Vitalogy - Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam – Vitalogy. Pearl Jam formed in the early nineties, and were quickly labelled “Grunge” to fit with the uprising trend from Seattle which spawned such groups as Nirvana and Mudhoney. This was the difficult 3rd album, following on from the successes of “Ten” AND “Vs”. The band line up for this outing were: Eddie - Vocals, Guitars, Accordion Jeff - Bass, Vocals Stone - Guitar, Melotron, Vocals Mike - Guitar, Vocals Dave - Drums, Percussion Also, Jack Irons appeared for the first time on the track “Mophandlemama” Vitalogy. Last ...  Read the complete review

Pearl Jam's third album was realeased late in 1994 on vinyl, two weeks before it was released on CD and tape and features references to the band's love for the vinyl format. It was the last album to feature Dave Abbruzzese as the main drummer and debuts replacement, Jack Irons on the eccentric 'Hey Foxymophandle Mama'. Vocalist Eddie Vedder also displays his diverse musical talents as he picks up the accordian for the equally bizarre 'Bugs'. Other more staple band members include Jeff Ament on bass, Stone Gossard on Slide and guitar and Mike McCready on guitar and slide. As with their previous album 'Vs', it was produced by Brendan O'Brien. Lyrically the album is ...  Read the complete review

For those who don't like them, Pearl Jam will always be second-rate chancers who winged their way to fame on the bcak of Nirvana's coat-tails. However, over time it appears as those Pearl Jam have transformed themselves into one of those bands who manage to make impassioned and heartfelt music, transcendent of fashion and musical trends. Undoubtedly, Pearl Jam hit their commercial peak with the release of their first two albums 'Ten' and 'Vs' (the fastest selling album ever upon its release) and accordingly, many people believe that these two records mark the point where the band were also at their best. However, far from being the landmark album ...  Read the complete review

Many people tend to downplay the quality of Pearl Jam’s middle albums which is something I’ve never understood. Pearl Jam’s third offering, while still top quality, leans more towards their raw versatile and innovative side. Album opener ‘Last Exit’ begins with a short intro of haphazard drums and jazz sounds before kicking in with their rough and ready blast. Subject matter could be termed as being a bit morbid, about being in control of your own death and watching it take place! You’ve got to remember how badly Kurt Cobain’s death affected Vedder and this is plain to see within the lyrics, “3 days, maybe ...  Read the complete review

This is the most intriguing Pearl Jam album to date because of the start contrasts found all the way through it. Not only does it contain some of their finest work on it (“Corduroy”, “Betterman”), but also some of their worst and most ill-advised. (“Bugs”, “Stupid Mop”) Recorded on their 1994 US tour the album captures the live feel, and that does add to the feeling of the record but there is a feeling that this is a band not at ease with itself. Kurt Cobain’s suicide had a profound effect on them, especially singer Eddie Vedder and this comes through in many of the songs, not least “Immortality”. ...  Read the complete review