I'm so glad meron paren pearl jam fans! haha I live in LA, went to their shows 3 times in 2006, 4 times this year! All the songs from backspacer are really good especially live.
I know alot of people are saying "It doesn't sound like Pearl Jam", but if you listen to their entire catalogs (Studio and Bsides) its like a combination of their previous works. Supersonic reminds me of Mankind, Just Breathe and The End sound like they came from Yield/No Code. Amongst the waves parang Given to Fly and don't tell me the humor on Johnny guitar doesn't take you to Dirty Frank?...
As far as "powerful" songs... If you don't think Just Breathe, The End, Amongst the waves... are powerful, i dont know what is... lyrically and musically, i think songs on this album are brilliant.
I agree that its definitely a positive album, Up beat and FUN! its a good mix to their previous materials. You can see and feel it too during their shows that the guys are really having fun. All those Yeah Yeah Yeah really translate beautifully live....
Sa makatuwid... their best album since Yield (IMHO, ofcourse) And it might sound weird, but Johnny Guitar is my favorite track on this album, next Force of Nature!!! AMAZING AMAZING ALBUM!!!! I have it on CD and Vinyl.
I know this is off topic but...
if you happen to buy a bootleg, get the Los Angeles Show 3 (The played 4 shows in LA). Chris Cornell showed up for Hunger Strike, and Jerry Cantrell played the solo for Alive ( and if you're wondering if i was there (F*ckin work) i was not. I went to Show 1, 2 and 4. I still regret it to this day not going to all 4) But its OK, Jerry Cantrell showed up again for the last show and they played Kick out the Jams! AMAZING...
Back to the topic...
BACKSPACER ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!!