting on the lunacy of politics and the downtrodden throughout their strong career.  Their respect for the blue collar and their desires for humanity to find peace are shown by their ground breaking fan club "Ten Club" , their distribution channels of their artistic endeavors and seats at their shows.. To Pearl Jam it is simple.. Don't play with those in the business that drink the money of fanaticism like blood for vampires.  Your seats go to your most senior fan club members.. If you've been in the fan club longer.. you get better seats. What could be more refreshing in the days of pre-sales on pre-sales sold to the most weathly who will not even enjoy the show as they sip their wine and wonder why the people behind them are such lunatics. (Reference Tom Petty's "The Last DJ" album for an almost cinematic set of songs detailing this modern tragedy that's replaced the "m" in ticketmaster with a "b" and some "ard"ent creativity at the end for anyone under 50).

Highlights of the pounding live set included the piercing performances of "Animal", "Red Mosquito", "Even Flow" and the an anthem of the those with traumatic home lives "Why Go"(Home). This band provides catharsis for the underprivileged and challenged club. Their frustrations once locked deep within flowing out into the group engagement of live rock performance at its best. Visually you could barely keep up with who was flying where in the air, which side the guitarists were moving to and their interaction with the fans. The band mentioning and greeting the fans behind the stage, as Matt Cameron smashed explosively with flawless creative fills on the drums. This crowd was one of the best I've seen stretching their vocal chords to their limits with unrelenting enthusiasm singing word for word with each song. Vedder commented that he thought this was the best crowd of the tour, "Honest Truth" he remarked obviously struck by their enthusiasm and devotion.  The stunning encores began with at least 10,000 fans clapping together to greet the musicians back on the stage. Stools were placed on the stage and Eddie Vedder on a telecaster guitar and Jeff Ament on a stand up bass commemorated Bob Dylan's 65th Birthday with a respect soaked and optimism filled rendition of "Forever Young" . Vedder commentating that technically that makes Dylan of retirement age but "Thankfully, I don't think that's going to happen".  The traveling troubadour would have himself been truly touched.  "Masters of War" fell right in suit with the peaceful protest tone and questioning tribute to Dylan.  The band then joined in for a beautiful rendition of "Crazy Mary" with Boom Gaspar soaking the crowd with an emotionally expressive Hammond B3 solo.  The second encore was a punk powerhouse of "Spin The Black Circle", "Do The Evolution", "Whipping", "Rats" and ending with the Neil Young rock anthem "Rocking In The Free World". 

Michael Rathbun is a free-lance music writer, photographer, and recording engineer. He can be reached at rathbun_michael@yahoo.com

DATE	CITY	STATE/COUNTRY	VENUE	DOWNLOAD?
2006-05-24	Boston	Massachusetts	TD Banknorth Garden	Download
Set 1	Release, Severed Hand, World Wide Suicide, Corduroy, Animal, Red Mosquito, Love Boat Captain, Better Man, Unemployable, Even Flow, Sad, Wishlist, Gone, Green Disease, Down, Jeremy, Life Wasted, Why Go
Encore 1	Forever Young, Masters Of War, Crazy Mary, Inside Job, Alive
Encore 2	Spin The Black Circle, Do The Evolution, Whipping, Rats, Comatose, Rockin' In The Free World