release date: Nov. 22, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,46]
producer: Brendan O'Brien, Pearl Jam
label: Sony Records, Japan - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Last Exit" - 2. "Spin the Black Circle" (3 / 5) - 5. "Nothingman" - 8. "Corduroy" - 11. "Better Man" (4 / 5)
3rd studio album by Pearl Jam org. released on Epic Records. This is the second and final album to feature drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who was replaced by Jack Irons (former Red Hot Chili Peppers, also substituting Abbruzzese on track #14).
With Vitalogy the band embarks on a journey into more experimental alt. rock compared to the previous two albums. It's no longer just grunge rock but more of a alt. rock and hard rock combo. The whole album is really a huge blend of styles and songs, some of which are quite aggressive hard rock-styled touching punk rock elements, a few are just alternative... or mere experimental, others are fine rock hymns with harmony vocals, and the then there are also quiet singer / songwriter folk rock ballads. Best track here is "Better Man", and I know the album is a favourite among many Pearl Jam fans - I just don't find it that great and frankly find it too mixed as a whole with a big gap between highs and lows.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine 4 / 5 stars ]
