Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam

Blurb
If Pearl Jam's gradual mellowing over the last few years worried you as it worried me, then this is the time to cast away any aspersions. The PJ of the 'Vs.', 'Yield' and 'Vitalogy' era is back! This is a loud record, loud in the PJ way, full of powerful riffs and Eddie's trademark growls and screeches. 15 years down the line, they have rediscovered their energy and freshness.

It bolts out of the blocks like a startled racehorse, only taking a breath after half the record is done! The thing I felt about this CD is that it doesn't contain any one particularly memorable song, but the whole album in its entirety sounds really good. After 'Riot Act', I had expected further maturing, more mellow stuff. This self-titled album is more like a man hitting his 40s and celebrating by buying a convertible!

'Severed Hand' and 'Unemployable' are two of my favorite tracks, though both have a bit of a haunting note to them. 'Worldwide Suicide' is already getting wide airplay. This is just one of those records where everyone will find something to like in it, and it may not be a very common or popular choice.

Track Listing
1. Life Wasted
2. World Wide Suicide
3. Comatose
4. Severed Hand
5. Marker In The Sand
6. Parachutes
7. Unemployable
8. Big Wave
9. Gone
10. Wasted Reprise
11. Army Reserve
12. Come Back
13. Inside Job

Overall Rating
This is Pearl Jam as we know and love them. 8/10 for not carrying any milestone tracks though.