Pearl Jam were doing the business at the same kind of time that Nirvana were starting out. A similar kind of grunge rock sound, the band continue to sell thousands of albums, though it is fair to say that their appeal in the UK has been in decline for a while. This best of album has two discs and has sixteen tracks on disc one and a staggering seventeen on the second disc. The album begins with the slow burning 'Once' which has a mean and moody start before unleashing beasts of guitars and a very raw vocal from Eddie Vedder. It is grating, emotional and powerful and the song sounds like it was made for stadiums. I have always like 'Alive' with ...  Read the complete review

With a band with such a huge back catalogue, it's always hard for someone to just jump in and get interested in them. During their years in the business Pearl Jam went from MTV darlings to complete recluses and the music changed as often as they did. With the release of their best of it finally give people with a slight interest in them somewhere to get started. The CDs cover all the Pearl Jam ground in terms of styles. From the anthemic stadium rock of Alive and Even Flow, to the darker side of rock with Animal and to the sublime quieter side with Man of the Hour and Nothing Man. As is usual with Pearl Jam, you get a very alternative CD ...  Read the complete review

I remember the first time I heard "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam. I was thunderstruck by the lyrics of the song. The story of a suicidal boy whose parents are the real problem. Here was a song that I related to. Not to mention, the brilliant, wavering, baritone voice of Eddie Vedder singing. That voice erupted into the Seattle music scene with thunder and lightning behind it. Eddie Vedder is the writer of songs that deal with all of our social ills. Child abuse, spousal abuse, murder, homelessness, suicide and all of the terrible things that are hidden in so many of our lives. Pearl Jam has brought these things into the light, and forced everyone to take a ...  Read the complete review