Vitalogy - Pearl Jam (CD 1994)

When I first bought Vitalogy I couldn't even listen to it. That's how much of a problem I had with the album. Oh wait, did I mention that I actually bought the album and not the cd. For those that my have forgotten, Pearl Jam released Vitalogy two weeks early on vinyl. And, being the good fan boy, I bought it. Sure, I didn't own a turntable, but it didn't matter. I was a die-hard fan and in the immortal words of David Puddy, "Gotta support the band."

Vitalogy was a crucial release for me. I loved Pearl Jam's debut, Ten. However, at the time, I was less than thrilled with their sophomore effort, Vs. Rest assured, I realize a band must grow so I was not hoping for Ten II, but Vs. just left me wanting a little more. Sure, I liked Elderly Women... and Daughter, but the rest of the album just seemed too distant (poor description, I know). I've since completely changed my opinion of Vs. and I plan to put together a review on it. Luckily, Vitalogy met and exceeded my lofty expectations for the band's third release.

It's important to remember the turmoil the band was in at the time. Kurt Cobain had just taken his life and internal band tensions were extremely high. They were having difficulty accepting fame and the various problems that followed. The band seemed to be falling apart at the seams and after their canceled tour, I was sure the band was done. Luckily, they got their act together, with the help of new drummer Jack Irons (Dave Abbrusseze did manage to finish recording the album), and were able to maintain the band.

The first two songs immediately let you know you're in for a completely different Pearl Jam. Gone are the arena rockers in favor of pure punk influenced tunes. Last Exit starts with a driving drum beat and never relaxes to let you breathe. It's quickly followed up by Eddie Vedder's ode to vinyl with Spin The Black Circle. It's another raucous punk tune that speeds to a furious end.

Up next is Not For You and is one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs. It's another heavy hitting rock song that gives Vedder plenty of possibilities to lash out against fame and the trials that come along with it. Vedder picks up the guitar on this one, which only serves to make the tune all the more powerful.

The band gets a little experimental with Tremor Christ. It's a trippy song that meanders and never really goes anywhere. Don't be afraid to skip right ahead to Nothingman. It's a beautiful ballad that is easily singable yet full of energy and depth. Hearing it live takes the song to another level.

The band begins to rock again with Whipping (not that they ever stopped). It's a straight up rocker that while not particularly unique, manages to be quite effective as a rock song.

We now begin to tread into some unusual territory. While the first half of the album is pretty standard stuff, the second half is at times brilliant and at other times confusing. It almost seems to represent the state of the band at the time. Because the band decided to diverge from the norm here, so will I. I'll forgo my normal track-by-track review and go with the experimental/confusing stuff first, then the stuff that works so well.

Pry, To, Bugs, Aye Davanita and Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me are all confusing, experimental tracks that severely disrupt the flow of the album. Aye Davanita is worth a listen because it does sound cool, but ends up going nowhere. If you can just ignore the accordions, feedback and annoyance of these tracks and focus on the four others from the second half of the album, you'll be much better for it.

Corduroy is another rocker that is about, of all things, Vedder's trademark corduroy jacket. He again lashes out at fame and the herd mentality that followed the success of the band. It's a good tune that actually still gets some radio time and deservedly so.

Satan's Bed seems to be another Vedder attack on success and commercialism. It's rather rough and unpolished, but manages to work. There are some great anti-establishment lyrics here, like the classic, "I'll never suck Satan's dick."

The final two tracks to be discussed are arguably two of Pearl Jam's best songs, Better Man and Immortality. Better Man was actually written years ago by Vedder and intended to be used by his previous band. It chronicles the problems of a woman drowning in an abusive relationship. She's stuck and feels she can't do any better. It's a beautiful, yet dark, song that is simply wonderful. From the beginning slow build up all the way until the drums pound in, it hits you and hits you deep. Just the mention of deep should lead any Pearl Jam fan right to Immortality. While the song seems be about Cobain's death with its lyrics of death and despair, Vedder has long denied such a fact. Either way, it's as powerful and as haunting as any song released by the band.

Vitalogy is far from a perfect album. The experimental tracks run very thin and tend to break up the otherwise cohesiveness of the rest of the album. It can be considered Pearl Jam's attempt at a "concept" album, which allows me to forgive some of the outlandish tracks. That being said, the songs that work on the album are undeniably classic tracks and deserve the praise they get. Vitalogy is a flawed masterpiece, but a masterpiece nonetheless.