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CartJeff Ament "While My Heart Beats" Album Review — 4.5 out of 5 stars
Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:56:23
Jeff Ament's second solo album, While My Heart Beats, is utterly and undeniably alive.
The legendary Pearl Jam bassist paints a poetic pastiche of sounds, spanning a palette of tribal percussion and a distorted guitar hum. Ament's constructed a psychedelic and philosophical journey commencing with the tambourine jangle and riff stomp of "Ulcers & the Apocalypse". Lyrically, it's a remembrance of youth that's instantly poignant.
Running down the line, "When the Fire Comes" exudes a cinematic elegance as the song builds into an impressively catchy refrain. Meanwhile, his signature bass thud punctuates "War in Your Eyes" with a heavy punch that guarantees another knockout rocker.
"Give It a Name" glides along on a snappy riff and a resounding vocal echo. Then, there's the standout acoustic "Take My Hand", where he proclaims, "Angels burn". His elegant lyrical prose begs a closer listen and ultimately pulls in the audience just a little closer. Everything culminates during the spacey dreamscape of "Never Forget", which pulls together into another vibrant lullaby.
The album's a true gem, and Ament constructs a personal ride that's worth taking. Your heart might beat even a little faster by the end of it.
—Rick Florino
06.12.12
Have you heard While My Heart Beats?
Get it on CD from Pearl Jam's store, or digitally on iTunes or AmazonMP3!
