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Binaural starts off with 2 hot tracks, "Breakerfall" (think "Brain of J" or "Not for You") and "God's Dice" before settling for an average rocker titled "Evacuation". The CD's next 3 songs represent the best work on the album--and none of them are up-tempo.

"Light Years" is a fantastic song with typical soulful Eddie Vedder lyrics ("We were but stones/your light made us stars"). The song sounds better and better after each listen. The next song is "Nothing as it Seems" which is the first single released off of Binaural--its also the best song on Binaural and one of the best ever recorded by Pearl Jam. Bassist Jeff Ament penned this classic and with its moody guitar riffs and haunting vocals, the song just absolutely kills. If you've heard this song on the radio, and don't like it, don't bother buying the CD. Go back to your Korn downloads from Napster and crunch yourself.

The final song of Binaural's holy trinity is "Thin Air" another light song that sounds as if it was written in Nashville. The country/folk sound works well with Vedder's vocals.

The rest of the CD is hit ("insignificance") and miss ("Sleight of Hand" and "Soon Forget"). All fiver members including new drummer (again!) Matt Cameron, formerly of Soundgarden, contribute music and lyrics. The result is an enjoyable mix of songs and styles, with a fabulous 3 song set, right in the middle.


Pearl Jam: at their very best - growing, learning, sharing.   May 22, 2000
 27 out of 28 found this review helpful

Some say Pearl Jam are finished. Some say they went long ago when Vitalogy became the epitome of what Grunge had become - confused, muddled and dark. Some say they went with No Code, when the brash classic rock meets punk anthems of Ten and Vs. flew out the back door in favour of eastern-influenced singalongs such as Who You are and the rockers on it seemed unfocussed. Some said they died with Yield.

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.


Musical Freedom   June 28, 2000
 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.