It seems that no matter what Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder does, he can never escape the stereotype that he is a whiny rock star. And while it's true that in the past, Vedder's lack of acceptance of his role as one of the most important musical icons of the 1990s (and now, beyond) got on the nerves sometimes of even his biggest fans (myself included), the fact is is that Vedder, along with the rest of Pearl Jam has grown up, matured, evolved, and accepted their role, and this is no more evident than on the massive 1998 album, the band's fifth, Yield.
There is an overall sense of looseness about this record, (as evidenced by the video of the recording sessions, the wonderful Single Video Theory) and that looseness has let the band create the most straight ahead rock record of their career. This is rock and roll, it's not the highly emotional, yet dated sounding Ten, or the us against the world mentality of Vs., but it is it's own entity.
Lead guitarist Mike McCready owns this record. While his contributions in the past are not exactly known (PJ never used to give individual writing credit), on this album, they are legendary. The first single, Given to Fly, is quite possibly the finest song the band has ever done. It's a big huge monster of an anthem, touching on the themes of redemption, courage, heart, and even loss. The song moves in waves, with it building and building until all the tension is released in the chorus. The soft rolling beats put down by drummer Jack Irons on the verses are quite a contrast to the bombastic crash of all the fills he plays on the chorus.
Opening the album is Brain of J, a song that had been in the Pearl Jam catalog for three years (making it's debut on the band's fall 95 tour), but had never seemed to be a staple. And out of all the songs, I'd say this is the one that just doesn't really belong on Yield. It doesn't have the same tone as the rest of the songs. I love this song, don't get me wrong, but it would have been a perfect fit on 1994's Vitalogy (Even if this song most likely wasn't written at the time of the Vitalogy sessions).
You then are taken into the first of a couple of songs inspired by Daniel Quinn's novel, Ishmael. Faithfull is structured much like Given to Fly, although it does not have nearly as many of the same anthemic qualities of that song. But it holds it's own nonetheless. It's a song about belief, most notably taking some shots at religion, but it's overall message is to have faith.
The funky and very annoying No Way is next. As soon as you hear the song, you know rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard wrote it. While I've never really gotten into this song much, others seem to love it, and the chorus of "I'll stop trying to make a difference, no way" speaks volumes about the band's past fights.
Wishlist is a romantic ode written by Vedder to his wife Beth. The camaro line in the song is aimed right at her, and it is quite possibly the most simple song the band has ever done musically. Over a simple repeated riff, Vedder sings what he wish he was, did, could be etc.
Bassist Jeff Ament makes some contributions of his own here, including the beautifully hush ballad Low Light, which is just a beautiful, atmospheric song. It's riff is almost country-ish, and the added piano adds a great texture to the song. However, Pilate does not work nearly as well. It's verses are wonderful, but it's chorus has to be the absolute worst chorus I've ever heard in my life. It completely ruins the song and it just sounds very out of place.
The wonderful satire Do the Evolution is not nearly as good here as it is when the band performs it live. Here, it is slow, and loses much of it's raw power and energy. But you can't help but smile as Vedder spits out the lines "I am ahead, I am advanced, I am the first mammal to wet my pants yeah!" This song was heavily influenced by Ishmael as well, and if you've read that book (which I highly recommend you do, PJ fan or not), you will begin to understand this song much better.
I can safely say I truly love this album. It's great rock music, and unlike the band's previous album, the sparkling yet difficult No Code, it is very easy to immediately immerse yourself in it. It is a true collective effort, and it shows the band at the happiest point in their career (at the time, it seems they're even happier now), and to a point where they are mature and can handle their huge past successes. No, it's not Ten or Vs.. Why? Simple. "Because it's evolution baby!"
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