Thanks to its stripped-down, lean production,
Vitalogy
stands as
Pearl Jam
's most original and uncompromising album. While it isn't a concept album,
sounds like one. Death and despair shroud the album, rendering even the explosive celebration of vinyl
"Spin the Black Circle"
somewhat muted. But that black cloud works to
's advantage, injecting a nervous tension to brittle rockers like
"Last Exit"
and
"Not for You,"
and especially introspective
ballads
like
"Corduroy"
"Better Man."
In between the straight
rock
numbers and the searching slow songs,
contribute their strangest music -- the mantra
funk
of
"Aye Davanita,"
the sub-
Tom Waits
accordion romp of
"Bugs,"
and the chilling sonic collage
"Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me."
are at their best when they're fighting, whether it's Ticketmaster, fame, or their own personal demons. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine