Today we continue with our brief review of the band's discography, picking up with the first of many (many, many) official live albums. If by any chance you haven't gone out and picked up the new one today as of yet, please make sure to do so soon (or click here to order it). As usual, the packaging and artwork make the disc well worth picking up even if you were one of those that downloaded the tracks early. Anyway, on with the show...
The Discography (Part Two: Live On Two Legs through Riot Act)
Live On Two Legs (1998)
Live On Two Legs was released just six months after Yield and was recorded during the tour in support of that release, but you wouldn't really know it based on the track selection (only a handful of songs from Yield appear). Instead the band put together a really outstanding setlist that balances all of the classics with the high points of the more recent discs, proving that much of the new stuff was really just as strong as the material off of Ten and Vs. But unfortunately this disc just doesn't quite capture the intensity and fire of a Pearl Jam live show. Anyone who caught the band during this tour knew how great the band had been, but this just feels a tad bit understated compared to the full experience. The disc sounds great though, it was well recorded and there are a couple of worth hearing highlights like the cover of Neil Young's "Fuckin' Up" and "Daughter" in particular, the latter of which incorporates bits of "W.M.A.". Luckily the band's decision to release official boots of full tours beginning in 2000 allowed fans to fully appreciate the band's power on stage.
Rating: 8.3/10.0
Essential Cuts: "Corduroy", "Black", "Fuckin' Up", "Daughter"
Binaural (2000)
Even though the band hit unexpected Top 40 chart heights in 1999 with the release of non-album single "Last Kiss", 2000 found Pearl Jam in an increasingly unfamiliar rock landscape. When it came to mainstream rock, the classic leaning sound of Pearl Jam was about as far from popular as one could get. But rather than concern themselves with what was popular on MTV and the radio playlists, the band dug in even deeper and bounced back with a very focused and polished effort. The addition of former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron livened up the band's sound a great deal, allowing tracks like the Cameron co-penned "Evacuation" to explode out of the speakers. There weren't as many standout cuts as on the last two efforts, but this album worked much better as a more precise, cohesive whole.
Rating: 8.7/10.0
Essential Cuts: "Nothing As It Seems", "Light Years", "Grievance", "Of The Girl"
Riot Act (2002)
After the more tightly focused attack of Binaural, the band loosened things up a bit and took a few more chances with the follow-up, 2002's Riot Act. While not quite as strong of a statement as the last go round, we are nonetheless treated to some of the band's greatest songs of the second half of its career. "Love Boat Captain" is a delicate tune that appropriates The Beatles in order to address the 2000 Roskilde festival tragedy in which 9 fans were killed. Some may cry foul for the lyric borrowing, but Vedder turns the line into a beautiful plea for love and compassion. Cheesy or overdramatic? Perhaps, but it's one of the most honest songs the band has recorded and it really shows. Other standouts include "You Are" with its intense guitar effects and the raging "Save You". The less said about the Dubya baiting "Bu$hleauger" the better. While not likely to be mistaken for the band's best album, it is nonetheless another satisfying entry in the band's impressive catalog.
Rating: 8.5/10.0
Essential Cuts: "Love Boat Captain", "Save You", "You Are", "Thumbing My Way"
Lost Dogs: Rarities and B-Sides (2003)
This long overdue collection was a fan's dream, finally compiling all of the band's wonderful B-sides, soundtrack contributions, and compilation cuts into one outstanding collection. Ever since the Ten-era B-side "Yellow Ledbetter" exploded onto alt-rock radio in the early 1990's, fans have raved about how great Pearl Jam's non-album material was - and how right they were to do so. From the haunting "Footsteps" to the fan favorite "Dirty Frank" to the fun surf send-up of "Gremmie Out of Control" to the driven, pissed off "Leaving Here", the band has put tremendous amounts of effort into each and every track no matter where it ends up being released. When you listen to the earliest of the songs on this collection it becomes even more clear as to how amazing this band was at it's peak, this is a must have for casual and hardcore fans alike.
Rating: 9.2/10.0
Essential Cuts: "Yellow Ledbetter", "Drifting", "Leaving Here", "Footsteps", "Alone", "Wash"
Benaroya Hall: October 22nd, 2003 (2004)
This live set is a definite curiosity and well worth calling out for special attention due to its unusual nature. This set was recorded during a benefit for the YouthCare organization, featuring mostly acoustic instrumentation and a setlist full of covers and rarities. There isn't exactly anything groundbreaking about this set, but it is a fun listen and the band seems particularly inspired to be playing for these kids. Bob Dylan ("Masters of War"), The Ramones ("I Believe In Miracles"), and Victoria Williams ("Crazy Mary") are all covered to tremendous effect, but the true gems here are the live rarities - "Fatal", "Down", and a fun acoustic cover of the usually hyper-charged "Lukin". The band plugs in again for an amazing finale, featuring one of the better "Yellow Ledbetter"s to make it to official release.
Rating: 8.8/10.0
Essential Cuts: "Man of the Hour", "Masters of War", "Crazy Mary", "Yellow Ledbetter"
And there ends the via//chicago run-down of the band's discography, but that really only scratches the surface. In addition to the very many fine official bootlegs, here's a few other Pearl Jam related items well worth your time and money:
rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003) (a great place for beginners and lapsed fans)
Single Video Theory (an interesting look into the recording process for Yield)
Touring Band 2000 (great live DVD from the 2000 U.S. tour)
Live At The Garden (live at Madison Square Garden on the Riot Act tour)
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