Phil Mongredien 

Pearl Jam: Lightning Bolt – review

Though Pearl Jam's 10th album is short on suprises, Eddie Vedder's vocals impress, writes Phil Mongredien
  
  


Pearl Jam's 10th album might offer little in the way of surprises, but then their last decade of stadium-rock superstardom hasn't been characterised by rampant experimentation. Mind Your Manners is furiously fast, but never loses sight of its memorable tune; the title track and Swallowed Whole both benefit from impassioned Eddie Vedder vocals. It's not an unmitigated triumph, however: Sirens tries to be a lighters-aloft anthem but fails to ignite. But although the album's second half is a little ponderous at times, the poignant Sleeping By Myself, originally recorded for Vedder's 2011 solo ukulele album, profits from its upgrade.

 

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