The Tulane Hullabaloo I September 6, 1996 I Ｎ ａ ｜ ｃ Ｎ ｡ ｾ ･ 5 and vocal tracks remi- disappointments of the niscent of the magic album. In a way it is still that created the original refreshing to see a musi- 1 greats, "Once," cian sacrifice pleasing . "Alive," "Even Flow" melodies to get a point and "Black." across, but "Habit" and "In My Tree" is fol- "Lukin" aren't nearly at lowed by the most the same level as, say, heavily Neil Young- "Deep" or "Blood." influenced song yet, Take "Blood" in partic- "Smile." While there ular-it is a scathing song were hints of Young which fully captures the throughout Vitalogy, torn, beaten and abused Pearl Jam makes no state of its author. It is not bones about it in this one of the most pleasing one. Vedder breaks out songs to listen to, but his harp while to artistically it is very suc- accompany Ament's cessful. "Habit" on the heavily charged guitar other hand, does not come riffs. What this song off so well. Perhaps it is brings up is the ques- because he is writing the music from anoth- reasons, none of which are the music i middle of this album, which brings up an tion as to whether or not Pearl Jam went too er person's point of view that it comes out Gossard wrote this one on his own, tht interesting point about this band. far in imitating the styles of others, and crit- watered down, or maybe it just happened to song to which Vedder hasn't at least wr Pearl Jam is above all else, an album ics will have a field day with this one. not work as well in the studio. One cannot the vocal track and lyrics. "Mankind" rock band. A wide variety of such artists While they went a long way in accurately tell. Unfortunately, there is the possibility best a very good song for the Foo Figh ｢ ｵ ｳ ｩ ｮ ･ ｾ have cropped up since The Beatles defined representing their mentors, Pearl Jam main- that these two tracks may be the last of their and at worst, a song that has no the genre with Sgt. Pepper's. From The tains its own style throughout. One critic for sort. Vedder has admitted to aging on sever- a serious album such as No Code. Takt Who to Cream, James Taylor to Neil Time magazine same riffs and bass line and Vedder c Young, U2 to R.E.M., and let's not forget picked on this song finish off a masterpiece; instead we Billy Joel, there is a certain set of artists in particular as not what we got, which isn't much of whi' speak. This song demonstrates, along whose works shine when listened to as part having nearly the I of a greater piece, being the album itself. same impact on the the many failed solo ventures, that sr Many listeners misunderstand Pearl Jam's listener as Young thing special happens when the three "troubles" with turning out a number one had in earlier days. core, Vedder, Gossard and Ament, hit after "Jeremy" and "Daughter," but with While this may be songs together. May they forever recog few exceptions, it is hard to pick out single true, there is the this and keep up the fi9e work. tracks from the aforementioned musicians question of what the Finally, "I'm Open," while unique without mentioning the greatness of the band set out to do unanticipated, should surprise no · album of which those songs were a part. when they made There's one of these on every album, sc That being said, the fourth track from No this album. Is this a sit back and enjoy it. Once again, Ve Code, "In My Tree," may actually be one of band reaching for teaches us the art of brevity and beau' the best singles Pearl Jam has ever put any kind of style simplicity-a theme that dates bacl together. The U2 influence is apparent, but they can find to "Garden": "I don't question our exister as with all the other styles the group adopts latch on to, or are just question our modern needs." in this album, it manages to take it and they merely paying The Words: Of course, no discu>" make it its own. The song moves along, tribute to those who concerning Pearl Jam can be comi: quickly enrapturing the listener with every preceded them? without addressing the poetry of Et instrument. Drummer Jack Irons removes Once again this is a Vedder. We'll keep this to a minir any doubt as to whether or not he can hold question that will, because it takes far more time thar hi own after Dave Abbruzzese, while in most cases, pressures of journalistic deadlines allo· Vedder and Stone Gossard pair up on guitar unfortunately be answered before the music al occasions, most recently when he and appreciate what he can do with we ever has a chance to speak for Gossard abandoned their punk band excur- Suffice it to say, the work cannot itself. sion. It is possible that in this respect, Pearl summed up in the confines of 2,000 w "Off He Goes" is another Jam has lost its edge. However: and maybe someday, somebody in the l track in the tradition of the Track 2 and 8, "Hail, Hail" and "Red ary world might give this guy the cred beautiful Vedder ballads. He Mosquito": Listen to these songs. Listen to deserves. As always, the words get an. consistently draws the listener them again. Put them on repeat and listen to So sum it up already: In two words to characters at moments of them a hundred times. If there are any ques- it. In a few more: well, reread the colm1 great crisis, fear or sometimes tions as to who the band is, this is Pearl We give it 3 and 1/2 stars where Vs ｩ ｾ joy. This is among his best. Jam. This is where they have been, where four. The only regret is that No Code . Track ten, "Present Tense" is they are and where they will be. This is the the album. This is not the work that is u along the same lines. The leg- defining style which will eventually write niably great. It has its ups and dt endary "sixth member" of the them into future annals as one of the great- (though there are far more ups than dov band, Brendan O'Brien con- est rock bands of all time. but more importantly, its varied style:.< tributed to both works. The last three tracks mark the greatest not material for great work. It was gocx' "Habit" is another interest- variance in styles one can hear in such a this album was produced. All in all. ing song, but mostly for the short time. Track 13, "Around the Bend," album looks a bit like a setup, but wrong reasons. This track can be summed up very quickly: put a 1998, when Pearl Jam is sure to ushe• along with number nine, twang in Vedder's voice, call it a country waltz. new music era, listen and enjoy. Thest> : "Lukin" are the two greatest "Mankind" is interesting for a number of are real good. .