And it feels so fucking good!

ah, so the prick bait works.

Anyway, I'm right there with you. I'm officially excited about Pearl Jam again.

this was the first part of that big review I wrote yesterday but I thought I'd post it here, since I think we are sharing the same sentiment right now



I just went for a walk because I wanted to be alone with the new songs and really take them in. About halfway through the walk I let out a huge sigh of relief I didn’t even realize I was holding in and broke into a huge smile. Pearl Jam has been a frustrating band for me for the past 12 years. The first three albums were for a long time my three favorite records of all time. Vitalogy and Ten are still 1+3. For me Pearl Jam embodied everything great about music and since their first record they have been one of the most important constants in my life. Then they seemed to lose their way. The last four records never were truly ‘Pearl Jam’ records, at least not for me. They had their moments of greatness, and Yield especially was a strong, near great, record. But there was always something missing. They were very good rock records but they weren’t Pearl Jam. This whole time the elements were present, and the live shows were as good as ever, but something didn’t click. They never reached the potential that was so obviously there.

About 1:00, Friday March 7th, I realized that Pearl Jam had returned, and I’m not sure I realized until now how much I’ve missed them. This record is a masterpiece, and while it’s been 3 and a half years since Riot Act, I’ve waited almost 12 years for this record. It was worth it.

haha thats the third time ive read this review in 2 days

It's in a few threads

Stip, I'm glad someone else is behind this record like I am. I realize I am not in any way objective about PJ, and as a Mod on a PJ message board you probably aren't either, but damnit this is some classic PJ!

Remember hearing Ten for the first time? Despite some lyrical amateurities on it, those songs sounded like a mature band at the top of their game. No band but Pearl Jam, and no frontman but Ed would ever have the balls to release that as their first album. It was just so pompous and full of itself, and what was odd was that they actually pulled it off. People responded to it. I do not by any means think that Ten is their best album or their most mature, but every song said LISTEN TO ME.

Then, they seemed to notice that and pulled away from it, even by Vs. they sounded a bit more relaxed and contained. By Vitalogy it was almost gone, and they avoided it for every album since then.

Now, when they're finally old and mature enough to make that kind of music, I think they finally have. These songs have a message to them, and it's not all anti-war like I thought it would be. They have personal relevance and the music is weighty enough to back it up. It's odd, this album reminds me most of Ten in it's cohesiveness and heaviness, but it sounds nothing like that. These songs are self-righteous and made by a band who knows it has what it takes to pull them off. This is Pearl Jam aging with grace. This is Pearl Jam as they have wanted to be for a long time now, but have always avoided.

Side Note: None of this should reflect my opinion on any of their post-Vitalogy albums, I think all of them are classic in their own way, this is just the first album to grab me like this initially. Outside of Ten and Vs., I never liked an album of theirs this much at first. It always took time for them to grow on me, even with Yield.

We're probably not objective, but at the very least I know I haven't fawned over any of the post vitalogy records and am often quite critical of them. The reaction I had to this record is MUCH stronger than the last four. Probalby because it's so amazing

I thought that sentiment was cheesy but more or less agreed with it.

I was just listening to Army Reserve a minute ago and I felt like I just got socked in the emotional gut and had an epiphany. Perfectly said, stip. It just kind of hit me.

i can't believe this is the album.
i just can't believe it.
what the hell where they doing the last two albums???

this album rules. big wave is maybe the only song i'd skip....but even that song isn't that bad.

i was sending a review to some friends-- i said WWS and UNemployable are two of the WORST songs on the album (in my opinion)
so if you are digging those--you will be completely BLOWN AWAY by the rest of the album.

i know i was.

the subtle PJ is back---no more hamfisted eddie morrison poetry songs or over-the-top political rantings.
just good solid rock with a HIDDEN political agenda.
not over the top goofball shit like Green Day's last album

Disappointed with this album.

that's great to hear.

pearl jam has always been my favorite band and i think they've continually gotten better.

Really? I don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this album, but that's just me. To me this is so much better than Binaural and Riot Act.

and its very good!!

Yes! This an album that encompasses everything I love about rock and roll and puts PJ most definatly in the position of favorite band. I've always said that but in recent years, I said it with hesitation. No more.

I started listening to the band shortly before Riot Act. I started out with the Tampa 2000 boot. I didn't really get caught up into the releasing of Riot Act. I don't believe they were my favorite band yet. Considering before PJ, Lynyrd Skynyrd was my favorite band, I had never really had the chance to get very excited over an album coming out. This is probably the most I've ever anticipated an album. Now listening to it, I just smile. It is living up to the hype. I even think I'm finally experiencing PJ the way so many of you did over the years. Also, I know some will bitch and moan about them going big again, but it's something new for me.