MATTY'S PICKS--Pearl Jam's 'Riot Act': Eddie and the Vedderites get arty

I am well prepared for the arguments/comments that come whenever I espouse the latter-day work of Pearl Jam. I have heard them all. Here are some samples:

1. "They haven't put out anything good since 'Vitalogy'. They suck now!"

2. "Ever since Eddie stopped being angry they haven't put out a good record! I wish that they didn't suck!"

3. "You know what, let's be honest, 'Ten' was their only good album. The rest sucked!"

4. "They just jumped on the Nirvana bandwagon. They've always sucked!"

5. "What was with that "Last Kiss" song? That song sucks and they suck!"


I will not address this negativity now except to say that I can agree with certain aspects of the above (admittedly, "Last Kiss' is not really a fave of mine especially since it has been PLAYED TO DEATH), but other aspects ('Ten' was their only good album? Are you deaf???) I am going to have to take exception to. E-mail or call me if you are desiring a heated argument about PJ's worthiness.

Now, on to 'Riot Act'. Let's start by saying I love this album, hence its choice as a candidate for MATTY'S PICKS. My favourite music review website, allmusic.com, has this to say about Pearl Jam in the new millenium:

"If anything, Pearl Jam was even more in the wilderness — at least as far as the mainstream was concerned — at the beginning of 2000 than they were in the second half of the '90s. Even with "Last Kiss," their first big hit single since Ten, under their belts, they were an anomaly on the pop and rock scenes. They were the only one of their old grunge colleagues still standing intact, and they were genuinely alone. No peers, and too sincere to even consider fitting into a pop scene dominated by 'N Sync on one side and Limp Bizkit on the other. Not surprisingly, they chose to persevere, ignoring trends, completely in favor of being a classicist rock band."

And that, God love them, has been just what they have done. 'Binaural' (2000) was a great record with punky, angular numbers and lush, strange, downbeat songs (witness "Sleight of Hand) that made me think far more than their classic early nineties output ever did (though I sure love that stuff too!). 'Riot Act' (released in 2002) took what was begun on 'Binaural' and then made it weirder and more arty. The result was fantastic. There was nothing with the sweet hook of "Alive", nor the majestic stomp of "Even Flow", but Vedder's songwriting just became more vital and articulate. Songs like "Thumbing My Way" and "All Or None" really left marks on me long after the album has finished playing. Not all the old Pearl Jam trademarks had left the band, either. There were still lots of loud guitars and angry vocals, it's just that they weren't so feral and raging. The mid-song solo by Mike McCready in 'Get Right' made me want to whip out the air guitar immediately!

All-in-all, this album stands with Pearl Jam's best work and I would invite those of you who have chosen to forget about the band to perhaps revisit their canon and, more specifically, start with 'Riot Act' and see if it makes any kind of impact on you. Until next time...