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10.0
137208
10.0 |
Kerrang!
Dark Matter is many things. It’s thrilling. It’s moving. It’s surprising. It’s a band still operating at the peaks of their powers
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9.1
137366
9.1 |
Spin
Is Dark Matter that different from immediate predecessors Backspacer, Lightning Bolt, and Gigaton? Not really. But is it somehow Pearl Jammier, in an ineffable sense? Yep—in fact, it’s something special
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9.0
137238
9.0 |
Spill Magazine
Feels like the beginning of a thrilling new era for the band as Pearl Jam sound absolutely revitalised creatively on Dark Matter, a truly exciting record that captures the band at their best in nearly two decades
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9.0
137240
9.0 |
XS Noize
See review link
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8.0
137242
8.0 |
NME
On their 12th studio album, the grunge veterans both return to their heavier roots and experiment with new sonic avenues after years of playing it safe
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8.0
137209
8.0 |
Uncut
This is a fretful and ferocious record, lyrically much preoccupied with things having ended or appearing about to end, but musically much more blaze of glory than any kind of funeral pyre. Print edition only
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8.0
137210
8.0 |
Mojo
That Dark Matter succeeds so well is due to the and focusing their creative energy, just as Watt's sonic Nutribullet technique condense PJ's core rumble into punchy blasts. Print edition only
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8.0
137211
8.0 |
The Irish Times
Producer Andrew Watt helps grunge stalwarts with what he did for The Rolling Stones last year: roll years back while avoiding parody
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8.0
137235
8.0 |
The Independent
Musically, this album is some of the band’s catchiest and punchiest material in years
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8.0
137237
8.0 |
All Music
See review link
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8.0
137247
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
While it may be a touch less adventurous as it’s two predecessors, 'Dark Matter' succeeds overwhelmingly
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8.0
137248
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
With Dark Matter, the band has rarely sounded more essential
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8.0
137253
8.0 |
Clash
Trimming back the excess of their recent experimental streak, it finds the band digging back into their core values – ruthlessly entertaining, often moving, it’s an undoubted thriller for fans
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8.0
137272
8.0 |
musicOMH
There’s a reason why one of the few survivors of the grunge scene have been so enduring – they are extraordinarily good at what they do
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7.4
137349
7.4 |
Spectrum Culture
Thirty years ago, no one was expecting this sort of longevity from the grunge scene, but Pearl Jam carries on with fortitude, surprisingly undimmed in their mix of realism and optimism
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7.2
137292
7.2 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
Dark Matter ended up as the most interesting and energized record since Backspacer
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7.0
137270
7.0 |
Paste Magazine
The Seattle band’s 12th album is pensive, anthemic and emblematic of the storied 30-year chemistry shared between Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard
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7.0
137244
7.0 |
Exclaim
It'd be nigh impossible to argue the band hasn't faded with age. But they're still here, they're still alive and by all available evidence, they're better for it
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6.4
137277
6.4 |
Pitchfork
Retreating from the experimentation of Gigaton, Pearl Jam delivers a comforting blend of agitated fist-pumpers, roiling ballads, and yearning mid-tempo anthems
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6.0
137262
6.0 |
The FT
The grunge band launch themselves into their latest record with wholehearted, full-throated commitment
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6.0
137264
6.0 |
The Observer
With superproducer Andrew Watt working his magic, the Seattle grunge veterans sound on point and full of energy in their 35th anniversary year
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