Pearl Jam continues to move away from the anthemic rock songs that defined the band and dominated alternative rock radio in the 1990s, settling into a more content, blue-collar sound on their latest self-titled album.

Their eighth studio album and first in four years traffics in modest, vaguely politicized songs, and is only challenging in regards to their early catalog. The overall sound here is surprisingly tame.

If anything, these songs sound like they were written for the road, as the group has developed a grassroots, Grateful Dead-like following and appear more concerned with material to fit the live show. Classic rock — specifically later Who albums, "Presence"-era Led Zeppelin, even The Beatles on one track — is the obvious touchstone here, the quintet exemplifying the tight musicianship of a band that's been to the top together and managed to stick around on their own terms.

The band wisely chooses the record's strongest track, "World Wide Suicide," as the lead single. For once Vedder actually sounds like he's having a blast, railing incoherently above the hooks and skintight groove. In the song, Vedder addresses the Iraq war and those that "tell you to pray while the devil's on their shoulder."

"Life Wasted" has a charging chorus that could have been lifted from the group's best album, "Vitalogy." Reminiscent of that record's opener, "Last Exit," guitarist Stone Gossard's incisive riff seems to be almost baiting ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron into assaulting his kit. Listeners may be mislead, however, because after this one-two punch not much really stands out.

Instead we get the Bad Religion-lite "Comatose"; the sugar-high surfer-punk of "Big Wave"; and lackluster ballad "Come Back." An exception is "Unemployable" which sounds something like vintage Thin Lizzy and treads similar down-and-out lyrical ground as the late Phil Lynott.

Vedder's notoriously deep tenor, which helped spawn a legion of third-rate imitators, is all but absent here. Sounding secure, utilizing his voice's upper register and even slipping into a falsetto ("Parachutes"), Vedder seems comfortable in his skin, like he's not trying to sound a certain way anymore. His lyrics, however, have digressed.

Closer "Inside Job" is the low point. Unexplainable lines like "Life comes from within your heart and desire" feel so tossed off they offend. Granted they come off better sung than on paper, but still, lyrical cliches abound. Check out selections from the same track's outro: "On my knees to rise and fix my broken soul... Let me run into the rain/ To shine a human light today." Sounds like something written for Celine Dion to sing.

Swearing they're not in the game for sales or fame, it's hard not to root for a band like Pearl Jam. They embody the word conviction in this hit-oriented, digital climate. The only problem with being this consistently uncompromising is that sometimes, the music suffers.

I would have to agree about the lyrics of Inside Job, definitely pretty sub-par for the band.

Well it was Mike who wrote them so....

I know that, but they're still sub-par.

Yeah, Ed should have revised those lyrics, or atleast gave Mike some pointers on how to write.

i agree also about inside job.. i find myself getting into the music.. but the lyrics, particularly towards the end, are lacking by pj standards and are keeping me from fully digging the song. i wish eddie would have sat down with mike and helped him word things a little better..

Also, the whole vague "keep the faith" thing has been done before by the whole band, let alone Mike. I wish they would have expanded or changed up the idea a bit.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12599276/

Here's the link with a fun picture of Ed. Looks like he's saying "Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Like the Fonz!

I like 'em as they are. Nice job Mike!

This is not the MSNBC review. It's was very positive. This is The Associated Press' review. This critic has never liked Pearl Jam. Although he is generally a good reviewer, he just doesn't like Pearl Jam. Fair enough I guess.

True...good point. AP as adopted by MSNBC.

I hate to sound condescending and like I'm posing as a wise sage or something, but perhaps those lyrics mean more to those of us who have been through some of pain and tragedies of being alive for a few more years than 19. I wouldn't have liked those sentiments much as a college dude either, but they hit me between the eyes as a 36 year old who wakes up everyday and has to make the decision to be miserable or not. Remember, this was written by a guy who has battled addictions and the subsequent depression and horrible emotions that go along with getting clean and has had a career threatening illness now for years. If he is going to be at happy, he has to work at it much more than most....that the overding theme of it. That song makes me like Mike even more than I did before....he kinda 'lets us in' a little with its lyrics. I love it!!

Im not sure if i agree, but well said sir

Lyrics are weak tho. Fair assesment. Vocals are hard to listen to at some points on this cd. I still like the 4 albums prior to "Riot Act" the most.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of good tracks on here but they sound like they are made to attract more listeners as opposed to challenge musically, such as songs like Tremor Christ, Who you Are, Low Light, and Rival

Very well said...and brings a very interesting, and very true. perspective to the lyrics. I hope that Mike continues to be a big part in writing.

I can appreciate the sentiment behind them, and it makes the song a bit better, but the lyrics as lyrics are sub-par. You can root for him, but that doesn't make them first rate as far as poetry goes.

Because these lyrics are so good?

like pilate I have a dog
open the fridge...now I know life is worth
love is all you need all you need is love
love boat captain take the reigns
love is a tower and youre the key
that's the moss in teh aforementioned verse

they are a rock band not a college poetry class--get over it.

nope--those lyrics suck, and by sucking they bring down the song they are in. PJ's best songs are the ones that have great music, an impassioned delivery, and something worthwhile to say.

I have stated before that I think a lot of people are turned off by songs that are too cerebral. I like a good vocabulary word now and then but on the last few albums many of the lyrics have been so dreary and hard to connect with on a personal level. I can easily connect with Inside Job even if it is not Shakespearean. Something for everyone I suppose.

i love the lyrics to inside job, but to each his own.