The "super-est" of Super Tuesdays - Pearl Jam and Tool

I've been a musician forever and a music fanatic for even longer. Needless to say it takes something huge for me to claim to be "really" excited about something. Well, this past Tuesday was such a day. On the same day both Pearl Jam and Tool released a new record. Wow. What a release day.
I'm only going to review Pearl Jam, but will say that the new Tool record is better than their last effort and kicks much ass. I digress; Pearl Jam is without a doubt my favorite band. So, I've been researching and anticipating their new release for about the last 4 years. I haven't been disappointed.
It's the first album in a long time from them that really stands out. It has everything that they do best on it. Mike goes nuts on the guitar a great deal, Eddie growls more than he has in the last 3 records combined, and it's both raw and sincere without being cheesy or preachy. The stand out tracks, a side from the single "World Wide Suicide," are "Severed Hand," "Unemployable," and "Army Reserve." In reality, it is the kind of album that you could listen to straight through and be satisfied every time.
Let's talk about the 3 tracks that I mentioned though. "Severed Hand" is just a killer rock song. It combines the old school feel of "Even Flow" with their new school sound encompassed in songs like "Insignificant" and "Rival" from the album "Binaural." It is definitely the most crowd pleasing rock song that they have released since "Do the Evolution." "Unemployable" is a catchy, pop song that rolls effortlessly and is the closest thing they have released to a radio friendly song in a long time. You'll be putting this one on repeat. Finally, "Army Reserve" is the hidden gem on the record. It isn't explosive, but once you listen to the whole thing, it will probably be one of your favorite songs on the record. It begins with a subtle groove accentuated by strumming guitars and Ament's bouncing bass line. I say hidden gem because you don't really see the entire picture for the song until you get to the chorus. It ascends and then gently lays you back down into a verse that you'll be humming all day.
This is an excellent rock record. Whether you are into Pearl Jam or not, it's worth a listen.

Rock on my friends, rock on.

(Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam)