Disco de Pearl Jam: “I Am Mine”

'I Am Mine' is the first track to be released from Pearl Jam's upcoming album: 'The Riot Act.' 'I Am Mine' is a moderately placed single with a message of loneliness and longing. Eddie Vedder croons "the ocean is full because everyone is crying / the full moon is looking for friends at hightide" and punctuates each verse with "I only know my mind / I am mine." However, he sings those verses with confidence. While bemoaning a loss of innocence, he offers encouragement that "we don't need to hide," which he retracks later in the song ("We may need to hide"). As a result, the message comes off as one with an underlying sadness, but with tremendous hope. Despite this, the song doesn't lumber, and it doesn't even depress the listener. I've found myself happily humming the tune on a couple of occassions.

The B side, 'Down', will not appear on the album. However, it makes for a nice answer to 'I Am Mine'. Vedder's vocals suggest that he has "fell by the wayside", and "stuck in line", but "symptoms fade" and he "won't let the light escape from [him]." Overall, the message seems to be that even though things may be bleak, and he may be held down, they can't beat the hope out of him.

Both songs are reminiscent of something from 'Ten' or 'Vs.' Old school Pearl Jam fans should be happy with that. Those that complain about Vedder's experimentation should be happy to find something a little more traditional. Overall, two great songs from a great band. I can't wait for the album.

I Am Mine is a great song which is well written by Vedder from a very personal aspect,his vocal is excellent with his trademark baritone being very clear.The music is also excellent with the use of a keyboard adding to that excellence,Mcready's guitar solo at the end of the song is one of his best.Down is a slighty more punchy song with very simple lyrics that are good to sing along to,a very good b-side,and a very good song.

After a couple of years and in classic Pearl Jam fashion, out comes I am mine, the first single off of "Riot Act", the band's 7th studio album, and last one with their record company. Whenever the first single comes out, its always an exciting experience, cause it gives you a preview of whats to come. The rare thing here is that they usually release two studio tracks, and a b-side, which is the case of the I Am Mine european single, yet they decided to only include 1 track and a B-side.

I am mine is a mellow song, with awsome arrangements... youve got to put your ear up to hear how preciously the composition was handled. The strong vocals and direct lyrics make the song stand out even more. If you had the opportunity to listen to this song in any of Ed Vedder's last performances, youll be amazed to hear how better the studio version is. Mike Mcready's solo right at the end is glorious, and its probably one of the best solos on a PJ song ever.

Excellent song. Far and away the best song on Riot Act. Buy Riot Act if you've got the cash otherwise this excellent single.

No matter what the radio or MTV (then again, it didn't produce a single music video) thinks, Binaural is a classic album... a little mellower and darker than previous Pearl Jam releases (it was kinda like the opposite of Yield, which also is incredible)... so, when I heard that that a new Pearl Jam album was coming out, I was filled with hope and excitement. I walked a couple miles in the rain to pick up Riot Act... but the reason why I did that was not so much because of my loyalty to them (though it obviously was a factor) as it was the previous purchase of this single.

"I Am Mine" hooks the listener with each instrument kicking in, one at a time... and then Matt's pounding drumming finally puts up the promise that a classic song is being displayed. Eddie's vocals get going with "the selfish, they're all standing in line/faithing and hoping to buy themselves time/me, I figure, as each breath goes by/i only own my mind"... honest, tear-worthy words that very few other popular bands could hope to even attempt. Eddie throws in a few thought-provoking comparisons ("the north is to south what the clock is to time/there's east and there's west and there everywhere life"), but it isn't until the chorus that Eddie lets his voice take off like an angel (I think I've said enough lyrics already... haha)... and the band just lets their guitars do the emotion, near the end. Ending the record, "Down" kicks in... a b-side that only missed Riot Act because there're so many great songs already on it. Like "I Am Mine", it's a mix of the best of Vitalogy (in the way the song plays) and Yield (hard-hitting, honest lyrics)... except it's more like "Corduroy" than "Wishlist".

No more words from me about this; just words from PJ.