Pearl Jam
Riot Act
Pearl Jam is like pizza. You know, the whole "even when it's bad, it's good" thing. Look, I'm a fan club member from way back, and anything this band does rivals most anything else on the radio. This record's no different... subtle, textured and genius. But, well, I have a wee bit of fear that the band's growing up faster than I am.

This one's just not as raw or immediate as, say, Vs. or Vitalogy. And actually, it's missing what I've always loved most about their sound. It's that moment you'll find in songs like "Present Tense," "Rearviewmirror" and "Porch": When the momentum falls to silence before reigniting the slow, tense build... building... building... stretching into forever before finally coming together and exploding in a hugely cathartic release.

Pearl Jam, porn, it's all the same.

On first listen, I predicted this one would be a grower, and I was right. It took an unprecedented 15 listens to break me, but break me it did. It's excellent. After a while, I may not even miss The Moment.