Top tracks — play these first
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Life Wasted Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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World Wide Suicide — Opening with an explosive energy, this track addresses themes of political disillusionment and personal crisis, resonating deeply with the socio-political climate of its release.
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Gone — A haunting ballad that reflects on loss and longing, it showcases Eddie Vedder's emotional vocal delivery paired with poignant instrumentation, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Army Reserve — With its sharp critique of military involvement and its impact on families, this track exemplifies the band's willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on, aligning with their history of social commentary.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic compositions with thoughtful lyrics, reflecting its era while maintaining Pearl Jam's identity.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a high energy level with aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms, while the fourth track introduces a more reflective tone.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a sense of urgency and emotional weight, particularly in the choruses.
- The album closes with two slower tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, allowing for a contemplative finish.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- reflective late-night listening
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality after a four-year gap, maintaining relevance in a changing landscape.
- Themes
- political disillusionment· military family impact· mid-2000s America
- Moods
- Introspective· Energetic
- Career context
- Released in 2006, this self-titled album marked Pearl Jam's first studio effort in four years, following the critically acclaimed 'Riot Act'. By this time, the band had solidified their legacy as grunge pioneers while also embracing a more diverse sonic palette, reflecting their evolution and maturity in both songwriting and production.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Stone Temple Pilots
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Gone
The chorus shifts between desperation and acceptance as the narrator grapples with an overwhelming sense of absence.
This structural contrast emphasizes the complexity of grief, illustrating how the emotional weight fluctuates throughout the song.
Tracklist
- 1 Life Wasted Start here 3:54
- 2 World Wide Suicide 3:29
- 3 Comatose 2:19
- 4 Severed Hand 4:30
- 5 Marker in the Sand 4:23
- 6 Parachutes 3:36
- 7 Unemployable 3:04
- 8 Big Wave 2:58
- 9 Gone 4:09
- 10 Wasted Reprise 0:53
- 11 Army Reserve 3:45
- 12 Come Back 5:29
- 13 Inside Job 7:08
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Down on the Upside
Soundgarden
Shares a similar raw intensity and exploration of personal and political themes in a grunge-infused sound.
Black Gives Way to Blue
Alice in Chains
Captures a haunting atmosphere with themes of loss and reflection, paralleling mid-2000s emotional depth.
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Foo Fighters
Combines hard rock energy with introspective lyrics, resonating with the same restless spirit of the era.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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