Album Rating: 4.0
I couldn't stomach another Pearl Jam at the time of this release, I had left grunge behind and it seemed Pearl Jam were becoming a one trick pony saturated by the millions of bands trying to mimic them STP, Bush, Silverchair, etc. I have to praise them for not turning into the Chilli Peppers or the Foo Fighters, formulaic Stadium Rock Crowd Pleasers playing summer festivals, flirting with Hollywood, getting Super Model girlfriends etc. They always had integrity.
In regards to this album listening to it 30 years after it was released I found it pleasantly refreshing, there are some really strong songs, in terms of musicianship its better than the previous ones apart maybe from Vitalogy, although my favourite will always be TEN because of what it meant at the time of its release. Regardless of the ramblings of an old man reviving its youth, this is a more grown up album without the energy and vitality perhaps of previous offerings and offering some really good songs such as Smile, Sometimes, Off He Goes, Who You Are, Red Mosquito etc. Funnily enough Habit is for me the only one that most resembles their previous songs from other albums and the less interesting of the lot, but helas
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