Binaural
It's been nine years since Pearl Jam put genius onto disc in the form of Ten, and still they rock. While they have come a long way since Alive reaffirmed everyone's vitality, their most notable development has been to work within their limits. Awards for lyrical intricacy are not headed in their direction, but Eddie Vedder possesses a voice of rare resonance. This album is yet another ideal showcase for its splendour. His singing the alphabet would be worth listening to, and here offerings like Light Years and Nothing As It Seems look set to add to the band's growing catalogue of classics.
Binaural sucks you in and stamps Pearl Jam's unique sounds hard into your head much in the style of their last two studio albums. They are mega-stars for a reason, and it is again obvious that they produce guitar-driven grunge better than so many others. There is nothing adventurous, but more importantly nothing horrible, and onward rolls the juggernaut.
This will please the fans, while the unconverted should get the early albums first and then move on. If there are any agents reading, please get them here to play.
18th May 2000