Janie
Full Member
My Fav bands 9th album.
It's pretty great having a band you love being there all your adult (and late childhood) life, as you both age together, and the music brings back so many memories.
Anyway before attempting to review there latest album a quick recap and ranking on other 8 albums.
8. No Code (1996) : 6/10
I just don't share the love for this album fellow PJ fans do. The mixture of Alt Country/Eastern Sounds and Garage Rockers probably make this PJ's most experimental album in some ways and while there are some great songs some of the slower songs just don't really get going for me, also the final 2 songs are among the worst tracks PJ have even recorded.
Best Tracks : Red Mosquito, In My Tree & Smile.
7. Binaural (2000) : 7/10
Definately the least accessable album PJ have recorded, dark and brooding. It took me ages to really warm to this album and it isn't helped by the fact the b-sides from this albums session were better than several of the album tracks. However stick with it and it's a very rewarding listen.
Best Tracks : Insignificance, Breakerfall & Thin Air (Special note to 'Sad' a great B-side).
6. Riot Act (2002) : 7/10
Generally regarded as PJ's worst album. I however don't think it's anywhere near as bad as soon do, the main problem is 15 tracks is to many and a few towards the end seem rather lackluster. However the first 10 or so tracks are packed with great moments and I really like the warm production on this one.
Best Tracks : Save You, Love Boat Captain & I Am Mine.
5. Vs (1993) : 7.5/10
PJ were at there height of there popularity when this second album landed. Jammed packed full of songs that were staples of the radio and plenty of anger.
Best Tracks : Daughter, Rearviewmirror & Leash.
4. Vitalogy (1994) : 8/10
The messy album. On the verge of breaking up and released after the suicide of fellow grunge icon Kurt Kaboom, this is a raw album. Containing 4 non songs 2 of which are unlistenable (Bugs, Stupid Mop) - PJ seemed to want to self destruct. However skip those pointless dittys and the remaining 10 tracks range among the very best they've recorded.
Best Tracks : Corduroy, Betterman & Immortality.
3. Pearl Jam (2006) : 9/10.
After Binaural & Riot Act looked like PJ were just going to fade away, this album brought them back with a bang. Rocking harder than PJ had since...well ever. A very political album at it's core attacking the Bush regime and the War in Iraq. A very straight forward rock album, without the oddities that tend to show up of most of there albums.
Best Tracks : Comeback, Comatose & Severed Hand.
2. Yield (1998) : 9/10.
After `just about surviving though the early years this there 5th album see's PJ having fun and at peace with themselves. The album is chock full of great moments with only the silly Red Dot coming close to spoiling the flow.
I think PJ intended this to be there comeback album but it unfortunantly got released right when Nu-Metal was dominating the charts.
Best Tracks : Wishlish, Given to Fly & Do The Evolution.
1. Ten (1991) : Ten/Ten.
My Fav Album of all time by my fav band containing my fav song ever. Thankfully I was just about old enough to realise this was a special moment the first time I heard it.
Best Tracks : Black, Once & Porch.
Which bring me back to album number 9 - Backspacer.
After the last album was such a great album I had mixed expectations for this album. However after a week of heavy rotation play, I love it. It's Pearl Jam's most poppy album, clocking in at a mere 37 minutes over 11 tracks - with Bush gone the rocking political theme of the last album is gone and in it's place in an album full of optimism and love. It's to new to rank right now but I suspect it'll happy fit in the top half of the list - a definate winner, with 'Just Breathe' is quite simply a beautiful track.
Best Tracks : Just Breathe, Unthought Known & Force of Nature.
Ilovethisband.
It's pretty great having a band you love being there all your adult (and late childhood) life, as you both age together, and the music brings back so many memories.
Anyway before attempting to review there latest album a quick recap and ranking on other 8 albums.
8. No Code (1996) : 6/10
I just don't share the love for this album fellow PJ fans do. The mixture of Alt Country/Eastern Sounds and Garage Rockers probably make this PJ's most experimental album in some ways and while there are some great songs some of the slower songs just don't really get going for me, also the final 2 songs are among the worst tracks PJ have even recorded.
Best Tracks : Red Mosquito, In My Tree & Smile.
7. Binaural (2000) : 7/10
Definately the least accessable album PJ have recorded, dark and brooding. It took me ages to really warm to this album and it isn't helped by the fact the b-sides from this albums session were better than several of the album tracks. However stick with it and it's a very rewarding listen.
Best Tracks : Insignificance, Breakerfall & Thin Air (Special note to 'Sad' a great B-side).
6. Riot Act (2002) : 7/10
Generally regarded as PJ's worst album. I however don't think it's anywhere near as bad as soon do, the main problem is 15 tracks is to many and a few towards the end seem rather lackluster. However the first 10 or so tracks are packed with great moments and I really like the warm production on this one.
Best Tracks : Save You, Love Boat Captain & I Am Mine.
5. Vs (1993) : 7.5/10
PJ were at there height of there popularity when this second album landed. Jammed packed full of songs that were staples of the radio and plenty of anger.
Best Tracks : Daughter, Rearviewmirror & Leash.
4. Vitalogy (1994) : 8/10
The messy album. On the verge of breaking up and released after the suicide of fellow grunge icon Kurt Kaboom, this is a raw album. Containing 4 non songs 2 of which are unlistenable (Bugs, Stupid Mop) - PJ seemed to want to self destruct. However skip those pointless dittys and the remaining 10 tracks range among the very best they've recorded.
Best Tracks : Corduroy, Betterman & Immortality.
3. Pearl Jam (2006) : 9/10.
After Binaural & Riot Act looked like PJ were just going to fade away, this album brought them back with a bang. Rocking harder than PJ had since...well ever. A very political album at it's core attacking the Bush regime and the War in Iraq. A very straight forward rock album, without the oddities that tend to show up of most of there albums.
Best Tracks : Comeback, Comatose & Severed Hand.
2. Yield (1998) : 9/10.
After `just about surviving though the early years this there 5th album see's PJ having fun and at peace with themselves. The album is chock full of great moments with only the silly Red Dot coming close to spoiling the flow.
I think PJ intended this to be there comeback album but it unfortunantly got released right when Nu-Metal was dominating the charts.
Best Tracks : Wishlish, Given to Fly & Do The Evolution.
1. Ten (1991) : Ten/Ten.
My Fav Album of all time by my fav band containing my fav song ever. Thankfully I was just about old enough to realise this was a special moment the first time I heard it.
Best Tracks : Black, Once & Porch.
Which bring me back to album number 9 - Backspacer.
After the last album was such a great album I had mixed expectations for this album. However after a week of heavy rotation play, I love it. It's Pearl Jam's most poppy album, clocking in at a mere 37 minutes over 11 tracks - with Bush gone the rocking political theme of the last album is gone and in it's place in an album full of optimism and love. It's to new to rank right now but I suspect it'll happy fit in the top half of the list - a definate winner, with 'Just Breathe' is quite simply a beautiful track.
Best Tracks : Just Breathe, Unthought Known & Force of Nature.
Ilovethisband.