Album: Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
I am so tired of reading reviews where this album is compared to Ten and only Ten. That was indeed a brilliant debut, with monster hit Alive and classics like Black and Jeremy, but people seem to have forgotten that the band has released 7 other studio albums since then. Doesn’t anyone remember Daughter, Dissident, Given to Fly or I am Mine? They may not have had the commercial success of Alive, but they were in the charts! Personally I would have been surprised if this album had the sound of Ten. It was released 15 years ago and, like it’s members, the sound of Pearl Jam has matured.
It’s been four years since the release of Riot Act, their previous studio album. Pearl Jam have never been in a hurry when it comes to recording. They want quality, not quantity. Main inspiration for this self titled album is the political status of the world, mainly caused by George W. Bush. Pearl Jam is angry. The album starts off with a few fierce tracks, with direct criticism to Bush and those who support his actions. Vedder shouts and the band works their instruments aggressively. The album slows down a little with track five; Marker In The Sand. The odd one out on this album is Big Wave, which is about – you guessed it – surfing instead of war. The second half of Pearl Jam is significantly different from the first. The songs are sensitive and the music is quiet. Personal favourites are the powerful ballads Gone and Inside Job. Vedders soothing voice fits the music perfectly.
The artwork of this album is simple but very stylish; a blue background with half an avocado. The bright colours contrast nicely. On the back you see the avocado again, but without the pith, which is shown in the centre picture. Inside are three images, bloody and chaotic. There is only one version of this album. Pearl Jam doesn’t do limited editions.
Verdict: this self titled album - or Avocado as most fans call it - is better than it’s predecessor Riot Act. Although it has a dark and moody subject, the songs are easy to digest. It doesn’t have another smash hit, but a number of tracks, like Life Wasted, will definitely have commercial success. Pearl Jam prooves that they are far from dead!