When the mid 90’s rolled around there were major changes in the musical landscape. Flashy, fast and big hard rock from Los Angeles had been largely replaced by the more humble Seattle grunge scene. An array of different rock sounds were coming out of the scene. From the punk influenced Nirvana, to the metal influence of Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, to the classic rock inspired Pearl Jam.
Pearl Jam were one of the og bands from the scene. Originally starting out with a wild and flamboyant frontman named Andrew Wood. The band, entitled Mother Love Bone drew much more influence from bands like Aerosmith than they did from their Seattle counterparts. And when Wood died of a heroin overdose, the band brought in local Eddie Vedder. Who’s dark and moody vocal style seemed the complete opposite of Wood’s sleazy attack. So the band renamed themselves Pearl Jam. While also bringing in a few replacement members.
With their debut ‘Ten,’ Pearl Jam quickly took the world by storm. Their follow up ‘Vs.’ was also well received. With their combination of hart hitting riffs, moody ballads, killer guitar solos, insane live energy and timeless sound, Pearl Jam established themselves as major players. However, while they had commercial success. Many of their peers considered them posers. With not enough punk edge or artistic integrity. Not enough ‘alternative’ vibes. But Pearl Jam would put that all to rest with their third album ‘Vitalogy.’
The opening one, two punch of ‘Last Exit’ and ‘Spin The Black Circle’ immediately sets the mood. Yes, there’s some timeless Pearl Jam classics such as ‘Better Man’ and ‘Corduroy.’ But there’s an apparent effort throughout the album to distance themselves from where they came from. And as far as I’m concerned it’s disappointing. The ‘indie’ vibe is just a bit too much. ‘Bugs’ is just too indulgent. ‘Pry, To’ tries way too hard to be different. Granted, that was the whole idea of the 90’s.
Along with tracks such as ‘Eye Devinitis’ and ‘Hey Foxymophandelmama, That’s Me,’ ‘Vitalogy’ immediately polarized fans upon it’s early December release. Splitting the fan base into two groups: Those who like the bands hard rocking roots. And those that think they’re better than everyone else because they listen to ‘coffehouse’ indie rock. And that was the idea. For better or worse, Pearl Jam proved to their naysaying peers that they were in fact alternative worthy with ‘Vitalogy.’
