Backspacer
by Pearl Jam
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 241 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 213 out of 241
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 241
  3. Negative: 6 out of 241

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  1. ChrisT
    Oct 15, 2009
    10
    Great album. 20 years and still kicking out awesome rock and mid tempo songs.
  2. Rob
    Oct 2, 2009
    10
    A nice short collection of songs. One of the best albums that Pearl Jam has ever recorded. Rock on guys!!
  3. MattA
    Oct 8, 2009
    9
    I'd like to start off by saying, "I was never a Pearl Jam Fan." I downloaded the CD on a whim and it's slowly grown on me ever since! The album is short, but there are hardly any tracks worth skipping. Pearl Jam has mixed classic grunge rock, and alternative folk, in a way only seasoned musicians could. This is the 1st PJ album I've bought, and they have convinced me that I'd like to start off by saying, "I was never a Pearl Jam Fan." I downloaded the CD on a whim and it's slowly grown on me ever since! The album is short, but there are hardly any tracks worth skipping. Pearl Jam has mixed classic grunge rock, and alternative folk, in a way only seasoned musicians could. This is the 1st PJ album I've bought, and they have convinced me that they deserve all the praise they get. My favorite tracks: Forces of Nature, Unthought Known, The End.… Expand
  4. RobCam
    Sep 25, 2009
    7
    I'm a huge Pearl Jam fan but when it comes down to it this album really doesn't stand up with the rest. Put it somewhere in the range of No Code, which I have to say can outplay Backspacer. Admittingly Got Some and Unthought Known are excellent songs.
  5. WesA.
    Sep 29, 2009
    9
    When the tide rises, all boats are lifted.
  6. KevinM
    Sep 30, 2009
    10
    Favorite album since No Code...if you've ever liked Pearl Jam, you need to get this album.
  7. GustavoM
    Oct 13, 2009
    10
    Solid album, all songs are very good, this album doesn't have that experimental songs like red point, wasted reprise, wich is very good to me. All songs re radio candidates. Excellent Work.
  8. RubinS
    Oct 16, 2009
    10
    The best album of 2009 ...Backspacer..Awesome songs!!!
  9. AkmalS.
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    Just when u thought that Pearl Jam's in their comfort zone, they change direction rightaway! So fast that you could only wonder how or why. But that's Pearl Jam, and that's what make them the greatest band in the world today!
  10. SimG.
    Oct 1, 2009
    7
    Backspacer is good. Not Ten good, but maybe Binaural good, or Yield good. The Fixer is a nice catchy song, the equivalent of let
  11. ClaudioD
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Pearl Jam do not lose their essence, that is to do music for the soul. Always maintaining a high musical and interpretative quality, like always the lyrics are intelligent and always something can be learned of them, they show us that can be successful without being sold to the system. The voice of eddie that has all the power of a bomb and at the same time, the sensibility of a flower. Pearl Jam do not lose their essence, that is to do music for the soul. Always maintaining a high musical and interpretative quality, like always the lyrics are intelligent and always something can be learned of them, they show us that can be successful without being sold to the system. The voice of eddie that has all the power of a bomb and at the same time, the sensibility of a flower. In short a great album. (Sorry for my poor English).… Expand
  12. BradJ
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    Just brilliant.
  13. KevinW.
    Oct 6, 2009
    9
    Solid album from rocks most relevant crew.
  14. BillyB.
    Oct 6, 2009
    10
    My favorite album since..........well since their last one!! Songs that have you up moving or laying in bed with your headphones on wiping a tear from your eye!If you love pearl jam its simple,,,you love this album.
  15. GregB
    Oct 8, 2009
    10
    Great album. One of their best yet. On par with Vitalogy.
  16. HectorH
    Sep 21, 2009
    10
    Best Pearl Jam album since the holy trinity in the early 90's. There' s something here for EVERYONE. Got Some will kick your patooty!
  17. SashoK
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    The most complete Pearl Jam rock record i'd say since "Versus"! Not a filler in here! Great melodies, great lyrics by Eddie Vedder, the rhythm section is amazing on this one, Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron shine throughtout the record and the production is un-fuckin-amazing! Probably the best sounding Pearl Jam record, ever! My faves after 5 spins of the album are: Gonna See My Friend, The most complete Pearl Jam rock record i'd say since "Versus"! Not a filler in here! Great melodies, great lyrics by Eddie Vedder, the rhythm section is amazing on this one, Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron shine throughtout the record and the production is un-fuckin-amazing! Probably the best sounding Pearl Jam record, ever! My faves after 5 spins of the album are: Gonna See My Friend, Got Some, AMONGST THE WAVES, Just Breathe and Force Of Nature! I wont be surprised if it ends up on top of the "the best rock album of the year" lists!!… Expand
  18. JamesH
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    9 albums in and still releasing GREAT music.
  19. marks
    Sep 22, 2009
    10
    A short but amazingly well written, well performed and well produced album. Great songs that we'll hear for a long time to come. Unthought Known is classic rock!
  20. RyanL
    Sep 20, 2009
    10
    Pearl Jam's strongest effort in over a decade.
  21. SeanT
    Sep 22, 2009
    9
    Thank God for Pearl Jam. Either in the studio or as a live act they continue to be superb. Everything about Backspacer is top notchfrom the punkish to ballads with strings and 9 records in perhaps their most mature.
  22. DanC
    Sep 23, 2009
    9
    Great record. Do not read the pitchfork review and take it seriously, that's the real reason why I posted.
  23. BackSpacer
    Sep 23, 2009
    8
    It's not as artful or deep as No Code, but that's quite alright. This is a tight, focused, nicely layered album, that is (gasp) fun! Some of the songs do remind me of 'Lost Dog' because of that fun factor, but make no mistake, these tracks aren't throw away B sides; they are darn good little ditties that are a blast to listen to. Great album, and can't wait It's not as artful or deep as No Code, but that's quite alright. This is a tight, focused, nicely layered album, that is (gasp) fun! Some of the songs do remind me of 'Lost Dog' because of that fun factor, but make no mistake, these tracks aren't throw away B sides; they are darn good little ditties that are a blast to listen to. Great album, and can't wait to start hearing some of these tracks live. The best: Unthought Known, and Got Some. The good: Just Breathe, Supersonic, Gonna See My Friend, Johnny Guitar, Force Of Nature, The Fixer. The OK: Speed Of Sound, Amongst The Waves, The End.… Expand
  24. Roger
    Sep 23, 2009
    10
    Great album!
  25. DL
    Sep 24, 2009
    9
    Simply a great, fun album. Nothing overly political and mostly an introspective album. Can't wait to hear this live!!!
  26. JordiF
    Sep 28, 2009
    9
    Excellent album from one of greatest rock bands ever.
  27. StephenD
    Nov 3, 2009
    9
    Pearl Jam have embraced their fun side on Backspacer, with excellent results. Pitchfork, of course, hates it..... which is usually a good sign that I'll like it.
  28. JT
    Nov 9, 2009
    7
    I'm torn. The first six songs quite splendid, but the latter half kind of sags. All and all, the record is about as good as their 2006 self-titled album, just with the tracks in a less logical order. Pearl Jam fans will probably not be disappointed, but not stunned either.
  29. JmiH
    Oct 2, 2009
    9
    Delivers on the promise of the Avocado album. Eddie and the boys totally recapture the mojo they have not had since Yield... or perhaps even Vitalogy.
  30. ChrisC
    Oct 25, 2009
    9
    Claudio D., your English is magical. That was beautiful. Eddie would be proud. Great album; welcome back, Pearl Jam.
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2009
57
#57 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Rolling Stone
    80
    Backspacer, Pearl Jam's ninth album, backspaces to that boyish spirit, with the shortest, tightest, punkiest tunes they've ever banged out.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    80
    For the first time in years, Pearl Jam are seizing the moment rather than wallowing in it.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    80
    The commitment that Vedder brings to all this material, from the rowdiest thrashing to the schmaltziest ballad makes this feel like a unified and ultimately convincing project. [Oct 2009, p.90]
See all critic reviews »