pearl jam

Vitalogy
$7.99
I remember when everybody I knew thought this album was a train wreck when it first came out. Really, the only decent song on this album is Better man, everything else is filler. This was a haphazardly produced album that has no tempo or feeling, but rather a compilation of songs to meet a production deadline. Apparently though time has softened opinions on this album, at least according to Amazon reviewers. So with this in mind, I removed Vitalogy from my cd case, dusted off the cover and placed the disk into the stereo. What I heard was exactly how I remembered it, mediocre material. Time definitely did not soften my opinion on this album! For all newcomers to Pearl Jam, stick with Ten, which has much more solid writing and production.

Vs. [Jewel Case & EcoPak]
$7.99
4 1/2

Some people like to consider Vs. a noteworthy bridge between stylistic changes, but it is easy to consider instead this energetic masterstroke a most assured balance between eternally battling introspective and anthemic sides.

Backspacer
$18.98
This disc is a great listen. I thought "Pearl Jam" was solid and showed a lot of growth for PJ as a band. I think "Backspacer" is even better, especially considering the variety of sounds found on the disc. While they certainly aren't the same band as when they put out "Ten", "Vs", or "Vitalogy", they've grown into a great adult grunge/alternative listen. I especially hear and appreciate the classic rock rift infusions found throughout their newer music.

All in all, I still long for PJ's early 90s grunge, but the music on "Backspacer" certainly doesn't disappoint.

Backspacer
$25.49
For good reason, Pearl Jam fans are always looking for the next Ten, Vs, or other great album from their past. The source of much angst is the fact that Pearl Jam has changed their albums each time. Backspacer is a return to their 3rd album, Vitalogy, but only if you take out Vitalogy's filler songs (Bugs, Pry.to, etc.)

Here:
1st two tracks, both fast rockers
then, a solid single type: The Fixer and Not for you
Then, experimental: Johnny Guitar and Tremor Christ
Then, mellow: Just Breathe and Nothingman
Whipping compares to track 6, which name escapes me
Amongst the Waves and Unthought Known compare to Corduroy and Betterman
Speed of sound doesn't compare to Immortality, which is my favorite PJ song, but nothing does anyway.

As you can see, at least in my opinion, this compares to Vitalogy without the filler. So, to compare PJ albums to past ones, this one actually does. If you like the music of Vitalogy, you will enjoy Backspacer. This is nothing like Ten or Vs., or any of their transition albums since Vitalogy. It's an album for people like me, who think Vitalogy was the best album of the 90s.