Besides "Pain Lies on the Riverside," which is an absolutely bitchin' song, Mental Jewelry is largely bland and unmemorable. "Pain Lies on the Riverside" is by far the most enthusiastic and exciting track here, reaching epic proportions but remaining serious, urgent, and hard-rocking. "Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)" and "Brothers Unaware" are decent tracks, but the rest of the album, while perhaps piquing interest at times, never yields lasting moments or enduring, enjoyable tunes. Regardless, considering this album directly precedes the band at their commercial (and perhaps critical) peak with Throwing Copper, loyal Live fans will more thoroughly enjoy Mental Jewelry.
