Ten (1991)
There are FOUR truly classic songs on this eleven song album. I’m not talking about four good ones, I’m talking about legitimate anthems, on the level of Nirvana’s best and Soundgarden’s best. In fact, probably a tiny step above both of those bands on this album, because while this has brief valleys that ‘Nevermind’ doesn’t, it also has four great songs, which ‘Nevermind’ doesn’t. Most groups would be plenty happy with one anthem. The “filler” is pretty d@mn good itself. The result: a classic debut, which hasn’t aged a bit in 20+ years.
(“Black”, “Jeremy”, “Alive”, “Deep”)
Grade: A+
Vs. (1993)
The follow-up to their amazing debut, it doesn’t disappoint (much). The strong songs at times aren’t as strong and the weaker songs at times are weaker. It’s as if a magic wand was waved over ‘Ten’, draining it by a small but noticeable amount and effecting each and every track. In other, plainer and sadder words, it’s ‘Ten’ without the instant-classic anthems.
(“Dissident”, “Rearviewmirror”)
Grade: A-
2012: Very small…maybe a magic twig.
Grade: A
Vitalogy (1994)
Here’s where things begin to go bad. ‘Vs.’ was a worthy followup to ‘Ten’, if not as strong as the debut. That could be overlooked, though…after all, their debut is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. This isn’t as good as ‘Vs.’ The dropoff is clearly noticeable. I’m hoping the dropoff effect goes away and doesn’t infect future releases, or this band will become embarrassing, given enough time. Get it while you still can.
(“Stupid Mop”, “Tremor Christ”)
Grade: B
2010: (too)-Much maligned.
Grade: B+
2011: Listening to vast amounts of sh1t makes me realize just how non-sh1tty this is. There are low points, and it’s very weird. But it’s also very good.
Grade: A-
No Code (1996)
Yet another album worse than the previous one. Pearl Jam better take care that they break this pattern next time, because the songs here are not top-notch. There are some decent ones, but nothing that could properly fit on ‘Ten’, or even ‘Vs’. Maybe Eddie’s just a little tired. I certainly hope so. Take a long nap, big fellow.
And awake with music to go with your passion.
(“Red Mosquito”)
Grade: C+
2012: The decision to write less-pop-friendly songs was fine. But why did they decide to write less-good songs?
Grade: C
Yield (1998)
A very mild retreat from ‘No Code’, which is very bad news to those who thought maybe ‘No Code’ was an aberration and not a dire statement of decline with each passing album. So they maintain a level of averageness that has probably cost them a lot of potential new fans and fickle (intelligent?) old fans.
(“Given To Fly”)
Grade: C+
2012: Again…the good songs question.
Grade: C
Binaural (2000)
Another mediocre album from a band we know can do better. Believe me, my heart is still with them, I still love the band, but the decline here is
undeniable. They’ll probably never write another ‘Ten’-ish anthem, but decent and nicely strange is hopefully still within their reach.
Grade: C
Riot Act (2002)
Now I know how fans of the Rolling Stones feel. Not that I’m comparing this band to the Stones. But Eddie Vedder is either hoarding good songs for one GREAT album, or he’s lost it. But on and on they go…outlasting all the rest, the once-mighty Seattle rockers of Pearl Jam begin to look like an oldies act. Sure, great song catalog.
Nothing new, really, but you still pay the money to see them live or to hope that maybe, just maybe, they’ll snap out of their nearly decade-old collective funk and rock out to a GOOD new album. I’m waiting…
Grade: D-
Pearl Jam (2006)
Keeping in mind that I did, do, and hopefully always will love “grunge” music or the so-called “Seattle Sound”, and that I’ve given this band chance after chance to right their ship, this is the final straw for me. They don’t like Bush or war. Neither do I. So what? I don’t listen to PJ or any rock act for political commentary to latch onto. I listen to them because they (used to) rock with hooks galore, musical and vocal. I think this is finally the end, the last gasp for PJ for any casual (NEW) listeners. If they want, they can tour on their oldies for many years, as their oldies were at times truly great. They could also release a half-dozen compilations and other bullsh1t albums to have something to tour behind. Sad. Very, very sad. I hope this is the end. I don’t want their star to diminish any more than it already has. I mean, I waited four years for THIS? Fck ‘Backspacer’, I’ve had enough.
Grade: D-