Pearl Jam Twenty: the love that is saved

Pearl Jam are celebrating their 20th Anniversary with the release of Pearl Jam Twenty, a documentary film tracing the history of the band through rare footage and new interviews. The film is written and directed by Cameron Crowe, and will premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10. This is how the band’s official website summarizes Pearl Jam Twenty:

The film [...] chronicles the years leading up to the band’s formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after being catapulted into superstardom, their step back from the spotlight with the instinct of self-preservation, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them—giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. The film celebrates the freedom that allows the band to make music without losing themselves, their fans, or the music lovers they’d always been.

I have appreciated Pearl Jam’s music and musicianship all these years, and their sound has the definitive quality to reflect upon most of what I see around me. Moreover, shouldn’t rock music and alternative mentality be much more than style over substance? By refusing to make videos at the height of their popularity, boycotting the giant ticket sales company Ticketmaster and suffering long term loses in terms of touring, and, most of all, by continuing  to evolve their music, rather than resting on their laurels or repeating any kind of formula, Pearl Jam have set a standard.

Last but not least, the film’s trailer uses a segment of Given To Fly, from their 1998 album Yield. It happens to be one of their very best songs – so why don’t we turn the volume up, way up:

 

He could’ve tuned in, tuned in
But he tuned out
A bad time, nothing could save him
Alone in a corridor, waiting, locked out
He got up outta there, ran for hundreds of miles
He made it to the ocean, had a smoke in a tree
The wind rose up, set him down on his knee

A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw
Delivered him wings, ‘Hey, look at me now’
Arms wide open with the sea as his floor
Oh, power, oh
He’s… flying... whole

He floated back down ’cause he wanted to share
His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, fuckers
He still stands

And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly

High… flying…
High… flying…
He’s flying…