As we reported in May, Pearl Jam took over the Showbox in Seattle to shoot a live video of their new single The Fixer with Cameron Crowe. The video was reportedly to be used in an advertisement for the release of their new album Backspacer, available September 20th primarily via retail giant Target.
While that advertisement may still be on the way, the footage has been released by the band as a proper video for the song, featuring the performance’s live audio.
It’s currently available as a free download on iTunes for a limited time. Of course it’s been thrown up all over YouTube for the non-iTunes users and everyone overseas, but we found a version that looks & sounds clearer than anything to be found there currently.
Unfortunately, despite the A-list director, the video is somewhat underwhelming. It immediately reminded us of MTV’s infamous ADHD-friendly guideline of staying on a single shot for no longer than three seconds at a time. It became a trademark of mainstream, lowest-common-denominator production, and it’s a weird way to watch a band like Pearl Jam.
The green screen stuff made me slightly dizzy. I don’t like it.
[...] with Cameron Crowe for their Target commercial, ’cause it does look commercial-ly right? According to our pals at Antiquiet (and they know their Pearl Jam) it’s the commercial footage shot by Crowe for the ad and the [...]
I’m only a moderate fan of the new Pearl Jam, but this is a great music video.
It must have been fun for the people in the audience seeing the green screen backdrops.
Heart-ripping disappointment.
No real opinion about the video, other than it’s pretty generic-looking and, as mentioned previously, “commercial-ly.” The star for me in watching it was the song – I really liked it. It, too, is more commercial than prior efforts, but it’s that aspect of the song that makes it good, in my estimation. I’m glad to see them come with something catchy and uncomplicated this go around. I’m also stoked to see them still around making music. What’s Matt Cameron gonna do when Soundgarden get back together?
That was a partly-sarcastic question. Are Soundgarden getting back together or WTF?
I’ve heard mixed stories. If Cameron’s making new music with Pearl Jam, that’s a bad sign for a Soundgarden reunion, obviously.
The video slightly makes me want to go to a Pearl Jam concert. But not watch the video. ever. again.
Absolutely unwatchable in my opinion, speaking as someone who grew up living and breathing this band. Anyone singing its praises enjoys headaches – that’s all there is to it.
That made my right eye hurt and I’m not kidding. Seriously. Not fucking kidding and that usually only happens when I see Stoney in one of his green-grey shorts, plaid shirt/sandals/socks combos.
Love the audience enthusiasm, though. I’d be right there in the front row…long as there were no odd special effects going on.
I love Pearl Jam … have since day one, but that video is shit