Seattle 5-piece Pearl Jam return to the popular fold with 'Yield', their fifth album and a sound remenissant of their earlier exploits 'Vs' and the mighty 'Ten'.  But is it any good?

I remember 1991 so vividly, like it was yesterday.  The times they changing, metal was dead, or at least dying a long overdue death and Madchesters baggy pants were blooming.  Indie was quickly  becoming the face of British rock and the metal kids needed a new saviour.  That saviour was most definitely the world of Grunge.  Seattle was it's homeland and spouted great bands such as Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and the now 'holy' Nirvana.  Nevermind was a good album and was definitely the critics choice but one album came out that meant an awful lot more to me and many of my peers -  Pearl Jam 'Ten'.  Nothing short of classic.  This band rocked and the singer had one of the most amazing voices ever recorded.  A successful career was surely to follow.

1993 saw the release of their difficult second album 'Vs' and it certainly didn't disappoint.  The future was very bright indeed.  Unfortunately things then started to go downhill with the release of the abysmal 'Vitalogy' and the incoherent 'No Code.  As far as I was concerned Pearl Jam had died.  I remember being told that the band were releasing a new album this year and I just didn't care.  As far as I was concerned the band should have split up after 'Vs'.  However I saw an import of  the 'Given to Fly' single and thought, I'll give them another chance.

In hindsight I'm glad I did.  The single was so good that I purchased the album on the morning of release.  Its official, PJ are back.  They have once again realised that songs need  decent tunes behind them to be any good and Eddies started to sing again rather than mumble.  The production isn't as full as it was on the first two albums and this leads to a rather sleazy garage sound which is perfect for the grooving guitar riffs found on the likes of 'No Way'.  'Wishlist' is serene, a sort of relaxed 'Rearviewmirror' and 'In Hiding' is almost Pearl Jam Class of '91.  Even the 'Vitalogy' style punk of 'Do The Evolution' is more than a touch pleasant.  All in all a fine return to form.

  Rating - 8 / 10

Other Pearl Jam releases - Ten, Vs, Vitalogy, No Code

Other Related Artists - Mother Love Bone, Brad, Temple of       
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