Pearl Jam
Vs

After the excellent "Ten," Pearl Jam embark on an unexpected and even perilous path; that of the overflowing punk rides that were only hinted at in the debut album and actually seemed like the group's weak point.

In a sense, "Vs" is almost surprising because it successfully blends a punk appeal with classic rock structures. The philosophy that loomed over "Ten" is completely forgotten; if before there was an attempt at a balanced approach to music, now there is always an effort to break the limits, to exaggerate, to shatter the balance. In general, the guitars become less eclectic and more compact, the rhythms become more uniform and faster. Vedder doesn't miss a beat; not a wrong chorus, not a redundant song. In short, here one is content with good old Rock n' Roll tinged with Punk; it's no novelty, but it remains a highly enjoyable and energetic work.

We move from adrenaline rushes like "Go" and "Animal," strong with raw and catchy riffs, to powerful pieces of classic Rock like "Glorified G" and "Dissident," with memorable choruses and robust guitars. In general, the tones remain bright and masculine; "Leash," "Rearview Mirror," and especially "Rats," with Vedder shining with his booming voice, are a clear example. The only three introspective moments correspond to the splendid folk ballad "Daughter," the moving lilt of "Elderly Woman," and the impressionistic, heartbreaking closure of "Indifference."

The two masterpieces of the album are the tribal ballad of "W.M.A." and the lacerating punk of "Blood"; the former recalls psychedelic treasures now buried between the angry distortions, the latter appears as the wild manifesto of a hard and pure, sincere, and unrestrained album. In conclusion, "Vs" is an atypical continuation; Pearl Jam abandon the sounds of their debut and venture into sounds that didn't seem natural to them; the result is more than satisfactory, with truly memorable episodes.