Pearl Jam reignites with 'Riot Act'

By Nate Seltenrich

Eddie Vedder and friends are at it again with Pearl Jam's recently released seventh album, "Riot Act." Although yesterday's alternative rock staple has become today's aging rock band, Pearl Jam has respectably continued to put out new music on a relatively consistent basis.

Even after 2000's virtually invisible "Binaural," the band will be taking another stab at rock idol rebirth with "Riot Act" and a new tour will kick off in early February.

Although the new album doesn't offer much in the way of innovation, Pearl Jam at least deserves credit for sticking it out in today's music environment that strongly favors either the young and hip or the old and reuniting. They have also outlasted almost all of their early-'90s alt-rocker brethren such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden.

Most of "Riot Act's" 15 tracks rock surprisingly harder than one might expect from Pearl Jam at this stage in their career. Their music hasn't slowed or stagnated in the least and still threatens to boil over at points.

With only a few exceptions, the album is high-energy from start to finish. Much of this is contained within the same rock format that has always worked so well for Pearl Jam, although a few tracks do experiment with new sounds and techniques.

"You Are," for example, is structured around a rhythmic loop of a robotic-sounding distorted guitar hook that for four and a half minutes chips away at the established Pearl Jam sound.

On the other end of the spectrum, "I Am Mine" perfects the catchy and melodious rock with the searing solos and moaning vocals that made them famous.

"Riot Act" is sure to be an important part of any devoted Pearl Jam fan's musical library, and is also a good selection for anyone who's been wondering what the band's been up to all these years. B+