Retreating from the experimentation of Gigaton, Pearl Jam delivers a comforting blend of agitated fist-pumpers, roiling ballads, and yearning mid-tempo anthems.
A new compilation explores the early days of Elliott Smith’s alt-rock band, whose tight songcraft and introspective lyrics set the stage for his solo work to come.
With help from producer Cate Le Bon, the Chicago band’s 13th album flickers to life on several songs that hint at the controlled chaos of their bygone experimental era.