Product Description

Wider in scope than any 70mm film, VITALOGY is the album onwhich Pearl Jam demands that the pigeonholing cease and desist once and for all. Whether by throwing meatless bones at some blindly zealous fans, or by moving their sound out of the grunge-land that they once called home, Vedder & Co. present this 55-minute tour de force as a treatise to win over the alternative non-believers and drop the excess baggage of fame.
There's nothing fancy to VITALOGY: no ACHTUNG BABY or OUT OF TIME-like transformations, no post-modern gimmickry, no Steve Albini sound. Nevertheless, VITALOGY is revolutionary by Pearl Jam standards because it presents a collection of actually crafted songs, and succeeds in spotlighting the band's growing diversity.
The proof is all over the place: "Corduroy" is an honest-to-goodness pop song, disguised in Seattle garb; "Not For You" brings the band's Crazy Horsefetish to the forefront, combining a folky melody with a ripping, electric arrangement; while "Bugs", "Aye Davanita", and "Hey Foxymophandlemama" are, respectively, an accordion-driven stomp, a raga-like instrumental, and a feedback-laden sound collage. All are delivered with such taste and assurance, that rather than sounding unnatural and forced, they only further illuminate Pearl Jam's artistic strides. Each helps make VITALOGY a proud notch on the band's growing musical belt.

Track Listing

1. Last Exit
2. Spin The Black Circle
3. Not For You
4. Tremor Christ
5. Nothingman
6. Whipping
7. Pry To
8. Corduroy
9. Bugs
10. Satan's Bed
11. Better Man
12. Ave Davanita
13. Immortality
14. Stupidmop

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13883 in Music
• Released on: 1994-12-01
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Up Yours
There are many theories about Vitalogy and its musical content. One such theory is that PJ were sticking up their proverbial two fingers to the 'corporate machine' and stepping off the commercial tread mill that came with 'Ten' and 'Vs'. Brilliant free thinking musicians will always explore new ideas, they have to, otherwise their heads burst.
Vitology contains the usual suspects that we all like to sing along to, when we get to see the best band in the world live, but it also contains lots of other good stuff as well.

'Bugs', a dig at the men in gray suits, they're going to get you in the end , it's inevitable!!.

'Aye Davanita'. Pearl Jam doing 1970's Krautrock... Thank you, can we have some more please and what about the excellent 'Stupid Mop'. It's wouldn't sound out of place on a Faust album.
We have enough PJ anthems to keeps us going for a lifetime. Lets hope they can deliver another Vitalogy soon.

Incredible songs that somehow combine to make a somewhat disappointing album
This album does not make up it's mind. It has some truly awesome songs, Immortality and Nothingman come to mind. However it also has some right crap, what the hell is on with Bugs, Stupid Mop and Aye Deventia, I just do not know. My other complaint is that the album does not flow well, the passage from song to song is erratic and I don't particularly like the experience. So as an album Vitalogy is not in the company of Ten and Vs. However there is no denying the volume of tracks on this album that kick ass. I cannot get how they managed to mess up an album with such great songs. I'm tempted to give it a low score but with the two songs I mentioned first plus greats like Corduroy, Betterman and a few others I can't knock it too much.

a true gem
this album seems to generate a lot of mixed feelings in people. being a child of the grunge generation i bought this on release having been a fan of the band since ten. It says a lot about the state of mind of the band at the time and presents a mish mash of quality ballady type songs along with the most punk orientated stuff they have produced. Its a tender, rocking, moody, spitefull ball of love for all to enjoy.

To my ears it works extremely. Still one of my favourite albums and an album that I still love listening to even after more years than i care to admit.