No matter when people say Pearl Jam 'died' or 'sold out' (and there is many a PJ fan who would dispute that last comment to the day they die), the fact remains that Pearl Jam have the potential to create some of most emotional, passionate and beautiful rock music ever made. On this album, they get there.

The album opens quickly, with Pete Townshend like riffs exploding into the speakers - its 'I can see for Miles' except this time it breaks into rapid fire bass and guitar - Breakerfall - the perfect opening for the album, and PJ sounding in fine form. That moves quickly onto 'Gods Dice'- the perfect one-two to floor this listener at the start of the album. Then comes the jilted 'Evacuation' - the Matt Cameron penned piece, filled with sparkling fills.

Then the album sparks into top gear. 'Light Years' follows - the albums mix of the best of Pearl Jam over the past ten years - its Given to Fly, Wishlist, Alive and Immortality all rolled into one and the result is one of the most beautifully crafted pop songs ever made. Stunning. 'nothing as it seems' continues in the same mold, all McCready wailing over the strum of the acoustic.

Still only five tracks in, and already we're knocked out by the sheer BEAUTY of the writing. 'Thin Air' recalls Daughter but never plagiarises it, while Insignificance is possibly the best true rock song PJ have written since their early days. A fullisade of riffs crashes down before its the sparse Of the Girl - perhapsthe song that best shows PJ's versatility. Grievance follows - the line 'Pledge my Grievance to the flag' - proving PJ still have the political roots in them. Then weve got the album closes - the lovely 'Sleight of Hand,' all aural texture, and a quirky Vedder ballad on the ukelele. 'Parting Ways' sounds a little too much 'Long Road' for my liking, but overall its a lovely ending to a magnificent album. They haven't sold out. They're not dead. They always have, and always will be, Alive.


Pearl Jam continue to get less anthemic and more interesting   May 27, 2000
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

There seems to be a strong sentiment that Pearl Jam has gone downhill since "Ten" and "Vs." I can't disagree more. Growing up in the early 90s, the early albums were certainly the soundtrack to my youth due to the classic songs and angsty feel. There are no monster smash singles on "Binaural" like there were with "Jeremy" and "Alive." But that's fine, because the band is more interesting, diverse, and frankly, better. Where an album like "Ten" relied on a basic hard rock format, replete with massive guitar solos and anthemic songs, Binaural relies on texture, hooks, and a greater sense of songcraft. I have never heard a band mature as much as Pearl Jam has over the course of six albums. They incorporate punk, pop, hard rock, and a ukulele for God's sake. Binaural is absolutely their best album. Buy it to hear a great band at the absolute top of its form.


Musical Freedom   June 28, 2000
Ockham's Razor (Ohio, USA)
21 out of 24 found this review helpful

Pearl Jam has never been a band to be boxed into formulaic songwriting or pinned down with simple-minded categorizations. What makes PJ great is their willingness to experiment, evolve and take significant RISKS with each release. It's a risky proposition, because along with great hits can come great misses, and the public is ever so fickle and resistant to change. But it's something that will ultimately make PJ a truly standout - if not classic - band. And who in the hell ever said that you judge a band's quality by the album sales? If you believe that, you've been missing out on 90% of the best music out there. Populist tendencies and crowd-pleaser work do not necessarily a classic make.

The most ironic thing about this all is that on "Binaural" PJ continues on with their original purpose...making experimental, truly "ALTERNATIVE" music, pushing the envelope and exploring sounds and textures. It's ironic because that's what alternative and grunge were about in the first place - the spirit of the movement was about music deviating from the mainstream. No, this isn't a "Ten" or a "Vs." because those were ten years ago...back then, THAT was "alternative". PJ have continued to evolve and follow their vision. And now they're getting slammed for doing what people loved about them at first. Of course each album should be evaluated according to it's musical and lyrical substance and quality, not its genre...it's just a point that I personally find amusing.

Having said that, "Binaural" is quite, quite good. PJ here sounds restrained yet raw, elegant, graceful, mature, MUSICAL. It's a RAUCOUS album played with freshness and almost abandon - yet layered and complex. A WORD OF CAUTION: "Binaural" takes time to grow on you. It's a bit difficult to digest at first and takes repeated listens to really understand the quality behind this album. It's not formulaic, and the hooks are subtle. It's about layers...with each spin new elements emerge that contribute to finally understanding the whole. Give it time and really listen.

The first thing that impacted me was the production - it's raw and almost primitive - almost a throwback to the analog days. A reviewer said it best when he said they sound like an indie band. Don't get me wrong, each instrument is distinct and clearly heard...it's just missing the typical slick, "digital" production. It's as if the songs were recorded live in the studio with minimal effects (maybe they were?). Almost muddy, but not quite. To me it works, but not everyone will be pleased with it.

The musicianship on this album is excellent. Eddie's voice is more versatile and uses more textures and inflection than ever. Some of the screaming rage is gone, but it's replaced by a simmering, brooding anger and a deeper frustration and emotion. The guitars are outstanding...listen to the interplay between Stone and Mike, the subtle strains of classic rock, southern rock, folk...the emotional licks and riffs. There is always a dual attack going on which gives the music dimension. A bit of the biting, electric wall-of-sound approach is missing to be replaced by a more textured, classsic, almost jangly (at times) sound...it's a small gripe I have. But worry not, they still rock when needed. Jeff's bass playing is spot-on and supports the rhythm solidly while providing melodic elements of his own. And Matt Cameron's drumming is sensational. This is a brilliant drummer - one of the best in any style of rock today.

For the most part, this album is a hit. The aggressive rockers like "Breakerfall", "God's Dice" are true standouts. Again, think raw indie approach. "Insignificance" and "Grievance" are arguably two of the best songs PJ has ever penned. Beautifully done. And of their slower tracks, "Light Years", "Thin Air" are very good, with brooding emotion and subtle hooks. Of their more experimental songs, "Nothing Is As It Seems" and "Sleight of Hand" are great, psychedelic numbers...with "Parting Ways" being absolutely brilliant.

Now, some misses (to me): "Rival" is too experimental and to me comes off sounding forced and out of character. "Soon Forget" (Eddie's ditty with a ukelele) sounds genuine but bland and forgetful. It's missing expression and I believe Eddie could have done more with it. Finally, the rocker "Evacuation" does rock, but it's difficult to latch on to, even after repeated listenings...it toes the line of sounding dissonant and disjointed and ALMOST out of control - like a last-minute improvised jam session. It works to some effect, but it can be a bit annoying.

Some have said that if this was an album by a new band, it would be ignored. I take a different tack...if this was an album by a new band, it would be hailed as brilliant, original, fresh, etc. But since it's PJ and PJ has been boxed into a formula and sound by the public, it doesn't conform to expectations, so the album is not widely accepted. Think about it.

Great album...if you're open-minded enough.


HOW many bands sound THIS good after six albums?   July 27, 2000
Pedro Oliva (Denton, TX United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I have to say that Pearl Jam has completely outdone themselves with this release. Moving, driving, progressive, and sincere are the four best words I can find to describe this true masterpice. Most bands are burnt out of fresh ideas by the ten year point of their career, but Pearl Jam just keeps on going. Here's how I feel about this disc song by song. A word of note, like any Pearl Jam CD, this disc takes some time to grow on you, it kinda, seeps itself under your skin and takes a hold of you. I must admit, at first, I thought that this album started great, but ended too bland, but after listening, it has become one of my higest priority desert island discs.

1. Breakerfall- Must be heard loud for maximum effect, matt cameron takes a hold of you right away with his drumming, eddie is great, guitars are blazing, and jeff goes to town. Very Who-ish. (Isn't it great how Pearl Jam always starts their albums with a relentless rocker?)

2. God's Dice- Takes off right away after track 1, could be seen as a modern day "Spin the Black Circle". A very focused track with great lyrics and excellent drumming once again. Another one to turn the volume to 10.

3. Evacuation- I don't see why people don't get this song. So what if it doesn't find a good hook, and goes three different directions? Does pearl jam have to follow your traditional song formula? the lyrics aren't that bad, and Stone and Mike really go to town on this one. I love the vocal harmony on the chorus, YEAH! This is vintage pearl jam left over from Vitalogy.

4. Light Years- 1 of 3 perfect tunes on this CD. Everything about this song is sincere, and has the most singable chorus I think pearl jam has ever had since "Alive". The instrumental break is so lovely and well done, and eddie's higher range sounds ever so melodic and clear. Beautiful song, and one that will surely live on.

5. Nothing As It Seems- Not the best choice for first single(I still think Grievance should have been the first single), but it's a great moody tune with excellent work by Mike on guitar.

6. Thin Air- Another great, sincere mid tempo rocker that shows why Eddie is the best vocalist of the last 10-15 years (sorry Maynard, you're a VERY close 2nd).

7. Insignificance- 2nd of 3 perfect songs on this disc. This is a CLASSIC pearl jam tune, with a rocking beat, a strong dose of emotional tension, agressive guitars, and a great climax. If you can't feel the energy on this one, you must be dead.

8. Of The Girl- A tune with a strong eastern vibe, kinda the oddball progressive tune on the album (a la "WMA", "I'm Open"), yet has an infectious groove and some great bluesy licks from Mike, (well, sounds like mike, could be stone). I dig it, but it feels weird cause it's somewhat without a bridge, so it sounds like just like one long vamp, but it rocks anyway.

9. Grievance- In my opinion, the best song on the album, and the 3rd of 3 perfect songs on the disc. Probably also one of pearl jams 5 best songs ever ("Alive", "Rearviewmirror", "Do The Evolution", "Nothingman", "Greivance") This song has it all, it IS everything pearl jam, Mike and Stone wailing away some massive licks on the guitar, Jeff slamming down some huge bass grooves, Matt doing some TOTALLY insane things on the drums and of course Eddie's voice soaring all over the entire song, especially on the outro... I nearly lost my mind when I first heard this tune on letterman. DAMN!

10. Rival- Another misunderstood song which seems weak at first, but grows on you. Has a deliciously dissonant guitar riff and great background singing.

11. Sleight of Hand- it's chilling that a band can create such a loose, liquid-like feel and still sound so tight. Eddie once again sounds magical... probably one of Pearl Jam's best slower tunes since "Nothingman" or "Low Light"

12. Soon Forget- GENIUS lyrics, with a great story, and of course, Eddie rocks no matter what he sings (or plays).

13. Parting Ways- While I agree with a previous reviewer who said the he was waiting for Pearl Jam to finally end an album with a straight ahead rock tune, it's kinda become their trade mark to end with a slower song (Release, Indifference, Stupid Mop (ugh), Around The Bend, All Those Yesterdays), this one is so gorgeously done, it's hard to find it a bad thing. Again, the guitar textures are lush, and Eddie's voice sounds sincere and gentle, yet still powerful. A great closer.

As you can see, I have a great adoration for the album, and I truly feel that it kinda takes the best of each previous release, and creates something a summation of the bands first decade. After ten years, this is where they have come, and I can't think of anything better. Pearl Jam is still going strong, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. As pretty much the SOLE surviving band of their era, Pearl Jam have truly shown everybody what it means to survive in the vicious world of the music business. Bravo Pearl Jam, and keep the great albums coming!