bernadetteg's Full Review: Bayleaf by Stone Gossard
Stone Gossard is more than just the rhythm guitarist in Pearl Jam: he's the rhythm guitarist and one of the principal songwriters in the woefully under-rated college-rock outfit Brad, owns Studio Litho in Seattle, served as executive producer to such artists as Josh Freese and Malfunkshun, and testified before Congress against the Ticketmaster monopoly. This, of course, is excluding his contributions to the seminal Green River and Mother Love Bone, the Andy Wood tribute outfit Temple of the Dog, and his supporting roles in the Cameron Crowe flicks Singles and Say Anything. So, it makes perfect sense that Gossard would come out with a solo album; the question is, why didn't he do it sooner?
When I first wrote a review for Bayleaf in The Island Ear, I strongly recommended the album. I stand behind what I said, however, I think it's only fair to expound on it some more.
First of all, anyone who's expecting Pearl Jam and/or Eddie Vedder is going to be sorely disappointed. While it's true that Gossard is more than partly responsible for Pearl Jam's more well-known and full-throttle songs -- e.g., "Alive," "Evenflow" -- you're not going to get any of that here. Instead, you'll get a refreshingly original blend of musical genres -- rock, reggae, funk-blues -- on a range of topics as beautiful girls ("Cadillac"), dysfunctional families ("Every Family"), and fear of commitment ("Pigeon" -- a/k/a "I'm not through sleeping around."). That, of course, is fine . . . just as long as, like I said, you're not expecting Pearl Jam.
Second, for what it's worth, Gossard's vocal abilities are certainly up to par with his more famous bandmate's. They've definitely improved since "Mankind" -- the No Code track on which he provided his vocals for -- and if Bayleaf is any indication, he can only get better with time.
Third, the only time the album falls short of the glory is when Gossard strikes a Vedder pose. (I have nothing against Vedder, mind you, it's just that I don't particularly appreciate it when artists try to imitate him -- or anyone else, for that matter -- which is also why you'll never hear me complement Scott Stapp, among others). Case in point: "Unhand Me." Bayleaf works because it stays light and quirky -- but never superficial -- and this song just throws a monkey wrench into the entire operation.
Still, this album is truly a success, if only because Gossard chose to do it his way, and not the way someone else would do it.
I highly recommend this album. It's a breath of fresh air in this stagnant musical climate.
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